Corona charging device cleaner

• US 7,738,811 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2007
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Thayer, Bruce E
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta; David P
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHMITT, BENJAMIN R
• Application Number:
  US11/866,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20090092410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 399/98, 399/99, 399/100, 399/110, 399/115, 399/170, 399/171, 399/172
• US Class Current: 399/100
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0225 provided with means for cleaning the charging member
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0233 Structure, details of the charging member, e.g. chemical composition, surface properties
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0291 corona discharge devices, e.g. wires, pointed electrodes, means for cleaning the corona discharge device
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1661 means for handling parts of the apparatus in the apparatus G03G21/1604, G03G21/1642 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/169 for the cleaning unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1846 using a handle for carrying or pulling out of the main machine

Abstract

A device that improves the effectiveness of a corona charging element cleaner by forcing it to travel to the end-limits of the outboard end of the corona charging element to ensure that the corona charging element is completely wiped clean. The device uses a pawl and rack to affect a ratchet-like motion, the direction of which permits travel in the opposite direction only after the limit of travel is reached.

Claims

1. An electrophotographic printing machine of the type including a customer replaceable unit, comprising:

an imaging surface;

a charging device for placing a charge on the imaging surface, the charging device including a corona member having a predetermined length extending in an extension direction;

a cleaner handle movable along the extension direction from a home position to an end limit position, the handle including a cleaning member useful for cleaning the corona member; and

a ratchet mechanism for preventing said handle once it has been extended to said end limit position in the extension direction from being moved a second time along said extension direction before said handle has been fully returned to said home position, thereby ensuring cleaning of the entire predetermined length of said corona member.

2. The printing machine of claim 1, wherein said ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet track positioned on top of said cleaner handle.

3. The printing machine of claim 2, wherein said ratchet mechanism includes a pawl guide.

4. The printing machine of claim 3, wherein said ratchet mechanism includes a pawl positioned against teeth of said ratchet track.

5. The printing machine of claim 4, wherein said pawl is spring-loaded against said teeth of said ratchet track.

6. The printing machine of claim 5, wherein said pawl rides on teeth of said ratchet track as said cleaner handle is pulled out of said customer replaceable unit.

7. The printing machine of claim 6, wherein said pawl is translatable.

8. The printing machine of claim 7, wherein said pawl is translated to a portion of said pawl guide such that it is removed from said ratchet track once said handle has been pulled to its full extent out of said customer replaceable unit.

9. The printing machine of claim 8, wherein said pawl is guided by said pawl guide to be repositioned on said ratchet track once said handle is completely reinserted into said customer replaceable unit.

10. The printing machine of claim 1, wherein said ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet track positioned on a side of said cleaner handle.

11. The printing machine of claim 10, wherein said ratchet mechanism includes at least two pawl guides.

12. The printing machine of claim 11, wherein said ratchet mechanism includes a pawl positioned against teeth of said ratchet track.

13. The printing machine of claim 12, wherein said pawl is spring-loaded against said teeth of said ratchet track.

14. The printing machine of claim 13, wherein said pawl rides on teeth of said ratchet track as said cleaner handle is pulled out of said customer replaceable unit.

15. The printing machine of claim 14, wherein said pawl is rotated to engage and retract said pawl for said ratchet track.

16. A xerographic device, comprising:

an imaging surface;

a charging device for placing a charge on said imaging surface, said charging device including a corona member extending in an extension direction;

a cleaner handle movable along said charging device in said extension direction to a travel limit; and

an arrangement configured such that once said cleaner handle has been moved along said corona member to said limit of travel it prevents said cleaner handle from being pushed back along said charging device before said cleaner handle has been fully retracted, said arrangement including a ratchet mechanism.

17. The printing machine of claim 16, wherein said arrangement includes a ratchet track positioned on a side of said cleaner handle.