Compact Image Forming Apparatus with Movable Developer Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in compact design due to the need for larger toner-accommodating chambers, which increases the printer's dimensions, making it difficult to accommodate sufficient toner while maintaining a compact size.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a main casing with a supporting frame that moves between accommodated and withdrawn positions, featuring a toner-accommodating system with multiple chambers and a conveying mechanism to efficiently store and distribute toner, allowing for a more compact printer configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the dimension of the printer in the juxtaposed direction is made more compact, then the printer size is reduced, but the toner-accommodating chambers cannot be made large enough to accommodate a sufficient amount of toner
Solution Approach 1:
The toner-accommodating chamber is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber that are spatially separated and independently configured. The first chamber is disposed between the first plate and the second plate, while the second chamber is disposed between the first wall and the first plate. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific spatial constraints, enabling sufficient total toner capacity while maintaining a compact overall printer dimension in the juxtaposed direction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing toner capacity by expanding the chamber in the juxtaposed direction, the invention utilizes the space in the second direction (orthogonal to the juxtaposed direction) by disposing chambers between opposing plates and walls. This dimensional reorientation allows the printer to maintain a compact profile in the juxtaposed direction while accommodating sufficient toner volume through strategic use of available three-dimensional space.
2Quantity of substance
If the toner-accommodating chambers are made larger to accommodate sufficient toner, then the toner capacity is increased, but the dimension of the printer in the juxtaposed direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toner-accommodating chamber is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber that are spatially separated and independently configured. The first chamber is disposed between the first plate and the second plate, while the second chamber is disposed between the first wall and the first plate. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific spatial constraints, enabling sufficient total toner capacity while maintaining a compact overall printer dimension in the juxtaposed direction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing toner capacity by expanding the chamber in the juxtaposed direction, the invention utilizes the space in the second direction (orthogonal to the juxtaposed direction) by disposing chambers between opposing plates and walls. This dimensional reorientation allows the printer to maintain a compact profile in the juxtaposed direction while accommodating sufficient toner volume through strategic use of available three-dimensional space.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a supporting frame movable relative to the main casing in a first direction between an internal position and an external position, and a developer container supported in the supporting frame. The main casing includes first and second walls extending in the first direction and opposing each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The supporting frame includes first and second plates opposing the first and second walls in the second direction respectively. The developer container includes: a first chamber disposed between the first plate and the second plate; a second chamber for storing developer and disposed between the first wall and the first plate; a third chamber for communicating between the first chamber and the second chamber; and a conveying portion for conveying the developer in the second chamber to the first chamber via the third chamber.