Metal Spring Biasing for Developer Transport Creep
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Solution Overview
Problem
The developer transport member in image forming apparatuses experiences a decrease in transport ability due to creep deformation when left in a deflected state for an extended period, leading to insufficient developer supply, especially when the developing chamber is positioned above the developer accommodating chamber.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a metal spring to bias the main developer transport member body, which reduces the likelihood of creep deformation and maintains the elastic force, ensuring stable and sufficient developer transport even during prolonged stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the main developer transport member body is made of a sheet-shaped resin member that makes sliding contact with the inner surface of the developer accommodating chamber, then the developer can be transported by utilizing elastic force from deflective deformation, but the elastic force weakens over time due to creep deformation when stopped for long periods
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the biasing member from resin to metal, which fundamentally alters the creep resistance characteristic. Metal materials have significantly lower creep rates compared to resin, allowing the biasing force to be maintained over extended stationary periods without degradation of transport ability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure by combining the metal spring (biasing member) with the existing resin sheet-shaped main body. This composite approach allows the metal component to provide long-term elastic force retention while the resin body maintains its flexible contact and developer release properties, resolving the contradiction between immediate transport function and long-term stationary durability
2Quantity of substance
If the developing chamber is arranged over or above the developer accommodating chamber, then the developer can be supplied to the developing chamber, but the transport amount of developer is greatly decreased when the elastic force of the main developer transport member body is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the material parameter from resin to metal for the biasing member, the elastic force is significantly enhanced and stabilized. This increased and stable elastic force provides sufficient driving power to transport the developer against gravity when the developing chamber is positioned above the accommodating chamber, ensuring adequate developer supply quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The metal spring provides a strong upward biasing force that counteracts the gravitational effect on the developer when the developing chamber is positioned above the accommodating chamber. This counter-force ensures that the developer can be reliably supplied against gravity, maintaining sufficient transport quantity even in the unfavorable vertical arrangement
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 metal spring-based solution effectively suppresses the decrease in transport ability, allowing for stable and sufficient developer supply to the developing chamber, even when the transport member is stationary for an extended time.
Implementation Method 1
a metal spring configured to bias the main body
Implementation Method 2
the main developer transport member body causes the creep deformation, and the elastic force is weakened
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a developer transport member including a rotatable member, a main body configured to transport the developer by being rotated in accordance with rotation of the rotatable member, and a metal spring configured to bias the main body.