Developer Stirring Member with Reduced Conveying Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developing devices in electrophotography-based image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently supplying toner as it is consumed, leading to imbalances in pressure and conveying power, resulting in unnecessary toner supply and reduced conveying efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a developer container, a stirring member, and a stirring chamber featuring a reduced conveying power portion and a developer stagnation portion with a smoother inner surface, which balances toner supply and conveying power, allowing for automatic toner supply by gravity and improved toner slippage and conveying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a stirring member conveys developer along the axial direction in a developer container, then developer supply efficiency is improved, but excessive conveying power causes unnecessary developer accumulation and imbalances pressure between supply and consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring member is designed with a reduced conveying power portion at its downstream end, creating local variation in conveying capability. This allows the upstream portion to maintain strong conveying power for efficient developer supply, while the downstream portion reduces conveying power to prevent excessive accumulation and maintain pressure balance with developer consumption at the developing unit.
2Extent of automation
If toner is supplied by gravity into the developer chamber, then automatic toner supply is achieved, but imbalanced pressure between supply and consumption reduces conveying efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring member incorporates a reduced conveying power portion at the downstream end to create local variation in conveying characteristics. This design allows the system to maintain automatic gravity-based supply while the reduced conveying power section prevents pressure buildup, ensuring balanced pressure between supply and consumption and maintaining optimal conveying efficiency throughout the developer container.
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 configuration ensures efficient toner supply and increased conveying power, reducing unnecessary toner accumulation and extending the durable printing period by maintaining a balance between toner pressure and supply pressure, thus optimizing toner usage.
Implementation Method 1
The stirring member is rotatably supported in the developer container, and conveys, while stirring, developer along the axial direction of its rotary shaft
Implementation Method 2
The stirring chamber has a developer supply port arranged in its top surface for receiving developer supplied from outside by the action of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device has a developer container, a first stirring member, and a first stirring chamber. The developer container stores toner. The first stirring member conveys toner while stirring it. The first stirring chamber is in the developer container. The first stirring member is in the first stirring chamber. In a top surface of the first stirring member is a toner supply port through which toner is supplied from outside by action of gravity. The first stirring member has, on the downstream side of the toner supply port in the toner conveying direction, a reduced conveying power portion exerting reduced conveying power to toner. The first stirring chamber has a developer stagnation portion at a position facing the reduced conveying power portion. The inner surface of the developer stagnation portion has a smaller surface roughness than the inner surface of the stirring chamber except for the developer stagnation portion.