Developer Storage Body Segmentation for Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses often face issues with insufficient developer storage, leading to a demand for increasing the amount of developer stored in the developer storage body.
Innovation Solution
The developer storage body is configured with a developer ejecting portion to push developer into the storage portion and a detecting portion to monitor the storage level, allowing for efficient accumulation and detection of the developer, thereby increasing the stored amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the developer storage body is designed with a simple receiving opening configuration, then the device complexity is low, but the amount of developer stored is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The storage body is segmented into multiple functional regions: a receiving portion for initial developer entry, a storage portion for accumulated developer, and an ejecting portion with pushing members. This segmentation allows the system to store larger amounts of developer while maintaining manageable structural complexity through divided functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage body incorporates movable pushing members (such as movable walls or pushing plates) that can dynamically move to push developer from the receiving portion toward the storage portion. This dynamic mechanism enables increased storage capacity and developer utilization without requiring a completely complex fixed structure.
2Quantity of substance
If the developer storage body is enlarged to increase storage capacity, then the amount of developer stored increases, but the detection precision of storage level becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented with multiple detecting members positioned at different locations within the storage body (such as near the receiving opening and near the storage portion). This segmentation allows precise detection of developer levels across the enlarged storage volume, maintaining measurement precision despite increased capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Detecting members act as intermediaries between the developer material and the control system. These sensors (such as optical or capacitive sensors) provide accurate feedback about developer accumulation levels, enabling precise monitoring even in enlarged storage configurations.
3Productivity
If the developer ejecting portion is positioned closer to the first end portion, then the developer can be pushed toward the second end portion effectively, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejecting portion is merged with the receiving opening structure, and the pushing members are integrated into the storage body walls. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective developer pushing capability from the first end portion toward the second end portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable walls or pushing plates serve multiple functions: they form the structural boundaries of the receiving portion and simultaneously act as pushing members to move developer. This multi-functionality increases productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A developer storage body includes a developer storage portion configured to store a developer. The developer storage portion has a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to each other. A developer ejecting portion is provided in the developer storage portion is located closer to the first end portion than to the second end portion. The developer ejecting portion is configured to eject the developer into the developer storage portion. The developer storage body further includes a developer pushing portion configured to push the developer ejected into the developer storage portion from the developer ejecting portion toward the second end portion. A developer detecting portion is provided in the developer storage portion and is located closer to the second end portion than to the first end portion.