Developer Container Elastic Feeding Mechanism Against Gravity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in conveying developer against gravity, particularly when the photosensitive members are positioned under an intermediary transfer member or recording medium bearing member, leading to difficulties in maintaining a compact and efficient developer supply system.
Innovation Solution
A developer container with an elastic feeding member and a deforming portion that restores elastically to catapult developer towards an opening, and a developing device with a rotatable developer supplying roller and a stirring portion between the developer supplying roller and a partition wall, allowing for effective stirring and supply of developer against gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the photosensitive members are positioned under an intermediary transfer member or recording medium bearing member, then the image forming apparatus can achieve a compact layout and improved productivity, but the developer supply system becomes complex and difficult to operate due to the need to convey developer against gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a developer conveying member as an intermediary component between the developer storage chamber and the development chamber. This member actively conveys developer upward against gravity through mechanical movement, mediating the transfer of developer from the lower storage chamber to the upper development chamber without requiring complex overall system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces gravity-dependent passive developer supply with an active mechanical conveying system. The developer conveying member uses mechanical force to overcome gravitational pull, substituting the natural downward flow with controlled upward transport, thereby enabling the photosensitive member to be positioned below the transfer member while maintaining reliable developer supply
2Volume of moving object
If the photosensitive members are arranged in a straight row intersecting the vertical direction, then the image forming apparatus achieves compact size and improved productivity, but the developer must be conveyed against gravity leading to increased device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the vertical positioning challenge by introducing a mechanical conveying dimension. Instead of relying solely on vertical gravity-driven flow, the system adds horizontal/rotational movement through the developer conveying member that actively transports developer upward, effectively using dimensional movement transformation to solve the compact layout problem
Solution Approach 2:
The developer conveying member serves as an intermediary mechanical element that bridges the vertical gap between the lower developer storage chamber and the upper development chamber. This mediator component simplifies the overall system structure by providing a dedicated, focused solution for upward developer transport rather than redesigning the entire apparatus
3Reliability
If a conventional developer supply system is used with photosensitive members under the transfer member, then developer must be conveyed against gravity, but this leads to developer packing and inconsistent toner delivery causing image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The developer conveying member acts as an intermediary that actively manages developer flow against gravity. By providing controlled mechanical transport, it prevents developer packing in the storage chamber and ensures consistent delivery to the development chamber, thereby improving toner delivery reliability without requiring overly complex system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic feeding member utilizes its own elasticity to feed developer automatically. When deformed by the rotation of the feeding member, it restores elastically to catapult developer toward the opening, creating a self-regulating mechanism that maintains consistent developer flow without additional complex control systems
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 enables a compact, efficient, and reliable developer supply system that prevents developer packing and ensures consistent toner delivery, reducing the risk of image defects such as unwanted white spots and improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a deforming portion (18a2) for deforming the feeding member (22) against the elasticity with the rotation of the feeding member (22); and a restoration portion (18a4) for permitting the feeding member (22) deformed by the deforming portion (18a2) to restore elastically
Implementation Method 2
a restoration portion (18a4) for permitting the feeding member (22) deformed by the deforming portion (18a2) to restore elastically, thereby catapulting the developer towards the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A developer container for an image forming apparatus includes a developer accommodating chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer to be supplied to the opening; a feeding member, provided in the developer accommodating chamber and having an elasticity, for feeding the developer by rotation thereof; a deforming portion, provided in the developer accommodating chamber and contactable to the feeding member, for deforming the feeding member against the elasticity with the rotation of the feeding member; and a restoration portion for permitting the feeding member deformed by the deformed portion to restore elastically, thereby to throw the developer toward the opening, wherein a boundary portion between the deformed portion the restoration portion is disposed below a lower end of the opening.