Developer Storage Container Segmented Discharge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developer storage containers face issues with agglomeration of developers with varying fluidity near the discharge port, leading to difficulties in discharge, especially when multiple toners with different fluidities are combined.
Innovation Solution
The developer storage container design includes a container body with a spirally protruded inner surface and a discharge member featuring scooping-up members with strategically positioned openings to manage developer flow and prevent agglomeration, ensuring efficient discharge by scooping up the developer and directing it through multiple connected spaces to the discharge port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the amount of developer stored in the container body increases, then the storage capacity is improved, but the fluidity of the developer is reduced and discharge becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge member is divided into multiple scooping-up members (first scooping-up member, second scooping-up member, etc.) with multiple second openings distributed at different positions in the conveyance direction. This segmentation allows developer to be discharged through multiple pathways simultaneously, preventing agglomeration and maintaining dischargeability even when large amounts of developer are stored.
Solution Approach 2:
The scooping-up members have different local structures: the first scooping-up member has a larger scooping-up surface area to handle bulk developer, while subsequent scooping-up members have progressively smaller surfaces. The multiple second openings are positioned at different locations to create localized discharge channels. This local quality differentiation ensures efficient discharge throughout the entire developer volume, not just at the discharge port location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple toners with different fluidities are combined, then the versatility of the developer is improved, but agglomeration near the discharge port occurs and discharge becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge member is divided into multiple scooping-up members with multiple second openings positioned at different locations in the conveyance direction. This segmentation creates multiple discharge pathways that prevent agglomeration of developers with varying fluidities, allowing each type of developer to be discharged efficiently through the distributed openings rather than concentrating at a single discharge port.
Solution Approach 2:
Different scooping-up members have different scooping-up surface areas and the second openings are positioned at different locations, creating localized discharge characteristics. This local quality differentiation accommodates developers with different fluidities by providing appropriate discharge pathways for each type, preventing agglomeration near the discharge port while maintaining versatility for multiple toner combinations.
3Device complexity
If a single discharge port is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the discharge efficiency is reduced due to agglomeration
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge member is segmented into multiple scooping-up members with multiple second openings, transforming a single discharge port into multiple discharge pathways. This segmentation dramatically improves discharge efficiency by preventing agglomeration and enabling simultaneous discharge through multiple openings, while the overall structure remains integrated and relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple second openings are distributed in the conveyance direction (adding a spatial dimension to discharge pathways) rather than simply increasing the size of a single discharge port. This dimensional approach to discharge structure improves efficiency by creating distributed flow paths that prevent agglomeration without significantly increasing structural complexity.
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 design effectively reduces agglomeration near the discharge port, enhancing the discharge efficiency and preventing defective discharge or image density issues associated with conventional containers, even when developers with different fluidities are used.
Implementation Method 1
A spiral protrusion is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the container body to convey the stored developer. Then, the container body is rotated, whereby the stored developer is conveyed to a discharge port
Implementation Method 2
The suppressor includes a plurality of scooping-up members, each of the plurality of scooping-up members includes a scooping-up surface that scoops up the developer, and a plurality of second openings connecting to the space is provided on the scooping-up surface
Data Source
AI summary
A developer storage container includes a container body, and a discharge member, wherein the container body includes a first opening on a downstream side in a conveyance direction in which the developer is conveyed, and includes a first side wall, the first side wall includes on an inner surface a protrusion, the discharge member is provided at the first opening to close the first opening, and includes a discharge port, and includes a suppressor, and includes a second side wall, the suppressor includes a plurality of scooping-up members, each of the plurality of scooping-up members includes a scooping-up surface, and a plurality of second openings connecting to the space is provided on the scooping-up surface of any of the plurality of scooping-up members at respective positions different from each other in the conveyance direction.