Impurity Collector in Developer Mixer for Toner Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with stained development due to paper dust and pulp fibers contaminating the developer, leading to uneven supply of toner and potential clogging in the developer blades, which results in defective image formation.
Innovation Solution
A developing unit equipped with a rotary shaft mixer featuring first and second feed blades that feed the developer in different directions, along with an impurity collector positioned between these blades to separate and collect impurities, ensuring clean developer supply to the photoconductor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If recycled toner is continuously supplied to the developing unit, then the developing unit operates continuously, but paper dust and impurities accumulate causing stained development
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing an impurity collector that removes paper dust and impurities from recycled toner before the toner is supplied to the developing unit. This prevents contamination from accumulating in the first place, allowing continuous operation without stained development issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The impurity collector acts as an intermediary component between the recycled toner supply and the developing unit. It mediates the flow of toner by filtering out impurities while allowing the toner to pass through, thus protecting the developing unit from contamination while maintaining continuous operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If impurity collector is added to remove paper dust, then development quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the impurity collection function with the existing mixer structure by forming the impurity collector as an integral part of the mixer assembly. The collector is positioned within the mixer and works together with the feed blades, combining two functions (mixing and impurity removal) into a single integrated component rather than adding a separate complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The impurity collector is strategically positioned at a specific location within the mixer where impurities naturally accumulate - between the feed blades in the region where recycled toner is introduced. This localized placement targets the specific area where contamination occurs most, providing effective impurity removal without requiring a complex system throughout the entire developing unit.
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
This configuration effectively collects paper dust and other impurities, preventing stains and ensuring stable image formation by maintaining the developer's integrity and extending its lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
an impurity collector which is formed between the first feed blades and second feed blades faced to each other in the axial direction of the rotary shaft member, and collects impurities mixed in the developer fed by the first feed blades and second feed blades
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus collects toner remaining on a photoconductive drum after a toner image is transferred to paper, and collects the impurities (paper dust) included in the toner collected in an image forming apparatus which reuses the collected toner by a mixer provided in a developer container. An auxiliary collecting member is provided in a gap between first feed blades and second feed blades in an impurity collector.