Developer Supply Venting Layout for Smooth Gas Flow in Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The smooth flow of gas and developer is obstructed when the gas flow path from a developing device is connected to the developer flow path in a supplying device, leading to inefficiencies in the image forming process.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a gas flow path connected to a non-flow-path section of the supplying device, featuring an annular flow path and a movement member that moves developers, ensuring smooth gas flow and reducing developer accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the gas flow path is connected to the developer flow path in the supplying device, then the structure is simplified, but the gas flow is obstructed by the developer causing poor gas flow smoothness
Solution Approach 1:
The supplying device is divided into distinct functional sections: a developer supply section with the developer flow path, and a gas discharge section with the gas flow path. These sections are spatially separated within the supplying device, allowing gas to flow through the gas flow path without being obstructed by the developer in the developer flow path, while still maintaining a compact integrated structure.
2Reliability
If a movement member is added to move developer in the gas flow path, then developer accumulation is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movement member is designed to perform multiple functions: it moves developer through the developer flow path to the developing device, and simultaneously moves developer within the gas flow path to prevent accumulation. This multi-functional design allows a single component to address both developer supply and gas flow maintenance without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a developing device that applies a developer to the image carrier; and a supplying device that supplies a developer to the developing device, the supplying device having a developer flow path along which a developer passes, the image forming apparatus having a gas flow path along which a gas discharged from the developing device passes, the gas flow path being connected to the supplying, in which the gas flow path is connected to a non-flow-path section of the supplying device, the non-flow-path section being a section that is not the developer flow path.