Movable Member Toner Supply Opening Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with toner flowability due to increased density from vibrations or weight, leading to clogging near the discharge and supply openings, which results in insufficient toner supply and poor image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming unit with a movable member relative to the discharge and supply openings, featuring a toner stirring mechanism and a flexible film member that rotates to prevent toner clogging and ensure consistent toner supply, even when toner density increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the discharge opening or supply opening is made large, then toner supply capacity is improved, but the toner cartridge or image forming unit main body has low rigidity and toner may leak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable member that can move relative to the discharge opening and supply opening, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This allows the opening size to be adjusted or controlled during operation, enabling large opening areas for toner supply while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement rather than fixed large openings
Solution Approach 2:
The movable member acts as a flexible element that can deform or move to control the openings. This flexible structure allows the system to have large effective opening areas when needed while the flexible nature of the member itself provides structural adaptability and prevents leakage issues associated with rigid large openings
2Reliability
If toner density increases due to vibrations or own weight, then toner flowability is lost and clogging occurs, but increasing opening size causes leakage and rigidity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The movable member creates a dynamic interface between the toner storage and supply areas. This dynamic structure can respond to toner density changes and vibration conditions, maintaining reliable toner supply by adapting the opening configuration rather than being fixed, thus preventing clogging while ensuring supply reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or configuration parameters of the opening system through the movable member. By altering the position, shape, or size of the discharge and supply openings dynamically, the system can optimize toner flow characteristics under varying density conditions, preventing clogging while maintaining supply reliability
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 effectively prevents toner clogging and ensures a sufficient toner supply to the image forming unit, improving image quality and stability, and delaying the detection of toner shortages.
Implementation Method 1
when a density of toner increases due to vibrations during transportation or own weight
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming unit includes an image forming unit main body; and a developer storage unit detachably attached to the image forming unit main body. The image forming unit main body includes a developer retaining space for retaining developer and a supply opening for supplying developer to the developer retaining space. The developer storage unit includes a discharge opening for discharging developer to the developer retaining space. The image forming unit main body further includes a movable member moving relative to the discharge opening and the supply opening.