Lock Lever Mechanism for Waste Toner Container Attachment Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming devices lack a reliable method to ensure the waste toner container is completely attached, leading to potential splattering of toner inside the device and increased component count with detection units.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device design featuring a lock lever that locks the waste toner container and prevents the access cover from closing until the container is properly attached, utilizing a biasing member to ensure the lever transitions between locked and preventing positions, eliminating the need for additional sensors or components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a detection unit is added to detect attachment and removal of the waste toner box, then the reliability of detecting container attachment is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lock lever system performs the detection function automatically through its own mechanical state. When the waste toner container is properly attached, the lock lever transitions to the locked state, which automatically allows the access cover to close. When the container is not attached or improperly attached, the lock lever remains in the preventing state, blocking the access cover closure. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate detection units while maintaining reliable detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock lever is designed to serve multiple functions: it locks the waste toner container in place, prevents the access cover from closing when the container is not properly attached, and provides visual feedback through its position. By combining the locking function and detection function into a single mechanical component, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining the necessary detection capability.
2Ease of operation
If the access cover is allowed to close without verifying waste toner container attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of toner containment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock lever proactively prevents the access cover from closing when the waste toner container is not properly attached. By blocking the access cover closure path in advance, the system prevents potential toner splattering before it can occur. The user must first properly attach the container, which moves the lock lever to the locked state, before the access cover can be closed.
3Loss of information
If a detection unit with notification is added to warn users about waste toner container status, then the information feedback is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock lever's position serves as a visual indicator to the user about the attachment status of the waste toner container. When the lock lever is in the preventing state, it visually indicates that the container is not properly attached. When the lock lever moves to the locked state, it visually confirms proper attachment. This visual feedback mechanism provides information without requiring additional notification components.
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
This configuration prompts users to verify complete attachment of the waste toner container without additional components, preventing toner splattering and reducing costs by eliminating the need for detection units.
Implementation Method 1
The lock lever transitions between a locked state of locking the waste toner container and a pressed state of being pressed by the waste toner container
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an image forming device that can prompt a user to check whether a waste toner container is completely attached. The image forming device includes a housing, an access cover attached in an openable/closable manner to the housing, a waste toner container attachable to the housing with the access cover open, and a lock lever that locks the waste toner container and the housing. The access cover includes a protruding portion protruding toward an interior of the housing. The lock lever transitions between a locked state and a pressed state of being pressed by the waste toner container, and, when in the pressed state, moves to a preventing position at which the lock lever blocks the protruding portion and prevents the access cover from closing, and, when in the locked state, moves to a retracted position at which the lock lever does not block the protruding portion.