Developer Container Stopper Layout to Prevent Toner Spillage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developer containers for image forming apparatuses face issues with stable retention and prevention of waste toner spillage during insertion and removal, leading to potential contamination and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A developer container design featuring a movable stopper member and a step portion that allows for secure attachment and detachment without contact with the inlet, utilizing a bias member to maintain the stopper in the protrusion position and a step to ensure separation from the inlet during insertion and removal, preventing toner spillage and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the stopper member is positioned to engage with the container body for retention, then the developer container is securely retained at the attachment position, but the inlet may contact the stopper member during insertion causing toner spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper member is designed to be movable between a retracted position (during insertion) and a protruding position (for engagement). This dynamic positioning allows the stopper to avoid contact with the inlet during insertion while providing secure retention when engaged with the engagement portion, thus preventing toner spillage while ensuring reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit moves the stopper member to the retracted position before the container body is fully inserted, and then moves it to the protruding position after insertion is complete. This preliminary action sequence ensures that the inlet passes by the stopper member without contact during insertion, preventing toner spillage before the retention function is activated.
2Productivity
If the inlet is positioned for developer flow during insertion, then developer can be efficiently recovered, but the inlet may contact the stopper member causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper member's movable design allows it to retract during the insertion process, creating clearance for the inlet to pass by without contact. This ensures that the inlet maintains its positioning for efficient developer recovery while avoiding contamination from contact with the stopper member.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper member is retracted before insertion begins and remains retracted until the inlet has safely passed by. This preliminary action ensures that the inlet can be positioned for efficient developer flow without the risk of contacting the stopper member and causing contamination.
3Reliability
If the stopper member protrudes for engagement, then the container is securely retained, but waste toner may adhere to the stopper member
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portion is positioned on the container body at a location separate from the inlet, more toward the drawing direction. This extraction of the engagement function to a different location allows the stopper member to engage with the engagement portion without coming into contact with the inlet or waste toner, thus preventing toner adhesion while maintaining attachment stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement portion acts as an intermediary between the stopper member and the container body. By positioning the engagement portion away from the inlet area, it serves as a mediator that enables the stopper member to perform its retention function without直接接触 with waste toner, preventing contamination while ensuring stable attachment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A developer storing device (6) according to the present disclosure includes a developer container (60) and a container support portion (70) which retains the developer container at an attachment position. The container support portion includes a bottom surface support portion (72) and a stopper member (74). The developer container includes a container body (62), an inlet (61), an engagement portion (66), and a step portion (67). The inlet is provided on an upper surface of the container body. The engagement portion is provided more on a side of a drawing direction than the inlet on the upper surface of the container body, and engages with the stopper member to restrict a movement of the developer container in the drawing direction. The step portion causes, while the inlet passes by the stopper member when the developer container is inserted or drawn out, the container body to be displaced downwardly so that the inlet is separated from the stopper member.