Developing Device Rotation Axis Bending Prevention Belt
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developing devices with auger screws having low rigidity rotation axes tend to bend, causing toner aggregation and image defects due to contact with the inner tank wall, which affects the efficiency and quality of image transfer in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The use of a developing device with a rotation axis bending prevention belt that maintains a constant distance between the conveyance members' rotation axes, preventing them from bending and contacting the tank wall, is implemented. This includes a first and second conveyance member with helical blades and passive gears, where the belt bridges the pulleys of these members to stabilize their alignment and rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the rotation axis of the conveyance member is formed thin or of resin to reduce weight and complexity, then the device becomes more compact and lighter, but the rigidity of the rotation axis is reduced causing bending
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary element between the rotation axis and the bearing to provide additional support. The support member has a first end bearing against the rotation axis and a second end bearing against the inner wall of the tank, thereby distributing the load and preventing bending of the thin or resin-based rotation axis without increasing its weight.
2Device complexity
If the conveyance member rotation axis bends due to low rigidity, then the device structure becomes simpler and lighter, but the conveyance member contacts the inner tank wall causing toner aggregation
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is installed in advance to prevent bending of the rotation axis before operation begins. By providing structural reinforcement through the support member that extends from the rotation axis to the tank wall, the system prevents contact between the conveyance member and tank wall, thereby avoiding toner aggregation and maintaining image transfer quality.
3Reliability
If a rigid rotation axis is used to prevent bending and maintain alignment, then image transfer quality is maintained, but the device becomes heavier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented from the rotation axis itself. Instead of making the entire rotation axis rigid and heavy, the system divides the structural support function into a separate support member that provides rigidity only where needed (at the bearing points), allowing the rotation axis to remain thin and lightweight while still preventing bending through the distributed support structure.
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 effectively prevents conveyance member bending and toner aggregation, ensuring consistent and high-quality image transfer by maintaining the distance between the rotation axes and preventing contact with the tank wall, thus enhancing the reliability and performance of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation axis bending prevention belt (118) provided so as to bridge the first pulley (112d) and the second pulley (113d)
Implementation Method 2
The toner and the carrier are agitated in a developing device to generate friction between the toner and the carrier, and the friction allows the toner to be appropriately charged.
Implementation Method 3
The charged toner is supplied to a surface of a two-component developer holder (developing roller). The toner on the two-component developer holder is moved, by electrostatic attraction, to an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier (photoconductor).
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device has a developer tank for containing a two-component developer; a partition; a first and a second developer conveyance path for conveying the developer in pairs; a first conveyance member for conveying the developer in one direction, which has a first rotation axis, a first helical blade fixed to the first rotation axis, and a first passive gear provided to an end of the first rotation axis; a second conveyance member for conveying the developer in one direction, which has a second rotation axis, a second helical blade fixed to the second rotation axis, and a second passive gear provided to an end of the second rotation axis; a first communicating path; a second communicating path; a developing roller; and a rotation axis bending prevention belt provided so as to bridge the first and the second rotation axis outside the developer tank.