Developing Device Air Flow Path Toner Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, toner accumulation around the ear cutting blade leads to defective images due to the cessation of air flow when the developing and magnetic rollers stop rotating, causing toner to fall and accumulate.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a toner receiving member, a regulating blade, and a blade holding member, featuring an air flow path and slit holes to continuously direct falling toner into the air flow path, ensuring toner is collected and preventing accumulation even when the rollers are stationary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air flow is generated by rotating the developing roller and magnetic roller, then floating toner moves upward, but when rollers stop rotating the air flow disappears and toner accumulates around the ear cutting blade
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path is segmented into multiple sections: a first air flow path from the toner receiving member, a second air flow path from the blade holding member, and a third air flow path from the regulating blade. This segmentation allows continuous air flow to be maintained through different pathways, ensuring toner is consistently directed away from the ear cutting blade regardless of roller rotation state.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow acts as an intermediary medium between the toner and the ear cutting blade. By introducing controlled air flow through the air flow paths, floating toner is continuously directed upward and away from the ear cutting blade, preventing accumulation even when the rollers are stationary.
2Productivity
If high-speed rotation of toner stirring member is used for high-speed processing, then productivity increases, but toner floats around the opposing portion and accumulates near the ear cutting blade
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by introducing air flow through the air flow paths to control toner movement. The air flow creates a pneumatic field that directs floating toner upward and away from the ear cutting blade, providing a non-contact method to prevent toner accumulation while maintaining high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the two-dimensional problem of toner accumulation on the blade surface by introducing a third dimension - vertical air flow. The air flow paths create upward movement in the vertical dimension, diverting toner away from the horizontal accumulation zone near the ear cutting blade.
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 reduces toner accumulation and adhesion on the developing roller, preventing defective images by maintaining air flow and efficient toner collection, regardless of the rollers' operational state.
Implementation Method 1
Inside the blade holding member, there is formed an air flow path for discharging air from inside the casing
Implementation Method 2
The toner receiving member, the regulating blade, and the blade holding member each include a slit hole formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade and to lead to the air flow path
Implementation Method 3
ensuring toner is collected and preventing accumulation even when the rollers are stationary
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device of the present disclosure includes a developing roller, a toner feeding roller, a regulating blade, a blade holding member, a toner receiving member, and a casing. The regulating blade regulates a thickness of toner carried on the toner feeding roller. An air flow path is formed inside the blade holding member. The toner receiving member, the regulating blade, and the blade holding member each include a slit hole that leads to the air flow path.