Drawer Toner Conveyor Simplifies Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatus has a complex structure in the main body housing due to the direct connection of the toner conveyor to the developing device, which complicates the toner conveying path and requires additional components for power transmission to the toner and waste toner conveyors.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a drawer with integrated toner and waste toner conveyors, allowing the toner cartridge to be detachable and attachable through a second opening, simplifying the structure within the main body housing by relocating the toner conveying path and eliminating the need for power transmission configurations within the main body housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the toner conveyor is directly connected to the developing device in the main body housing, then the toner conveying function is achieved, but the structure in the main body housing becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separate functional modules: the drawer assembly containing the developing device and toner conveyor, and the main body housing containing only the toner cartridge. This segmentation allows the complex toner conveying mechanism to be isolated in the drawer, simplifying the main body housing structure while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer acts as an intermediary component that bridges the toner cartridge (in the main body housing) and the developing device. By placing the toner conveyor in the drawer rather than directly in the main body housing, the system achieves toner transfer functionality while keeping the main body housing structure simple.
2Device complexity
If the toner conveyor is integrated into the main body housing, then the toner conveying path is established, but additional power transmission components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The toner conveyor and its power transmission system are extracted from the main body housing and integrated into the drawer assembly. This eliminates the need for power transmission components between the main body housing and the toner conveyor, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining conveying efficiency through direct power input to the drawer.
3Ease of operation
If the drawer is made movable between inner and outer positions, then the developing device is accessible, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer combines multiple functions into a single movable assembly: it holds the developing device, the toner conveyor, and the power reception mechanism. By merging these functions into one integrated drawer unit, the patent reduces the number of separate components and mechanisms needed, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main body housing, a drawer, and a toner cartridge. The main body housing includes a first wall arranged at a first direction side of the main body housing and having a first opening, a second wall arranged at a second direction side perpendicular to the first direction and having a second opening, a first door at the first opening, and a second door at the second opening. The drawer supports a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum. When the first door is opened, the drawer is movable between an inner position where the drawer is located inside the main body housing and an outer position where the drawer is located outside the main body housing. When the second door is opened, the toner cartridge is detachable from and is attachable to the main body housing through the second opening in the second direction.