Oblique Developer Conveyance Paths for Uniform Image Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional development devices often cause developer accumulation and excess supply, leading to uneven image density due to inefficient developer conveyance mechanisms, which results in larger device sizes and undesirable image formation.
Innovation Solution
The development device incorporates a developer carrying member with obliquely positioned collection and supply conveyance paths, featuring specific openings within the development region to optimize developer flow and prevent accumulation, ensuring consistent toner density and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the developer collection conveyance path is disposed horizontally like conventional development devices, then the device structure is simple, but developer accumulation occurs in the vicinity of the opening causing excess supply and uneven image density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the conventional horizontal conveyance path configuration to a vertical arrangement where the collection conveyance path is disposed obliquely above the carrying member and conveys developer in a direction substantially parallel to the carrying member's axis. This dimensional change eliminates developer accumulation at the opening while maintaining reliable developer supply and uniform image density.
2Reliability
If the opening is arranged outside the development region to supply developer, then developer accumulation is reduced, but the length of the conveyance mechanism increases resulting in larger device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the collection conveyance path vertically above the carrying member within the development region, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than extending the horizontal length. This allows the opening to be arranged within the development region while preventing developer accumulation, thereby maintaining compact device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection conveyance path collects and conveys developer before it reaches the opening where accumulation would occur. By preliminarily conveying developer through the vertical path, the system prevents accumulation at the opening while maintaining consistent supply within the development region.
3Reliability
If the developer conveyance path is extended to prevent accumulation, then developer supply reliability improves, but the device size increases which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by disposing the collection conveyance path above the carrying member, conveying developer in a direction parallel to the carrying member's axis. This vertical arrangement provides sufficient conveyance path length for reliable developer collection and supply without increasing the horizontal footprint, thereby maintaining compact device volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A development device includes a developer carrying member, developer collection conveyance path, and developer supply conveyance path. The developer carrying member carries a developer to develop an image on a latent image carrier. The developer collection conveyance path disposed obliquely above the developer carrying member conveys the developer in a first direction. The developer supply conveyance path disposed below the developer collection conveyance path conveys the developer in a second direction. The developer collection conveyance path and developer supply conveyance path have first and second openings and third and fourth openings respectively within a development region. The developer located downstream of the developer collection conveyance path is transferred to upstream of the developer supply conveyance path through the first and third openings. The developer located downstream of the developer supply conveyance path is transferred to upstream of the developer collection conveyance path through the fourth and second openings.