Developing Apparatus Spiral Wing Mixing Prevents Bearing Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, the bearing portions of the developing apparatus overheating due to developer intrusion, leading to toner melting, image defects, and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A developing apparatus design with a developer mixing container featuring a first and second rotation member with spiral wing-shaped mixing and transfer members, and a circulation auxiliary member to efficiently circulate developers, preventing intrusion into the bearing portion and ensuring consistent developer supply across the developing roller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single rotation member with spiral wing is used to circulate developer, then the structure is simple, but the developer supply uniformity across the developing roller is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single rotation member is divided into two separate rotation members (first and second rotation members), each equipped with its own spiral wing. This segmentation allows independent control of developer circulation paths, enabling uniform developer supply across the entire developing roller surface while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through modular design.
2Manufacturing precision
If the development container size is increased to improve developer circulation, then the developer supply to the whole axial direction is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two rotation members that can rotate in opposite directions to dynamically control the developer circulation pattern. This dynamic approach allows efficient utilization of the existing development container space, achieving comprehensive developer supply to the whole axial direction of the developing roller without increasing the apparatus size.
3Volume of stationary object
If the bearing portion is positioned at the end of the rotation shaft, then the structure is compact, but the developer intrusion causes overheating and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic interaction between developer and bearing portion by positioning the bearing at the center of the rotation shaft rather than at the end. The two spiral wings are positioned to circulate developer away from the bearing area, effectively separating the developer circulation path from the bearing portion and preventing developer intrusion that causes overheating and durability issues.
4Device complexity
If a single spiral wing is used for developer transfer, then the device complexity is low, but the developer mixing and transfer efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two spiral wings with asymmetric positioning and rotation directions. The first spiral wing rotates in one direction while the second spiral wing rotates in the opposite direction, creating asymmetric circulation patterns that enhance developer mixing efficiency and transfer performance without significantly increasing 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
Maintains bearing portion durability and ensures efficient developer circulation and supply to the entire developing roller without increasing the apparatus size, preventing image defects and enhancing reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation auxiliary member having a spiral wing shape formed in a section on a corresponding rotation shaft to transfer the developer to a center portion of the rotation shaft from a downstream side in a developer transfer direction
Implementation Method 2
a mixing and transfer member having a spiral wing shape on a corresponding rotation shaft to mix and transfer the developer to any one of a lengthwise directions of the rotation shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A developing apparatus includes a first rotation member having a rotation shaft to transfer developer in a first direction and a mixing and transfer member having a spiral wing shape to mix and transfer the developer to the center portion of the rotation shaft, a second rotation member having a rotation shaft including a mixing and transfer member to transfer the developer in a direction opposite to the first direction by the first rotation member and a circulation auxiliary member to transfer the developer to the center portion of the rotation shaft, two end portion partition walls formed along the circulation auxiliary member, and a center partition wall formed along the mixing and transfer member at a position separated from the end portion partitions wall.