Developing Roller Gear Coupling for Consistent Toner Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses cannot rotate the developing roller in the same direction when the coupling is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, and toner supply is limited to the developing chamber only through the coupling operation, lacking flexibility in toner timing control.

Innovation Solution

A developing device design where the developing roller rotates in the same direction regardless of coupling rotation direction, with toner supply controlled by the coupling operation, allowing for flexible toner timing through a mechanism involving gears, a clutch, and a controller that manages motor states to ensure consistent and efficient toner distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the coupling is rotated to drive the developing roller, then the developing roller rotates, but the developing roller rotates in different directions when the coupling is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeveloping roller rotationVSAvoidrotation direction consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A gear mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the coupling and the developing roller. The gear teeth engage with the coupling to convert bidirectional coupling rotation into unidirectional developing roller rotation, ensuring consistent rotation direction regardless of coupling rotation direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional direct drive approach by using a gear mechanism that converts the coupling's bidirectional rotation into unidirectional developing roller rotation, solving the directionality problem through mechanical inversion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional components are added to control toner supply timing, then toner supply control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner supply timing controlVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives the developing roller through gear engagement and simultaneously controls toner supply timing through its rotation phases, eliminating the need for separate control components and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the toner supply control function with the coupling's existing rotation mechanism, so that the same rotational motion that drives the developing roller also timing-controls toner supply, reducing the number of components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11448289B2Developing device

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A developing device may include an auger or an agitator that is capable of supplying toner in a toner accommodation chamber to a developing chamber and is rotatable about an auger axis extending in an axial direction, a transporting gear that is rotatable together with the auger or the agitator, and a moving gear that is in mesh with a coupling gear and is rotatable both counterclockwise and clockwise. The moving gear is movable while being in mesh with the coupling gear between a first position where the moving gear is in mesh with the transporting gear and a second position where the moving gear is out of mesh with the transporting gear. The moving gear moves to the first position when the coupling gear rotates counterclockwise and to the second position when the coupling gear rotates clockwise.