Developer Storage Partitioning for Toner Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In miniaturized image forming apparatuses, the horizontally long shape of toner storage containers leads to unstable toner agent levels, reducing the accuracy of detection and the determination of service life or replacement time.
Innovation Solution
A developer storage device with a partitioned internal space, including a first chamber and a second chamber of smaller volume, where the conveyance of toner is managed by screws, and a detection unit that conveys toner to the second chamber when the first chamber reaches a predetermined level, ensuring accurate replacement timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the toner storage container adopts a horizontally long shape to fit miniaturized image forming apparatus, then the device can be miniaturized, but the toner agent level becomes unstable and detection accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is divided into a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber separated by a partition. The first chamber stores toner at a stable level for accurate detection, while the second chamber provides additional storage capacity. This segmentation allows the container to maintain a horizontally long shape for miniaturization while preserving stable toner level detection in the first chamber.
2Measurement precision
If the toner storage container uses a vertically long shape, then the toner agent level remains stable and detection accuracy is high, but the device cannot be miniaturized
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending vertically to achieve stable toner levels, the invention extends horizontally by adding a second storage chamber adjacent to the first chamber. The partition with its upper end opening allows toner to flow between chambers while maintaining stable level detection in the first chamber, thus achieving miniaturization without sacrificing detection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A developer storage device that stores developer includes a frame having an internal space and an inlet, a partition portion for partitioning the internal space into first and second chambers, the partition portion including a communication port through which the first and second chamber communicate, a conveyance portion arranged in the internal space and configured to convey the developer, and a detection unit detecting an amount of the developer stored in the first chamber. When the amount of the developer in the first chamber is less than a predetermined value, the developer is conveyed to a far side portion of the first chamber by the conveyance portion. When the detection unit detects that the amount of the developer in the first chamber reaches the predetermined value or more, the conveyance portion conveys the developer to the second chamber.