Removable Toner Cartridge Paddle for Effective Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toner cartridges face difficulties in effectively removing toner adhering to their paddles or augers during the cleaning process for reuse, as circulating air inside the cartridge is insufficient for complete toner removal.
Innovation Solution
A toner cartridge design featuring a paddle that rotates between container walls, with a removable lid and outlet for easy access and cleaning, allowing effective toner removal by air circulation and manual cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the paddle and auger are made removable from the container, then the ease of cleaning and toner removal is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into separate components: the paddle and auger are made as removable parts that can be detached from the container. This allows the cleaning mechanism to be separated from the toner storage, enabling easy removal and cleaning of each component without disassembling the entire cartridge structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The paddle and auger are extracted as removable components from the container assembly. By taking these cleaning elements out separately, the design enables direct access to clean them of adhering toner using air circulation, while maintaining a relatively simple overall cartridge structure.
2Ease of operation
If air circulation is used to remove toner from the paddle and auger, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the loss of toner increases
Solution Approach 1:
Air circulation is applied preliminarily to loosen and detach toner from the paddle and auger surfaces before manual removal. This preliminary air blowing action separates the toner particles from the cleaning components, allowing them to be easily removed without requiring aggressive cleaning methods that could damage the components or create excessive toner loss.
Solution Approach 2:
A pneumatic cleaning system uses air flow to remove toner from the paddle and auger. The air circulation blows adhering toner off the cleaning components and into the container, where it can be collected. This pneumatic method provides effective cleaning while controlling toner loss through the contained environment.
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
Enables efficient removal of toner from the paddle and auger surfaces, facilitating effective reuse of the toner cartridge by ensuring thorough cleaning and preventing toner residue.
Implementation Method 1
a paddle configured to rotate between the walls of the container to stir the toner
Implementation Method 2
it is difficult to remove the toner adhering to its paddle or auger effectively by circulating air inside the toner cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
A toner cartridge includes a container for storing toner to be supplied to an image forming apparatus. The container extends in a longitudinal direction and includes two walls at ends thereof in the longitudinal direction. One of the walls has a first outlet. The toner cartridge includes a paddle rotatable between the walls of the container to stir the toner and removable from the container through the first outlet. The toner cartridge includes a first lid for covering the first outlet. The first lid has a first bearing hole through which an end of the paddle is rotatably held.