Enhanced toner throughput agitator configuration for a customer replaceable unit

摘要

A customer replaceable unit for a printer includes a toner reclaim system that has a spring-like wire attached to and surrounding the bottom half of a toner agitator. As the agitator is rotated by a cleaner auger through a crankshaft connection, the spring compresses and relaxes with every revolution. This creates small vibrations which help move toner in a downward direction with the assistance of gravity into a developer sump.

主权项

1. A customer replaceable unit for use in a printing machine includes a toner reclaim system, said toner reclaim system comprising:
a cleaning blade for removing toner from a photoreceptor; an auger for moving said toner cleaned from said photoreceptor across a top portion of said customer replaceable unit; a crankshaft connected to and adapted for rotating said auger; and an agitator positioned within a housing and adapted to receive said toner removed from photoreceptor, said agitator being connected to said crankshaft such that rotation of said crankshaft causes movement in unison of said agitator to thereby loosen and push said toner received within said housing from said auger to an exit portion of said housing, said agitator including a blade with fins on one portion thereof and a spring surrounding another portion thereof.