Developer Supply Apparatus Coupling Mechanism for Toner Bottle Disengagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The coupling mechanism of existing toner bottles in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses sometimes fails to properly disengage due to the weight of the toner shifting during rotation, causing rotational force to be applied in the opposite direction, leading to difficulty in removing the toner bottle from the main assembly.
Innovation Solution
A developer supply system with a rotatable container body, a feeding portion for discharging developer, and a hooking portion for engaging with the supply apparatus, including a drive transmitting member that can move between engaged and disengaged positions, and a displacing member to release engagement between the hooking and drive transmitting members, facilitating easy disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a snap-hook type coupling mechanism is used to enable easy engagement and disengagement of the toner bottle, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of disengagement deteriorates due to the weight of the toner shifting during rotation and causing the snap-hook portion to remain twisted under load
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting portion is designed to be movable between a first position where it supports the hooking portion and a second position where it allows the hooking portion to disengage. This dynamic positioning enables the mechanism to adapt to different operational states (engagement vs. disengagement), resolving the contradiction between maintaining secure engagement during rotation and enabling reliable disengagement when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is divided into functionally independent components: the hooking portion for engagement, the supporting portion for structural support and movement, and the rigid portion for maintaining shape. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the supporting portion specifically designed to move between positions to facilitate disengagement without compromising the hooking portion's engagement reliability.
2Reliability
If the snap-hook portion remains twisted under the weight of the toner to maintain engagement during rotation, then the reliability of engagement is improved, but the ease of operation for disengagement deteriorates because the supporting portion becomes difficult to bend inward
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting portion is designed as a dynamic element that can move between a first position (providing structural support during engagement) and a second position (allowing disengagement). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling the supporting portion to adapt its position based on operational needs, making disengagement easier without compromising engagement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting portion acts as an intermediary between the rigid portion and the hooking portion. It mediates the force transmission and positional adjustments, allowing the hooking portion to remain securely engaged during rotation while enabling easy disengagement when the supporting portion moves to the second position.
3Device complexity
If the drive transmitting member remains stationary during toner bottle rotation, then the simplicity of the mechanism is improved, but the reliability of disengagement deteriorates because the snap-hook portion cannot be properly released from the engaged state
Solution Approach 1:
The drive transmitting member is designed to be movable between a first position (transmitting rotational force during engagement) and a second position (disengaged state). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by enabling the mechanism to simplify its operation during normal use while allowing reliable disengagement when the drive transmitting member moves to the second position, facilitating the releasing 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
The solution ensures reliable engagement and disengagement of the toner bottle, preventing the issue of failed disengagement and making it easier to remove the toner bottle from the image forming apparatus, improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
as the toner bottle 1 is rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow mark P... the substantial portion of the body of toner T in the toner bottle 1 shifts leftward... force (torque) is generated in the direction indicated by an arrow mark R, by the weight of the body of the toner T itself
Implementation Method 2
the coupling mechanism of the snap-hook type... the snap-hook portion 2 remains twisted (by angle α) in the circumferential direction of the toner bottle 1... the snap-hook portion 2 is under the load which works in the direction P
Data Source
AI summary
A developer supply system including a developer supply apparatus and a developer supply container which is detachably mountable to the apparatus, the system includes the developer supply container including a rotatable container body having an inner space configured and positioned to contain a developer; a feeding portion configured and positioned to feed the developer in the container body to discharge the developer out of the container body with a rotation of the container body; and a hooking portion configured and positioned to engage with the apparatus to receive a rotational force for rotating the container body; the apparatus including a driving member configured and positioned to apply the rotational force; a drive transmitting member configured and positioned to engage with the hooking portion to transmit the rotational force from the driving member to the hooking portion, the drive transmitting member, which has engaged with the hooking portion, being movable between a first position where the drive transmitting member and the driving member are engaged with each other and a second position where the drive transmitting member and the driving member are not engaged with each other; and a displacing member configured and positioned to displace the hooking portion to release an engagement between the hooking portion and the drive transmitting member which is in the second position.