Suction Duct Ribs for Consistent Airflow in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturization of image forming apparatuses leads to inefficient collection of floating developers due to strong and weak air flows generated by miniaturized suction ducts, which prevents effective collection downstream from the developing section.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a suction duct with multiple ribs that adjust airflow, narrowing the air flow passage width and angle from upstream to downstream, to maintain consistent suction force and enhance developer collection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the suction duct is miniaturized to further miniaturize the image forming apparatus, then the apparatus size is reduced, but places having strong and weak air flows are generated which causes inefficient collection of floating developer
Solution Approach 1:
The suction duct is designed with varying cross-sectional areas along its length, creating local differences in airflow characteristics. The cross-sectional area is larger at the upstream end and progressively smaller toward the downstream end, which compensates for the natural decay of suction force and maintains consistent developer collection efficiency throughout the miniaturized duct
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the suction duct by varying its cross-sectional area along the airflow direction. This parameter modification allows the miniaturized duct to maintain optimal airflow characteristics and consistent suction force despite the reduced overall size, thereby preserving developer collection efficiency
2Volume of moving object
If the surface potential sensor is installed downstream from the developing section to accommodate miniaturized laser unit, then the apparatus can be miniaturized, but the urethane seal cannot be arranged in weak contact with the photoconductor causing floating developer to attach to the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
A blowing duct is introduced as an intermediary component between the developing section and the surface potential sensor. This blowing duct directs air flow to blow away floating developer, preventing it from attaching to the sensor while allowing the sensor to be positioned downstream for apparatus miniaturization
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 ensures efficient collection of floating developers by maintaining consistent suction force along the suction duct, preventing developer attachment to the surface potential sensor and improving overall collection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a suction duct that has plural ribs therein for adjusting an air flow and collects the developer by a negative pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A suction duct that sucks air is provided downstream from a magnet roller that applies a developer to a photoconductor while rotating, in a direction of rotation of the photoconductor, and upstream of a surface potential sensor that measures surface potential of the photoconductor. Moreover, ribs for adjusting an air flow are arranged within the suction duct in such a manner that a width of an air flow passage formed by a rear end in a direction of air flow and a forward end of a nearest rib in the direction of air flow is narrowed from a rib installed upstream in the direction of air flow toward a rib installed downstream. The collection duct collects a floating developer by using a negative pressure.