Developer Container Sheet Mechanism for Stable Toner Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, increasing toner storage capacity leads to insufficient toner supply to the developing roller due to gravitational challenges, resulting in blank dots and reduced process efficiency as the process speed increases.
Innovation Solution
A developer container with a first sheet member that elastically deforms to transport toner to the developing roller and a second sheet member that controls toner falling, ensuring stable toner supply against gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the toner storing chamber capacity is increased to store more toner, then the toner storage capacity is improved, but the toner supply to the developing roller becomes insufficient due to gravitational challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by using a vibrating mechanism to generate upward acceleration that counteracts gravitational force. The vibration unit causes the toner to move upward from the storing chamber to the developing roller, effectively compensating for the gravitational pull that prevents sufficient toner supply when the chamber capacity is increased.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent directly applies mechanical vibration by introducing a vibration unit that generates oscillatory motion. This vibration is transmitted to the toner, causing it to lift and move against gravity from the storing chamber through the opening to the developing roller, thereby solving the toner supply insufficiency problem in large-capacity chambers.
2Productivity
If the process speed is increased to improve productivity, then the image formation speed is improved, but the toner supply becomes insufficient resulting in blank dots
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration unit generates mechanical oscillations that rapidly transport toner from the storing chamber to the developing roller. This vibratory transport mechanism can operate at high speeds, ensuring continuous and sufficient toner supply even when the image formation speed is increased, thereby preventing blank dots and maintaining image quality consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration unit provides periodic oscillatory motion that continuously replenishes toner supply in cycles. This periodic action ensures that toner is consistently delivered to the developing roller at regular intervals, maintaining reliable toner availability even during high-speed image formation processes.
3Reliability
If a sheet type stirring member is used to flip up toner against gravity, then the toner transport capability is improved, but the toner may fall back due to insufficient control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback control by using a sensor to detect the presence and amount of toner, and adjusting the vibration unit's operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that toner is transported efficiently without excessive vibration that could cause toner to scatter or fall back, thereby reducing toner loss while maintaining reliable transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses toner density or distribution changes (analogous to color changes in optical detection) detected by a sensor to monitor toner status. This detection capability allows the system to adjust vibration parameters to optimize toner transport and prevent toner from falling back, reducing loss while maintaining transport reliability.
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
Stably supplies toner from the storage chamber to the developing roller, preventing toner loss and maintaining image quality by preventing toner from falling back, thus ensuring consistent image formation.
Implementation Method 1
the first sheet member elastically deforming to bend upon contacting an inner wall surface of the developer containing portion, and then being restored from the bent state upon releasing contact with the inner wall surface
Implementation Method 2
the toner inside the toner storing chamber is transported to the developing roller against gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A developer container includes a first sheet member installed on a rotation shaft disposed in a developer containing portion and transporting the developer to a developer carrying member, and a second sheet member installed on the rotation shaft and rotating in the same phase as the first sheet member. One end of the first sheet member and one end of the second sheet member are fixed to the rotation shaft so as to rotate in the same phase, and the other ends of the first and second sheet members are free ends. When the rotation shaft rotates in a state in which at least a part of the developer elevated by the first sheet member is positioned above the rotation shaft, the second sheet member rotates on the downstream side of the first sheet member, so as to control falling of developer on the first sheet member.