Developer Conveying Device Fin Counter-Rotation Adherence Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conveying capacity of developers in electrophotographic printers decreases due to adherence to the conveying screw, which affects the efficiency of developer recovery and recycling.
Innovation Solution
A developer conveying device with a rotatable shaft and blade portion, including a developer removing fin that contacts the conveying body in a counter direction to the rotating direction, preventing developer adherence and maintaining capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conveying screw is used to convey developer in the recovery container, then the developer can be distributed throughout the container, but the developer adheres to the conveying screw which decreases conveying capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the harmful adherence property of developer to the conveying screw by providing a prevention plate with fins that contact the conveying screw. The fins create a rough surface that intentionally promotes developer adherence in a controlled manner, preventing developer from adhering to the smooth surface of the conveying screw itself. This converts the harmful adherence effect into a beneficial prevention mechanism, maintaining conveying capacity while preventing developer loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The prevention plate with fins acts as an intermediary element between the conveying screw and the developer. Instead of directly addressing the adherence problem on the conveying screw surface, the prevention plate serves as a mediator that intercepts the developer, creating a rough surface contact that prevents developer adherence to the conveying screw while allowing the conveying screw to continue its rotation and conveying function.
2Productivity
If a prevention plate with fins is provided to contact the conveying screw, then developer adherence to the conveying screw is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prevention plate is segmented into multiple fins rather than being a solid plate. This segmentation reduces the overall material usage and structural complexity while maintaining the functional surface area needed to prevent developer adherence. The fins are distributed across the prevention plate, creating multiple contact points with the conveying screw that collectively achieve the prevention effect with minimal structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A developer conveying device includes a rotatable developer conveying body including a shaft portion and a blade portion provided on the shaft portion for conveying a developer. The developer conveying device further includes a developer removing portion having a developer removing fin that contacts the developer conveying body in a counter direction with respect to a rotating direction of the developer conveying body.