Powder Container Spiral Projection and Convex Portion for Toner Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tubular powder containers for image forming apparatuses face issues with incomplete toner discharge and adhesion to the inner walls, leading to inefficient toner usage and maintenance challenges, particularly with toners lacking titanium oxide which have lower fluidity and require better stirring performance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a spiral projection inside the container body for axial toner conveyance and a convex portion with a flat surface that protrudes inward, facilitating both toner conveyance and stirring, ensuring effective discharge and minimizing adhesion by rotating the container around its axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a spiral projection is formed inside the container body for toner conveyance, then toner discharge efficiency is improved, but toner adhesion to inner walls increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner discharge efficiencyVSAvoidtoner adhesion to inner walls

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inner wall surface is divided into different functional zones: the spiral projection area for conveyance and the flat surface portion for preventing adhesion. This local differentiation allows each area to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The inner wall surface is segmented into distinct functional regions - the spiral projection for axial conveyance and the flat surface portion for anti-adhesion. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each region's properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the container body is rotated around its axis for toner discharge, then toner conveyance is enhanced, but incomplete discharge occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner conveyance efficiencyVSAvoidtoner discharge completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flat surface portion creates a localized region where toner can be effectively stirred and detached from the inner wall, complementing the spiral projection's conveyance function. This local quality enhancement ensures complete discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The convex portion with its curved surface creates a stirring action that prevents toner from adhering to the inner wall, ensuring complete discharge while maintaining the rotational conveyance mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If the container body is rotated around its axis, then toner discharge is facilitated, but maintenance challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner discharge facilitationVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The flat surface portion is specifically designed to prevent toner adhesion, reducing the frequency and complexity of maintenance operations. This local quality improvement directly addresses the maintenance challenge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Quantity of substance

If toner lacking titanium oxide is used, then cost is reduced, but fluidity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner cost reductionVSAvoidtoner fluidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flat surface portion creates a localized stirring zone that compensates for the reduced fluidity of titanium oxide-free toner, enabling effective conveyance without requiring expensive additives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The convex portion's curved surface generates a stirring effect that enhances toner fluidity locally, allowing cost-effective titanium oxide-free toner to be used without sacrificing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 enhances toner conveyance and stirring, reducing the likelihood of incomplete discharge and adhesion, thereby optimizing toner usage and extending the container's service life.

Implementation Method 1

The spiral projection is inside the container body. As the powder container is rotationally driven around the axis, the powder (toner) that is stored inside is conveyed in the axial direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpiral conveyance: Archimedes Screw

Implementation Method 2

The convex portion includes a flat surface portion and protrudes inward from an inner wall surface of the container body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical stirring: Stirring

Data Source

PatentUS11506992B2Powder container and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A powder container includes a container body, a spiral projection, and a convex portion. The container body stores powder and is rotatable around an axis of the container body. The spiral projection is inside the container body. The convex portion includes a flat surface portion and protrudes inward from an inner wall surface of the container body. A virtual plane including the flat surface portion passes through the axis.