Blowing Device Flow Dividing Plates Uniform Air Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blowing devices for image forming apparatuses, particularly those using corona discharge, face issues with non-uniform air flow distribution due to changes in cross-sectional shapes within the blower duct, leading to uneven air speed and potential contamination of corona discharging wires and grid electrodes, resulting in poor charging performance.
Innovation Solution
A blowing device with a blower pipe featuring an elongated inlet and outlet, and plural flow dividing plates that distribute and change the direction of air flow to ensure uniform air distribution orthogonal to the target structure, preventing contamination and maintaining uniform charging performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional blower duct with changing cross-sectional shapes is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the air flow uniformity deteriorates leading to non-uniform air speed distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The blower duct is divided into multiple sections with flow dividing plates positioned at different locations. Each flow dividing plate segments the air flow path, allowing independent control of air distribution in different longitudinal regions. This segmentation enables uniform air speed distribution across the duct while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Flow dividing plates with different opening areas are positioned at different locations along the duct's longitudinal direction. The opening area of each flow dividing plate is specifically designed to compensate for local air flow characteristics, creating locally optimized air distribution. This local quality adjustment ensures uniform air speed throughout the duct without requiring complex overall redesign.
2Device complexity
If air is blown non-uniformly against corona discharging wires and grid electrodes, then the blowing device structure is simplified, but the charging performance deteriorates due to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
Air flow is pre-distributed and directionally adjusted by flow dividing plates before reaching the corona discharging wires and grid electrodes. The flow dividing plates preliminarily organize the air flow to ensure uniform distribution across all component surfaces, preventing contamination before it occurs. This preliminary action protects charging performance without requiring complex additional protective devices.
3Device complexity
If flow dividing plates with same edge positions are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the air distribution uniformity deteriorates along the longitudinal direction
Solution Approach 1:
Flow dividing plates are deliberately designed with asymmetric edge positions along the duct's longitudinal direction. Each flow dividing plate has a unique position configuration rather than repeating the same pattern. This asymmetric arrangement compensates for variations in air flow characteristics at different locations, achieving uniform air distribution while maintaining simple plate structures.
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
The solution ensures uniform air flow distribution, preventing contamination and maintaining consistent charging performance, reducing image defects caused by uneven charging, and enhancing the quality of toner images formed on sheets.
Implementation Method 1
plural flow dividing plates, each of the flow dividing plates having a distributing portion that has an edge and is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongated target structure and distributes the air taken in from the inlet, and a changing portion that is arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the elongated target structure and changes the direction of the flow of air distributed by the distributing portion
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a blowing device including a blower that sends air, a blower pipe having an inlet that takes in the air sent from the blower, an outlet that is formed in an elongated opening shape parallel to the portion of the target structure in the longitudinal direction, and a body portion that connects the inlet and the outlet and to cause the air to flow therethrough, and plural flow dividing plates, each of the flow dividing plates having a distributing portion and a changing portion.