Developing Device Toner Discharge via Shield Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developing device configurations, particularly those with horizontally or diagonally arranged chambers, face challenges in efficiently discharging developers due to overlapping conveying members, leading to incomplete discharge and increased cleaning costs during reuse.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a shielding member to block communication ports between chambers, allowing screws to drive in the same direction as during normal operation, ensuring effective developer discharge through a dedicated discharging passage, even in configurations where chambers are horizontally arranged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the first chamber and second chamber are arranged horizontally or diagonally adjacent to each other, then the device structure is compact, but the developer cannot be properly discharged by simply driving the conveying screws
Solution Approach 1:
The developer container is divided into a first chamber for accommodating developer and a second chamber for circulating developer, with each chamber having its own conveying screw. This segmentation allows independent control of developer flow paths while maintaining compact horizontal arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
A shield member is inserted into the second communication portion before discharge operation to block the passage. This preliminary action prevents developer from flowing back to the first chamber during discharge, enabling complete discharge even in horizontal arrangements where gravity alone is insufficient.
2Productivity
If the conveying screws are driven during normal developing operation, then the developer circulates properly between chambers, but the developer cannot be completely discharged when chambers are horizontally arranged
Solution Approach 1:
The shield member can be dynamically positioned to switch between blocking and unblocking states of the second communication portion. During normal operation, the shield member is retracted allowing developer circulation. During discharge, the shield member is inserted to block the passage, enabling complete developer removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield member acts as an intermediary element that controls the communication between the first and second chambers. By inserting the shield member into the second communication portion, it mediates the discharge process by preventing developer flow back to the first chamber, ensuring complete discharge.
3Ease of manufacture
If the developer is not sealed during transportation of used developing device, then the device can be transported as-is, but the developer may scatter during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The shield member is inserted into the second communication portion before discharge operation to block the passage. This preliminary action prevents developer from flowing back to the first chamber during discharge, enabling complete discharge even in horizontal arrangements where gravity alone is insufficient.
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
Enables complete and controlled discharge of developers from the device, reducing the risk of spillage during transportation and lowering recycling costs by ensuring efficient removal of residual toner.
Implementation Method 1
a first feeding screw provided in said first chamber and configured to feed the developer with respect to a first direction from said second communication portion toward said first communication portion
Implementation Method 2
a second feeding screw provided in said second chamber and configured to feed the developer with respect to a second direction from said first communication portion toward said second communication portion
Implementation Method 3
an inserting step for inserting a shield member into said second communication portion via an inserting opening of said developer container, said shield member causing said second communication portion from an opening state for opening said second communication portion to a shielding state for shielding said second communication portion
Implementation Method 4
a first chamber for supplying the developer to a developing sleeve and a second chamber which forms a circulation passage of the developer with the first chamber are arranged vertically. Thus, in a way of conveying the developer by conveying screws which are arranged in the first chamber and the second chamber respectively, it is possible to move the developer to the second chamber by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes a developer container including first and second chambers, first and second communication portions to permit the developer to communicate with the first and second chambers, first and second screws provided in the first and second chambers, respectively, and a developer discharging portion. The developer discharging portion is provided in a passage continuous with the first chamber and downstream of the first communication portion. In the developing device, a discharging method includes a step for inserting a shielding member into the second communication portion via an inserting opening of the developer container, and a step for discharging the developer from the developing device via the developer discharging portion, by rotating the first and second screws in a same direction as a direction of rotating during a developing operation in a state where the shielding member is inserted into the second communication portion.