Reducing Plate Stabilizes Developer Flow in Developing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
In developing devices using a two-component developer, the performance of the carrier deteriorates, leading to unstable toner discharge and misdetection of toner density due to surface soiling of sensors, resulting in inconsistent developer feeding to the developing roller.
Innovation Solution
A development container with a developer discharging member, agitating and carrying members, and a reducing member that stabilizes developer flow and suppresses swelling, combined with a sweeping member to clean the toner density sensor, ensures consistent developer supply and improved image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a blade is rotated to sweep the toner density sensor surface, then the sensor cleaning function is improved, but the developer swelling is exacerbated and discharge stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functionally independent modules: the blade mechanism for sensor cleaning is separated from the developer discharge control system. This segmentation allows the blade to clean the sensor without interfering with developer discharge stability, as each module operates independently with its own control parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
A non-contact optical cleaning mechanism or air blast system is introduced as an intermediary alternative to the rotating blade. This intermediary method cleans the sensor surface without physically contacting or disturbing the developer, thereby maintaining discharge stability while achieving cleaning functionality.
2Measurement precision
If the developer is held up near the discharge port for density detection, then toner density can be measured, but the developer discharge amount becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The developer is held up in a controlled manner before the discharge port to create a stable measurement zone. This preliminary holdup action allows density detection to occur in a dedicated detection zone without affecting the subsequent discharge process, separating the measurement function from the discharge function.
Solution Approach 2:
The holdup mechanism uses dynamic control to maintain the developer in a suspended state during measurement, then smoothly transitions to allow discharge. The system dynamically adjusts the holdup force and discharge timing to ensure both accurate measurement and stable discharge quantity.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a reducing plate that dams up a part of a developer scraped up by a blade is provided. The reducing plate suppresses swell of the developer held up by a discharge mixer from fluctuating according to the rotation of the blade. Fluctuation in an excess developer discharged from a discharge port is suppressed and replace a deteriorated carrier in a development container with a new carrier little by little.