# US 8,543,048 B2 · Electrophotographic marking system with blade cut angles for longer blade life > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,543,048 B2 - Document ID: US8543048B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/840,757 - Filed: 2010-07-21 - Published: 2012-01-26 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-21 - Assignees: Xerox Corporation - Applicants: Bruce Earl Thayer; Aaron Michael Burry - Inventors: Bruce Earl Thayer; Aaron Michael Burry - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8543048B2 ## CPC - G03G 21/0076: {Plural or sequential cleaning devices} - G03G 21/0017: {Details relating to the internal structure or chemical composition of the blades} - G03G 21/0029: {Details relating to the blade support} - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus comprising a cleaning unit with a blade holder that rotates about a pivot point, the cleaning blade is coupled to the blade holder and is positioned to chisel excess toner from a photoreceptor surface. Geometrical changes produce a blade having a slanted surface that reduces cyclic fatigue stress at the blade tip and reduces blade edge wear. The blade has a sharp leading side, a trailing side, and a working end comprising a slanted surface. When the slanted surface is formed at an angle between 93 degrees to 97 degrees stiffer tips is produced and wears resulting from blade and photoreceptor surface contact is reduced. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming machine comprising: a moving surface; a blade held in contact with the moving surface in a counter direction for removing particles on the moving surface and having a free end with at least a first plane defining a working surface and a second plane, the first plane being adjacent to the second plane defining blade cut angle which is greater than 93 degrees and less than 95 degrees between each other to increase blade life and reliability, the free end further defining a blade tip having an edge between the first plane and the second plane and further defining a trailing edge between a third plane and the first plane; a blade positioning mechanism connected to the blade to move the blade into a working position wherein only the edge of the blade tip engages the moving surface to remove particles therefrom; a controller to cause the blade positioning mechanism to rotate the blade in defined increments within a position to create a minimum blade load so as to remove particles from the moving surface; and wherein the blade cut angle limits blade edge wear when the blade tip engages the moving surface by reducing tucking stresses. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming machine of claim 1, wherein the first plane and the second plane form a ridge line contacting the moving surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image forming machine of claim 2, wherein the blade is enhanced with nanotubes fillers to significantly increase the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of the blade. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The image forming machine of claim 3, wherein the moving surface is at least one of drum rotating in an operational direction, a flat surface moving in an operational direction, or a belt moving in an operational direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The image forming machine of claim 3, wherein the blade positioning mechanism comprises a supporting member having a rotational axis and being configured to hold the blade. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The image forming machine of claim 3, wherein the moving surface is a drum that rotates in an operational direction and the blade tip extends transversely across the drum surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The image forming machine of claim 3, wherein the moving surface is a belt moving in an operational direction and the blade tip extends transversely across the belt. ### Claim 8 A cleaning station in an electrophotographic marking system, the system comprising in an operative arrangement, a movable surface and a cleaning blade in a holder, the blade having a top edge, a bottom edge and an end edge opposite the holder, a blade tip to clean the movable surface, and a bevel defining a working surface on the end edge of the blade that provide lower blade tip wear, wherein the bevel forms a blade cut angle which is greater than 93 degrees and less than 95 degrees with the bottom edge to increase blade life and reliability and further defining a trailing edge with the top edge; and a controller to cause the blade positioning mechanism to rotate the blade in defined increments within a position to create a minimum blade load so as to remove particles from the moving surface; wherein the blade cut angle limits blade edge wear when the blade tip engages the movable surface by reducing tucking stresses. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The cleaning station of claim 8, wherein the blade tip comprises a ridge line where the bottom edge and the end edge meet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The cleaning station of claim 9, wherein the blade is enhanced with nanotubes fillers to significantly increase the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of the blade. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The cleaning station of claim 10, wherein the movable surface is at least one of drum rotating in an operational direction, a flat surface moving in an operational direction, or a belt moving in an operational direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The cleaning station of claim 10, wherein the holder is coupled to a blade positioning mechanism that comprises a supporting member having a rotational axis and being configured to hold the blade. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The cleaning station of claim 10, wherein the surface is a drum rotating in an operational direction and the blade tip extends transversely across the drum surface to remove debris during a cleaning operation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The cleaning station of claim 10, wherein the surface is a belt moving in an operational direction and the blade tip extends transversely across the belt to remove debris from the belt during a cleaning operation.