Auger for use in an image forming device
View Patent ↗A helical auger member for transporting toner in an image forming apparatus. The auger member may be implemented as part of a waste toner removal system for removing toner from a photoconductive member of a toner cartridge. Toner that is removed by a cleaner member is transported through a cleaner housing with a helical member, such as a coil wire, having a pitch to outer diameter ratio from about 1.5 to 2.5.
1. A device for moving toner within an image forming apparatus comprising
a helical member having a pitch to outer diameter ratio of between about 1.65 and 1.8.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the helical member is a coil wire.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the toner is waste toner.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the toner is chemically produced toner.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the toner is milled toner.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the helical member is a helical wire member having an outer diameter of between about 5.5 and 7 millimeters.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the helical member is a helical wire member having an outer diameter of less than about 7.5 millimeters.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the helical member is a helical wire with a circular cross section shape.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the helical member has an outer diameter of about 5.9 mm.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein the helical member has a pitch of about 10.6 mm.
11. A waste toner removal system for removing toner from a photoconductive member of a toner cartridge, the system comprising:
a cleaner member to remove the toner from the photoconductive member;
a cleaner housing; and
a helical member having a helix angle of between about 37° and 45°.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the helical member has a helix angle of about 42°.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein the helical member is a coil wire.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the coil wire has an outer diameter of between about 5.5 and 7 millimeters.
15. A toner transport system for moving toner in an image forming apparatus, the system comprising:
a toner transport housing; and
a helical member rotatably disposed within the housing, the helical member having a pitch to outer diameter ratio of between about 1.65 and 1.8.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the helical member is a coil wire.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein the coil wire has an outer diameter of between about 5.5 and 7 millimeters.
18. The system of claim 15 wherein the toner is cleaned toner.