Developer-Level Adjusting Magnetic Pole for Toner Feeding Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing developing devices in image forming apparatuses face issues with inconsistent toner feeding due to uneven developer levels, leading to potential image quality degradation and development failures when the toner level falls below a reference height, causing the magnetic carrier to be discharged or not fed correctly.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a rotary member and a developer-level adjusting magnetic pole that holds and transports the developer to maintain a consistent level, ensuring the toner feeder operates effectively by preventing the developer from covering the feed port and maintaining a stable magnetic force to adhere toner to the rotary member's surface, even when the developer level rises abnormally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the developer level is allowed to fluctuate freely, then the device complexity is reduced, but the toner feeding consistency deteriorates leading to image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic carrier pile automatically adjusts the developer level through its own weight and magnetic properties. When the developer level rises, the magnetic carrier pile moves downstream to counterbalance it, and when the level falls, the pile moves upstream, creating a self-regulating system without external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the magnetic carrier pile changes in response to developer level fluctuations. The pile's location along the rotary member's circumference varies dynamically, shifting upstream or downstream to maintain consistent developer level at the feed port, converting a positional parameter into a control mechanism.
2Reliability
If a magnetic carrier pile is used to adjust developer level, then the toner feeding stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic carrier pile serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates the magnetic field necessary for toner adhesion to the rotary member, and it acts as a level-regulating mechanism by shifting position to counterbalance developer level fluctuations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate level control components.
Solution Approach 2:
The level control function is merged with the existing magnetic carrier system. The magnetic carrier pile that is already present for toner feeding is also utilized as the developer level adjusting mechanism, combining two functions into a single component system.
3Productivity
If the magnetic carrier pile is positioned upstream, then toner feeding is enhanced, but the developer level control capability is reduced when level rises abnormally
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic carrier pile's position is dynamic rather than fixed. It can shift upstream to enhance toner feeding when needed, and move downstream to regulate abnormal developer level rises. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt to different operational conditions and maintain reliability across varying scenarios.
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 solution ensures stable toner feeding and prevents image quality degradation by maintaining consistent toner supply, preventing toner feed shortages and ensuring uniform image density, even when the developer level fluctuates.
Implementation Method 1
a developer-level adjusting magnetic pole 67C that holds the developer 15 and that is located at the same level as an end of the gap located downstream from the feed port member 61 in a rotation direction D of the rotary member 65 or located downstream from the end of the gap in the rotation direction
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes a housing including a container that holds a developer containing toner and a magnetic carrier, a feed port member that allows toner or a magnetic carrier to pass therethrough to be fed into the container, a rotary member spaced apart by a gap from a surrounding portion of the housing including the feed port member, the rotary member transporting the developer while holding the developer on an outer circumferential surface of the rotary member to cover the gap when a developer level of the developer inside the container exceeds a reference level, and a developer-level adjusting magnetic pole that holds the developer and that is located at the same level as an end of the gap located downstream from the feed port member in a rotation direction of the rotary member or located downstream from the end of the gap in the rotation direction.