Developing Device Magnetic Member Suppresses Developer Scattering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developing devices often discharge developers prematurely, leading to insufficient amounts in the container due to scattering and lifting of developers as the auger rotates, resulting in inefficient developer usage and potential image quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a container, a rotatable transport member (auger), a discharge outlet in the side wall, and a magnetic member positioned above the discharge outlet to attract lifted developers, ensuring controlled discharge and minimizing developer loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the discharge outlet is formed in the side wall of the container, then the developer can be discharged when the height of the surface of the developer becomes greater than the height of the discharge outlet, but the developer may be lifted up and scattered by the rotating auger and discharged prematurely through the discharge outlet
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic member is introduced as an intermediary between the rotating auger and the discharge outlet. The magnetic member attracts and holds the developer particles that are lifted by the auger, preventing them from reaching the discharge outlet. This mediator selectively interacts with the developer (which contains magnetic carriers) to stop the harmful scattering effect while allowing the discharge function to operate normally when needed.
2Productivity
If the auger rotates to transport the developer, then the developer is agitated and transported in the rotation-axis direction, but the developer is lifted up and scattered during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic member converts the harmful lifting and scattering effect of the rotating auger into a beneficial effect. The same rotation that causes scattering now causes the developer to be attracted to and accumulated around the magnetic member, creating a controlled aggregation zone that prevents random scattering while maintaining transport functionality.
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 magnetic member effectively suppresses developer scattering and maintains a higher amount of developer in the container, allowing for consistent image formation across different toner sizes and rotation speeds, reducing costs by enabling the use of the same developing devices for various particle sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic member that is disposed at a position that is above the lower surface of the discharge outlet and that overlaps the lower surface in an up-down direction, the magnetic member attracting a part of the developer that is lifted up by the transport member
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes a container that contains a developer including a carrier and a toner; a transport member that is rotatably disposed in the container and that agitates and transports the developer in a rotation-axis direction thereof; a discharge outlet that has an opening in a side wall of the container facing in a direction perpendicular to the rotation-axis direction, the discharge outlet allowing the developer to be discharged to an outside of the container when a height of a surface of the developer becomes greater than a height of a lower surface of the discharge outlet; and a magnetic member that is disposed at a position that is above the lower surface of the discharge outlet and that overlaps the lower surface in an up-down direction, the magnetic member attracting a part of the developer that is lifted up by the transport member.