Developer Supply Container Stirring Device for Electrophotography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developer supply containers in electrophotography imaging apparatuses face issues with smooth developer supply and transfer volume, leading to lighter image quality due to the absence of a pump portion, which affects the fluffy state of the developer and results in reduced transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A developer supply container design featuring an accommodating cylinder with a stirring device comprising a shaft rotating component and elastic blades, which ensures the developer remains in a fluffy state by synchronously rotating with the feeding component, enhancing transfer volume through the powder outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a pump portion is used to change internal pressure and maintain developer in a fluffy state, then developer fluffiness is improved, but developer supply smoothness deteriorates due to negative pressure drawing developer back
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pump portion from the developer supply container, extracting the problematic component that caused negative pressure and disrupted developer supply smoothness. The blowing component alone is used to generate airflow that maintains developer fluffiness without creating the pressure fluctuations that drew developer back during the pump's return stroke.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a wind wheel is used to generate airflow and maintain developer fluffiness, then developer fluffiness is improved, but transfer volume deteriorates due to reduced transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blowing component that generates airflow as an intermediary mechanism. This airflow acts on the developer to maintain fluffiness while the feeding component simultaneously ensures adequate transfer volume through its rotational feeding action, separating the fluffiness-maintenance function from the transfer function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If spiral-shaped transmission components are used to stir developer and maintain fluffiness, then developer fluffiness is improved, but transfer volume deteriorates due to reduced transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the functions of developer agitation and transfer into separate components: the blowing component generates airflow to maintain fluffiness, while the feeding component with its spiral guide ribs handles the transfer function. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
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 stirring device effectively maintains the developer in a fluffy state, ensuring smooth supply and increasing the transfer volume, thereby improving the quality and consistency of the developed images.
Implementation Method 1
a stirring device is provided in the developer storage portion... a shaft rotating component and elastic blades, which ensures the developer remains in a fluffy state by synchronously rotating with the feeding component
Data Source
AI summary
A developer supply container and an electrophotography imaging apparatus using the developer supply container, relating to the field of electronic imaging apparatuses. The developer supply container comprising an accommodating cylinder and a feeding member is provided in the accommodating cylinder, wherein an outer surface of the accommodating cylinder is provided with a driving receiving portion. The developer supply container is further provided with a housing located at an end of the accommodating cylinder, the housing is provided with a powder outlet. A first storage portion is provided at an end of the feeding member close to the housing, a second storage portion in communication with the first storage portion is provided in the housing, the second storage portion is in communication with the powder outlet, and the second storage portion is provided with a stirring device therein.