Cushion Member Between Developing Casing and Shutter

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional image forming apparatuses, the movement of the developing casing relative to the photosensitive drum can cause a change in the position of the toner inlet relative to the toner outlet, leading to potential toner leakage during supply from the toner cartridge to the developing casing.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus includes a cushion member positioned between the developing casing and the developing shutter, which allows the developing casing to move relative to the photosensitive drum while the developing shutter is engaged with the toner cartridge, maintaining the toner inlet position consistent with the toner outlet, thereby preventing toner leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the developing casing is made movable relative to the photosensitive drum to suppress variation in contact state of the developing roller, then the reliability of image formation is improved, but the position of the toner inlet relative to the toner outlet changes causing toner leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of image formationVSAvoidtoner leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cushion member is introduced as an intermediary element between the developing casing and the developing shutter. This cushion member absorbs the positional displacement caused by the movement of the developing casing, maintaining consistent alignment between the toner inlet and toner outlet while still allowing the developing casing to move for reliable image formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion member changes the physical parameters of the system by providing elastic deformation. When the developing casing moves, the cushion member compresses and expands, absorbing the movement and maintaining the positional relationship between the toner inlet and outlet, thus preventing toner leakage while enabling reliable image formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the developing casing is moved relative to the photosensitive drum, then the contact state of the developing roller with the photosensitive drum is stabilized, but the alignment between toner inlet and toner outlet is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact state stabilityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion member serves as a mediator that decouples the movement of the developing casing from the developing shutter assembly. It allows the developing casing to move for stable contact while the cushion member absorbs the displacement, keeping the toner inlet and outlet aligned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion member is positioned in advance between the developing casing and developing shutter to preemptively absorb positional variations. This prior cushioning ensures that even when the developing casing moves, the alignment between toner inlet and outlet is maintained, preventing misalignment issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

This configuration effectively suppresses toner leakage by maintaining the alignment of the toner inlet and outlet during movement, ensuring reliable toner supply to the developing unit.

Implementation Method 1

a cushion member positioned between the developing casing and the developing shutter. When the developing casing is moved relative to the photosensitive drum in a state where the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are attached to the main casing, the cushion member allows the developing casing to be moved relative to the developing shutter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11789382B2Image forming apparatus including drum cartridge having cushion member positioned between developing casing and developing shutter

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a toner cartridge including a toner casing having a toner outlet for discharging toner in the toner cartridge and a toner shutter for opening and closing the toner outlet; a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a developing unit including a developing casing having a toner inlet for receiving the toner from the toner cartridge, a developing shutter for opening and closing the toner inlet, and a cushion member positioned between the developing casing and the developing shutter. When the developing casing is moved relative to the photosensitive drum while the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are attached to the main casing, the developing shutter opens the toner inlet, and the toner shutter opens the toner outlet, the cushion member allows movement of the developing casing relative to the developing shutter while the developing shutter engages with the toner cartridge.