Elastically Deformable Developer Transporting Member for Uniform Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
In intermediate-transfer type color printers, the uneven distribution of developer due to gravitational force leads to defective image formation, complicating the structure and hindering small-sizing and cost-reduction efforts.
Innovation Solution
A developer container with an elastically deformable transporting member that rotates and deforms to disperse developer evenly, using a sliding and communicating portion arrangement to restore and direct the developer flow opposite to its rotation direction, ensuring uniform supply to the developing chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a stirring member is provided in the developing chamber to suppress uneven developer level, then developer distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the stirring member from the developing chamber and relocates the stirring function to the developer accommodating chamber. The transporting member performs both transport and stirring functions in the developer accommodating chamber, eliminating the need for a separate stirring member in the developing chamber and simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The transporting member is designed to perform multiple functions: it transports developer from the developer accommodating chamber to the developing chamber, and simultaneously stirs the developer in the developer accommodating chamber. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate stirring and transport components.
2Productivity
If developer is supplied against gravitational force from developer accommodating chamber to developing chamber, then developer can be transported, but developer level uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transporting member is designed to be elastically deformable and rotates in the developer accommodating chamber, dynamically changing its shape during rotation. This dynamic deformation allows it to effectively transport developer while the rotation itself provides stirring action that maintains uniform developer levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The transporting member rotates periodically in the developer accommodating chamber, creating periodic stirring action that prevents developer settling and maintains uniform developer levels before transport to the developing chamber.
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 solution prevents uneven developer distribution, thereby preventing defective image formation while simplifying the structure and facilitating cost reduction and small-sizing of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a transporting member configured to elastically deform and to rotate in the developer accommodating chamber
Implementation Method 2
a dividing wall having a sliding portion configured to deform the transporting member by making a sliding contact with the transporting member
Implementation Method 3
a communicating portion arranged at a downstream side in a direction of rotation of the transporting member with respect to the sliding portion, the communicating portion communicating an inner side and an outer side of the developer accommodating chamber, the communicating portion being configured to allow the transporting member, which has been elastically deformed by the sliding portion, to restore
Implementation Method 4
the developer which has not been discharged to the communicating portion is transported toward the contacting portion, and collides with the contacting portion together with transporting member
Data Source
AI summary
A developer container includes a developer accommodating chamber and a transporting member configured to elastically deform, to rotate, and to transport the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating chamber. The developer accommodating chamber includes a dividing wall configured to deform the transporting member by making a sliding contact with the transporting member. The developer accommodating chamber further includes a communicating portion configured to allow the transporting member, which has been elastically deformed by the sliding portion, to restore. The developer accommodating chamber still further includes a contacting portion. The transporting member restored by the communicating portion being configured to contact with the contacting portion.