Developer Container Optical System Cleaning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image formation apparatuses face challenges in achieving high detection accuracy for the remaining developer quantity, as existing methods are not sufficient to accurately measure the level of developer in developer containers.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a developer container with an optical system, a rotatable shaft, a cleaning member, and a guide member that moves to clean the optical end faces, allowing for precise detection of the developer level by ensuring effective light transmission and obstruction analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a light-based detection system is used to measure remaining developer quantity, then the detection process is simple and fast, but the detection accuracy is insufficient due to contamination on optical surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member performs preliminary cleaning action on the optical surfaces (first and second end faces) before the light detection process. By rotating the shaft, the cleaning member wipes the optical surfaces to remove developer contamination in advance, ensuring that the subsequent light-based detection achieves high accuracy without sacrificing detection speed
2Volume of moving object
If the optical system components are kept close together to compact the structure, then the device size is reduced, but the optical surfaces become more susceptible to contamination from developer particles
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member acts as an intermediary between the optical surfaces and the developer particles. It is positioned between the first and second end faces and actively removes contamination that would otherwise accumulate on the optical surfaces due to their close proximity in the compact device structure
3Measurement precision
If a cleaning mechanism is added to maintain optical surface cleanliness, then detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is merged with the existing rotational mechanism in the developer container. The shaft that already exists for container operation is utilized to rotate the cleaning member, combining the cleaning function with the operational rotation of the container rather than adding a completely separate cleaning system
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft serves multiple functions: it enables the rotation of the developer container and simultaneously drives the cleaning member to clean the optical surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still achieving improved detection accuracy
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 configuration enhances the detection accuracy of the remaining developer quantity by ensuring thorough cleaning and precise light detection, thereby improving the reliability of developer level measurements.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system that includes a first optical member which includes a first end face exposed to the containing space in the container, and from which light is emitted through the first end face, and a second optical member which includes a second end face exposed to the containing space and being opposed to the first end face in a first direction, and on which the light is incident through the second end face
Data Source
AI summary
A developer container according to an embodiment includes: a container having a space that contains a developer; an optical system includes a first optical member including first end face exposed to a containing space in the container and a second optical member including a second end face exposed to the containing space and being opposed to the first end face in a first direction, and on which the light is incident through the second end face; a shaft provided in the containing space to be rotatable about the first direction; a cleaning member provided to the shaft to be movable in the first direction to clean the first and second end faces by passing through a gap with a rotation of the shaft; and a guide member provided upstream of the optical system and that comes into contact with the cleaning member to guide the cleaning member to a gap.