Powder Storage Container with Rotating Pillar and Beam Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder material storage containers in image forming apparatuses face issues with clogging at the discharge outlet, leading to reduced toner discharge efficiency and inconsistencies in image density due to the lack of effective mechanisms to manage toner flow and prevent clogging.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cylindrical powder material storage container with a spiral transport member, a rotating pillar member, and a beam member across the discharge outlet, which effectively breaks down and discharges toner, reducing the risk of clogging by ensuring efficient toner flow and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a simple discharge outlet is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but clogging occurs leading to reduced toner discharge efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The pillar member is configured to rotate about the discharge outlet in the circumferential direction, transforming a static discharge structure into a dynamic one. This rotation enables the pillar member to actively transport adhering toner to the discharge outlet, preventing clogging while maintaining discharge efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam member serves as an intermediary component that divides the discharge outlet into multiple regions. By creating upstream and downstream sides, it facilitates controlled toner flow and prevents direct clogging at the discharge outlet, mediating between the storage chamber and the external environment.
2Manufacturing precision
If no toner flow management mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but inconsistencies in image density occur due to poor toner flow
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating pillar member dynamically transports toner that adheres to the passage chamber wall surface toward the discharge outlet. This active transport mechanism ensures consistent toner supply and flow, preventing image density inconsistencies while avoiding complex flow management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam member segments the discharge outlet into multiple regions (upstream and downstream sides), creating a structured flow path. This segmentation organizes toner movement and distribution, ensuring uniform toner flow to prevent density variations in the output.
3Productivity
If the discharge outlet is left open, then the ease of operation is improved, but clogging occurs reducing discharge efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The beam member acts as an intermediary structure that spans across the discharge outlet, creating a controlled opening. It allows toner to pass through while providing a physical barrier that prevents clogging, balancing accessibility with discharge efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating pillar member provides dynamic control over the discharge outlet, actively transporting toner to the opening while preventing blockages. This maintains an effectively open discharge path without sacrificing efficiency to clogging.
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
The solution enhances toner discharge efficiency, ensuring that the target lower limit value of discharge is consistently met, reducing the risk of clogging and improving image density consistency by effectively managing toner flow and distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a pillar member that is disposed in the passage chamber and extends in the one direction, and that rotates in a circumferential direction of the passage chamber along the wall surface of the passage chamber, and transports the powder material adhering to the wall surface of the passage chamber to the discharge outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A powder material storage container includes: a cylindrical body member that extends in one direction and includes a storage chamber for storing powder material; a transport member that transports the powder material to an end of the storage chamber; a cylindrical end member that is attached to the body member, extends in the one direction and includes a passage chamber through which the powder material is passed, and a discharge outlet through which the powder material is discharged; a pillar member that is disposed in the passage chamber, extending in the one direction, and rotates in a circumferential direction of the passage chamber along the wall surface, and transports the powder material adhering to the wall surface to the discharge outlet; and a beam member that is laid across the discharge outlet and extends from an upstream side to a downstream side of a rotation direction of the pillar member.