Development unit for an electrophotographic printer having a torque-triggered outlet port
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorDaniel M. Bray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A developer unit for an electrophotographic printer includes a housing defining a chamber for retaining developer material. An auger is rotatable within the chamber for the conveying of developer material within the chamber. The auger and a second rotatable member are adapted to receive rotational drive from a single source of rotational motion. A clutch is responsive to a torque above a predetermined level associated with the auger. A selectably openable outlet port is adapted to permit escape of developer material from the chamber. A linkage is operatively disposed between the clutch and the openable outlet port. A torque above a predetermined level associated with the auger causes the clutch to move the linkage, causing the mechanical linkage to open the outlet port.
Claims14
A developer unit for an electrophotographic printer having a source of rotational motion therein, comprising:
- a housing, defining a chamber for retaining developer material therein;
- an auger, rotatable within the chamber for the conveying of developer material within the chamber;
- a second member, rotatable within the chamber, the auger and the second member being adapted to receive rotational drive from the source of rotational motion;
- a clutch responsive to a torque outside a predetermined range associated with the auger;
- a selectably openable port defined in the housing, adapted to permit passage of developer material therethrough;
- and
- a linkage operatively disposed between the clutch and the openable outlet port, whereby a torque outside a predetermined range associated with the auger actuates the clutch to move the linkage to open the outlet port.
An electrophotgraphic printing apparatus, comprising:
- a photoconductive surface;
- a source of rotational motion;
- and
- a developer unit, including
- a housing, defining a chamber for retaining developer material therein;
- an auger, rotatable within the chamber for the conveying of developer material within the chamber;
- a second member, rotatable within the chamber, the auger and the second member being adapted to receive rotational drive from the source of rotational motion;
- a clutch responsive to a torque above a predetermined level associated with the auger;
- a selectably openable outlet port adapted to permit escape of developer material from the chamber;
- and
- a linkage operatively disposed between the clutch and the openable outlet port, whereby a torque above a predetermined level associated with the auger actuates the clutch to move the linkage to open the outlet port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.