Developing Apparatus Toner Storage Chamber Paper Powder Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In cleaner-less image forming systems, foreign matters like paper powder can interfere with image formation, causing streaks, black spots, and white spots due to their interaction with the developing apparatus, leading to image failures and reduced toner recycling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The developing apparatus is designed with a configuration where the toner storage chamber is positioned below the development chamber, and the regulating section is located immediately above the opening between them, allowing paper powder to be separated and stored in the toner storage chamber, while the toner is conveyed using a scooping system that prevents paper powder from reaching the developing sleeve, ensuring effective toner supply and minimizing foreign matter interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a cleaner-less system is adopted to eliminate dedicated drum cleaner and simplify apparatus configuration, then apparatus complexity is reduced and space is saved, but foreign matters like paper powder enter the developing apparatus causing image failures
Solution Approach 1:
The developing apparatus is divided into functionally distinct zones: a development chamber for toner development and a storage chamber for collecting paper powder and foreign matters. The regulating blade assembly creates a regulated section that separates the development zone from the storage zone, preventing foreign matters from interfering with the developing sleeve while maintaining the cleaner-less system's simplified structure
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of the untransferred toner collection is extracted and relocated to a separate storage chamber positioned below the development chamber. This extracted function isolates foreign matter collection from the development process, allowing the main development area to remain clean while the storage chamber accumulates paper powder and other contaminants
2Loss of substance
If toner is recycled in the cleaner-less system to eliminate waste, then loss of substance is reduced, but paper powder and foreign matters are mixed with toner causing image failures
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus segments the toner recycling path from the foreign matter accumulation path. The storage chamber collects paper powder and contaminants separately from the development chamber where clean toner is recycled. This segmentation allows continuous toner recycling while preventing foreign matter contamination of the recycled toner
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating blade assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls the flow of toner and foreign matters. It regulates toner supply to the developing sleeve while directing paper powder and contaminants into the storage chamber, preventing their mixing and maintaining toner purity for recycling
3Manufacturing precision
If the regulating blade contacts the developing sleeve to control toner layer, then manufacturing precision of toner layer is improved, but paper powder is held between them disturbing uniform toner layer
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating blade assembly is positioned to create a regulated section that is spatially separated from the development section. This segmentation allows the regulating blade to control toner layer uniformity in its zone while preventing paper powder from reaching the developing sleeve contact area, eliminating the harmful interaction between paper powder and the toner layer formation process
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
In a developing apparatus, a cartridge, and an image forming apparatus, the positions of a regulating section, an opening, a bottom section of a development chamber, and a bottom section of a storage chamber are in a specific positional relationship, an optical discharging section is provided in a specific position, or the structure of a regulating member is a specific structure.