Developer Supply Apparatus Shutter Mechanism for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developer supplying apparatuses for image forming devices face issues with foreign matter entering through the receiving opening during the mounting and demounting of developer supply containers, leading to contamination and inefficiencies in the developer supply process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a developer receiving portion with a movable receiving opening that aligns with the discharge opening of the developer supply container, utilizing a shutter and guiding mechanisms to ensure precise alignment and minimize contamination, and a covering member that covers the receiving opening during non-operational periods to prevent foreign matter entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the receiving opening is kept open to facilitate developer supply, then the ease of operation is improved, but foreign matter may enter through the receiving opening causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is positioned to cover the receiving opening before the developer supply container is mounted. This preliminary action prevents foreign matter from entering the receiving opening during the mounting operation, while still allowing the receiving opening to be accessible when needed for developer supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter is designed to be movable between covering and opening positions. It automatically opens when the developer supply container is properly mounted and closes when the container is removed, dynamically adapting to operational needs while maintaining protection against foreign matter entry.
2Reliability
If the receiving opening is covered to prevent foreign matter entry, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is designed to open and close automatically based on the presence or absence of the developer supply container. When the container is mounted, the shutter opens to allow developer supply; when removed, the shutter closes to prevent foreign matter entry. This self-service mechanism maintains reliability without requiring additional operational steps from the user.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a covering member is added to prevent foreign matter entry, then the object-generated harmful factors are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter function is integrated into the existing developer receiving portion structure. The covering member is combined with the mounting mechanism of the developer supply container, so that the act of mounting the container itself operates the shutter. This merging approach prevents contamination without adding independent complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter serves multiple functions: it covers the receiving opening to prevent foreign matter entry, it guides the alignment of the receiving opening with the discharge opening, and it automatically opens/closes based on container presence. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A supplying apparatus includes a mounting portion for mounting a developer supply container. The container includes a discharge opening; a receiving portion for receiving the developer, the receiving portion including a receiving opening and connectable with the discharge opening to receive the developer when the supply container is mounting to the mounting portion; a first moving mechanism for moving the receiving portion to and away from a position of the discharge opening in interrelation with mounting and demounting operation of the supply container; a covering member provided in a position opposing and above the receiving opening and movable between a covering position covering the receiving opening and an open position opening the receiving opening; and a second moving mechanism for moving the covering member from the covering position to the open position with the mounting operation of the supply container.