Xerox Corporation

Robert Steven Pozniakas

Michael Nicholas Soures

Robert Arnold Gross

David E Rollins

Bruce Earl Thayer

Douglas W Sass

Ahmed-Mohsen T Shehata

Erwin Ruiz

Nero R Lindblad

Paul F Sawicki

Michael Quoc Lu

James Lawton Giacobbi

David R Kamprath

Don B Jugle

Jeffrey William Drawe

Steven J Fiore

Stephen F Randall

Timothy David Thomas

Nancy R Kelly

Daniel H Burnett

Jeffrey Michael Gramowski

Michael E Beard

Alvin J Owens

John A Wargo

Cheryl Koenig

David J Lemmon

Richard M Baran

Joanna Brown

James J Petery

Gary A Minagawa

Steven R LeRoy

Shengliang Zhang

Nitin Shenoy

Cheng-Ning Jong

Nate Weldon

Roger Joseph Aurio

Fredrick M Hausner

Deborah Ann Gualtieri

Kathleen Spencer

Christina DiMarco

Bernard N Hakac

As set forth herein, computer-implemented methods and systems facilitate adjusting an HFSI counter increment as a function of local relative humidity in order to adjust corona device lifespan. Adjustment factors are set for a plurality of GOM levels and an adjustment factor to be applied to the HFSI counter increment is assigned to or set for each GOM level. A curve is determined or calculated that approximates the adjustment factor, and a quadratic equation defining the curve is determined. Humidity measurement data is received from an environmental sensor coupled to the printer device, and depending on the relative humidity in the local environment of the printer, and an adjustment factor derived from the quadratic equation is applied to the HFSI counter increment to adjust for dry or humid conditions.

Variable HFSI counter for the charging subsystem based on GOM (grains of moisture)

A diagnostic system made part of or for use with a document handling device in which a customer is guided toward performance of at least one comparison means in a diagnostic routine analysis. The comparison means is selected from a group comprising (1) a first comparison comparing a fused print media and an unfused print media for presence of a defect, (2) a second comparison comparing an output print media and at least one image on a screen for a type of defect, and (3) a third comparison comparing a low-charged print media and a no-charged print media for qualities of the defect. The customer enters a selection based on results of the first, the second, or the third comparisons. The diagnostic system can identify a part causing a defect in the print media based on results of the comparisons.

Customer part replacement feature utilizing high frequency service interval fault and signature analyses

An apparatus () and method () that adjusts cleaning station operation in a printing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus can include a charge receptor () movable in a process direction P, where the charge receptor can have a main surface (). The apparatus can include a charger () configured to generate a charge on the charge receptor and an image generator () configured to generate an image on the charge receptor. The apparatus can include a cleaning station () coupled to the charge receptor. The cleaning station can include a cleaning brush () coupled to the main surface of the charge receptor. The cleaning station can be configured to clean the main surface of the charge receptor. The apparatus can include a controller () coupled to the cleaning station. The controller can be configured to determine a type of image generated on the charge receptor and can be configured to adjust cleaning parameters of operation of the cleaning station based on the type of image generated on the charge receptor.

Apparatus and method for adjusting cleaning station operation in a printing apparatus

Systems and methods are provided for controlling cleaning devices in image forming apparatus electrostatic image forming apparatus. Such systems may include a charge receptor, movable in a process direction, defining a main surface. A toner application device applies toner to the charge receptor, and is configured to place a lubrication stripe including the toner on a portion of the main surface of the charge receptor, the position of the lubrication stripe is controlled with respect to a position on the main surface of the charge receptor corresponding to a paper trail edge. The dimensions and density of the lubrication stripe may also be controlled. The lubrication stripe is delivered to a secondary cleaning device including a blade engaging with the photoreceptor surface to lubricate the blade.

Systems and methods for controlling cleaning devices in image forming apparatus

Aspects of the disclosure provided a method to improve performance of a cleaning device to extend a usage life of the cleaning device. The method can include obtaining a performance characteristic of an electrostatic brush that degrades operations of the electrostatic brush, determining at least one parameter that compensates for the degradation, and controlling the electrostatic brush by the at least one parameter to maintain the electrostatic brush operating within a failure boundary.

Method and apparatus for cleaning

Systems and methods are provided for controlling cleaning devices in image forming apparatus electrostatic image forming apparatus. Such systems may include a charge receptor, movable in a process direction, defining a main surface. A toner application device applies toner to the charge receptor, and is configured to place a lubrication stripe including the toner on a portion of the main surface of the charge receptor at a selected time. An influence of at least one corotron on the charge receptor is modified, during the designated rotations of the charge receptor, while the portion of the surface on which the lubrication stripe is formed, or will be formed, is passing the at least one corotron. The lubrication stripe is delivered to a secondary cleaning device including a blade engaging with the photoreceptor surface to lubricate the blade.

A diagnostic system that provides a service technician with service information during servicing of an image processing apparatus includes at least one counter that is incremented during operation of the image processing apparatus, a pressure detecting unit that detects a pressure at a point in an air flow path on the condition that the at least one counter is reset to zero after initial servicing of the image processing apparatus, a determining unit that determines whether a difference between the detected pressure and a fault threshold pressure is less than a predetermined margin, and a display unit that displays a fault code indicating additional servicing of the image processing apparatus is recommended on the condition that the determining unit determines that the difference between the detected pressure and the predetermined threshold pressure is less than the predetermined margin.

