Nested Screw Conveyance Mechanism for Compact Toner Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveying devices in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses require a larger size due to the need for overlapping screws to convey toner, which increases the overall size of the apparatus and reduces usability.
Innovation Solution
A conveying device with a first conveyance member and a second conveyance member, where the drive transmission portion includes an engaging portion that projects from the drive shaft, and the driving force receiving portion is configured to engage with the engaging portion within the developer conveying path, allowing for efficient drive force transmission without the need for overlapping screws, thereby reducing the space required for the conveyance members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two screws are arranged in an overlapped manner to convey toner, then drive transmission and toner delivery can be performed simultaneously, but the thickness of the container needs to be at least double the thickness of one screw, increasing the size of the conveying device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the second screw inside the first screw in a nested configuration. The second screw is positioned within the hollow interior of the first screw, allowing both screws to occupy the same spatial envelope. This nesting arrangement enables simultaneous drive transmission and toner delivery without requiring doubled container thickness, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of drive transmission and toner delivery into a single integrated structure where the second screw serves both purposes. The second screw acts as both a drive element (receiving rotational force from the first screw) and a toner conveyance element (with its own conveying portion). This merging of functions allows simultaneous drive transmission and toner delivery without increasing device volume.
2Productivity
If two screws are arranged in an overlapped manner, then drive transmission and toner delivery can be performed simultaneously, but the overall size of the image forming apparatus increases correspondingly
Solution Approach 1:
The second screw is nested within the first screw, with the second screw's diameter being smaller than the hollow interior of the first screw. This nesting configuration allows both screws to function simultaneously without increasing the external dimensions of the conveying device, thereby maintaining compact apparatus size while achieving efficient toner conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension by arranging the second screw concentrically within the first screw. This dimensional arrangement allows the second screw to be positioned inside the first screw's hollow space, enabling simultaneous operation of both screws without increasing the axial or external dimensions of the device.
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 reduces the size of the conveying device and the associated image forming apparatus, enhancing usability and operational efficiency by minimizing the space needed for the conveyance members.
Implementation Method 1
the drive transmission portion includes an engaging portion that projects from the drive shaft, the driving force receiving portion includes an engaged portion which is driven by being engaging with the engaging portion
Implementation Method 2
a slope of the driven shaft with respect to a horizontal direction is an angle not larger than an angle of repose of the developer
Implementation Method 3
a slope of the driven shaft with respect to a horizontal direction is an angle not larger than an angle of repose of the developer
Data Source
AI summary
A conveying device in which a circle formed of a trajectory drawn by a distal end of an engaging portion and an axial line of a driven shaft intersect each other when viewing in an axial direction of a drive shaft, and a slope of the driven shaft with respect to a horizontal direction is an angle not larger than an angle of repose of a developer when viewing in the axial direction of the drive shaft is provided.