Developing Mechanism Shutter Timing for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developing mechanisms with a parallel container and developing device arrangement face structural and functional restrictions due to the need for the image forming portion to be near the user, leading to potential developer leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A developing mechanism with a first housing and conveyance member to direct developer away from the feed port, and a second housing and conveyance member to supply developer across a different direction, along with first and second shutter mechanisms to control the feed and supply ports, ensuring proper developer containment and supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the container intersects with the developing device, then the image forming apparatus can be designed with fewer structural and functional restrictions, but developer leakage from the container cannot be appropriately prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism is divided into two independent parts: a first shutter member that opens/closes the feed port in the developing device, and a second shutter member that opens/closes the supply port in the container. This segmentation allows each shutter to be controlled independently, enabling the container to be positioned at an intersecting angle while maintaining reliable developer containment through coordinated operation of both shutters.
Solution Approach 2:
The first shutter member is configured to open the feed port before the second shutter member opens the supply port during container insertion. This preliminary action ensures that the developing device is ready to receive developer immediately when the supply port opens, preventing developer leakage while maintaining design flexibility with the intersecting arrangement.
2Reliability
If the container is arranged in parallel to the developing device, then developer leakage can be prevented with a simple shutter mechanism, but the image forming apparatus has large restrictions on structures and functions
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the shutter mechanism into two independently controllable parts (first shutter member for feed port, second shutter member for supply port), the system can handle both parallel and intersecting container arrangements reliably, thereby increasing design flexibility without sacrificing developer containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter mechanism is designed to be dynamic and adaptive: the first and second shutter members can operate independently to accommodate different container positions (parallel or intersecting). This dynamic control allows the same mechanism to maintain reliable developer containment regardless of the container's angular position relative to the developing device.
3Productivity
If the feed port and supply port open simultaneously, then the container can be quickly connected to the developing device, but developer may leak during the connection process
Solution Approach 1:
The first shutter member opens the feed port in advance before the second shutter member opens the supply port. This preliminary action ensures that the developing device is ready to receive developer immediately, allowing quick connection while preventing leakage by maintaining proper timing sequence between the two port openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent segmentation of the two shutter members enables sequential operation where the feed port opens first, followed by the supply port. This segmented control allows the system to maintain high connection speed while ensuring reliable developer containment through proper timing of the opening sequence.
4Ease of operation
If the discharge outlet faces the user, then sheet discharge can be easily observed and handled, but the image forming portion must be positioned near the user which occupies large space
Solution Approach 1:
The container is arranged to intersect with the developing device rather than being parallel to it, utilizing a different spatial dimension (angular arrangement). This dimensional change allows the discharge outlet to face the user for easy sheet handling while the image forming portion can be positioned further away, reducing the occupied internal space.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a developing mechanism including a developing device for developing electrostatic latent images and a container containing developer. The developing device includes a carrier carrying and supplying the developer to the electrostatic latent images; a first housing having a feed port through which the developer is fed; a first conveyance member conveying the developer along a first direction away from the feed port; and a first shutter mechanism selectively opening and closing the feed port. The container includes a second housing having a supply port from which the developer is supplied through the feed port to the developing device; a second shutter mechanism selectively opening and closing the supply port; and a second conveyance member conveying the developer along a second direction across the first direction for developer discharge through the supply port. The feed port is opened earlier than the supply port is opened.