Interference fit sleeved foam charge rolls and composite materials
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorsDonald Leo Elbert, Benjamin John Goebel, Claudia Alexandra Marin, Ronald Lloyd Roe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is generally directed to composite materials or charge rolls comprising a sleeved foam charge roll where the sleeve is interference-fit over the foam core, and methods of constructing them. The foam core can be made with an outer diameter larger than that of the sleeve inner diameter. The sleeve can be interference fit over the foam core to provide a functional charge roll. In some embodiments the charge roll can be used in an image forming apparatus including, but not limited to, an electrophotography system, an electrophotographic copying machine, and a laser printer.
Claims33
A charge roll comprising:
- a shaft;
- a foam core layer which surrounds at least part of the circumferential surface of the shaft, wherein the foam core layer is reticulated and coated with an electrically conductive composition;
- and
- a sleeve which surrounds at least part of the circumferential surface of the foam core layer;
- wherein the sleeve is fastened to the foam core layer by interference fit, and
- wherein prior to fastening the foam core layer to the sleeve, the foam core layer has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve.
A charge roll comprising:
- a shaft;
- a foam core layer which surrounds at least part of the circumferential surface of the shaft;
- and
- a sleeve which surrounds at least part of the circumferential surface of the foam core layer and has a length which is greater than a length of the foam core layer;
- wherein the foam core layer is reticulated and coated with an electrically conductive composition,
- wherein the sleeve is fastened to the foam core layer by friction after the sleeve and foam core layer are pushed together, and
- wherein prior to fastening the foam core layer to the sleeve, the foam core layer has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve.
A composite material comprising:
- a shaft;
- a foam core layer which surrounds at least part of the circumferential surface of the shaft;
- and
- a sleeve which surrounds at least part of the circumferential surface of the foam core layer and has a length which is greater than a length of the foam core layer;
- wherein the foam core layer is reticulated and coated with an electrically conductive composition,
- wherein the sleeve is fastened to the foam core layer by interference fit, and
- wherein prior to fastening the foam core layer to the sleeve, the foam core layer has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve.
An image forming apparatus comprises a charge roll and a photoconductive drum;
- wherein
- the charge roll comprises
- a shaft;
- a foam core layer which surrounds at least part of the circumferential surface of the shaft;
- and
- a sleeve which surrounds at least part of the circumferential surface of the foam core layer;
- wherein the foam core layer is reticulated and coated with an electrically conductive composition,
- wherein the sleeve is fastened to the foam core layer by interference fit, and
- wherein prior to fastening the foam core layer to the sleeve, the foam core layer has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.