Blocking Curtain for Toner Scattering Prevention in Developing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toner scattering during the developing process in electrophotograph image forming apparatuses leads to contamination of the charging roller and blocking of the light path, causing image defects.
Innovation Solution
An image developing apparatus with a scattering preventing unit, comprising a blocking curtain made of soft materials like Urethane, which is bent along the rotation direction of the photoconductive drum and supports a fixing bracket to cover the opening between the photoconductive drum and the developing roller, preventing toner scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the developing roller is positioned close to the photoconductive drum to improve developing efficiency, then productivity is improved, but toner scattering increases causing contamination and image defects
Solution Approach 1:
A scattering preventing unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the developing roller and photoconductive drum. This unit includes a blocking curtain that physically intercepts scattered toner particles, allowing the developing roller to maintain close proximity to the drum for efficient development while preventing toner from reaching the drum surface and causing defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking curtain is made from a flexible, thin material that can be positioned precisely between the developing roller and photoconductive drum. This thin film structure effectively blocks scattered toner while minimizing interference with the electromagnetic field and light path required for the developing process.
2Reliability
If a blocking structure is added to prevent toner scattering, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking curtain is constructed from a flexible, thin material that can be easily installed and positioned between the developing roller and photoconductive drum. This thin film approach provides effective toner blocking while adding minimal structural complexity to the overall device.
Solution Approach 2:
The scattering preventing unit is designed as a simple, easily replaceable component. The blocking curtain can be manufactured at low cost and replaced if needed, making the addition of this protective function economically viable without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the blocking curtain is made from rigid material to effectively block toner, then toner scattering prevention is improved, but damage to the photoconductive drum surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking curtain is made from a flexible material that can conform to the curved surface between the developing roller and photoconductive drum. This flexibility allows the curtain to effectively block scattered toner while being gentle enough to prevent damage to the sensitive photoconductive drum surface during contact or proximity operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the blocking curtain are specifically selected to balance blocking effectiveness with surface protection. The curtain material has appropriate flexibility, softness, and structural characteristics that enable it to stop toner particles while maintaining compatibility with the photoconductive drum surface, preventing scratches or damage.
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
Effectively prevents toner scattering, thereby avoiding contamination of the charging roller and light path blockages, ensuring image quality by maintaining a clean charging environment and unobstructed light paths.
Implementation Method 1
a charging roller 15 and a photoconductive drum 17. The charging roller 15 charges a surface of the photoconductive drum 17 at a predetermined voltage
Implementation Method 2
the charged surface of the charging roller 17 is exposed to light irradiated from a light scanning unit 19, for example, a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charging roller 17
Implementation Method 3
The toner attached to the surface of the developing roller 21 moves to the photoconductive drum 17 by potential differences, and is applied on the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image
Data Source
AI summary
An image developing apparatus includes an upper case; a lower case disposed on a lower side of the upper case, and internally housing a developing agent, and having an opening. A photoconductive drum is disposed on the upper case for forming an electrostatic latent image on a surface thereof. A charging roller is disposed on one side of an outer circumference of the photoconductive drum for charging the photoconductive drum. A developing roller having one part is exposed through the opening of the lower case to cooperate with the photoconductive drum for developing the electrostatic latent image. A scattering preventing unit disposed between the photoconductive drum and the developing roller, to prevent scattering of the developing agent supplied by the developing roller. The scattering preventing unit includes a blocking curtain which covers a part of the opening and having one side in contact with the outer circumference of the photoconductive drum. A fixing bracket is provided for supporting the blocking curtain.