Developer Storage Container Moving Wall Ratchet Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developer storage containers in image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently conveying and replenishing developers due to limitations in their mechanical designs, particularly in ensuring consistent developer flow and preventing toner leakage during storage and transportation.
Innovation Solution
The developer storage container incorporates a moving wall and a pressing member that move along a shaft, utilizing a ratchet mechanism to control the direction of rotation, ensuring the developer is conveyed efficiently towards the discharge port and preventing toner leakage by sealing the toner discharge port when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a moving wall is used to convey developer toward the discharge port, then developer replenishment efficiency is improved, but toner leakage may occur during storage and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The moving wall is designed to be movable along the shaft, transitioning between a stationary state (during storage/transportation) and a movable state (during developer replenishment). This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its functionality based on operational requirements, preventing toner leakage when stationary while enabling efficient conveyance when activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the moving wall along the shaft is changed to control developer flow. By adjusting the wall's position parameter, the system can seal the discharge port during storage (preventing leakage) and open it during replenishment (enabling efficient developer conveyance).
2Productivity
If the shaft is rotated to move the pressing member and moving wall, then developer conveyance is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft serves multiple functions: it supports the pressing member via the second bearing portion, engages with the moving wall through threaded portions to drive its movement, and provides rotational actuation for the entire mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining efficient developer conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded engagement between the shaft and moving wall creates a self-converting mechanism where rotational motion of the shaft automatically transforms into linear motion of the moving wall, conveying developer without requiring additional actuators or complex transmission mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If the pressing member is designed to press the moving wall, then developer flow control is improved, but the mechanism requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is integrated with the shaft through the second bearing portion, combining the support function and the pressing function into a single assembled unit. This merging reduces the number of independent components while maintaining precise control over moving wall position and developer flow through the pressing action.
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 design enhances the efficient conveyance and replenishment of developers, maintaining a stable toner distribution and preventing toner leakage, thus ensuring consistent image formation and easy handling of the storage container.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a ratchet mechanism to control the direction of rotation, ensuring the developer is conveyed efficiently towards the discharge port
Implementation Method 2
The moving wall is movable in the first direction along the shaft in the internal space while conveying the developer in the internal space toward the developer discharge port
Implementation Method 3
preventing toner leakage by sealing the toner discharge port when not in use
Data Source
AI summary
A developer storage container includes a container body, a shaft, a moving wall and a pressing member. The container body has an inner peripheral surface defining a tubular internal space extending along a first direction. The shaft is arranged to extend in the first direction in the internal space and rotatably supported. The moving wall is movable in the first direction in the internal space while conveying the developer in the internal space toward a developer discharge port. The pressing member moves integrally with the moving wall by pressing the moving wall when the shaft is rotated in a first rotating direction and relatively moves to an upstream side with respect to the moving wall according to the engagement of a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion when the shaft is rotated in a second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction.