Elastomeric Stirring Sheet for Toner Mixing in Process Cartridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, the existing methods for replenishing developers in process cartridges often lead to scumming due to insufficient mixing of new and old developers, requiring multiple stirring screws that increase device size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a frame, accommodation chamber, and a stirring member featuring a rotating shaft and an elastically deformable sheet that contacts the chamber's inner wall, facilitating mixing without additional screws, by utilizing a replenishing port and a communication port to enhance developer mixing and prevent scumming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple stirring screws are installed in the developer accommodation chamber to suppress scumming, then the mixing of developers is improved, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the stirring function and developer conveying function into a single integrated component (the sheet member with through holes). This merging eliminates the need for separate stirring screws while achieving both mixing and conveying objectives, thus reducing device complexity and size while maintaining mixing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a stirring element to mix developers, a conveying element to transport developers to the developing chamber, and a structural element with through holes that facilitates both mixing and flow control. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed.
2Reliability
If multiple stirring screws are installed in the developer accommodation chamber to suppress scumming, then the mixing of developers is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the stirring and conveying functions into one component (sheet member with through holes), the invention reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining effective mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the stirring function from separate stirring screws and integrates it into the sheet member structure. This extraction eliminates the need for multiple additional components, simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing costs.
3Ease of operation
If a replenishing port is provided in the developer accommodation chamber, then the developer replenishment process is improved, but scumming occurs due to insufficient mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet member with through holes is positioned and configured in advance to ensure that when developer is replenished through the replenishing port, the developing process begins with proper mixing. The through holes are pre-positioned to facilitate immediate mixing action when new developer is introduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet member acts as an intermediary element between the replenishing port and the developing chamber. It mediates the introduction of new developer by facilitating mixing through its through holes and rotational movement, preventing scumming while enabling smooth replenishment.
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 suppresses scumming by ensuring thorough mixing of developers within the accommodation chamber, maintaining image quality without the need for additional stirring mechanisms, thus reducing device size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable sheet that contacts the chamber's inner wall, facilitating mixing without additional screws
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes a stirring member including a flexible sheet member having a first sheet portion and a second sheet portion overlapping each other with respect to a thickness direction of the sheet member. With respect to a lateral direction of the sheet member which is a direction from a fixed end fixed to a rotating shaft portion to the free end, a length of the first sheet portion is longer than a length of the second sheet portion, and when the stirring member is rotated, a free end of the first sheet portion is capable of contacting an inner wall surface of a toner accommodation chamber. The sheet member is provided with a through hole penetrating in a thickness direction of the sheet member in a region where the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion overlap each other.