Developer Container Cover for Preventing Toner Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing image forming apparatuses face issues with toner cartridges inadvertently falling off or foreign matter entering the system when the developer unit is detached, leading to potential image quality degradation, abnormal sounds, and apparatus breakdown.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an inadvertent operation preventing mechanism that automatically covers and protects the developer container attaching and detaching means when the developing apparatus is detached from the image forming apparatus main body, preventing accidental operation and ensuring the toner cartridge remains secure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the developer unit and toner cartridge are made easily connectable and detachable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to the risk of inadvertent detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connecting developer unit and toner cartridgeVSAvoidrisk of inadvertent toner cartridge detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a cover that automatically closes when the developer unit is detached from the main body. This cover closure prevents inadvertent operation of the attaching/detaching mechanism before it can cause harmful detachment, countering the potential harm in advance while maintaining easy operation when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If the developer unit is completely detached from the main body for maintenance or paper jam handling, then the ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to foreign matter entering the toner feed port and drive member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of accessing developer unit for maintenanceVSAvoidforeign matter entry into toner feed port and drive member

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover automatically closes when the developer unit is detached, creating a protective barrier before foreign matter can enter the toner feed port and drive member. This preliminary protective action prevents contamination while still allowing easy access for maintenance when the unit is properly reattached

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If a cover is added to protect the developing roller and attaching/detaching means, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against inadvertent operation and foreign matterVSAvoidstructure of cover and opening/closing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover structure is merged with the developer unit housing, and the opening/closing mechanism is integrated with the attachment/detachment operations. When the developer unit attaches to or detaches from the main body, the cover automatically opens or closes as part of this single motion, eliminating the need for separate cover actuation mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7379692B2Developing apparatus, developer container, and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2008.05.27 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

In a developing apparatus provided with developer container attaching and detaching means that makes a developer container attachable to and detachable from a developing device, inadvertent operation preventing means is provided that disables, when the developing apparatus is detached from an image forming apparatus main body, operation of the developer container attaching and detaching means.