Diagnostic systems and methods for providing diagnostic information during servicing of an image processing apparatus

Systems and methods are provided for controlling cleaning devices in image forming apparatus electrostatic image forming apparatus. Such systems may include a charge receptor, movable in a process direction, defining a main surface. A toner application device applies toner to the charge receptor, and is configured to place a lubrication stripe including the toner on a portion of the main surface of the charge receptor at a selected time. An influence of a pre-clean corotron on the charge receptor is modified, during the designated rotations of the charge receptor, while the portion of the surface on which the lubrication stripe is formed, or will be formed, is passing the pre-clean corotron. The lubrication stripe is delivered to a secondary cleaning device including a blade engaging with the photoreceptor surface to lubricate the blade.

An apparatus includes a xerographic cleaning blade, an actuator member operatively connected to the cleaning blade and movable over a first stroke from a first actuator position to a second actuator position, and a damper operatively connected to the actuator member. As the actuator member moves over the first stroke the cleaning blade moves from a first blade position to a second blade position. The damper allows substantially uninhibited actuation of the actuator member over a first portion of the first stroke. The damper damps actuation of the actuator member over a second portion of the first stroke.

Cleaning blade control apparatus and method

A charged particles cleaning apparatus for cleaning and removing charged particles from a surface includes (a) a housing; (b) a surface scrubbing member mounted within the housing for contacting the surface and frictionally removing charged particles therefrom; (c) an air blower for pulling an air stream out of the housing; (d) a manifold connecting the housing to the air blower for directing the air stream and charged particles therein out of the housing, the manifold including manifold walls having inside surfaces defining a duct passage for the air stream; and (e) at least one biasing source connected to the inside surfaces of the manifold walls for biasing the inside surfaces to prevent build up of charged particles on the inside surfaces, thereby reducing costs of periodic cleaning of the manifold walls.

Charged particles cleaning apparatus having a biased manifold

A cleaning system and process for removing residual toner from an imaging surface, including a primary cleaner system for removing the predominant amount of residual toner and debris and a retractable secondary agglomeration cleaning blade mounted downstream from the primary cleaner, wherein, when the blade is moved into the engaged position, the cleaning edge is engaged with the imaging surface at for shearing release of agglomerations from the imaging surface and wherein the cleaning blade is movable to the retracted position during periods in which the primary cleaner is in its operative position.

Retractable agglomeration removable blade with cleaning mechanism and process for agglomeration removal

A toner removal apparatus for a reproducing machine has a cylindrical brush mounted for rotation in a closely fitting housing. The housing has an open side confronting a moving photoreceptor. Brush fibers extend through the housing open side into interfering contact with the photoreceptor and sweep toner therefrom. A slot in the housing parallel to the brush is connected to a vacuum source to draw air into the housing open side, through the brush fibers, and out the housing slot. First and second parallel bars are mounted on opposite sides of the housing slot and extend into contact with the brush fibers. The first bar compresses and then releases the brush fibers to flick toner therefrom. The second bar extends into the housing a lesser amount than the first bar and contacts the brush fibers without compression thereof, thereby providing an air seal, so that all of the air flows through the brush fibers.

Toner removal apparatus for copier or printer

A cleaning seal with a soft cleaning seal tip provides a seal between the cleaning housing and the photoconductive member in an electrophotographic machine. The cleaning seal is made of a relatively stiff material so that the cleaning seal can collect and support the toner removed from the photoconductive member. In the absence of the soft cleaning seal tip, the relatively stiff material of the cleaning seal contacting the photoconductive member excessively scratches the photoconductive member. The soft cleaning seal tip solves this problem by providing a relatively soft surface on the photoconductive member, resulting in fewer scratches on the photoconductive member. The composite cleaning seal provides the sufficient force to remove and support the toner removed from the photoconductive member while cushioning the force of the relatively stiff cleaning seal against the photoconductive member.

Composite cleaner seal for electrophotographic machines

A xerographic CRU (Customer Relpaceable Unit) for an electrophotographic printing machine. The xerographic CRU has retaining features and cooperates with a drive module with certain retractable features that allow the insertion and removal of the CRU without causing damage to the photoreceptor and other critical subsystems. The unit further has many locating members for other subsystems so that critical tolerances are maintained. An interface with a single handle assembly retracts/unlocks and extends/locks the drive module and the associated CRU subsystems into an operative position. The CRU also has electrical and drive connections for the cleaning system, the charging system and transfer/detack.

Modular xerographic customer replaceable unit (CRU)

An apparatus and method for cleaning particles from a moving imaging surface. Backers are retracted from the photoreceptor to release cleaning contact between the brushes and the moving imaging surface during development of image-on-image in the multi-pass cycle. After transfer of the image, the backers move into contact with one side of the photoreceptor causing the moving imaging surface, on the other side of the photoreceptor, to contact the cleaner brushes. The brushes clean the moving imaging surface of the photoreceptor. The brushes are released from contact with the moving imaging surface when the backers are retracted, allowing the image on image multi-pass process to begin again. The brushes engage and disengage the photoreceptor in the interdocument zone (i.e. non-imaging region) of the moving surface.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

Robert Steven Pozniakas