Developer Container Shutter Guide Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toner supply systems face challenges in reliably exposing and securing the toner discharge port, leading to potential leakage and inefficient toner supply during mounting and operation of toner containers in image forming apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

The developer supplier incorporates a guide mechanism and shutter system that allows the toner container to be mounted and rotated, exposing the toner discharge port to communicate with the supply port, ensuring secure and stable toner supply by using a guide mechanism and shutter system for precise alignment and locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional toner supply container with a simple shutter mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of toner discharge port exposure and leakage prevention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter mechanism complexityVSAvoidtoner discharge port exposure reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the container shutter mechanism with the mounting operation itself. The container body is designed to push and slide the shutter member during the mounting process, combining two functions (mounting and shutter operation) into a single integrated action. This eliminates the need for separate shutter actuation mechanisms while ensuring reliable discharge port exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter member is preliminarily positioned within the container body, and the mounting operation itself serves as the triggering action that automatically slides the shutter to the open position. The container body's movement during mounting preliminarily prepares the discharge port for communication with the developing device's receiving opening before final engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the container shutter is prevented from moving by the developing device, then the shutter position is controlled, but the ease of operation for mounting and exposing the discharge port deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting and discharge port exposure easeVSAvoidshutter movement control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container body serves itself by using its own mounting movement to push and slide the shutter member. The container's structural design includes features that automatically interact with the shutter during mounting, eliminating the need for external actuation mechanisms. The container self-exposes its discharge port through the mounting operation itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a rotary lever mechanism is used to slide the shutter, then the shutter can be reliably opened, but the ease of operation and mounting speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter opening reliabilityVSAvoidmounting operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the rotary lever mechanism from the system and replaces it with a direct push-slide action. The complex rotary lever intermediate mechanism is removed entirely, and the shutter is designed to be directly actuated by the container body's mounting movement. This simplifies the operation to a single linear motion while maintaining reliable shutter opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If the discharge port is exposed during mounting, then toner supply is enabled, but the risk of toner leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner supply efficiencyVSAvoidtoner leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter member is preliminarily positioned in a controlled state within the container body before mounting. The mounting operation itself serves as the triggering action that automatically slides the shutter to the open position only when needed. The discharge port is exposed preliminarily during the mounting process and then securely maintained in the open position, enabling toner supply while minimizing unnecessary exposure time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3088963B1Developer supplier, developing device including the same, and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.06.12 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

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Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A developer supplier includes a developer container and a main unit. The main unit includes a mounting section for allowing the developer container to be mounted therein. The developer container includes a container body, a container shutter and a developer discharge port. The container shutter is supported on the container body and covers or exposes the developer discharge port. The main unit includes a housing and a guide mechanism. The housing is formed with a developer supply port. The developer container is mounted into a first position of the mounting section while being guided in a first direction by the guide mechanism, and subsequently the container body is rotated from the first position to a second position in a first rotational direction to thereby move and expose the developer discharge port away from the container shutter so that the developer discharge port communicates with the developer supply port.