Developer Container Opening Mechanism for Secure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developer containing devices for image forming apparatuses lack efficient mechanisms for secure insertion and removal, leading to potential misalignment and improper sealing, which can affect the performance and reliability of the developer supply system.
Innovation Solution
A developer containing device with a protrusion and recess mechanism that automatically opens and closes the developer feed inlet based on the direction of insertion or removal, ensuring secure engagement and disengagement with the image forming apparatus receptacle, utilizing a sliding opening and closing member that intersects with the insertion direction to facilitate locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple insertion mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of secure engagement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The opening and closing member is pre-positioned to automatically open when the developer container is inserted, and the protrusion is pre-configured to engage with the recess at the appropriate moment during insertion, ensuring secure engagement occurs automatically before the container is fully seated
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism uses the insertion motion itself to trigger the opening of the developer feed inlet and the engagement of the protrusion with the recess, eliminating the need for separate locking actions. The container's own movement performs the securing function
2Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used, then reliability of secure engagement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opening/closing function and the locking/unlocking function are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The opening and closing member simultaneously controls the developer feed inlet and engages with the protrusion-recess pair, eliminating the need for separate locking and sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from static to dynamic operation, where the opening and closing member moves automatically during insertion and removal. The protrusion and recess provide dynamic engagement that adapts to the insertion motion, creating a simple yet reliable locking action
3Reliability
If proper sealing is ensured, then reliability of developer supply is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The opening and closing member is pre-positioned to automatically open when the developer container is inserted, and the protrusion is pre-configured to engage with the recess at the appropriate moment during insertion, ensuring secure engagement occurs automatically before the container is fully seated
Data Source
AI summary
A developer containing device includes: a developer container configured to contain developer and to be inserted into a receptacle defined in an image forming apparatus main body; a developer feed inlet provided in a forward end of the developer container which is inserted into the receptacle in an insertion direction and for feeding the developer contained in the developer container into the image forming apparatus main body; and an opening and closing member that opens the developer feed inlet with movement of the developer container in the insertion direction when the developer container is inserted into the receptacle and closes the developer feed inlet with movement of the developer container in opposition to the insertion direction when the developer container is removed from the receptacle, the opening and closing member having a protrusion formed to protrude inward of the opening and closing member and allowed to engage with a recess provided in the developer container and being arranged to be allowed to move on the outside of the developer container in a direction intersecting with the insertion direction of the developer container, and when the developer container is inserted into the receptacle, a developer container outside section sliding into the opening and closing member being brought to one side of the opening and closing member in the direction intersecting with the insertion direction of the developer container, then the protrusion being released from an engageable state.