Development Device Vent Hole With Flexible Leakage Prevention Sheet
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses using the electrophotographic method, the internal pressure in development devices can increase due to air flow, leading to scattering toner and hindered toner conveyance, necessitating depressurization while preventing toner leakage.
Innovation Solution
A development device is designed with a development container, a stirring conveyance member, a developer carrier, a vent hole, a filter, and a developer leakage prevention sheet. The vent hole allows pressure equalization, the filter prevents toner leakage, and the flexible leakage prevention sheet ensures a ventilation passage while minimizing developer leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a vent hole is provided to reduce internal pressure, then toner scattering is prevented, but developer leakage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible sheet is positioned inside the development container to cover the vent hole from the interior side. This flexible sheet allows air to pass through while preventing developer particles from leaking out, resolving the contradiction between pressure equalization and developer containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sheet acts as an intermediary element between the vent hole and the developer. It mediates the conflicting requirements by allowing gas flow while blocking solid particles, enabling both pressure reduction and developer leakage prevention.
2Loss of substance
If a filter is arranged to cover the vent hole, then developer leakage is prevented, but ventilation passage may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sheet positioned inside the container serves as a breathable barrier that maintains ventilation efficiency while preventing developer leakage. Its flexibility allows it to conform to pressure changes without blocking the vent hole.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sheet provides different properties at different locations: it is permeable to air while impermeable to developer particles. This local differentiation of permeability properties resolves the contradiction between ventilation and leakage prevention.
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 solution effectively reduces internal pressure in the development device, preventing toner scattering and ensuring smooth toner conveyance, while also preventing developer leakage during device operation and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
The vent hole is formed in the development container and, through the opening, the inside and outside of the development container communicate with each other
Implementation Method 2
The filter is arranged to cover the vent hole from outside the development container
Implementation Method 3
The developer leakage prevention sheet is flexible and is arranged inside the development container, opposite the vent hole so as to overlap the entire vent hole. A gap is formed between the developer leakage prevention sheet and the opening edge of the vent hole.
Data Source
AI summary
A development device includes a development container, a stirring conveyance member, a developer carrier, a vent hole, a filter, and a developer leakage prevention sheet. The stirring conveyance member conveys, while stirring, the developer containing toner inside the development container. The developer carrier carries on its outer circumferential surface the developer to feed the toner to an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The vent hole is formed in the development container to allow the inside and outside of the development container to communicate with each other. The filter is arranged to cover the vent hole from outside the development container. The developer leakage prevention sheet is flexible and is arranged inside the development container, opposite the vent hole so as to overlap the entire vent hole. A gap is formed between the developer leakage prevention sheet and the opening edge of the vent hole.