Developing Device Magnetic Plate Toner Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toner leakage at the end portions of the developing device due to the absence of magnets or magnetic plates, necessitating costly component changes for complete circumferential arrangement.
Innovation Solution
A developing device design that includes a developer holder with a stick region excluding the end portion, featuring a magnetic plate at the end and magnets forming a magnetization pattern in specific ranges, including circumferential and axial directions, to prevent toner leakage without full circumferential magnet arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnets and magnetic plates are arranged over the entire circumference of the end portion to prevent toner leakage, then toner containment reliability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase due to component changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by arranging magnets and magnetic plates only in specific regions (first range and second range) of the end portion rather than the entire circumference. The stick region is configured to exclude the end portion, and magnets/magnetic plates are positioned only where needed to prevent toner leakage, avoiding unnecessary components in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating different magnetic field configurations in different regions. The first range has magnets arranged to form a magnetization pattern, the second range has a magnetic plate, and other regions have no magnetic components. This localized approach addresses toner leakage only where it occurs without uniformly increasing complexity throughout the entire circumference.
2Reliability
If magnets and magnetic plates are arranged over the entire circumference of the end portion to prevent toner leakage, then toner containment reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by implementing partial action - placing magnets and magnetic plates only in the first and second ranges of the end portion where toner leakage occurs, rather than arranging them over the entire circumference. This minimizes the quantity of magnetic components required while maintaining effective toner containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating magnetic components only in specific regions where they are needed for toner containment. This localized configuration reduces material costs and manufacturing expenses compared to a full circumferential arrangement, while still achieving the desired reliability improvement.
3Reliability
If magnets are arranged in the stick region to hold developer, then developer containment is improved, but starting torque increases due to magnetic drag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the magnetic component arrangement into distinct regions: the stick region excludes the end portion, and magnetic components are segmented into the first range (with magnets forming magnetization patterns) and the second range (with magnetic plate). This segmentation allows developer containment where needed while minimizing magnetic drag that would increase starting torque.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts magnetic components from the stick region and concentrates them at the end portion in the first and second ranges. By taking out magnets from the stick region and placing them only at the end portion, the patent maintains developer containment functionality while reducing the overall magnetic drag that would otherwise increase starting torque during rotation.
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
Effectively prevents toner leakage while minimizing cost increases and reducing starting torque, enhancing reliability and efficiency in toner containment.
Implementation Method 1
magnets that are combined to form a magnetization pattern in the circumferential direction corresponding to the first range
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic plate that is positioned at the end portion of the developer holder in a second range excluding a first range in a circumferential direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A developing device includes a developer holder in which a stick region as a region where a developer containing toner and carrier is stuck is set excluding an end portion, and that holds the developer to be supplied to an image holder forming an electrostatic latent image, in the stick region; a magnetic plate that is positioned at the end portion of the developer holder in a second range excluding a first range in a circumferential direction; and magnets that are combined to form a magnetization pattern in the circumferential direction corresponding to the first range.