Developer Container Removal Mechanism Preventing Terminal Collision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently managing toner cartridges, particularly in preventing collision and deformation during installation and removal, which can lead to reduced capacity and increased size due to necessary clearance requirements.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a developer container with a container-side terminal at one end and an apparatus-side protrusion within the apparatus body, allowing the second end of the container to be disengaged before the first end, preventing collision with the apparatus-side terminal and enabling easier rotation and removal without reducing the container's capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the developer container is designed with a terminal at the first end portion for electrical connection, then data transmission capability is improved, but the risk of collision and deformation during removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus-side protrusion is positioned to contact the first end portion of the developer container immediately after removal starts, preliminarily guiding the container's movement and preventing collision with the terminal before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus-side protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the developer container and the apparatus body, mediating the removal process by providing a contact point that guides the container's movement and prevents direct collision with the terminal
2Reliability
If clearance is increased to prevent collision during installation and removal, then the risk of deformation is reduced, but the capacity of the developer container is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion is positioned to engage with the container's first end portion immediately upon removal initiation, preliminarily establishing a collision-free path that eliminates the need for increased clearance while preventing deformation
3Ease of operation
If the container is designed to be easily rotated and removed, then ease of operation is improved, but the structural stability during operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The grip is positioned asymmetrically at the second end portion rather than at the center, creating a natural rotation axis that facilitates easy removal while the protrusion maintains structural stability during operation by providing a fixed reference point
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an apparatus-side terminal provided to a first inner side wall of the apparatus body, a developer container to contain developer and to be removably installable in the apparatus body, a container-side terminal electrically connectable to the apparatus-side terminal and disposed in a first end portion of the developer container in a longitudinal direction thereof, and an apparatus-side protrusion projecting inward from the first inner side wall of the apparatus body. In removal of the developer container from the apparatus body, a second end portion of the developer container in the longitudinal direction is disengaged from the apparatus body before the first end portion is disengaged from the apparatus body, and the apparatus-side protrusion contacts the first end portion of the developer container immediately after removal of the developer container from the apparatus body is started.