Developer Container Rectangular Ejection Opening Gravity Toner Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toner cartridges with agitation members are complex and difficult to simplify, leading to challenges in smoothly supplying toner to developing devices without the agitation mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A developer container with a rectangular ejection opening extending along the axial direction, designed to facilitate toner ejection by weight, with a toner ejection index of S/μdM equal to or more than 0.79, ensuring smooth toner supply to developing devices without the need for an agitator mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an agitation member is provided inside the toner cartridge to supply toner, then the toner can be supplied to the developing device, but the device structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the agitation member from the toner cartridge structure. Instead of using a mechanical agitation mechanism, the patent relies on the weight of the toner itself and the designed ejection opening geometry to enable toner supply, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining toner supply capability
Solution Approach 2:
The toner cartridge is designed to supply toner through its own weight without requiring external agitation mechanisms. The ejection opening is positioned and sized such that toner naturally flows out under gravity, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional moving parts
2Device complexity
If the agitation member is removed to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to smoothly supply toner from the toner cartridge to the developing device
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes critical parameters of the ejection opening, specifically setting the area S to satisfy S/μdM ≥ 0.79, where μ is the degree of agglomeration, d is compact density, and M is fill amount. This parameter optimization ensures that toner flows smoothly through the opening under gravity alone, compensating for the removal of the agitation member
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection opening is designed with specific dimensional characteristics (area S) that create favorable flow conditions. By optimizing the opening area relative to toner properties, the invention creates a new dimension of control over toner flow behavior, enabling smooth supply without mechanical agitation
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
Enables efficient and consistent toner supply to developing devices, reducing the risk of toner leakage and maintaining a sufficient toner remaining amount, thereby simplifying the device structure and preventing print quality degradation.
Implementation Method 1
Developer is ejected from the outer case by a weight of the developer
Data Source
AI summary
A developer container includes: an outer case; an ejection opening that is rectangular and formed on the outer case and extends longitudinally along an axial direction of the outer case, and from which a developer is ejected by a weight of the developer. A toner ejection index that is calculated from S/μdM is equal to or more than 0.79, where μ is a degree of agglomeration of the developer, d is a compact density, M is a fill amount of the developer and S is the area of the ejection opening.