Toner Receiver Geometry to Prevent Developing Unit Suction Port Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developing devices in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with toner scattering and accumulation, leading to contamination of the apparatus interior and reduced suction functionality due to blocked suction ports, which affects the efficiency and cleanliness of the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The developing device incorporates a toner receiver with a specific angle of repose and strategically positioned suction ports to prevent toner accumulation, ensuring the suction ports remain unblocked and maintain effective toner collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suction port is provided to suck scattered toner, then toner collection capability is improved, but the suction port becomes blocked by accumulated toner, reducing functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The toner receiver is designed with an inclined surface at a specific angle (larger than the angle of repose) to change the spatial arrangement of toner accumulation. This angular configuration causes toner to slide along the inclined surface rather than accumulating at the suction port, effectively preventing blockage while maintaining suction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle of the toner receiver surface is carefully selected to be larger than the angle of repose of the toner. This parameter change ensures that gravity causes toner to slide down the inclined surface rather than accumulate, maintaining the suction port clear and functional over time.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If toner receiver is added to collect scattered toner, then contamination is reduced, but toner accumulates in the receiver, requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
By configuring the toner receiver with an inclined surface at a specific angle, the patent changes the spatial dimension of toner accumulation. Toner naturally slides along the incline due to gravity and the angle being greater than the angle of repose, preventing accumulation and extending cleaning intervals while maintaining contamination prevention.
3Productivity
If suction port is positioned below developer bearer, then scattered toner is effectively sucked, but suction port is more prone to blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined toner receiver surface acts as an intermediary between the suction port and the scattered toner. Instead of toner directly accumulating at the suction port, it slides along the inclined surface, which prevents direct blockage while maintaining effective collection positioning.
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 effectively prevents suction port blockage, maintains suction functionality, reduces contamination, and extends the time before the toner receiver needs cleaning, enhancing the overall performance and cleanliness of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The toner receiver has a first angle between a line segment connecting a tip end of the toner receiver protruding from the housing and a lowermost end of the suction port and a horizontal line extending horizontally from the tip end of the toner receiver toward the housing. The toner receiver receives the toner having an angle of repose as a second angle.
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes a housing, an image bearer, a developer bearer, a suction port, and a toner receiver. The housing contains a developer including toner. The image bearer forms a latent image of the toner. The developer bearer bears the developer and supplies the toner. The suction port is disposed below the developer bearer to suck the toner outside the housing. The toner receiver is disposed below the suction port to receive the toner outside the housing. The toner receiver has a first angle between a line segment connecting a tip end of the toner receiver protruding from the housing and a lowermost end of the suction port and a horizontal line extending horizontally from the tip end of the toner receiver toward the housing. The toner receiver receives the toner having an angle of repose as a second angle. The first angle is larger than the second angle.