Flexible Sheet Toner Conveyance Prevents Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner conveying devices in image forming apparatuses face issues with toner cross-linking, which can lead to conveyance failures, particularly with waste toner, due to the adhesion of toner to surfaces within the conveyance passages.
Innovation Solution
A toner conveying device incorporating a drop conveyance passage, an inclined conveyance passage, and a conveyor with a flexible sheet that swings in conjunction with the conveyor's rotation, preventing toner cross-linking by ensuring toner falls by its own weight and is conveyed obliquely downward, reducing adhesion to the flexible sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If toner is conveyed through a drop conveyance passage and inclined conveyance passage, then toner can be conveyed by its own weight, but toner cross-linking and adhesion occur leading to conveyance failures
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sheet is configured to swing dynamically in conjunction with the rotation of the conveyor. This dynamic motion prevents toner from adhering to the sheet surface and avoids cross-linking, while still allowing the sheet to guide toner conveyance through the drop and inclined passages.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible sheet is introduced as a thin film component in the conveyance system. The sheet's flexibility allows it to swing with conveyor rotation, creating a non-stick surface that prevents toner adhesion and cross-linking while maintaining the conveyance structure.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a flexible sheet is disposed in the drop conveyance passage to prevent toner adhesion, then toner cross-linking is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sheet is integrated with the existing conveyor structure, combining the conveyance function with the anti-adhesion function in a single component. The sheet swings with the conveyor rotation, merging the motion transmission and toner guidance functions without requiring separate mechanisms.
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 prevents toner cross-linking, ensuring reliable toner conveyance by utilizing a flexible sheet that swings with the conveyor's rotation, maintaining a configuration that minimizes toner adhesion and promotes smooth conveyance even in inclined passages.
Implementation Method 1
Toner drops by its own weight through the drop conveyance passage
Implementation Method 2
The flexible sheet is disposed in the drop conveyance passage, has a leading end to contact the conveyor, and swings in conjunction with rotation of the conveyor
Data Source
AI summary
A toner conveying device includes a drop conveyance passage, an inclined conveyance passage, a conveyor, and a flexible sheet. Toner drops by its own weight through the drop conveyance passage. The inclined conveyance passage communicates with a lower end of the drop conveyance passage and extends obliquely downward. The conveyor has a coil shape or screw shape, is disposed in the inclined conveyance passage, and rotates in a specified direction to convey the toner obliquely downward. The flexible sheet is disposed in the drop conveyance passage, has a leading end to contact the conveyor, and swings in conjunction with rotation of the conveyor.