Process Unit With Axial and Cross-Axial Developer Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in conveying waste toner, particularly in configurations where the second screw conveyance portion does not cross the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, leading to potential size increases and handling challenges.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge design incorporating a first conveyance member that conveys waste toner in the rotation axis direction of an image bearing member, and a second conveyance member that directs the toner in a direction crossing the rotation axis, positioned inside the contact portion of the cleaning member, to efficiently convey waste toner to a discharge port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the second screw conveyance portion is configured not to cross the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, then the cartridge structure is simplified, but the cartridge size increases and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The second conveyance member changes the conveyance direction from the axial direction to a radial direction (crossing the rotation axis direction), utilizing a different spatial dimension to achieve compact cartridge sizing while maintaining simplified structure
2Ease of manufacture
If the second conveyance member is positioned outside the contact portion of the cleaning member, then the conveyance path is easier to design, but the cartridge size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second conveyance member is nested within the contact portion of the cleaning member, utilizing the existing spatial envelope to accommodate the conveyance mechanism without increasing overall cartridge dimensions
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 configuration reduces the size of the cartridge, enhances conveyance stability, and simplifies the drive mechanism, while maintaining efficient waste toner handling and resource management.
Implementation Method 1
a first conveyance member disposed inside the developer recovering portion and configured to convey the recovered developer in a rotation axis direction of the image bearing member
Implementation Method 2
a second conveyance member configured to convey the developer conveyed by the first conveyance member in a direction crossing the rotation axis direction toward a discharge port
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge including a rotatable image bearing member which bears a developer, a cleaning member for removing a developer remaining on a surface of the image bearing member, the cleaning member having a contact portion in contact with the surface of the image bearing member and a support portion which supports the contact portion, a developer recovering portion which recovers the developer removed by the cleaning member, a first conveyance member which is disposed inside the developer recovering portion and conveys the recovered developer in a rotation axis direction of the image bearing member, a second conveyance member which conveys the developer conveyed by the first conveyance member in a direction crossing the rotation axis direction toward a discharge port provided in the developer recovering portion, and a third conveyance member to convey the developer toward the center of the photosensitive drum in the rotational axis direction. The second conveyance member is disposed at an inner side of the contact portion of the cleaning member with respect to an end part of the contact portion of the cleaning member.