Developer Container Movable Wall Toner Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developer containers for toner in image forming apparatuses lack efficient mechanisms for toner discharge and detection, leading to inconsistent toner supply and difficulty in determining when the toner is depleted.
Innovation Solution
A developer container with a movable wall that conveys toner to a discharge port and a detection sensor to monitor toner levels, ensuring consistent supply and timely notification of toner depletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional toner container with a rotary stirring member is used, then toner can be discharged through rotation, but the toner supply becomes inconsistent and there is no reliable way to detect when toner is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a movable wall that can change position within the container body. The wall moves from an initial position where it allows toner to reach the discharge port, to a final position where it blocks the port when toner is depleted. This dynamic structure enables automatic toner supply control and depletion detection without complex sensors or mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Loss of information
If toner is discharged by rotation of a stirring member, then toner can be supplied to the developing device, but it is difficult to determine when the toner is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The movable wall structure serves itself to detect toner depletion. As toner is consumed, the wall naturally moves toward the discharge port under the action of remaining toner. When toner is depleted, the wall automatically blocks the discharge port, providing visual and functional indication of depletion without requiring external sensors or complex detection mechanisms. This self-service approach eliminates the difficulty of toner level detection while maintaining simplicity.
3Productivity
If the container body is formed with a developer discharge port in the lower portion, then toner can be discharged efficiently, but the container structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the container into functional zones: the container body with discharge port for efficient toner ejection, and the movable wall that segments the internal space to control toner flow. This segmentation allows the discharge port to be positioned optimally for productivity while the movable wall manages the complexity of toner supply control and depletion detection, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A developer container includes a container body, a movable wall, and a detection sensor. The container body includes an inner surface defining a cylindrical internal space. The internal space is in the form of a cylinder extending in a first direction. The container body is formed with a developer discharge port communicating with the internal space. The movable wall includes an outer surface and a conveying surface. The outer surface is disposed in close contact with the inner surface of the container body. The conveying surface defines a storage space configured to contain the developer in cooperation with the inner surface of the container body. The movable wall moves in the first direction from one end side to the other end side of the internal space. The detection sensor is provided on the container body near the developer discharge port and detects the developer in the storage space.