Image Forming Apparatus Compact Developer Refill via Nested Supply Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in downsizing due to the need for a larger configuration to accommodate the developer refilling system, which affects the overall size and efficiency of the device.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is designed with a detachably attachable supply container for the developer, incorporating a photosensitive member, an optical box for forming electrostatic latent images, a developer bearing member, and a developer container with a supply port. This configuration allows for efficient developer supply and image formation while optimizing the apparatus's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a refilling container is attachable to the image forming apparatus with a developer container that can be refilled from the outside, then the device maintains developer supply capability, but the overall apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supply container is nested within the developer container, with the supply port positioned inside the developer container's storage space. This allows the refilling function to be integrated without requiring separate external refilling mechanisms, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply port is positioned to overlap with the optical box region when viewed from the rotation axial direction of the photosensitive member. This spatial arrangement in the horizontal direction allows the supply container to be compact while still enabling effective developer supply to the photosensitive member during rotation.
2Area of stationary object
If the supply port is positioned to overlap with the optical box region, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the developer supply efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The supply container and supply port are configured to rotate together with the photosensitive member. This dynamic configuration ensures that the supply port maintains optimal positioning relative to the optical box during rotation, enabling continuous and efficient developer supply while keeping the apparatus compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply port is pre-positioned to overlap with the optical box region in the horizontal direction when viewed from the rotation axial direction. This preliminary spatial arrangement ensures that developer supply is optimized from the start of rotation, maintaining productivity while achieving downsizing.
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 further downsizing of the image forming apparatus while maintaining efficient developer supply and image formation capabilities, addressing the user need for a more compact device.
Implementation Method 1
an optical box configured to irradiate the photosensitive member with light and form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member
Implementation Method 2
a developer bearing member configured to bear the developer and develop the electrostatic latent image formed by the optical box by supplying the developer to the photosensitive member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, to which a supply container storing a developer is detachably attachable and which forms an image on a recording material, includes a photosensitive member that rotates, an optical box, a developer bearing member, and a developer container including a supply port for receiving the developer to be supplied from the supply container. The optical box irradiates the photosensitive member with light and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member. The developer bearing member bears the developer and develops the electrostatic latent image by supplying the developer to the photosensitive member. The developer container stores the developer to be borne by the developer bearing member. When viewed in a rotation axial direction of the photosensitive member, a region where the optical box is located and at least a part of a region where the supply port is located overlap each other in a horizontal direction.