Angled Air Entry Port for Imaging Unit Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic imaging apparatuses, increased printing speed leads to elevated temperatures at the developer roll, causing toner melting and leaks, and existing airflow solutions struggle to effectively control cooling due to challenges in mating and sealing between the developer and the imaging apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system is implemented with an air distribution duct in the developer unit and a connecting segment that includes an air conduit and air entry port, angled for secure mating with the air supply line, using a seal material with a chamfered leading end to facilitate initial clearance and ensure a tight seal during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If printing speed is increased, then productivity is improved, but temperature at the developer roll increases causing toner melting and leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat generation problem from the imaging apparatus by making the developer unit removable. This allows the developer to be separated from the heat-generating imaging components, enabling independent temperature management and cooling of the developer roll without affecting the overall printing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameter of the developer roll by introducing a cooling system that actively reduces the temperature at the developer roll surface. This allows the system to maintain high printing speeds while preventing toner melting through active temperature control
2Temperature
If airflow is introduced to cool the developer roll, then temperature is reduced, but challenges exist in providing proper mating between the developer and the imaging apparatus for effectively controlling airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging system into a removable developer unit and a fixed imaging apparatus. The developer unit includes integrated airflow channels and cooling structures that are self-contained, eliminating the need for complex external mating and connection mechanisms while ensuring proper airflow control to the developer roll
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling structure within the developer unit that mediates between the airflow source and the developer roll. This intermediary component ensures effective airflow control and heat dissipation while simplifying the mating process between the removable developer and the fixed imaging apparatus
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively distributes cooling air to the developer roll, reducing temperature issues and preventing toner leaks by ensuring proper airflow and sealing, thus enhancing the operational stability and efficiency of the imaging unit.
Implementation Method 1
distributing cooling air on a surface of the developer roll
Implementation Method 2
A seal material may substantially cover the air entry port
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging unit of an imaging apparatus is provided including a developer unit for developing a toner and a cooling system. The cooling system includes an air distribution duct and a connecting segment. The connecting segment includes an air conduit attached to the air distribution duct and an air entry port disposed on the air conduit for connecting to the air supply line during installation of the imaging unit. A contacting surface of the air entry port is angled inwardly in two directions, relative to the air conduit, that are orthogonal to each other.