Developer Container Spiral Protrusion Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, developers with varying fluidity often aggregate near the discharge port, leading to difficulties in discharge, especially when the container is densely filled, resulting in decreased image density and potential aggregate formation.
Innovation Solution
A developer container design featuring a container body with a spiral protrusion for conveying developers, a discharge member with a conveyance blade and adjustable discharge port, and a regulation member with a curved surface and spiral guide to control developer flow, preventing aggregation and ensuring consistent discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the container body is densely filled with developer to increase storage capacity, then the developer storage volume increases, but the developer fluidity decreases and aggregation occurs near the discharge port
Solution Approach 1:
The inner peripheral surface of the container body is divided into multiple spiral protrusions that create separate conveyance paths. This segmentation prevents developer aggregation by distributing the flow through multiple channels, allowing dense storage while maintaining discharge reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Spiral protrusions are added to the inner peripheral surface of the container body, transforming the conveyance mechanism from a simple radial flow to a three-dimensional spiral path. This dimensional change enables effective developer conveyance from dense storage regions to the discharge port.
2Productivity
If the container body rotates to convey developer to the discharge port, then the developer is supplied to the developing unit, but developer aggregation occurs in the vicinity of the discharge port
Solution Approach 1:
Spiral protrusions are strategically positioned on the inner peripheral surface to create localized conveyance zones. Each protrusion generates a specific flow pattern that prevents aggregation in critical areas near the discharge port while maintaining overall supply efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral protrusions create curved flow paths that guide developer smoothly toward the discharge port. The curved geometry prevents sharp changes in flow direction, reducing aggregation and maintaining developer uniformity during rotation.
3Reliability
If a regulation member is added to control developer flow, then developer aggregation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulation function is merged with the container body structure itself through spiral protrusions formed on the inner peripheral surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate regulation members, reducing device complexity while maintaining discharge control and preventing aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral protrusions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they convey developer during rotation, regulate flow to prevent aggregation, and maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying the overall device structure.
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 effectively reduces developer aggregation near the discharge port, stabilizes discharge, and maintains image density, allowing for a higher developer capacity compared to conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
A spiral protrusion is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the container body to convey the stored developer. By rotation of the container body, the stored developer is conveyed to a discharge port
Data Source
AI summary
A developer container includes: a container body storing a developer, and having an opening at an end on a downstream side in a conveyance direction for conveying the developer, a side wall having a circular cross section perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and a first protrusion spirally continuing in a continuous manner or at certain intervals toward the downstream side in a specific winding direction and provided on an inner surface of the side wall; a discharge member having a connection part fixed to the opening and a discharge port from which the developer is discharged; and a regulation member having a curved surface member with a cross section perpendicular to the conveyance direction on an upstream side of the connection part, and a second protrusion spirally continuing to the downstream side in the specific winding direction and provided on an outer surface of the curved surface member.