Pivoting Toner Container for Easier Toner Replenishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses lack a convenient mechanism for replenishing toner to the toner supply unit, similar to the ink replenishment systems in ink jet type image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a toner container with an inlet opening that is pivotally movable between two positions, allowing for easy toner replenishment by pivoting the container to a higher position for access, and a connecting tube that facilitates toner supply to the developing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a toner container is made stationary for stable toner supply, then toner supply reliability is improved, but toner replenishment convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The toner container is designed to be pivotally movable between a first position (for stable supply) and a second position (for replenishment access). This dynamic positioning allows the container to adapt between operational states: stationary during toner supply to the developing device, and movable to a higher position during replenishment for user access.
2Volume of moving object
If the inlet opening is positioned at a low position for compact design, then device compactness is improved, but toner replenishment accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The toner container utilizes vertical dimension for replenishment accessibility. By pivoting the container to a second position that is higher than the first position, the inlet opening becomes more accessible to users during replenishment operations, while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint when in the first position.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a developing roller, a connecting tube, and a toner container. The main casing includes a sheet supply tray. The developing roller is provided in the main casing. The connecting tube has one end portion and another end portion inside the main casing. The toner container is for accommodating toner. The one end portion of the connecting tube is connected to the toner container. The toner container has an inlet opening for replenishing toner. The toner container is pivotally movable between a first position and a second position about the connecting tube. A position of the inlet opening at the second position is higher than a position of the inlet opening at the first position.