Powder Container Shutter With Low-Friction Front End for Toner Cohesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, toner cohesion occurs during the rotation of the toner container, leading to abnormal images with black spots due to toner adhering to the opening/closing member and conveying nozzle, which is not effectively prevented by existing designs.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle insertion member with an opening/closing mechanism, supported by a biasing member and a drive transmitting mechanism, that guides the opening/closing member to open and close the nozzle insertion opening, reducing toner cohesion by minimizing sliding loads during rotation and toner conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the opening/closing member is pressed against the conveying nozzle to close the opening, then powder leakage is prevented, but toner adheres to the opening/closing member and conveying nozzle causing cohesion and black-spot images
Solution Approach 1:
The front end surface of the opening/closing member is modified with a specific surface treatment or coating that creates locally different friction characteristics. This allows the surface to have lower friction properties specifically at the contact area with the conveying nozzle, preventing toner adhesion while maintaining the closing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction coefficient of the front end surface is changed through surface treatment, coating, or material selection. By adjusting this physical parameter, the surface transitions from high friction (causing toner adhesion) to low friction (preventing toner adhesion), while still maintaining sufficient contact pressure to prevent powder leakage.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the opening/closing member rotates with the toner container, then toner adhesion is reduced, but the mechanism requires additional drive transmitting components
Solution Approach 1:
The drive transmitting mechanism merges the rotation drive of the toner container with the opening/closing member. The elongated member with drive transmitted portion integrates with the opening/closing member structure, so that the rotation of the toner container automatically drives the opening/closing member to rotate along with it, eliminating the need for separate drive mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening/closing member is designed to be self-driven by the rotation of the toner container through the drive transmitting mechanism. The biasing member provides automatic opening/closing action based on the rotation position, making the system self-regulating without external control mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the conveying nozzle is inserted into the powder container to convey toner, then powder supply is enabled, but toner adheres to the conveying nozzle and opening/closing member
Solution Approach 1:
The front end surface of the opening/closing member has locally modified friction properties through surface treatment or coating. This localized change reduces toner adhesion at the critical contact area while maintaining the structural integrity and closing function of the opening/closing member.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to increase adhesion to prevent powder leakage, the invention inverts the approach by reducing friction at the contact surface. This counterintuitive approach allows the opening/closing member to slide smoothly against the conveying nozzle, preventing toner from adhering to either surface while maintaining the sealing function.
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle insertion member is in a powder container that includes a nozzle insertion opening into which a conveying nozzle is inserted. The nozzle insertion member includes an opening/closing structure to move to an opening position to open the nozzle insertion opening by being pressed by the inserted conveying nozzle, and to a closing position to close the nozzle insertion opening when the conveying nozzle is separated from the nozzle insertion member, and a seal arranged at the nozzle insertion opening and including a through hole into which the conveying nozzle is insertable. The opening/closing structure includes a front cylindrical portion to contact with an inner surface of the through hole, and a slide area formed on another side relative to the front cylindrical portion. W1<W4 is satisfied, where W1 is an inner diameter of the through hole, and W4 is an outer diameter of the slide area.