Imaging System Developing Chamber Air Passage Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses face challenges in maintaining optimal air pressure within the developing device to prevent toner scattering, as increased pressure can lead to toner discharge and reduced printing quality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flow passage system, comprising a first and second air passage, and a sealing member between the developing roller and the housing, creates a pressure difference to manage air flow and prevent pressure buildup, while a two-component developer is stirred and conveyed to ensure uniform toner distribution and adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flow passage forming member is elongated in the rotation direction of the developing roller, then air pressure inside the developing device body is suppressed and toner scattering is inhibited, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage forming member is divided into multiple segments along the rotation direction of the developing roller. Each segment creates a localized flow passage that contributes to overall air pressure suppression. This segmentation reduces the complexity of a single long flow passage while maintaining the effectiveness of toner scattering inhibition through distributed air flow control.
2Productivity
If air pressure inside the developing device body is increased to maintain developer flow, then developer circulation improves, but toner scattering to the outside increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flow passage forming member is introduced as an intermediary element between the high-pressure developer circulation system and the external environment. This member creates controlled flow passages that mediate the air pressure differential, allowing developer circulation to improve while preventing toner scattering by directing air flow through defined paths rather than allowing uncontrolled leakage.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the developing device body is sealed tighter to prevent toner leakage, then toner scattering is reduced, but air pressure buildup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage forming member extracts or removes the harmful effect of air pressure buildup by creating dedicated flow passages that channel excess air pressure away from the sealed developing device body. This allows the body to remain tightly sealed for toner leakage prevention while the extracted air flow paths prevent dangerous pressure accumulation.
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 suppresses toner scattering and maintains optimal air pressure, ensuring consistent and high-quality printing by regulating air flow and developer distribution, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the imaging apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
creates a pressure difference to manage air flow and prevent pressure buildup
Implementation Method 2
a two-component developer is stirred and conveyed to ensure uniform toner distribution
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes a developing chamber, a first conveyance path, a second conveyance path, a first air passage and a second air passage. A developing roller located in the developing chamber carries a developer to a developing region where the developing roller is closest to an image carrier. A first stirring-conveying portion is located in the first conveyance path adjacent the developing roller to supply the developer to the developing roller. A second stirring-conveying portion is located in the second conveyance path adjacent the first conveyance path to circulate the developer between the second conveyance path and the first conveyance path. The first air passage has an inlet coupled to the developing chamber and an outlet coupled to the second conveyance path, and the second air passage has an inlet coupled to the second conveyance path and an outlet coupled to the developing chamber.