Developing Agent Filling Device with Pressure Relief and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developing agent filling devices face challenges in efficiently filling the developing device without damaging the developing roller, as the regulation blade's pressure can cause friction damage during the filling process, and existing solutions require manual operation or complex modifications.
Innovation Solution
A developing agent filling device that includes a jig with a pressure relief device to release the developing roller from the regulation blade's pressure and a vibration generating device to facilitate filling without modifying the device's configuration, allowing for orthogonal movement of the pressure relief and vibration devices to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the regulation blade is pressed against the developing roller to regulate layer thickness, then the developing agent layer thickness is controlled, but the developing roller surface is damaged due to friction during filling
Solution Approach 1:
The regulation blade is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. During filling operation, the blade moves away from the developing roller to avoid friction damage, and during development operation, it moves to the appropriate position to regulate layer thickness. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining layer thickness control and preventing roller damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by moving the regulation blade away from the developing roller before the filling process begins. This preliminary positioning prevents friction damage during filling, and the blade is then moved to the regulation position after filling is complete, ensuring layer thickness control during subsequent development operations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual operation is used to release the regulation blade during filling, then the developing roller is protected from damage, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulation blade positioning system is designed to automatically move the blade between filling and development positions without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the blade position based on the operational mode, eliminating the need for manual operation while protecting the developing roller during filling and maintaining layer thickness control during development.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of positioning the regulation blade is replaced with an automated control system that can sense the operational mode (filling or development) and automatically adjust the blade position accordingly. This substitution eliminates manual operation complexity while achieving the same protective and regulatory functions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the regulation blade is moved away from the developing roller during filling, then the developing roller is protected from damage, but the device configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The regulation blade positioning function is merged with the existing operational control system of the image forming apparatus. The same control system that manages filling and development modes is extended to control the regulation blade position, combining multiple functions into a unified control mechanism rather than adding a separate positioning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulation blade positioning mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: protecting the developing roller during filling, regulating layer thickness during development, and potentially adapting to different operating conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device 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
Enables efficient filling of the developing agent while preventing damage to the developing roller, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for manual operation or complex modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration generating device that vibrates the developing device
Implementation Method 2
a biasing member that presses the regulation blade against the developing roller
Data Source
AI summary
A developing agent filling device includes a jig retaining a developing device with a filling inlet oriented upward, the developing device including a stirring chamber, a bladed wheel that stirs a developing agent stored in the stirring chamber, a developing roller that retains the developing agent stirred by the bladed wheel, the filling inlet located at an end portion of the stirring chamber in an axial direction of the bladed wheel and opened in the axial direction, a support member supporting a shaft of the bladed wheel inside of the filling inlet, a regulation blade opposed to an outer circumferential surface of the developing roller, and a biasing member that presses the regulation blade against the developing roller, a pressure relief device that releases the developing roller from a pressure of the regulation blade, against the biasing member, and a vibration generating device that vibrates the developing device.