Offset Developer Storage Ports for Compact Vertical Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image formation apparatuses with vertically juxtaposed developer storage members require significant vertical spacing to avoid interference, leading to increased size and inefficient use of space, as the developer supply ports need to be directed downward to prevent conveying passage interference.
Innovation Solution
The developer storage members are positioned to be juxtaposed in a vertical direction with their supply ports offset in the back-and-forth direction, allowing for closer placement and efficient developer supply while minimizing the apparatus's size in the vertical direction and preventing left-right upsizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If developer storage members are juxtaposed in a vertical direction with openings directed downward, then developer supply is improved, but the apparatus size in the vertical direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by offsetting the openings of vertically juxtaposed developer storage members in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the opening of the upper developer storage member is positioned at a horizontal position different from the opening of the lower developer storage member. This allows the conveying passages to be routed horizontally without vertical interference, enabling compact vertical arrangement while maintaining effective developer supply to the developing unit.
2Device complexity
If developer storage members are spaced away in the vertical direction, then conveying passage interference is avoided, but the apparatus becomes larger in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spacing issue by utilizing the horizontal dimension to offset openings of vertically adjacent developer storage members. This dimensional shift allows conveying passages to proceed horizontally from each opening without intersecting or interfering with adjacent storage members, eliminating the need for large vertical spacing while avoiding passage interference.
3Area of stationary object
If developer storage members are placed close in the vertical direction, then space efficiency is improved, but conveying passage interference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves compact vertical placement by offsetting openings in the horizontal direction. This dimensional approach allows developer storage members to be positioned close vertically for space efficiency, while the horizontal offset enables conveying passages to be routed without interference, maintaining simple passage layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the openings of vertically adjacent developer storage members at different horizontal positions rather than aligning them vertically. This asymmetric arrangement allows the conveying passages to follow non-interfering paths, enabling close vertical spacing without passage conflicts.
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation apparatus includes: a casing defining a first direction, a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions; and first and second developer storage members, each having an developer supply port. The first and second developer storage members are disposed in the casing to be juxtaposed substantially in the first direction and to elongate in the second direction so that the developer supply ports of the first and second developer storage members are offset in the second direction.