Developing Device Flexible Film Toner Removal Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, the generation of toner clouds and subsequent accumulation on development rollers lead to image defects such as toner peeling, due to the high-speed rotation of toner stirring members and inefficient toner removal mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A developing device incorporating a flexible film member oscillated by a linkage mechanism, which reciprocates to shake off toner accumulated on its surface, preventing it from adhering to the development roller and reducing image defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed rotation of toner stirring members is implemented to achieve high-speed processing, then productivity is improved, but toner cloud generation increases leading to image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes toner from the harmful location (inner wall portion facing the development roller) by introducing a shaking mechanism that actively shakes off accumulated toner into the developer container, preventing it from adhering to the development roller and causing image defects
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies mechanical vibration through a shaking mechanism (comprising an urging member, linkage member, and linkage member driving mechanism) that intermittently shakes the inner wall portion, causing accumulated toner to be shaken off and preventing toner cloud formation and image defects
2Reliability
If separate toner removal members are added to prevent toner accumulation, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the inner wall portion multi-functional by equipping it with both its original containment function and a toner removal function through the integrated shaking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate dedicated toner removal members and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the inner wall portion to serve itself by providing it with an autonomous shaking capability that automatically removes accumulated toner without requiring external separate removal mechanisms, thereby maintaining image quality while simplifying the overall device structure
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 oscillating film member effectively restricts toner accumulation on the development roller, reducing the likelihood of image defects and eliminating the need for separate toner removal members, resulting in a compact and efficient image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The linkage member driving mechanism intermittently drives the linkage member in accompaniment to rotation of the gear to intermittently pull the film member... so that the film member reciprocates in directions parallel to the direction of the first axis
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes a development roller, a toner supply roller, a casing having an inner wall portion facing toward the development roller, a flexible film member, an urging member, a linkage member, and a linkage member driving mechanism. The flexible film member is disposed on the inner wall portion and has ends in a direction of an axis of the development roller that are opposite to each other. The urging member is connected with one of the ends of the film member and pulls the film member. The linkage member is connected with the other of the ends of the film member. The linkage member driving mechanism drives the linkage member in accompaniment to rotation of a gear to intermittently pull the film member, so that the film member reciprocates in directions parallel to the axis of the development roller.