Developer Storage Body With Inclined Portions And Rotating Film
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developer storage bodies in image forming apparatuses using electrophotography often fail to supply a sufficient amount of developer to the developing device due to adherence of developer to the inner surfaces, leading to inefficiencies in usage.
Innovation Solution
A developer storage portion with an elongated shape, an outlet opening at its center, inclined portions on both ends, a rotation member, and a film member that contacts the inclined portions when rotating, effectively scraping off and supplying the developer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional developer storage body is used, then the structure is simple, but the developer adheres to the inner surface and cannot be supplied in sufficient amount
Solution Approach 1:
The developer storage body is divided into multiple functional zones: a storage chamber for holding developer, an inclined portion for guiding developer flow, and a discharge chamber for supplying developer to the developing device. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently, preventing developer adhesion and ensuring complete supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a rotatable blade that rotates to scrape the inner surface of the storage body, dynamically removing adhered developer and guiding it toward the discharge chamber. This dynamic mechanism transforms the static storage structure into an active system that continuously prevents developer adhesion and ensures complete supply.
2Productivity
If a scraping mechanism is added to the storage body, then developer supply improves, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable blade is designed to be driven by the flow of developer itself or by a simple rotation mechanism that utilizes the natural movement of developer during the supply process. This self-service approach allows the scraping function to be performed without requiring complex external drive mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while improving supply efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If the storage body has a simple shape, then manufacturing is easy, but developer remains in the body after use
Solution Approach 1:
The storage body incorporates inclined portions with curved surfaces that guide developer flow toward the discharge chamber. These curved surfaces prevent dead zones where developer could remain after use, ensuring complete evacuation of developer while maintaining a manufacturable shape that combines simplicity with functional effectiveness.
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 configuration reduces the amount of developer left in the storage body, ensuring effective supply and usage within the developing device.
Implementation Method 1
a film member provided on the rotation member. The film member is brought into contact with the inclined portions when the rotation member rotates
Data Source
AI summary
A developer storage body includes a developer storage portion storing a developer and having an elongated shape, an outlet opening provided at a substantially center portion of the developer storage portion in a longitudinal direction of the developer storage portion, inclined portions provided on both end portions of the developer storage portion in the longitudinal direction, a rotation member rotatably provided in the developer storage portion, and a film member provided on the rotation member. The film member is brought into contact with the inclined portions when the rotation member rotates.