Toner Replenishment System with Dual Horizontal Conveyance Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently replenishing toner to developing devices, leading to frequent interruptions and increased downtime due to the need for frequent container replacements and uneven toner distribution.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a toner replenishment system with multiple containers and conveyance pipes, including first and second vertical and horizontal pipes, and conveyance members that rotate to merge toner efficiently from multiple sources to a central confluence section, which then directs it to the developing device, allowing for continuous operation even when one container is empty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single container is used to supply toner to the developing device, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity decreases due to frequent container replacements and interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The toner supply system is divided into multiple containers (first container, second container) with separate conveyance paths (first conveyance path, second conveyance path) that merge at a confluence section. This segmentation allows independent operation of each container, enabling continuous toner supply even when one container is depleted, thereby improving productivity without requiring an overly complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple toner conveyance paths from different containers are merged at a confluence section that combines them into a single output path leading to the developing device. This merging mechanism allows the system to switch between or combine toner sources seamlessly, ensuring continuous operation while maintaining a manageable system structure through modular design.
2Loss of time
If multiple containers are used to store toner, then the loss of time for container replacements is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to multiple conveyance pipes and components
Solution Approach 1:
The system is configured with multiple containers already positioned and connected to the conveyance system before operation begins. The confluence section is pre-arranged to receive toner from multiple sources, allowing immediate switching or combining of toner supplies without interruption or reconfiguration when one container is depleted, thereby minimizing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The confluence section acts as an intermediary component that receives toner from multiple containers through separate conveyance paths and combines them into a single output stream to the developing device. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall system by providing a centralized merging point, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from managing multiple independent conveyance systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If toner is conveyed through multiple horizontal pipes at different angles, then the adaptability of the toner supply system is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the confluence section configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance system utilizes horizontal pipes extending in different directions (first horizontal direction, second horizontal direction at an acute angle) to accommodate containers in various spatial arrangements. This three-dimensional configuration allows flexible positioning of containers while maintaining efficient toner flow paths, improving adaptability without significantly increasing confluence section complexity through systematic spatial organization.
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 solution ensures continuous toner supply to the developing device, reducing downtime and frequency of container replacements by efficiently merging toner from multiple sources, thus maintaining uninterrupted image formation.
Implementation Method 1
The conveyance member is disposed in the horizontal conveyance pipe so as to be able to rotate about a horizontal rotation axis along the horizontal direction, and to convey the toner that has flowed into the horizontal conveyance pipe through the inflow port to a downstream side by rotation
Data Source
AI summary
Toner replenishment units include an upper toner container, a lower toner container, a first vertical conveyance pipe, a second vertical conveyance pipe, a third vertical conveyance pipe, a first horizontal conveyance pipe, a second horizontal conveyance pipe, and a confluence section. A first conveyance screw is included in the horizontal conveyance pipe and a second conveyance screw is included in the second horizontal conveyance pipe. A first inter-axis distance between a first horizontal rotation axis of the first conveyance screw and a third vertical pipe axis of the third vertical conveyance pipe, and a second inter-axis distance between a second horizontal rotation axis of the second conveyance screw and the third vertical pipe axis are set to take a different value.