Parallel Auger Developer Unit for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing developer units for image forming apparatuses often result in uneven supply of developer agent to the developer roller due to varying agent density and excessive pressure, leading to irregular printing and potential leakage.
Innovation Solution
A developer unit with a developer device featuring two augers arranged in parallel along the circumference of the supplier roller, where one auger is designed to have a higher toner-conveying capacity than the other, and a restricting member to maintain even toner thickness, preventing pressure buildup and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two augers are arranged in vertically overlapping positions with one above the other, then the developer agent can be moved along the augers to be carried to the supplier roller, but the casing requires substantial height and developer agent accumulates causing excessive pressure on components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement of augers (one above the other) to a horizontal arrangement where two augers are positioned side by side in the same plane. This dimensional change allows the augers to convey developer agent efficiently while avoiding the need for substantial casing height, thereby preventing developer agent accumulation and excessive pressure on components.
2Device complexity
If solely one auger is arranged in the vicinity of the supplier roller, then the structure is simplified, but the developer agent density around the auger varies causing uneven supply to the developer roller
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the developer agent conveyance function into two separate augers positioned side by side, each responsible for a specific region. This segmentation ensures that developer agent is evenly distributed around the supplier roller, preventing density variations and achieving uniform supply to the developer roller while maintaining relatively simple structure.
3Device complexity
If the density of the developer agent carried by the auger varies, then the auger design can be simplified, but the developer roller cannot be evenly supplied with the developer agent causing irregular printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two augers positioned side by side to segment the developer agent conveyance function. This segmentation ensures even distribution of developer agent density around the supplier roller, resulting in uniform supply to the developer roller and reliable printing quality, while keeping the auger design relatively simple.
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
Ensures even supply of developer agent to the developer roller, reducing irregular printing and preventing toner leakage by maintaining controlled pressure and toner distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of conveyers, including a first conveyer and a second conveyer, to convey the developer agent in an axial direction of the developer agent supplier
Implementation Method 2
a restricting member, which scrapes the surface of the developer agent carrier to restrict thickness of the developer agent on the surface of the developer agent carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A developer unit for an image forming apparatus is provided. The developer unit includes a developer device having a developer agent carrier, a developer agent supplier, and a restricting member, a developer agent container, which contains the developer agent, and a plurality of conveyers, including a first conveyer and a second conveyer, to convey the developer agent in an axial direction of the developer agent supplier. The first conveyer and the second conveyer are arranged along a circumference of the developer agent supplier and in parallel with the first conveyer.