Cleaning Device Vent Hole Filter for Toner Leakage Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, the finer toner particles lead to increased pressure inside the waste toner containing unit, causing potential toner leakage due to the airtight sealing, which existing cleaning devices struggle to manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a waste toner containing unit featuring a vent hole covered by a filter and a partitioning portion positioned between the image bearing member and the cleaning member, which communicates the inside and outside of the unit to regulate pressure and prevent toner leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a highly airtight sealing member is used in the waste toner containing unit to prevent fine toner particles from leaking, then toner leakage is prevented, but pressure difference between inside and outside the unit increases causing air to leak out and fine toner particles to leak out together
Solution Approach 1:
A filter member with porous structure is installed in the vent hole to allow air to pass through while blocking fine toner particles. The porous structure enables selective permeability based on particle size, allowing pressure equalization without toner leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter member acts as an intermediary between the vent hole and the external environment. It mediates the interaction by allowing air flow while preventing toner particle passage, thus resolving the contradiction between pressure equalization and sealing.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the vent hole is opened to equalize pressure inside and outside the waste toner containing unit, then pressure difference is reduced, but fine toner particles leak out through the vent hole
Solution Approach 1:
The filter member with controlled pore sizes allows air molecules to pass through while blocking larger fine toner particles. This selective permeability enables pressure equalization without compromising sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter member serves as an intermediary that selectively permits air flow while preventing toner particle escape. It mediates between the need for pressure equalization and the requirement to maintain sealing.
3Reliability
If the filter is made more airtight to prevent toner leakage, then sealing performance improves, but pressure equalization becomes difficult causing pressure buildup inside the unit
Solution Approach 1:
The filter member is designed with optimized pore structure that allows sufficient air permeability for pressure equalization while maintaining effective blocking of fine toner particles. The porous design balances both requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter's permeability parameters are optimized to achieve the right balance between air flow and particle blocking. By adjusting pore size, surface area, and material properties, the filter enables pressure equalization while maintaining sealing.
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
The solution stabilizes pressure inside the waste toner containing unit, preventing toner leakage while maintaining effective air permeability to manage pressure changes, ensuring reliable operation and maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a vent hole that communicates an inside and an outside of the waste toner containing unit and that is covered with a filter
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device detachable from an image forming apparatus, the cleaning device including a frame that includes a waste toner containing unit that contains toner removed with a cleaning member, a vent hole that communicates an inside and an outside of the waste toner containing unit and that is covered with a filter, and a partitioning portion that protrudes inside the waste toner containing unit. In a state in which the cleaning device in mounted in the image forming apparatus, there is a contact position where the image bearing member and the cleaning member come in contact with each other, and the partitioning portion is positioned between the vent hole and the contact position in a vertical direction.