Developer Container Movable Wall Toner Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developer containers for toner in image forming apparatuses lack efficient mechanisms for toner discharge and replenishment, leading to uneven toner supply and potential clogging issues.
Innovation Solution
A developer container with a movable wall and helical thread mechanism that moves along a shaft to convey toner from a storage space to a discharge port, ensuring consistent toner supply and preventing clogging by adjusting the volume of the storage space based on toner consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional toner container with a rotary stirring member is used, then the structure is simple, but the toner supply is uneven and clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The movable wall moves dynamically along the shaft in the first direction to convey toner from the storage space to the discharge port. This dynamic movement ensures consistent toner supply by continuously adjusting the storage space volume based on toner consumption, preventing the uneven supply and clogging issues of conventional static containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is segmented into a container body, a movable wall, and a shaft with helical threads. The movable wall can be separated from the container body and is driven by the shaft mechanism, allowing independent control of toner conveyance and stirring functions, thereby improving supply consistency without excessive complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the storage space volume remains constant, then the container structure is simple, but toner levels cannot be accurately detected and supply becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The movable wall's position along the shaft provides feedback on toner consumption levels. As toner is consumed, the movable wall moves to maintain optimal storage space volume, and this position information enables accurate toner level detection. The system uses this feedback to adjust the storage space dynamically, ensuring both precise measurement and consistent supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage space volume is made dynamic through the movable wall mechanism. The volume changes from an initial larger volume to a smaller volume as toner is consumed, allowing the system to adapt to different toner levels and provide accurate detection while maintaining consistent supply conditions.
3Ease of operation
If a small thread pitch is used throughout the shaft, then the movable wall moves slowly for precise control, but toner conveyance efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft features different thread pitches in different regions: a small pitch portion near the discharge port for precise control when toner levels are low, and a large pitch portion in the middle for faster conveyance when toner levels are high. This local differentiation optimizes both control precision and conveyance efficiency at different stages of toner consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread pitch parameter of the shaft is changed along its length, transitioning from a small pitch near the discharge port to a large pitch in the middle section. This parameter variation allows the movable wall to achieve both precise positioning when needed and rapid conveyance when possible, resolving the contradiction between control precision and productivity.
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 a consistent and efficient toner supply, preventing clogging and allowing for accurate detection of toner levels, thereby improving the reliability and maintenance of image forming apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
The shaft includes a first engaging portion having a helical thread formed on an outer surface thereof, the shaft extending in a first direction in the internal space and rotatably supported on the wall and the lid
Data Source
AI summary
A developer container includes a container body, a lid, a developer discharge port, a shaft, and a movable wall. The container body includes an inner surface defining a cylindrical internal space and a wall disposed at one end of the container body. The container body is formed with the developer discharge port. The lid is attached to the other end of the container body. The shaft includes a first engaging portion. The movable wall includes a conveying surface and a carrier bearing. The conveying surface defines a storage space configured to contain the developer. The carrier bearing includes a second engaging portion. The movable wall is movable along the shaft in the first direction while conveying the developer by engagement of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. The first engaging portion includes a small pitch part having a relatively small thread pitch.