Developing Drive Transmission for Toner Accumulation Suppression

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with toner accumulation in the developing device, leading to image defects such as contamination, and the use of vibrating means to suppress this accumulation increases the apparatus size and cost.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus incorporates a developing device with a drive transmission member that switches between transmitting drive force for the developing process and vibrating a prevention member to prevent toner scattering, without requiring additional space or increasing cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated vibrating means with tapping part and movable part is provided to suppress toner accumulation, then toner accumulation is suppressed, but the apparatus size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuppression of toner accumulationVSAvoidapparatus size and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive transmission member is designed to perform dual functions: transmitting drive force to the idler drive section during normal operation and vibrating the prevention member to suppress toner accumulation. By making the drive transmission member multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for a separate dedicated vibrating means, thereby suppressing toner accumulation without increasing apparatus size or cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive transmission member utilizes its own operational movements to achieve the vibration function. During the second operation, the drive transmission member vibrates the prevention member directly, allowing the system to serve itself by using the existing drive transmission mechanism for both power transmission and vibration purposes, thus avoiding additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a dedicated vibrating means is provided to suppress toner accumulation, then image defects are reduced, but the apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drive transmission member is designed to perform dual functions: transmitting drive force to the idler drive section during normal operation and vibrating the prevention member to suppress toner accumulation. By making the drive transmission member multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for a separate dedicated vibrating means, thereby suppressing toner accumulation without increasing apparatus size or cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a dedicated vibrating means is provided to suppress toner accumulation, then toner scattering is prevented, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of toner scatteringVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive transmission member is designed to perform dual functions: transmitting drive force to the idler drive section during normal operation and vibrating the prevention member to suppress toner accumulation. By making the drive transmission member multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for a separate dedicated vibrating means, thereby suppressing toner accumulation without increasing apparatus size or cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive transmission member utilizes its own operational movements to achieve the vibration function. During the second operation, the drive transmission member vibrates the prevention member directly, allowing the system to serve itself by using the existing drive transmission mechanism for both power transmission and vibration purposes, thus avoiding additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively suppresses toner accumulation and associated image defects while maintaining the apparatus's size and cost, ensuring efficient operation and image quality.

Implementation Method 1

a drive transmission member that transmits, via an idler drive section, a drive force for driving the toner bearing member and the toner conveyance member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force transmission: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a second operation of vibrating a prevention member that is provided in the developing device and prevents the toner from being scattered

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20260010099A1Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a developing device that via a toner bearing member disposed to face a latent image bearing member on which a latent image is formed, makes a toner adhere to the latent image to visualize the latent image. The developing device includes a drive transmission member that transmits, via an idler drive section, a drive force for driving the toner bearing member and a toner conveyance member that conveys the toner. The drive transmission member switches and performs a first operation of transmitting the drive force to the idler drive section to perform a developing process and a second operation of vibrating a prevention member that is provided in the developing device and prevents the toner from being scattered.