Developer Supply Container Reciprocating Member Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing developer supply container systems for image forming apparatuses, such as copying machines, experience contact noise due to the collision between the reciprocating member and the regulating portion, which affects the operational efficiency and noise levels.
Innovation Solution
The developer supply container incorporates an elastically deformable urging portion on the reciprocating member to reduce contact noise by urging the member towards the regulating portion, thereby minimizing friction and noise during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a small gap is provided between the reciprocating member and the regulating portion to limit movement and facilitate reciprocation, then the ease of operation is improved, but contact noise occurs due to collision between the reciprocating member and the regulating portion
Solution Approach 1:
A cushioning member is introduced as an intermediary element between the reciprocating member and the regulating portion. This cushioning member absorbs the collision forces during reciprocation, preventing direct contact noise while maintaining the functional gap for ease of operation. The cushioning member acts as a mediator that allows the reciprocating member to move freely while eliminating the harmful collision noise.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the reciprocating member is constrained to move only in the rotational axis direction, then the stability of movement is improved, but contact noise is generated due to collision with the regulating portion
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member serves as a mediator that maintains the stable movement constraint while eliminating collision noise. It allows the reciprocating member to be firmly guided by the regulating portion without direct impact, thus preserving movement stability while reducing harmful contact noise through the cushioning effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning member is pre-installed between the reciprocating member and the regulating portion to provide advance cushioning against upcoming collisions. This beforehand cushioning prevents the harmful impact noise before it occurs, while maintaining the necessary mechanical constraint for stable reciprocation movement.
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 effectively reduces contact noise between the reciprocating member and the regulating portion, enhancing the operational efficiency and reducing noise levels in the developer supply system.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable urging portion, provided on said reciprocating member, for urging said reciprocating member toward said regulating portion
Data Source
AI summary
A developer supply container and a developer supplying system include a feeding portion 2c for feeding a developer T in a developer accommodating portion 2 toward a developer discharging portion 4c in accordance with rotation, a gear portion 2d for receiving a rotational force for rotating a feeding portion 2c, a pump portion 3a provided to act at least toward the developer discharging portion 4c and having a volume with changes with reciprocation, a drive converting portion for converting the rotational force inputted to the gear portion 2d into a force for operating the pump portion 3a, a reciprocating member 3b provided at the drive converting portion and reciprocable to convert to the rotational force into a force for operating the pump portion 3a, a rotation regulating portion 3f for regulating movement in a direction crossing with a direction in which the reciprocating member 3b reciprocates, an elastically deformable urging portion 3g1, 3g2, provided on the reciprocating member 3b, for urging the reciprocating member 3b toward the rotation regulating portion 3f.