Developer Supply Container With Linear Discharge Passage Engagement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing developer supply systems for image forming apparatuses are limited in their ease of use and efficiency, particularly in attaching and detaching discharge passage forming units without rotating them, which can lead to operational complexities and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A developer supply container system that includes a container unit with a discharge passage forming unit, allowing attachment and detachment in a linear alignment without rotation, using engaging and sealing mechanisms to facilitate easy toner discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the discharge passage forming unit is attached to the container unit by rotating it, then the engagement between engaging portion and engaged portion is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to rotational movement requirement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement reliabilityVSAvoidease of attachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge passage forming unit is segmented into a detachable component with an engaging portion that can be independently attached to or removed from the container unit's engaged portion, allowing linear insertion without rotation while maintaining secure engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring rotational movement to achieve engagement, the design inverts the approach by enabling direct linear insertion where the engaging portion and engaged portion align and engage automatically through axial movement, eliminating the rotation step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If the discharge passage forming unit is integrated with the container unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates when full unit replacement is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidflexibility in toner supply

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The developer supply container is divided into a container unit and a detachable discharge passage forming unit, allowing the discharge passage forming unit to be replaced independently while maintaining the container unit, providing flexibility without requiring full unit replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container unit is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate different discharge passage forming units, enabling adaptability for different toner supply configurations while maintaining the same container unit structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250321535A1Developer supply container, developer supply container set, container unit, and image forming system

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 CANON KK

AI summary

A developer supply container includes a container unit and a discharge passage forming unit. The container unit includes a containing member including an opening portion, and a connecting member including an engaged portion and a connected portion connected to the opening portion of the containing member. The discharge passage forming unit includes an engaging portion configured to be engageable with the engaged portion, and a discharge passage which is configured to communicate with the accommodating space via the opening portion and through which the toner can be discharged to an outside.