Curved Developer Unit Wall for Gravity-Assisted Agent Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, when the developer agent container is positioned lower than the developer device, supplying developer agent evenly to the supplier roller against gravity is difficult, leading to potential image-forming errors due to inadequate supply.
Innovation Solution
A developer unit with a curved fitting wall in the container, featuring a feeding opening for supplying developer agent to the developer device and collecting openings for retrieval, along with a first conveyor to sweep and convey developer agent towards the feeding opening and a second conveyor along the supplier to ensure efficient distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the developer agent container is arranged in a lower position with respect to the developer device, then the structure is more compact and easier to install, but supplying the developer agent evenly to the supplier roller against gravity becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting wall is curved inward at the position adjacent to the developer device, creating a smooth transition that guides the developer agent from the lower container upward to the supplier roller. This curvature eliminates sharp angles that would cause stagnation and ensures even distribution despite the gravitational challenge of upward supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to the developer agent supply path by positioning the container below the developer device and using the curved fitting wall to create an upward flow path. This three-dimensional arrangement allows compact installation while maintaining supply uniformity through proper gravitational utilization and geometric design.
2Volume of stationary object
If the developer agent container is arranged in a lower position with respect to the developer device, then space utilization is improved, but the developer agent may not be supplied properly to maintain desired image-forming quality
Solution Approach 1:
The curved fitting wall ensures smooth flow of developer agent from the lower container to the developer device, preventing stagnation and ensuring consistent supply. This geometric design maintains reliable image-forming quality while achieving compact vertical arrangement that improves space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting wall has different geometric properties at different locations: it is curved inward at the position adjacent to the developer device to facilitate upward flow, while other portions can be optimized for container structural integrity. This localized geometric optimization ensures both compact arrangement and reliable supply.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the developer agent is circulated between the container and developer device, then consistent image-forming quality is maintained through distribution of deteriorated agent, but supplying agent against gravity becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The curved fitting wall provides a passive, gravity-assisted flow path that enables continuous circulation of developer agent from the lower container to the developer device and back. This simple geometric feature maintains image-forming consistency through circulation without requiring complex active supply mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system utilizes gravity and the curved fitting wall geometry to automatically supply developer agent from the lower container to the developer device. The system serves itself through this passive gravitational flow, maintaining consistent image quality without complex external supply mechanisms.
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
Ensures smooth circulation and efficient supply of developer agent to the developer roller, maintaining consistent image-forming quality by facilitating gravity-assisted retrieval and distribution, reducing the likelihood of image-forming errors.
Implementation Method 1
a first conveyer, which is rotated about a rotation axis to sweep an inner surface of the developer agent container and convey the developer agent toward the feeding opening
Implementation Method 2
a second conveyer, which is arranged along the developer agent supplier and conveys the developer agent toward the collecting opening
Implementation Method 3
The developer agent supplied to the developer device is electrically charged so that a part of the electrically charged developer agent adheres to the developer roller to be carried
Implementation Method 4
a collecting opening, through which the developer agent in the developer device is retrieved
Data Source
AI summary
A developer unit for an image forming apparatus is provided. The developer unit includes a developer device with a developer agent carrier and a developer agent supplier, and a developer agent container, which contains the developer agent and is arranged in a lower position with respect to the developer device. The developer agent container is formed to have a fitting wall, which is curved inward at a position to be adjacent to the developer device. The fitting wall is formed to have a feeding opening and a collecting opening. The developer unit is further provided with a first conveyer, which is rotated about a rotation axis to sweep an inner surface of the developer agent container and convey the developer agent toward the feeding opening, and a second conveyer, which is arranged along the developer agent supplier and conveys the developer agent toward the collecting opening.