Geneva Drive Toner Roller Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toner transfer mechanisms in image forming devices face interference issues when a rotatable member clears toner from recesses on a toner transfer roller, leading to inconsistent toner delivery and potential collisions, which can result in inaccurate toner consumption and device malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A toner container system incorporating a Geneva drive mechanism and a locking mechanism to control the rotation of a toner transfer roller with recesses, ensuring proper alignment and preventing actuation during toner clearance by a rotatable member, thereby avoiding interference and ensuring consistent toner delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotatable member is used to clear toner from recesses on the toner transfer roller, then toner clearance is improved, but interference and potential collisions between the rotatable member and toner transfer roller occur
Solution Approach 1:
The Geneva drive mechanism performs preliminary action by precisely positioning the toner transfer roller at specific angular intervals before the rotatable member approaches. The roller is rotated to a position where recesses are oriented away from the rotatable member's path, preventing interference before it can occur. This timing control ensures that when the rotatable member clears toner from one set of recesses, other recesses are positioned safely away from the rotatable member.
Solution Approach 2:
The Geneva drive mechanism implements periodic action by rotating the toner transfer roller in discrete angular increments at specific intervals. The roller oscillates between stationary positions and rotated positions in a periodic cycle, synchronizing with the rotatable member's rotation. This periodic motion ensures that recesses are periodically oriented away from the rotatable member, eliminating continuous interference while maintaining effective toner clearance.
2Productivity
If the toner transfer roller is continuously rotated to deliver toner, then productivity is improved, but timing coordination with the rotatable member becomes difficult, leading to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The Geneva drive mechanism converts continuous rotation into periodic intermittent rotation. The toner transfer roller rotates in discrete angular increments at controlled intervals, creating a periodic motion pattern. This periodic action maintains productivity by continuously cycling toner delivery while simplifying timing coordination, as the roller only moves at predetermined moments when interference with the rotatable member is avoided.
Solution Approach 2:
The Geneva drive mechanism performs preliminary positioning action by pre-calculating and executing rotation at specific timing points. Before the rotatable member reaches positions that could cause interference, the mechanism proactively rotates the toner transfer roller to safe angular positions. This preliminary timing control maintains productivity through continuous operation while avoiding the complexity of real-time coordination.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent interference, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Geneva drive mechanism implements preliminary locking action by design, where the intermittent motion mechanism inherently locks the toner transfer roller at specific angular positions. The roller is automatically held stationary at predetermined orientations where recesses are positioned away from the rotatable member, preventing collision before it can occur. This built-in locking function improves reliability without requiring separate locking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The Geneva drive mechanism merges the timing control and collision prevention functions into a single integrated mechanism. The intermittent motion device simultaneously controls when toner is delivered and when the roller is locked in safe positions, combining productivity control and reliability protection in one system. This merging reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate timing and locking mechanisms.
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 system ensures consistent and accurate delivery of toner amounts by preventing collisions between the toner transfer roller and the rotatable member, maintaining proper timing for toner transfer and reducing the risk of device malfunction.
Implementation Method 1
a Geneva drive mechanism for selective rotation of the roller member in delivering measured amounts of toner
Implementation Method 2
a locking mechanism on the Geneva drive mechanism for preventing activation of the toner transfer mechanism when the roller member is being cleared of toner
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a toner container system, such as a toner cartridge, having a first reservoir for containing toner and a second reservoir for receiving toner from the first reservoir and transferring the toner to an image forming apparatus, and a toner transfer mechanism disposed between the first and second reservoirs, the transfer mechanism including a generally cylindrically shaped rotatable roller member having a plurality of equally spaced recesses disposed around the circumference thereof and being rotatable in angular increments wherein the recesses are alternately open to the first reservoir in a first position for each recess and open to the second reservoir in a second position for each recess, whereby toner is transferred from the first reservoir to the second reservoir upon rotation of the roller member, a Geneva drive mechanism including a drive gear operatively connected to the roller member for advancing the roller member in one angular increment for each complete rotation of the drive gear; and a locking mechanism operatively interconnecting the drive gear and rotatable member, whereby the drive gear is intermittently locked after each incremental angular advancement of the roller member to prevent actuation of the toner transfer mechanism while the rotatable member rotates through a recess at the second position thereof.