Movable Feed Roller for Waste Toner Container Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the arrangement of a feed roller near the waste toner container opening causes interference during installation and removal, making it inconvenient for handling and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a chassis with a movable cover that allows the feed roller to overlap with the waste toner container during installation and removal, enabling both to be accessed through the same side opening, thus eliminating interference and improving handling convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the feed roller is arranged on the same side as the waste toner container opening, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to potential interference
Solution Approach 1:
The feed roller is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to shift position dynamically. During normal operation, the feed roller is positioned to convey sheets. During waste toner container installation or removal, the feed roller automatically moves to a retracted position to clear the opening path, eliminating interference while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed roller mechanism is nested within the housing structure in such a way that it can be accommodated within the available space without protruding into the waste toner container opening path. The roller is positioned within a recess or cavity that allows the waste toner container to be installed and removed freely while the feed roller remains functional during printing operations.
2Ease of operation
If the feed roller is positioned to convey sheets through the same opening, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential interference with container installation
Solution Approach 1:
The feed roller is designed with dynamic positioning capability that allows it to automatically adjust its position based on operational requirements. When the waste toner container is being installed or removed, the feed roller moves to a retracted position that clears the opening, ensuring reliable container installation. During sheet feeding operations, the roller returns to its functional position, maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the feed roller and waste toner container share the same opening, then ease of operation is improved, but the apparatus height increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging components in a vertical stack that would increase apparatus height, the feed roller and waste toner container are arranged in a horizontal configuration. The feed roller is positioned laterally within the housing, allowing the waste toner container to be installed and removed from the front opening without requiring additional vertical space. This dimensional reorganization maintains a compact apparatus height while enabling easy operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having a first opening on a first side, a cover, movable between an open position and a closed position, a plurality of photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a plurality of primary transfer members, a secondary transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is removably installed in the chassis through the first opening and settled in a position opposite from the plurality of photosensitive members across the intermediate transfer belt, to store residual toner collected by the cleaner device, a connector, a first feeding path, a second feeding path, and a second feed roller. The second feed roller is rotatably supported by the cover and movable along with the cover to yield the first opening to the waste toner container when the cover is in the open position.