Developer Storage Container Extension Portion Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing developer storage containers for image forming apparatuses, such as printers, face challenges during manufacturing due to the need to attach a stirring member separately to the container body, leading to cumbersome tasks.
Innovation Solution
The developer storage container integrates an extension portion with the container body, which extends from inside the container body towards the downstream side of the conveying direction beyond the opening portion, eliminating the need for a separate stirring member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate stirring member is attached to the container body, then developer coagulation is suppressed, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension portion is integrated directly into the container body as a single molded piece, eliminating the need for separate stirring member attachment. This merging of components maintains the developer agitation function while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension portion serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component of the container body and a stirring element that suppresses developer coagulation. By making the extension portion an integral part of the container body, the design achieves multi-functionality without increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Reliability
If a separate stirring member is attached to the container body, then developer coagulation is suppressed, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension portion is formed as an integral part of the container body through single-step molding processes, eliminating the separate attachment steps required for traditional stirring members. This integration directly reduces manufacturing time while maintaining the developer coagulation suppression function.
3Reliability
If a separate stirring member is attached to the container body, then developer coagulation is suppressed, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension portion is molded as a single integrated component with the container body, eliminating all assembly operations related to attaching stirring members. This design dramatically improves ease of manufacture by removing complex assembly steps and potential alignment issues.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This integrated design reduces the complexity and time required during the manufacturing process of the developer storage container, thereby simplifying the assembly and reducing potential errors.
Implementation Method 1
The container body is rotated in a specific direction about a rotation shaft disposed along a horizontal plane, to convey the developer stored therein in a conveying direction along the rotation shaft
Implementation Method 2
The container body is rotated in a specific direction about a rotation shaft disposed along a horizontal plane, to convey the developer stored therein in a conveying direction along the rotation shaft
Implementation Method 3
The guide portion downwardly guides the developer discharged from the opening portion at a position more on the downstream side of the conveying direction than the opening portion
Data Source
AI summary
A developer storage container includes: a container body which includes an opening portion opened toward a conveying direction along a rotation shaft and is rotated in a specific direction about the rotation shaft to convey toner stored therein in the conveying direction and discharge the toner from the opening portion; a cap portion which downwardly guides the toner discharged from the opening portion at a position more on a downstream side of the conveying direction than the opening portion; and an extension portion which is formed integrally with the container body and extends from inside the container body toward the downstream side of the conveying direction beyond the opening portion.