Integrated Developer Recovery Container for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently recovering and managing developers from multiple developer image forming parts, leading to inefficiencies and potential waste, as existing systems lack a comprehensive and integrated solution for developer recovery and reuse.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a discharged developer recovery container that is integrally attached and removed with the image forming structure, allowing for the recovery of developers from multiple developer image forming parts, including photoreceptor units and developing devices, and features a conveyance passage for efficient developer transfer and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate developer recovery systems are used for each developer image forming part, then each part can be managed independently, but the device complexity increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple developer recovery containers into a single integrated container that can recover developer from multiple developer image forming parts simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the number of separate recovery systems needed, simplifying the overall device structure while improving operational efficiency through unified management.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated developer recovery container is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple developer image forming parts. It includes multiple recovery chambers and conveyance passages that can handle developer from different parts, making a single container perform the function of multiple separate containers.
2Productivity
If a separate developer recovery container is attached to each developer image forming part, then developer can be recovered efficiently from each part, but the attachment and removal operations become time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple individual attachment operations into a single integrated attachment process, the system allows all recovery chambers to be connected to their respective developer image forming parts simultaneously through one attachment action, significantly reducing the time required for attachment and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated container is pre-configured with multiple recovery chambers and conveyance passages in specific positions before attachment. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the container is attached to the image forming apparatus, all connections are established efficiently without requiring sequential adjustment or setup.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple separate developer recovery containers are used, then developer from each part can be managed separately, but the quantity of containers and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of multiple separate recovery containers into a single integrated container with multiple internal chambers. This approach maintains the capability to manage developer from multiple sources while reducing the total number of external containers needed, thereby simplifying the device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated container employs a nested structure where multiple recovery chambers are arranged within a single outer container. Each chamber can handle developer from a specific image forming part, while all chambers are housed within one unified container structure, reducing the overall number of discrete components.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus main body; plural developer image forming parts provided in the image forming apparatus main body that form a developer image; and a discharged developer recovery container that recovers developer discharged from at least two of the plural developer image forming parts. At least one of the plural developer image forming parts has an image forming structure having an image holder that holds the developer image, and the image forming structure in the at least one developer image forming part and the discharged developer recovery container are attached/removed, integrally with each other, in/from the image forming apparatus main body.