Flexible Container Stirring Mechanism for Developing Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses require separate stirring devices to effectively supply developer to the developing roller, leading to increased costs and developer scattering during the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A developing unit with a flexible container and an urging member that deforms to stir the developer, incorporating a projected portion to move and mix the developer without the need for a separate stirring device, ensuring efficient developer supply and prevention of scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a separate stirring device is provided to stir the developer, then the developer can be effectively supplied to the developing roller, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stirring function with the flexible container itself by adding a projected portion that moves when the container deforms. This eliminates the need for a separate stirring device while maintaining effective developer supply to the developing roller.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible container performs self-stirring through its own deformation. When the container is pressed or deformed, the projected portion moves automatically to stir the developer, without requiring an external stirring mechanism.
2Ease of manufacture
If a rigid container is used to accommodate the developer, then the container structure is simple, but the developer scatters during the filling step
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible container made of deformable material that can be compressed during filling to contain the developer properly. This flexibility prevents scattering while still allowing simple manufacturing processes.
3Device complexity
If the flexible container is deformed to stir the developer, then no separate stirring device is needed, but the container must be designed with additional projected portions
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring function is merged into the container structure itself through the projected portion. This integration eliminates separate stirring mechanisms while the projected portion design remains relatively simple to manufacture.
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 allows for effective stirring of the developer near the developer carrying member, reducing the need for additional components and preventing developer stagnation, thereby improving the developer supply process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible container includes a projected portion projecting toward an outside of the flexible container, and wherein the projected portion is moved depending on deformation of the flexible container, by urging of the flexible container, to stir the developer discharged from the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A developing unit includes: a frame; a flexible container, provided inside the frame, for accommodating a developer, wherein the flexible container includes an opening for permitting discharge of the developer; an urging member, provided inside the frame, for urging the flexible container to deform the flexible container; and a developer carrying member for carrying the developer discharged from the opening of the flexible container. The flexible container includes a projected portion projecting toward an outside of the flexible container. The projected portion is moved depending on deformation of the flexible container, by urging of the flexible container, to stir the developer discharged from the opening.