Developing Device Toner Conveyance Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming devices face challenges in stabilizing toner supply to photosensitive drums due to inefficient toner delivery from the toner chamber to the upper accumulation plate, resulting in toner leakage and inadequate delivery.
Innovation Solution
The development of a developing device with a rotatable conveying member that maintains simultaneous sliding contact with both the lower and upper edges of the toner container, ensuring efficient toner delivery from the lower portion to the upper portion, utilizing a cartridge design with a toner container, developing member, and supply member to prevent toner leakage and ensure stable delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a toner agitator is used to convey toner upward against gravity, then toner delivery from the lower toner chamber to the upper accumulation plate is enabled, but toner leakage occurs through the gap between the agitator and the inner surface of the toner chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible conveying member (such as a belt or chain) that can adapt to the contours of the toner chamber. The conveying member is designed to extend from the lower toner chamber to the upper accumulation plate, maintaining contact with the inner surface to prevent toner leakage while conveying toner upward against gravity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a horizontal agitator design to a vertical conveying mechanism. The conveying member operates in the vertical dimension, extending from the lower toner chamber through the upper accumulation plate, thereby enabling toner delivery against gravity while maintaining surface contact to prevent leakage.
2Ease of operation
If the toner agitator is positioned away from the inner surface of the toner chamber, then the agitator can rotate freely, but toner cannot be effectively carried upward and delivery to the accumulation plate fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible conveying member that can maintain contact with the inner surface of the toner chamber while allowing rotational movement. This flexible design enables the conveying member to adapt to the chamber contours, ensuring both free rotation and effective toner carriage upward to the accumulation plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the conveying member to be movable and adaptable rather than rigid. The conveying member can rotate and adjust its position while maintaining contact with the toner and the chamber inner surface, thereby achieving both rotational freedom and effective toner delivery.
3Productivity
If toner is conveyed upward against gravity using a conventional agitator, then toner supply to the photosensitive drum is enabled, but the toner supply becomes unstable due to leakage and inadequate delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible conveying member that maintains continuous contact with the inner surface of the toner chamber, preventing toner leakage and ensuring stable upward conveyance. This flexible design adapts to the chamber geometry, providing reliable and consistent toner supply to the accumulation plate and subsequently to the photosensitive drum.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conveying member as an intermediary between the lower toner chamber and the upper accumulation plate. This intermediary component facilitates stable toner transfer by maintaining contact with both the toner and the chamber surface, thereby ensuring reliable delivery and eliminating the instability caused by conventional agitator designs.
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
This solution enables effective toner delivery and accumulation on the toner supply roller, forming a consistent toner layer on the developing roller, enhancing the stability and efficiency of the toner supply process, reducing toner leakage and prolonging the service life of the toner.
Implementation Method 1
The conveying member is configured to be in simultaneous sliding contact with both the lower edge and the upper edge to convey the developing agent onto the first wall portion
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming device includes a plurality of cartridges each including a developing member, a supply member, a developing agent container, and a conveying member. The container is disposed below the developing member and the supply member and has an inner surface defining an internal space. The container has an opening having an upper edge and a lower edge. The conveying member is rotatably disposed in the internal space and is configured to convey the developing agent upward. The container includes a first wall portion extending from the lower edge in a downstream direction with respect to a rotational direction of the conveying member and includes a second wall portion extending from the upper edge in an upstream direction with respect to the rotational direction. The conveying member is in simultaneous sliding contact with both the upper and lower edges to convey the developing agent onto the first wall portion.