Capacitance Toner Sensor for Sealed Container Integrity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require a hole in the toner container for installing a piezoelectric sensor to detect toner levels, which compromises the container's integrity and functionality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a capacitance-based remaining toner sensor with a first and second electrode arranged apart, allowing the toner interface to undulate within the container, enabling the detection of toner levels without the need for a physical hole, using a stirring mechanism to determine the toner interface position relative to the electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a piezoelectric sensor is installed inside the toner container to detect toner levels, then toner level detection capability is improved, but the container structure integrity is compromised due to the required wiring hole
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the interior of the toner container and relocated to the exterior surface. This allows the sensor to detect toner levels through the container wall without requiring any holes or openings in the container structure, thus maintaining structural integrity while achieving detection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The container wall acts as an intermediary medium that allows the sensor to detect internal toner levels from the external surface. The sensor detects changes in the container wall properties (caused by toner level changes inside) without direct contact with the toner, eliminating the need for wiring holes
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a hole is provided in the toner container for sensor wiring, then toner level detection is enabled, but the container's sealing and protective functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned outside the container to eliminate the need for wiring holes, thereby preserving the container's sealing and protective functions while still enabling toner level detection through non-contact measurement of the container wall
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical wiring connection through a hole is replaced with a non-contact detection method where the sensor measures toner levels by detecting changes in the container wall's physical properties from the external surface, eliminating the need for physical penetration
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
Accurately determines the remaining toner amount within the container without compromising its structure, ensuring reliable toner replenishment and maintaining the container's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitance sensor having a first electrode and a second electrode which are arranged apart from the first electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The image forming apparatus includes a developing device, a toner container, a first mechanism, a toner sensor, and a controller. The developing device adheres toner to an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor to form a toner image. The toner container supplies toner to the developing device. The first mechanism causes a toner interface to undulate in the toner container. The toner sensor detects a capacitance between a first electrode and a second electrode arranged apart from the first electrode. The controller determines a remaining amount of toner in the toner container based on detection information from the toner sensor.