Developing Device Helical Blade Diameter Ratio for Stable Developer Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developing devices experience fluctuations in developer supply due to uneven developer surfaces, leading to developing failures such as auger marks in image density, caused by inadequate stirring of the developer between the supply and stirring paths.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a supply member and a stirring member, where the stirring blade's outer diameter is 1.1 to 1.5 times that of the supply blade, ensuring stable developer circulation and supply to the developing roller, reducing surface fluctuations and preventing auger marks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outer diameter of the stirring blade is equal to the outer diameter of the supply blade, then the device structure is simple, but the developer surface becomes uneven causing fluctuations in developer supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by setting the outer diameter of the stirring blade to 1.05 to 1.3 times that of the supply blade. This specific parameter modification optimizes the developer circulation efficiency and surface flatness, resolving the contradiction between supply stability and structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the stirring blade outer diameter is increased to improve developer circulation, then developer supply stability improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines a specific parameter range for the stirring blade outer diameter (1.05 to 1.3 times the supply blade diameter), which optimizes developer circulation efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point.
3Reliability
If the developer is not stirred adequately between supply and stirring paths, then the device structure remains simple, but fluctuations in developer surface cause developing failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the stirring mechanism by setting the stirring blade outer diameter to 1.05 to 1.3 times that of the supply blade, which significantly improves developer surface flatness and eliminates developing failures while maintaining relatively simple device 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
The solution stabilizes developer supply and reduces the occurrence of auger marks, enhancing image quality by maintaining consistent developer density and distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a supply member that supplies a developer to a developing roller while rotating is disposed in a supply path along which the developer, which is to be supplied to the developing roller, is transported
Implementation Method 2
a stirring member that stirs the developer while rotating is disposed in a stirring path extending alongside the supply path. The supply member and the stirring member, which rotate, circulate the developer between the supply path and the stirring path
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes a rotary member delivering a developer to a latent image on an image carrier while rotating, a supply member disposed in a supply path and including a supply shaft and a helical or substantially helical supply blade, the supply member supplying the developer to the rotary member while rotating, a stirring member disposed in a stirring path, which extends alongside the supply path, and including a stirring shaft and a helical or substantially helical stirring blade, the stirring member stirring and circulating the developer between the supply and stirring paths while rotating, and an ejection path connected to an upstream portion of the supply path in a transport direction of the developer to eject the developer to the outside. The stirring blade's outer diameter is 1.1 or about 1.1 times or more and 1.5 or about 1.5 times or less the supply blade's outer diameter.