Developer Filling Apparatus with Transfer Path for Mixing Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for filling developer accommodation cases with toner and carrier in copying machines require significant time, cost, and space for agitation and mixing, and struggle with maintaining a consistent mixing ratio and ensuring quality control.
Innovation Solution
A developer filling method and apparatus that involves opening a sealed developer bag containing toner and carrier, using a transfer path to fill the accommodation case, and optionally vibrating the developer to ensure uniform mixing, reducing the need for separate agitation and mixing facilities and enhancing mixing ratio control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If toner and carrier are accurately weighed and mixed in advance by using a large drum mixer or V-mixer, then the mixing ratio is controlled accurately, but extra time, cost, and operation space are required along with facilities for agitation and mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mixing function from the filling process by pre-mixing toner and carrier in small batches in sealed bags before filling. This separates the mixing operation from the filling operation, eliminating the need for large mixing facilities during the filling process while maintaining accurate mixing ratios through controlled pre-mixing in smaller, manageable batches.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the developer preparation into small batches that are sealed in individual bags. Each bag contains pre-mixed toner and carrier in the correct ratio, prepared in advance in a controlled environment. This segmentation allows accurate mixing ratio control in small, manageable units without requiring large-scale mixing facilities during the filling process.
2Productivity
If a developer accommodation case is filled with toner and carrier while they are continuously mixed and agitated, then filling can be performed without advance mixing, but it is difficult to keep a constant mixing ratio and secure quality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-mixing toner and carrier in the correct ratio and sealing them in bags before the filling process. This ensures that the mixing is completed in advance under controlled conditions, guaranteeing constant mixing ratios. During filling, the pre-mixed developer is simply transferred without requiring continuous agitation, thus maintaining both productivity and mixing ratio consistency.
3Manufacturing precision
If toner and carrier are mixed in large batches in advance, then the mixing ratio can be controlled, but the process is costly and requires significant operation space
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the developer into small batches that are sealed in individual bags. Each small batch is mixed in a controlled manner to achieve the correct ratio, then stored in compact bags. This segmentation dramatically reduces the operation space required compared to large-scale batch mixing, while maintaining accurate mixing ratios through controlled pre-mixing of smaller quantities.
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 approach allows for efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality filling of developer accommodation cases with a consistent toner-to-carrier ratio, improving traceability and reducing operational costs by eliminating the need for extensive mixing facilities.
Implementation Method 1
taking out the developer from the opened developer bag and initially filling a developer accommodation case with the developer through a transfer path
Data Source
AI summary
A developer filling apparatus includes a bag setting portion where a developer bag in which a developer containing toner and a carrier is sealed is set, an accommodation case setting portion where a developer accommodation case for accommodating the developer is set, and a transfer path constructed to initially fill the developer accommodation case set in the accommodation case setting portion with the developer taken out of the opened developer bag while the developer bag is set in the bag setting portion.