Abstract: A coronode charging device that is photo-etched with titanium which slows the erosion rate of the coronode and thereby enhances uniformity over a larger number of copies.

Abstract: A scorotron charging device includes a titanium grid in order to achieve improved resistance to corona byproducts.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method using eccentrics, driven by a two-level gear, to sequentially retract and engage the brushes in the non-imaging region of the photoreceptor surface. The first brush, in the direction of motion of the photoreceptor, is brought into contact with the surface, in the non-imaging region, at the beginning of the cleaning cycle, using eccentrics. As the surface moves, the first brush in contact with the surface cleans residual toner from the imaging area, while the second brush is sequentially brought into contact with the surface in the non-imaging region. After the cleaning cycle is complete, the first brush coupled to an eccentric gear is retracted from the surface, in the non-imaging region. As the surface continues to move, the second brush also coupled to an eccentric gear, now in the non-imaging region, is retracted from the surface. Then, development of the image on image begins.

Abstract: An adaptive cleaner blade lubricating system for electrophotographic printing machines. In an electrophotographic printing machine, the amount of residual toner available to lubricate a cleaner blade is calculated based on the density of the transferred image. A band of toner is deposited in an inner document gap in selective widths so as to provide an adequate amount of toner to lubricate the cleaner blade across the full width of the photoreceptor. The lubricating band may be variable or may be a constant width with the frequency of placement of the band determined based on average image density for a group of documents. In the preferred embodiment, the width of the toner band is varied as a function of the overall residual toner in each pixel location across the width of the photoreceptor based on the density of the images transferred. As a result of the varying lubrication bands, the cleaner blade is maintained so as to not tuck and cause streaking and/or damage while toner efficiency is maximized.

Abstract: In association with a primary cleaner device used to remove the preponderance of toner remaining on a charge retentive surface after transfer, a secondary cleaning member is provided, arranged for the removal of toner agglomerates formed by the agglomeration of tone, and toner and debris. The secondary cleaning member is characterized as a thin scraper member arranged at a low angle of attack with respect to the photoreceptor so that a maximum shearing force can be applied by the blade to the agglomerates for removal thereof. A relatively low load is applied to the blade, so that the problems associated with normal cleaning engagement of blades with a charge retentive surface are avoided. The blade is supported in a floating support assembly, that floats during break in of a new blade to prevent tuckunder and damage to the blade. The weight of the floating support assembly is optimized for the break in period when frictional forces are the highest.

Abstract: In association with a primary cleaner device, used to remove the preponderance of toner remaining on a charge retentive surface after transfer, a secondary cleaning member is provided, arranged for the removal of toner agglomerates formed by the agglomeration of toner, and toner and debris. The secondary cleaning member is characterized as a thin scraper member arranged at a low angle of attack with respect to the photoreceptor so that a maximum shearing force can be applied by the blade to the agglomerates for removal thereof. A relatively low load is applied to the blade, so that the problems associated with normal cleaning engagement of blades with a charge retentive surface are avoided.