Multi-Blade Replenishment Screw for Aggregate Breaking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In developing apparatuses using two-component developers, aggregates formed during transportation can lead to image defects like stain images due to inadequate agitation of replenishment developers, especially in miniaturized systems where conventional screw configurations fail to break aggregates effectively.
Innovation Solution
The development of a replenishment conveyance screw with a multi-flight design featuring spiral blades and discontinuous portions, which conveys replenishment developers efficiently and breaks aggregates, while maintaining effective toner distribution and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional screw configuration is used in a miniaturized developing apparatus, then the device size is reduced, but the aggregate breaking performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The screw blade is divided into multiple discrete blade portions (first blade portion, second blade portion, third blade portion) separated by gaps. This segmentation creates multiple agitation zones along the screw, enhancing the ability to break aggregates while maintaining a compact overall structure that fits within miniaturized developing apparatus constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a circumferential displacement dimension to the blade portions. The third blade portion is positioned at a different circumferential location than the first and second blade portions, creating a three-dimensional agitation pattern that improves aggregate breaking efficiency without increasing the axial length or outer diameter of the screw, thus maintaining compact size.
2Productivity
If the screw blade is made continuous, then the conveyance efficiency is improved, but the aggregate breaking performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous blade is segmented into multiple discrete blade portions with gaps between them. Each blade portion conveys developer while the gaps create turbulence and agitation zones that break aggregates. The segmented structure maintains sufficient conveyance capability while adding aggregate breaking function.
Solution Approach 2:
Although the blade is segmented, the multiple blade portions are arranged to provide continuous agitation action along the screw length. The gaps between blade portions create turbulence that breaks aggregates, while the blade portions themselves continue to convey developer, ensuring both conveyance efficiency and aggregate breaking are maintained continuously throughout the screw rotation.
3Device complexity
If the replenishment developer is not sufficiently agitated, then the transportation process is simplified, but aggregate formation increases leading to image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented blade portions create mechanical turbulence and vibration as they rotate and convey the replenishment developer. This mechanical agitation breaks up aggregates in the developer without requiring additional vibration mechanisms, maintaining simple transportation process design while effectively preventing aggregate formation that causes image defects.
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 significantly reduces the occurrence of stain images by effectively breaking aggregates and improving developer agitation, even in compact developing apparatuses, ensuring high-quality image formation.
Implementation Method 1
a replenishment conveyance screw portion provided in the replenishment conveyance path and configured to convey the replenishment developer in a third direction from the developer replenishment portion toward the first communication portion
Implementation Method 2
The replenishment conveyance screw portion includes a first blade portion formed in a spiral shape on an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft of the replenishment conveyance screw portion and configured to convey the replenishment developer in the third direction
Data Source
AI summary
A developing apparatus includes a replenishment conveyance screw portion to convey replenishment developer from a developer replenishment portion toward a first communication portion. First, second and third blade portions are formed in a spiral shape on an outer circumferential surface of a rotation shaft of the replenishment conveyance screw portion. A pitch of the first blade portion, a pitch of the second blade portion, and a pitch of the third blade portion are each larger than a pitch of a blade of a second conveyance screw portion, and the third blade portion is continuously formed in a region between a terminal end of the first blade portion and a starting end of the second blade portion.