Reverse Helical Blade Airflow Cancellation for Developer Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming systems, the automatic developer replenishment mechanism can lead to excessive discharge of airborne developer due to increased inner pressure and airflow, reducing the developer level in the container.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a reverse helical blade and a magnet in the developer container, where the pitch of the reverse helical blade is between 0.5 and 1.5 times the pitch of the helical blade, helps to prevent developer discharge by generating an airflow that cancels with the airflow causing discharge, and a magnet absorbs airborne developer, reducing the discharge of airborne developer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the automatic developer replenishment mechanism operates, then the developer container is replenished with developer, but excessive developer is discharged from the container through the discharge pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse helical blade is positioned downstream of the discharge pipe to generate an airflow that opposes and cancels the airflow causing developer discharge. This preliminary counter-action prevents airborne developer from being discharged through the discharge pipe during the replenishment process
Solution Approach 2:
A magnet is introduced as an intermediary element to absorb airborne developer particles that escape the reverse helical blade's control. The magnet captures these particles before they can be discharged, providing an additional layer of prevention against developer loss
2Productivity
If the rotation of the developing roller entrains air into the developer container, then the inner pressure increases to generate airflow for developer transport, but this causes excessive discharge of airborne developer
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse helical blade generates an opposing airflow that cancels the pressure-driven airflow from the developing roller's rotation. This counter-action prevents airborne developer from being discharged while allowing controlled developer transport to occur
Solution Approach 2:
The reverse helical blade is specifically positioned downstream of the discharge pipe where the harmful airflow occurs. By localizing the counter-action at this critical location, the system maintains developer transport efficiency elsewhere while preventing discharge at the vulnerable discharge point
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
The solution effectively reduces the discharge of airborne developer, maintaining the developer level in the container and improving the operational efficiency of the image forming system.
Implementation Method 1
the pitch of the reverse helical blade is between 0.5 and 1.5 times the pitch of the helical blade, helps to prevent developer discharge by generating an airflow that cancels with the airflow causing discharge
Implementation Method 2
a magnet absorbs airborne developer, reducing the discharge of airborne developer
Data Source
AI summary
An example device to develop an electrostatic latent includes first and second passages coupled to each other through first and second openings. A first stir-and-transport member located in the first passage includes a first helical blade to stir and transport a developer along the first passage in a first direction and to supply the developer to a developing roller. A second stir-and-transport member located in the second passage includes a second helical blade to stir and transport the developer along the second passage in a second direction. A developer discharge pipe is coupled to the developer container to communicate with a downstream side of the first passage. The first stir-and-transport member includes a first reverse helical blade having a pitch between approximately 0.5 times and 1.5 times the pitch of the first helical blade and located downstream of the first helical blade and disposed downstream of the second opening.