Developing Device Blade Segmentation for Stable Toner Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing developing devices face instability in toner and carrier supply due to fluctuations in developer consumption, leading to uneven image density and quality issues.

Innovation Solution

A developing device with a conveyance section that includes a first blade part for conveyance to the outlet and a second blade part opposite to the outlet, where a greater amount of developer flows in than out, using a rotation member to stabilize developer supply to the developer holder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the amount of developer is increased by control when consumption amount increases, then stable supply can be achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of developer supplyVSAvoidcomplexity of control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation member is segmented into a first blade part and a second blade part, where the first blade part conveys developer to the outlet and the second blade part conveys developer in a direction opposite to the outlet. This segmentation allows the system to handle fluctuating developer amounts naturally without complex control mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If dual blade parts are used in the rotation member, then developer supply stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of developer supplyVSAvoidease of manufacturing rotation member
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The first blade part and second blade part are merged into a single rotation member structure. This merging simplifies manufacturing compared to using separate components, while still achieving stable developer supply through the coordinated action of the two blade parts. The integration reduces assembly complexity and maintains manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Stable developer supply is maintained even with increased consumption, preventing excess or shortage, and ensuring consistent image quality without complex control mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

a conveyance section that agitates and conveys the developer flowing in from an inlet using a rotation member to cause the developer to flow out toward the developer holder at an outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4530735A1Developing device and image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
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AI summary

A developing device includes a developer holder that holds a developer containing toner and carrier and being supplied to an image holder forming an electrostatic latent image; and a conveyance section that agitates and conveys the developer flowing in from an inlet using a rotation member to cause the developer to flow out toward the developer holder at an outlet, that includes, as a part constituting a portion of the rotation member, a first blade part for conveyance to the outlet and a second blade part for conveyance in a direction opposite to the outlet, and in which a greater amount of the developer flows in from the inlet than the developer flows out from the outlet.