Powder Recovery Container Inclined Projection Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder recovery containers for image forming apparatuses often experience faulty engagement due to insufficient pushing, leading to a slip-off preventing portion not engaging with the engaging part, resulting in unstable attachment.
Innovation Solution
A recovery container design featuring a projection with a slip-off preventing portion and inclined portions that are engaged with an engaging part on the attachment target, along with an urging member to ensure proper alignment and attachment, preventing faulty engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the recovery container is not sufficiently pushed into the apparatus body, then the projection may not engage with the engaging part, but the user may not be able to determine the correct attachment position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual indicators (color changes or visual cues) on the projection or engaging part to show the user when proper engagement has been achieved. This allows the user to easily determine the correct attachment position and ensures reliable engagement without requiring complex mechanical feedback mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If a flat portion extends from the slip-off preventing portion in the attachment direction, then the structure is simpler, but faulty engagement occurs more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flat portion with an inclined surface that is curved or angled, creating a gradual transition zone. This curved inclined surface guides the engaging part into proper alignment with the slip-off preventing portion, reducing faulty engagement while maintaining structural simplicity. The curvature provides a self-aligning mechanism that tolerates minor positioning errors.
3Strength
If the projection is engaged with the engaging part, then the recovery container is held securely, but the attachment force required may be excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface with curvature distributes the attachment force over a larger area and guides the engagement process gradually. This reduces the peak force required for attachment while maintaining secure holding strength, as the curved surface allows for progressive engagement rather than abrupt contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined surface performs a preliminary guiding action before the slip-off preventing portion engages with the engaging part. This preliminary alignment reduces the force needed for final engagement and ensures that the container is properly positioned before the locking mechanism engages fully.
Data Source
AI summary
A recovery container includes a container body that is removably attached to an attachment target and that is capable of recovering powder; a projection provided at a distance from the container body in a direction intersecting with an attachment direction of the container body and having a slip-off preventing portion that is formed at a portion on a side opposite to an attachment direction side and that is engaged with an engaging part provided at the attachment target; an urging member that is provided between the container body and the projection and that urges the projection away from the container body; and an inclined portion formed at the projection and inclined so as to be gradually separated from the container body, in the attachment direction from the slip-off preventing portion.