Toner Conveying Path Protrusion for Aggregated Particle Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner conveying path forming members in image forming apparatuses suffer from the generation of aggregated toner particles due to the pressure exerted by elastic toner conveying members, leading to defective images, and this issue is not effectively controlled by existing methods that rely on regulating toner characteristic values, which are influenced by environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.
Innovation Solution
The toner conveying path forming member includes a protrusion on its inner wall surface that protrudes toward the hollow, reducing the area of the sandwich field formed between the elastic toner conveying member and the inner wall, thereby minimizing the size of aggregated toner particles generated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastic toner conveying member is arranged in the toner conveying path forming member, then the stable toner conveyance ability is ensured and layout flexibility is increased, but aggregated toner particles are generated due to pressure in the sandwich field between the conveying member and inner wall
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by providing a protrusion at a specific location on the inner wall surface where the elastic toner conveying member contacts the wall. This localized structural modification reduces the sandwich field area precisely at the contact point, minimizing aggregated toner particle generation while preserving the overall conveying function and stability.
2Length of moving object
If the center line of the toner housing container is arranged substantially horizontal to shorten the apparatus height, then the main body size is reduced, but the toner conveying ability and toner agitating ability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the elastic properties of the toner conveying member to create a dynamic system where the member can deform and adapt to the horizontal orientation. The elasticity allows the conveying member to maintain effective contact with the inner wall surface even when the container is oriented horizontally, ensuring reliable toner conveyance and agitation without increasing apparatus height.
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 suppresses the generation of aggregated toner particles, reducing their size and preventing defective images, and is less influenced by environmental conditions compared to methods that regulate toner characteristic values.
Implementation Method 1
a toner conveying member having elasticity is arranged as the toner conveying unit in the pipeline unit of the toner conveying device or inside the toner housing container that functions as the toner conveying path forming member
Data Source
AI summary
A toner conveying path forming member forms a toner conveying path with a hollow capable of conveying toner. The toner conveying path forming member includes an inner wall a part of which is pressed by an elastic toner conveying member provided in the toner conveying path; and a protrusion that is provided on an inner wall surface of at least a part of the inner wall to protrude toward the hollow.