Developer Container Regulating Member for Vibration Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
During transportation of image forming apparatuses, the accommodating container can vibrate and apply loads to various parts connected to the main assembly, leading to potential damage and leakage of developer.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable accommodating container with a regulating member that prevents movement to a position where developer is not discharged, reducing loads on connected parts by regulating its position to a second position upstream of the discharge position during transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the accommodating container is mounted to the main assembly during transportation, then single-package transportation is enabled, but loads are applied to various parts connected between the container and the main assembly due to vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating member is provided in advance on the accommodating container to prevent movement to the first position during transportation. This preliminary protective measure stops the container from reaching the discharge position, thereby preventing developer leakage and reducing loads on connected parts before vibration damage can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating member is pre-installed on the accommodating container to regulate its rotational position. This preliminary action ensures that the container is restricted from rotating to the first position where developer discharge occurs, thus protecting the system during transportation before any harmful effects manifest.
2Ease of operation
If the accommodating container is mounted without fastening, then easy mounting and dismounting is achieved, but the container vibrates during transportation causing loads on connected parts
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating member provides preliminary protection by preventing the container from rotating to positions where developer discharge occurs. This anti-action measure counteracts the harmful effects of vibration during transportation, reducing loads on connected parts while maintaining the easy mounting and dismounting capability.
3Productivity
If the container can rotate freely, then developer discharge function is enabled, but developer leakage occurs during transportation when the container moves to the first position
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating member is provided in advance to prevent the accommodating container from rotating to the first position where developer discharge occurs. This preliminary protective action blocks the rotational movement that would cause developer leakage during transportation, while still allowing the discharge function to operate normally when the container is properly mounted in the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating member is pre-installed on the accommodating container to regulate its rotational position and prevent it from reaching the first position during transportation. This preliminary regulatory action ensures that developer leakage is prevented while maintaining the ability to discharge developer when the container is correctly positioned in the apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including a rotatable developer container, a receiving device which receives the container and is inserted in a direction along a rotational axis of the container and which receives the developer discharged from the container when the container is in a first position, and a regulating member provided on the container. The regulating member prevents, during transportation of the image forming apparatus, the container from moving to the first position from a second position which is upstream of the first position with respect to an inserting direction of the container and in which the developer is not discharged from the container.