Developer Mixing Mechanism for Uniform Toner Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming devices often produce defective images due to localized deterioration of toner particles, leading to issues like blurred images, as non-fresh developer is not adequately mixed with fresh developer, causing uneven toner distribution and quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a first and second developer storing chamber and conveyers that circulate developer in different directions to mix fresh and non-fresh toner, preventing localized deterioration by ensuring well-mixed toner is supplied to the developer carrier, thus avoiding the resupply of localized non-fresh toner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If developer is stored in a single chamber and supplied to the developer carrier, then the device structure is simple, but localized deterioration of toner particles occurs and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The developer storing chamber is segmented into a first developer storing chamber (for non-fresh developer) and a second developer storing chamber (for fresh developer). This segmentation allows separate storage and management of developer at different stages of usage, preventing localized deterioration while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If fresh developer is not supplied to mix with non-fresh developer, then the supply process is simple, but uneven toner distribution occurs and blurred images are produced
Solution Approach 1:
Fresh developer is supplied in advance to the second developer storing chamber before the first chamber is depleted. This preliminary action ensures that fresh developer is ready to mix with non-fresh developer, maintaining uniform toner distribution and preventing blurred images without complicating the supply process.
3Device complexity
If developer is not circulated in multiple directions, then the conveying mechanism is simple, but non-fresh developer is not adequately mixed and image defects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyer mechanism is designed to convey developer in multiple directions within the first developer storing chamber, creating dynamic circulation patterns. This dynamic conveyance ensures thorough mixing of fresh and non-fresh developer, preventing localized deterioration and image defects while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device is provided. The developing device includes a developer carrier, a regulator, a first developer storing chamber, a plurality of conveyers disposed within the first developer storing chamber, a second developer storing chamber in communication with the first developer storing chamber, and a supply member disposed within the second developer storing chamber. The developer carrier carries developer on its surface and supplies developer to a latent image carrier carrying a latent image. The regulator regulates the thickness of developer on the surface of the developer carrier. The first developer storing chamber stores developer separated from the developer carrier by the regulator and is to be supplied with fresh developer. Each of the plurality of conveyers coveys developer in a different conveyance direction. The second developer storing chamber is to be supplied with developer from the first developer storing chamber. The supply member supplies developer to the developer carrier.