Flange Paddle Mechanism for Developing Device Developer Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing developing devices in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with developer accumulation between the flange and bearing, leading to abnormal images such as white streaks due to loss of flowability and heating by sliding friction, which affects the quality of toner images.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a paddle mechanism on the flange surface that rotates with the support shaft to scrape off accumulated developer and prevent its entry into the bearing, thereby maintaining developer flowability and preventing abnormal images. The paddle design can be radially formed, curved, or spiral to enhance mobility and effectiveness, and may include heat dissipating parts for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flange is disposed at the end portion of the developer conveyer to regulate developer movement, then developer movement in axial direction is controlled, but developer accumulates between the flange and bearing causing white streaks and loss of flowability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful accumulated developer from the bearing area by introducing a paddle that actively removes developer between the flange and bearing. This prevents the developer from staying in the harmful position and causing white streaks, while maintaining the flange's function of regulating developer movement in the axial direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The paddle acts as an intermediary element between the flange and bearing. It is disposed on the flange surface facing the bearing and serves as a mediator to move and remove accumulated developer, preventing direct contact and accumulation between the flange and bearing that would otherwise cause image defects.
2Reliability
If the paddle is disposed on the flange surface facing the bearing, then developer accumulation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle is merged with the flange structure, being disposed directly on the flange surface rather than being a separate independent component. This integration reduces device complexity while still achieving the function of preventing developer accumulation between the flange and bearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The paddle rotates together with the support shaft of the developer conveyer, utilizing the existing rotation mechanism rather than requiring a separate drive system. This self-service approach prevents developer accumulation without adding significant complexity to the 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 paddle mechanism effectively prevents developer accumulation and associated abnormal images, ensuring consistent toner image quality by maintaining developer flowability and reducing heat-related issues, thus enhancing the overall performance of the developing device.
Implementation Method 1
heating by sliding friction
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes a developer conveyer, a bearing, a flange, and a developer mover. The developer conveyer is rotatable and configured to convey a developer. The bearing rotatably supports a support shaft of the developer conveyer. The flange is disposed at an end portion of the developer conveyor to regulate a movement of the developer in an axial direction of the developer conveyer. The developer mover is disposed on a surface of the flange facing the bearing and configured to move the developer that enters between the flange and the bearing.