Developer Supply Container With Intermittent Gas Regulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developer supply containers face issues with developer compaction due to vibrations during transportation or storage, leading to gushing phenomena and reduced discharge speed, as they rely on single port air inhalation and exhalation methods, which affect the stability and precision of developer replenishment.
Innovation Solution
A developer supply container with a rotating container and an intermittent gas regulator that supplies a fixed amount of gas to a gas mixing space, ensuring stable internal pressure and continuous developer flow through a powder discharging port, preventing compaction and gushing, and maintaining high precision replenishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bellows pump is used to assist developer discharge, then the developer fluidity is enhanced, but the developer becomes over compacted due to vibration during transportation or storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vibration mechanism that operates periodically to prevent developer compaction during storage and transportation. This periodic vibration loosens the developer particles, maintaining their fluidity without causing the over-compaction issues associated with continuous pump operation. The vibration is activated only when needed, such as during storage periods or before discharge operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vibration mechanism as an intermediary between the storage container and the discharge system. This vibration mechanism acts as a mediator that gently agitates the developer to prevent compaction without applying the strong forces that would cause gushing or over-compaction during active discharge operations.
2Reliability
If air is drawn into the container body from the discharging port, then the developer fluidity is improved, but the discharge speed is slowed down and developer is transported back into the container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air supply function into separate dedicated air supply ports, distinct from the developer discharge port. This segmentation allows air to be supplied independently at specific locations within the container, enabling controlled fluidity enhancement without causing the discharge port to become a bottleneck or create backflow conditions that slow down the overall discharge process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary substance through dedicated air supply ports. This air acts as a mediator that penetrates the developer material to improve fluidity from within, rather than trying to pull developer through the discharge port. This approach enhances discharge speed by improving internal flow characteristics without creating the suction effect that causes backflow.
3Device complexity
If a single developer discharging port is used for alternate air inhalation and exhale, then the structure is simplified, but the discharge speed is reduced and force for discharging is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the functional ports into distinct types: air supply ports for introducing air to enhance fluidity, and developer discharge ports for expelling developer. This functional segmentation allows each port type to be optimized for its specific purpose, with multiple ports working in parallel to provide sufficient discharge force and speed without requiring a single complex multi-functional port.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple air supply ports and multiple discharge ports into an integrated system where they work together synergistically. The air supply ports collectively provide airflow to multiple zones in the developer material, while multiple discharge ports simultaneously expel developer, combining their forces to achieve high discharge speeds that would be impossible with a single port.
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 solution ensures continuous and stable developer replenishment to image forming devices under various environments, preventing compaction and gushing, while maintaining a stable air pressure and discharge force, thus achieving high precision developer supply.
Implementation Method 1
an intermittent regulator for intermittently supplying gas into the rotating container and regulating an internal pressure of the rotating container
Implementation Method 2
a part of an inner space of the powder discharging bin forms a gas mixing space for accommodating the developer
Data Source
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AI summary
A developer supply container disclosed in the present invention belongs to the field of developing equipment, including a rotating container for conveying a developer and an intermittent regulator for intermittently supplying gas into the rotating container and regulating an internal pressure of the rotating container. A fixed amount of gas is intermittently supplied by the intermittent regulator to the gas mixing space and is discharged from the powder discharging port after the fixed amount of gas is mixed with the developer. Since the intermittent regulator can periodically supply the fixed amount of gas to the gas mixing space, the fixed amount of gas ensures a stable gas pressure inside the developer supply container. The developer supply container can continuously and stably replenish the developer into the image forming device under any storage or operating environment.