Flat Developer Storage Case with Side Discharge Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently managing and replacing developer storage cases, particularly in reducing the size of toner cartridges, minimizing parts, and ensuring maximum developer storage within limited space while maintaining effective developer supply and waste management.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a developer storage case with a flat, cuboid shape having a horizontal width larger than its vertical height, featuring a discharge opening on the side, a rotatably supported delivery member, and a drive transmission member to facilitate efficient developer delivery and waste management, with separate supply and waste developer storage cases connected by a partition member for optimal space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the storage case is designed with a conventional shape and discharge opening, then the structure is simple, but the developer supply efficiency and waste management are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The storage case is divided into separate supply developer storage case and waste developer storage case with distinct discharge openings and delivery members. This segmentation allows independent optimization of developer supply and waste removal functions, improving overall productivity while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge opening is positioned on the side surface of the storage case rather than on the top or bottom, utilizing the lateral dimension for waste discharge. This dimensional change enables simultaneous developer supply from one side and waste removal from another, enhancing operational efficiency without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Volume of moving object
If the toner cartridge size is reduced, then the apparatus becomes more compact, but the developer storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery member is rotatably supported within the storage case and can be nested when not in use. The drive transmission member is positioned on the end portion of the delivery member, allowing compact arrangement. This nesting approach maximizes developer storage capacity within reduced cartridge dimensions while maintaining effective delivery functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery member is designed to rotate rather than remain fixed, dynamically accessing different portions of the developer storage space. This rotational mechanism allows efficient developer delivery from a compact storage volume, maximizing the quantity of developer that can be stored and delivered within a reduced cartridge size.
3Ease of operation
If separate supply and waste developer storage cases are used, then waste management is improved, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supply developer storage case and waste developer storage case are connected by a partition member, forming an integrated assembly that functions as a unified replaceable unit. This merging approach simplifies waste management operations while minimizing the number of separate parts that need to be handled independently during replacement and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition member serves multiple functions: it separates supply and waste developer storage spaces, provides structural support for the integrated assembly, and enables the entire unit to be replaced as a single module. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components while improving waste management efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A developer storage case includes: a storage case that includes a discharge opening formed in the horizontal direction side surface thereof, that is formed in a flat shape having a horizontal direction width larger than the vertical direction height thereof, and that stores a developer therein; a delivery member that has a center of rotation disposed shifted to the discharge opening, that is rotatably supported on one end wall of the storage case, and that delivers the developer stored within the storage case; and a drive transmission member that is supported on the end portion of the delivery member, and that drives and rotates the delivery member.