Developer Replenishment Container Air Flow Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developer supply containers require large pressure differences and space to ensure stable toner discharge, which is inefficient and bulky, and there is a need to enhance air concentration at the discharge opening for improved toner discharging.
Innovation Solution
A developer supply container design that concentrates air at the discharge opening using a pump portion with a fluid communication path and a suppressing portion to isolate air flow, allowing efficient air flow management and stable toner discharge without relying on large pressure differences or space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bellow pump is used to produce a large pressure difference between the inside and outside of the supply container, then the developer can be sufficiently loosened and stably discharged, but the expansion and contraction amount of the bellow pump must be large, resulting in a large supply container size
Solution Approach 1:
The supply container is divided into a developer accommodating chamber and a storage portion, with the discharge opening positioned in the storage portion. This segmentation allows air to be concentrated at the discharge opening without requiring large pressure differences across the entire container, enabling stable discharge with a more compact overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying pressure difference uniformly across the entire supply container, the invention creates a localized pressure difference at the discharge opening area. The air flow is directed specifically to the storage portion where the discharge opening is located, concentrating the loosening effect where it is most needed for stable discharge.
2Reliability
If the inside volume of the bellow pump is increased to achieve sufficient pressure difference, then the developer can be stably discharged from the beginning, but the size of the supply container becomes large, requiring large space in the main assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the approach from increasing the volume of the bellow pump to creating a focused air flow path. By positioning the discharge opening in the storage portion and controlling air flow directionally, the system achieves stable discharge without requiring increased pump volume or overall container volume.
3Reliability
If a large pressure difference is applied to the total inside volume of the supply container, then the developer can be loosened and discharged stably, but the structure for enhancing concentration of air to the discharge opening is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the storage portion with the discharge opening, positioning the discharge opening directly in the storage portion. This integration eliminates the need for separate air concentration structures, as the storage portion itself serves as the focal point for air flow and developer discharge.
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
The design enables stable and efficient toner discharge with reduced space requirements and improved air concentration at the discharge opening, enhancing the discharging performance and reducing the size of the supply container.
Implementation Method 1
the bellow pump is expanded to provide a pressure lower than the ambient pressure in the supply container, so that the air is taken into the supply container... the bellow pump is contracted to provide a pressure higher than the ambient pressure in the supply container, so that the developer is pushed out by the pressure difference
Implementation Method 2
the air flow produced by the pump portion is concentrated to the storage portion, so that the developer is loosened and is stably discharged
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3
AI summary
A developer supply container 1 includes a cylindrical portion 2k capable of accommodating a developer; a second discharge opening 4a, provided on the cylindrical portion 2k, for permitting discharge of the developer; a storage portion 4d provided in the cylindrical portion 2k and capable of storing a predetermined amount of the developer through the second discharge opening 4a; a pump portion 3a having a changeable inside volume of cylindrical portion 2k in a longitudinal direction of the supply container 1 to apply a pressure at least to the second discharge opening 4a; a fluid communication path 20a providing fluid communication between the pump portion 3a and the storage portion 4d; and a partition 20 provided in a connecting portion between the pump portion 3a and the fluid communication path 20a for suppressing flow of the air which is produced by pump portion 3a and which is directed to toward cylindrical portion 2k at least in a discharging operation.