Developing Device Segmented Agent Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developing devices face challenges in stably supplying developing agents to the developing chamber due to the excessive burden on transporting members when the developing agent-accommodating chamber is positioned below, leading to degraded transporting performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a developing device with a first and second developing agent-accommodating chamber configuration, where a first elastically deformable rotating member supplies the agent to the second chamber, and a second rotating member transports it to the developing chamber, reducing the burden on both members and ensuring stable supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single developing agent-accommodating chamber is arranged below the developing chamber with one transporting member, then the structure is simple, but the transporting member bears excessive burden and degrades quickly, lowering transporting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single transporting function into two separate transporting members: a first transporting member that transports developing agent from the first developing agent-accommodating chamber to the second developing agent-accommodating chamber, and a second transporting member that transports from the second chamber to the developing chamber. This segmentation reduces the burden on each individual transporting member, preventing rapid degradation and maintaining reliable transporting performance.
2Volume of moving object
If the developing agent-accommodating chamber is arranged below the developing chamber, then space utilization is improved, but transporting against gravity increases burden on the transporting member
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical transporting path is segmented into two stages: first from the lower first chamber to the intermediate second chamber, then from the second chamber to the developing chamber. Each transporting member handles only one stage, reducing the gravitational burden on each member while maintaining the space-efficient vertical arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The second developing agent-accommodating chamber serves as an intermediary chamber between the first chamber and the developing chamber. This intermediate chamber allows the transporting process to be broken into two lighter stages, with each transporting member bearing reduced burden compared to a single direct transport path.
3Productivity
If the transporting member rotates with high speed to transport developing agent against gravity, then transporting efficiency is improved, but the member degrades faster
Solution Approach 1:
The high-speed transporting task is segmented between two rotating members, each operating at moderate speeds. The first rotating member operates in the first chamber and the second rotating member operates in the second chamber, allowing both to achieve necessary transporting efficiency without the excessive wear that would result from one member operating at very high speed against gravity.
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 configuration allows for stable and efficient transportation of the developing agent to the developing chamber, reducing the degradation of the rotating members and ensuring a predetermined amount is supplied consistently.
Implementation Method 1
a first rotating member disposed in the first developing agent-accommodating chamber, elastically deformable, and configured to rotate so as to slidably contact with an inner surface of the first developing agent-accommodating chamber
Implementation Method 2
rotate so as to slidably contact with an inner surface of the first developing agent-accommodating chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes: a developing chamber provided with a developing agent-holding body; a first developing agent-accommodating chamber for accommodating a developing agent and arranged below the developing chamber; a first rotating member disposed in the first developing agent-accommodating chamber, elastically deformable and configured to rotate to slidably contact with an inner surface of the first developing agent-accommodating chamber; a second developing agent-accommodating chamber arranged adjacent to the developing chamber and an upper portion of the first developing agent-accommodating chamber, and to which the developing agent in the first developing agent-accommodating chamber is supplied by the first rotating member; and a second rotating member disposed in the second developing agent-accommodating chamber, elastically deformable and configured to rotate to slidably contact with an inner surface of the second developing agent-accommodating chamber and to transport the developing agent in the second developing agent-accommodating chamber toward the developing chamber.