Developer Container Guide Wall for Smooth Toner Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developer containers in image forming apparatuses face challenges in smoothly discharging developer, leading to inefficiencies and potential disruptions in the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The developer container is designed with a screw and agitator mechanism that includes a guide wall with an inclined surface to facilitate smooth toner discharge, ensuring the developer is reliably conveyed and discharged through a toner outlet without rubbing against the guide wall, using a film to push the developer into the outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a screw mechanism is used to convey toner, then toner can be conveyed toward the outlet, but toner may accumulate or fail to discharge smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The screw mechanism is divided into multiple segments: a conveyance screw for transporting toner, a stirring screw for preventing accumulation, and a discharge screw for ensuring smooth outlet flow. This segmentation allows each component to address specific discharge issues independently, improving overall reliability while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stirring screw performs preliminary agitation of the toner before it reaches the discharge point, preventing accumulation in advance. The inclined surface is also designed to guide toner flow preliminarily, ensuring smooth discharge before the toner actually exits the container.
2Ease of operation
If the screw is rotated to convey toner, then toner movement is achieved, but complex transmission mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple screw mechanisms (conveyance screw, stirring screw, discharge screw) are merged into a single integrated assembly that rotates together. This combining approach maintains effective toner conveyance while reducing the need for separate transmission mechanisms for each function, simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: conveying toner toward the outlet, stirring to prevent accumulation, and facilitating smooth discharge. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If toner is discharged through a bottom outlet, then discharge is achieved, but toner may rub against guide walls causing accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wall is designed with an inclined surface that curves downward toward the outlet, creating a smooth transition path. This curved geometry reduces abrupt changes in direction, minimizing friction and preventing toner accumulation caused by rubbing against sharp edges or flat surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle of the guide wall is optimized to balance discharge speed and friction reduction. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the system achieves high discharge rates while minimizing the harmful rubbing effect that causes toner accumulation.
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
This design ensures stable and efficient developer discharge, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the printing process by preventing toner accumulation and ensuring consistent supply to the image forming unit.
Implementation Method 1
using a film to push the developer into the outlet
Implementation Method 2
ensuring the developer is reliably conveyed and discharged through a toner outlet without rubbing against the guide wall
Data Source
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AI summary
A developer container includes: a case that stores developer and in which a developer outlet for discharging the developer is formed; a conveying spiral that is rotatably disposed in the case and rotates to convey the developer toward the developer outlet in an axial direction of the conveying spiral; a guide wall that is disposed along the conveying spiral and guides the developer in the axial direction of the conveying spiral; and a push member that is attached to the conveying spiral and rotates with the conveying spiral to push the developer into the developer outlet. A cutout is formed at a portion of the guide wall corresponding to the push member to form a guide portion that guides the developer to the developer outlet.