Powder Container Discharge Structure to Prevent Toner Clogging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing powder accommodation containers in image forming apparatuses face issues with powder clogging, uneven powder distribution, and inefficient discharge due to the design of the hole portions and lack of effective regulation mechanisms, leading to instability in powder supply and potential image deterioration.

Innovation Solution

A powder accommodation container design featuring a regulation member and a transport member with a flexible end that faces the hole portion, allowing for controlled powder passage and discharge, along with a projection portion to reduce the load on the flexible member and prevent clogging, ensuring stable powder supply and smooth discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a regulation member is provided in the hole portion to regulate powder passage, then powder discharge stability is improved, but the flexible member may become excessively bent and clog the hole portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowder discharge stabilityVSAvoidflexible member bending and clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A projection portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the regulation member and the flexible member. This projection portion supports the flexible member at a specific position, preventing it from excessively bending while still allowing the regulation member to control powder passage effectively. The projection portion acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between powder regulation and flexible member stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The projection portion is pre-positioned on the accommodation container body to provide support to the flexible member before powder discharge occurs. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that the flexible member maintains its proper position and does not bend excessively during operation, preventing clogging before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the flexible member is positioned to face the hole portion for efficient powder discharge, then discharge efficiency is improved, but powder may attach to the regulation member causing clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowder discharge efficiencyVSAvoidpowder attachment and clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The projection portion serves as an intermediary structure that separates the functions of powder discharge and regulation. It allows the flexible member to face the hole portion for efficient discharge while the projection portion itself prevents powder from directly attaching to the regulation member, thus eliminating clogging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The hole portion structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: the projection portion for support and powder flow guidance, the regulation member for passage control, and the flexible member for discharge. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering negatively with others, preventing powder attachment and clogging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the flexible member is made more rigid to prevent bending, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to regulate powder passage effectively is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexible member structural stabilityVSAvoidpowder passage regulation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible member structure is segmented into different regions with different rigidity requirements. The projection portion provides rigid support at the mounting location, while the free end maintains flexibility for powder passage regulation. This segmentation allows the member to have both structural stability and regulatory effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the flexible member have different local qualities: the portion near the projection portion has higher rigidity for structural stability, while the free end has lower rigidity for effective powder passage regulation. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between stability and regulatory effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8918034B2Powder accommodation container, image forming apparatus and manufacturing method of the image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.12.23 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A powder accommodation container includes an accommodation container body, a regulation member, and a transport member. The accommodation container body has a hole portion to outside and accommodates powder. The regulation member is provided in the hole portion to regulate a passage of the powder accommodated in the accommodation container body. The transport member is arranged in an inside of the accommodation container body to rotate about a rotating shaft and to transport the powder in the inside of the accommodation container body. The transport member has one end side in a short direction that is arranged on the rotating shaft and the other end side that is a free end, the free end includes a flexible member that is in contact with the accommodation container body to be flexed. The flexible member is locatable to face the hole portion.