Image Forming Apparatus Shutter Mechanism for Toner Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses risk spilling transfer-remaining toner when removing process cartridges, as shutters may be forgotten to be closed, leading to waste toner leakage.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a drawer with movable shutters for each drum cartridge, driven by a shutter driving member that automatically closes the discharging outlets when the cartridges are removed, preventing toner spillage by ensuring shutters are in the closed position during removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a shutter is provided to close the through hole, then waste toner leakage is prevented, but the complexity of the device increases and users may forget to close the shutter
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is automatically closed when the process cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus, without requiring user intervention. The shutter closing action is performed in advance of potential toner leakage, ensuring the through hole is sealed before the cartridge is fully removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter mechanism operates automatically based on the removal of the process cartridge itself, without requiring separate user action. The system serves itself by using the cartridge removal event to trigger the shutter closing, eliminating the need for users to manually operate the shutter.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the shutter is automatically closed upon cartridge removal, then toner spillage is prevented, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter automatically responds to cartridge removal without requiring user intervention. The system detects when the cartridge is being removed and autonomously closes the shutter, making the operation self-serving and eliminating the need for users to remember to close the shutter manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter mechanism receives feedback from the cartridge removal event and automatically adjusts its state accordingly. When the cartridge is removed, the system detects this change and triggers the shutter to close, creating a feedback loop that ensures toner containment without user intervention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple shutters are provided for multiple drum cartridges, then each cartridge can be sealed independently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus is divided into multiple independent drum cartridge units, each with its own shutter mechanism. This segmentation allows each cartridge to be sealed and managed independently, preventing cross-contamination of toner between different cartridges while maintaining individual control over each sealing operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a drawer, a first drum cartridge having a first shutter, a second drum cartridge having a second shutter and a shutter driving member. In a state in which the shutter driving member is positioned at a first positon, the first shutter is positioned at a first closed position at which a first discharging outlet of the first drum cartridge is close and the second shutter is positioned at the second closed position at which a second discharging outlet of the second drum cartridge is close. In a state in which the shutter driving member is positioned at the second position, the first shutter is positioned at a first open position at which the first discharging outlet is open and the second shutter is positioned at a second open position at which the second discharging outlet is open.