Pneumatic Agent Transport Unit for Image Formers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in transporting carriers and toners due to mechanical stress and clogging issues, particularly in complex routes with bends or inclines, which affects image quality and apparatus layout flexibility.

Innovation Solution

An agent transport unit with a flexible transport route configuration, including horizontal, vertical, and inclined routes with a repose angle equal to or less than the agent's, utilizing a gas flow to transport agents without mechanical stress, preventing clogging and maintaining agent quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a coil screw is used to transport carriers in a vertical or inclined route, then carriers can be transported against gravity, but the coating layer on carriers may be abraded or peeled off due to mechanical stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier transport capabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress on carriers

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical coil screw transport system with a pneumatic transport system using a transport pipe and airflow. Carriers are transported by gas flow instead of mechanical contact, eliminating the abrasion and peeling caused by the coil screw while maintaining transport capability against gravity in vertical and inclined routes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pneumatic pressure to transport carriers through a transport pipe. A pressure generating device creates gas flow that moves carriers from the carrier container to the developing unit without mechanical contact, solving the problem of coating layer degradation while enabling transport in complex routes including vertical and inclined sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If a coil screw is used in the transport route, then carriers can be transported mechanically, but the freedom of space layout is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier transport functionVSAvoidspace layout freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid mechanical coil screw system with a flexible pneumatic transport pipe system. The transport pipe can be routed freely through the apparatus space without the structural constraints of a coil screw mechanism, allowing greater design flexibility and freedom of space layout while maintaining carrier transport functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If carriers are transported in a transport route with complex bending portions or inclines, then space layout flexibility is improved, but carriers may clog or stagnate in the transport route

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport route flexibilityVSAvoidtransport smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pneumatic pressure to propel carriers through the transport pipe, ensuring continuous movement even in sections with bends or inclines. The gas flow prevents carriers from settling or clogging in the transport route, maintaining reliable transport through complex pathways while preserving space layout flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 efficient and stress-free transportation of carriers and toners, maintaining image quality and enhancing the design flexibility of the image forming apparatus by preventing mechanical degradation and clogging in the transport route.

Implementation Method 1

The pump supplies a gas flow into the transport route to transport the agent in the transport route

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

The transport route includes at least one of a first route, a second route, and a third route. The first route extends in a substantially horizontal direction, the second route extends in a substantially vertical direction, and the third route extends in a substantially inclined direction with a repose angle equal to or less than that of the agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS7729642B2Stress-reduceable transport unit and image forming apparatus using the same

Publication Date: 2010.06.01 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An agent transport unit for transporting an agent from a first container to a second container includes a transport route and a pump. The transport route connects the first container and second container, and includes at least one of a first route, a second route, and a third route. The first route extends in a substantially horizontal direction, the second route extends in a substantially vertical direction, and the third route extends in a substantially inclined direction with a repose angle equal to or less than that of the agent. The pump supplies a gas flow into the transport route to transport the agent in the transport route.