Powder Conveyance Device Swing Member Restrictor Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing powder conveyance devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently conveying toner and waste toner due to issues like aggregation and adhesion within the conveyance paths, particularly when the toner container and developing device are oriented differently.

Innovation Solution

The proposed powder conveyance device includes a conveyor that rotates to convey powder, with a first conveyance tube accommodating the conveyor and a second conveyance tube extending at an angle. A swing member inside the second conveyance tube swings with the conveyor's rotation and has one end detachably attached to the conveyor. A restrictor within one of the conveyance tubes prevents the swing member from detaching easily, thereby reducing powder aggregation and adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the swing member is detachably attached to the conveyor, then the swing member can swing freely to reduce powder aggregation, but the swing member may detach from the conveyor during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of swing member detachmentVSAvoidswing member mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A restrictor is introduced as an intermediary component between the swing member and conveyor. The restrictor selectively restricts detachment motion while permitting swing motion, serving as a mediator that enables both reliability and operational freedom simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system is segmented into multiple functional zones: the detachable attachment portion allowing swing motion, and the restrictor portion preventing detachment. This segmentation allows different motion types to be controlled independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the toner container and developing device are oriented differently, then the device can accommodate various configurations, but powder aggregation and adhesion occur in the conveyance paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyance path configuration flexibilityVSAvoidpowder flow smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The swing member is designed to dynamically adjust its position and orientation based on conveyor rotation, actively adapting to different powder flow conditions caused by varying container and developing device orientations, thereby maintaining reliable powder conveyance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design effectively prevents the swing member from disengaging from the conveyor, thereby reducing powder aggregation and adhesion within the conveyance paths, ensuring smooth and efficient powder conveyance even when the toner container and developing device are oriented differently.

Implementation Method 1

a conveyor to rotate in a rotation direction to convey powder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

The swing member swings in accordance with rotation of the conveyor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12216418B2Powder conveyance device and image forming apparatus including a conveyor and first and second conveyance tubes

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A powder conveyance device includes a conveyor that rotates in a rotation direction to convey powder and a first conveyance tube accommodating the conveyor. A second conveyance tube extends in an angled direction that is angled with respect to the first conveyance tube. The second conveyance tube communicates with the first conveyance tube. A swing member is disposed inside the second conveyance tube. The swing member swings in accordance with rotation of the conveyor. The swing member has one end that is detachably attached to the conveyor. The one end is detached from the conveyor in a detaching direction. A restrictor is disposed inside one of the first conveyance tube and the second conveyance tube. The restrictor restricts motion of the swing member in the detaching direction.