Developer Container Vibration for Residual Toner Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developer containers face challenges in efficiently reducing the remaining developer amount adhered to the inner walls during replacement, leading to inefficiencies in replenishment and image formation processes.
Innovation Solution
A developer container design featuring a transport unit with a rotating shaft and transport blade that vibrates upon reverse rotation, contacting a protrusion to dislodge adhered developer, coupled with a support unit for external rotational power, ensures efficient developer discharge and reduction of residual developer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transport blade moves closely to the inner wall to transport developer, then the developer transport efficiency is improved, but the developer adheres to the inner wall and cannot be fully discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by causing the transport blade to vibrate through reverse rotation. When the transport unit reverses, the transport blade contacts the protrusion which generates vibration, making the blade touch the inner wall and dislodge adhered developer particles, thereby reducing remaining developer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through reverse rotation of the transport unit. The transport unit periodically rotates in reverse direction to generate vibration in the transport blade, creating periodic contact with the inner wall to continuously dislodge and remove adhered developer during the replenishment cycle
2Loss of substance
If the transport blade contacts the inner wall to dislodge adhered developer, then the remaining developer amount is reduced, but developer aggregation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration generated by reverse rotation mechanically disrupts adhered developer particles without causing aggregation. The vibrational motion loosens particles from the inner wall while maintaining their individual integrity, preventing clumping and ensuring uniform developer properties
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion acts as an intermediary that generates vibration when contacted by the transport blade. This intermediate mechanism transfers energy to dislodge adhered developer without direct aggressive contact that could cause particle aggregation, maintaining developer uniformity
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 effectively reduces the remaining developer amount, enhancing replenishment efficiency and extending the number of images that can be formed before replacement, while minimizing disturbance to the replenishment operation.
Implementation Method 1
the transport unit is configured such that when the transport unit reversely rotates in an opposite direction to a rotational direction in transporting the developer, the transport blade passes in contact with the protrusion and vibrates so as to touch the inner wall of the accommodating space
Data Source
AI summary
A developer container includes a container body, a transport unit, a support unit, and a protrusion. The container body includes a cylindrical accommodating space that accommodates a developer, and a discharge port. The transport unit transports the accommodated developer toward the discharge port by a transport blade. The transport blade moves so as to pass closely to an inner wall of the accommodating space. The support unit rotatably supports a rotating shaft of the transport unit. The support unit includes a connecting component that connects to an external element to receive external rotational power. The protrusion protrudes inward from the inner wall. When the transport unit reversely rotates in an opposite direction to a rotational direction in transporting the developer, the transport blade passes in contact with the protrusion and vibrates so as to touch the inner wall of the accommodating space.