Intermediate Hopper Partition Slits for Toner Supply Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intermediate hoppers for image forming apparatuses face issues with toner stagnation and uneven supply due to the lack of partitions between carrying screws, leading to toner-missing spaces and reduced image quality during toner cartridge replacement.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate hopper design with a partition featuring intermediate slits between toner conveyance paths, allowing toner to be redirected from one path to another to prevent stagnation and ensure steady supply, utilizing screws with helical blades to manage toner flow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a partition is provided between carrying screws to prevent toner stagnation, then toner can be circulated more effectively, but toner-missing spaces are created when supply is suspended during cartridge replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space of the toner reception tub is divided into multiple compartments by partitions, creating separate toner conveyance paths. This segmentation prevents toner stagnation by ensuring continuous circulation through each compartment while maintaining sufficient toner reserves in each section to prevent supply interruptions during cartridge replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition structure is designed with intermediate slits that allow toner to be preliminarily redistributed from one conveyance path to another before the main supply path is blocked during cartridge replacement. This preliminary action ensures continuous toner supply to the developing device even when the primary toner source is being replaced.
2Productivity
If carrying screws rotate continuously to circulate toner, then toner supply is maintained, but toner stagnation occurs at the end of the container tank
Solution Approach 1:
The toner reception tub is divided into multiple compartments by partitions, creating separate conveyance paths for toner circulation. This segmentation ensures that toner is continuously circulated through each compartment without stagnating at the end of the container, as each compartment has its own dedicated circulation path controlled by respective carrying screws.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrying screws are designed to rotate in opposite directions with adjustable rotation speeds, creating dynamic toner circulation patterns. This dynamic operation prevents toner stagnation by continuously moving toner through the conveyance paths while allowing flexible control over toner flow to maintain supply consistency during cartridge replacement.
3Speed
If two carrying screws are used to circulate toner in opposite directions, then toner can be discharged swiftly, but toner stays at the end of the container tank due to lack of partition
Solution Approach 1:
The toner reception tub is divided into multiple compartments by partitions, creating separate conveyance paths for toner circulation. This segmentation ensures that toner is continuously circulated through each compartment without stagnating at the end of the container, as each compartment has its own dedicated circulation path controlled by respective carrying screws.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition structure is designed with intermediate slits that allow toner to be preliminarily redistributed from one conveyance path to another before the main supply path is blocked during cartridge replacement. This preliminary action ensures continuous toner supply to the developing device even when the primary toner source is being replaced.
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 enables continuous and stable toner supply to the developing device even during toner cartridge replacement, preventing toner stagnation and ensuring consistent image quality by swiftly filling toner-missing spaces through the intermediate slits.
Implementation Method 1
a first toner conveyance screw provided in the first toner conveyance path and having a first rotation axis and a first helical blade fixed to the first rotation axis; a second toner conveyance screw provided in the second toner conveyance path and having a second rotation axis and a second helical blade fixed to the second rotation axis
Data Source
AI summary
An intermediate hopper has a toner reception tub; a partition for dividing an internal space of the toner reception tub; a first and a second toner conveyance path separated by the partition; a first toner conveyance screw being provided in the first toner conveyance path; a second toner conveyance screw being provided in the second toner conveyance path; a toner receiving port for receiving the toner; a toner communicating path for guiding the toner in the first toner conveyance path to the second toner conveyance path; and a toner discharge port for discharging the toner out of the toner reception tub, wherein the partition comprises a plurality of intermediate slits for guiding the toner contained in the first toner conveyance path to the second toner conveyance path.