Rotary Developing System Tray Mechanism for Toner Cartridge Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with rotary developing systems face challenges in efficiently and conveniently replacing toner cartridges, leading to operational inefficiencies and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A rotary developing system with a rotary body that rotates to alternate between developing and replacement postures, allowing toner cartridges to be easily attached and detached via trays that slide orthogonal to the rotational axis, facilitated by a motor-driven mechanism for smooth cartridge replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If toner cartridges are directly inserted into the rotary developing system, then the structure is simple, but the replacement operation is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
A tray is introduced as an intermediary component between the toner cartridge and the rotary developing system. The tray receives the toner cartridge from the outside, transports it to the rotary, and facilitates easy attachment. This mediator simplifies the replacement operation while keeping the overall structure manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement mechanism utilizes motion in multiple dimensions: the tray moves linearly along the rotational axis direction to receive and transport the cartridge, while the rotary rotates to alternate between developing and replacement postures. This multi-dimensional approach simplifies the replacement operation.
2Ease of operation
If a motor-driven mechanism is added for smooth cartridge replacement, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic elements including a motor-driven tray that moves linearly to receive and transport cartridges, and a rotary that rotates to switch between developing and replacement postures. This dynamic design enables smooth, automated cartridge replacement while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Productivity
If the rotary alternates between developing and replacement postures, then the productivity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary develops images periodically by rotating to alternate between developing postures (where developing rollers contact the photosensitive drum) and replacement postures (where trays can be loaded or unloaded). This periodic rotation enables continuous image formation while allowing convenient toner cartridge replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary developing system is segmented into multiple developing rollers arranged around the rotary perimeter, each capable of independent contact with the photosensitive drum at different rotational positions. This segmentation allows one developing roller to serve while another is being replenished, maintaining continuous productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a body frame (16), a cartridge (70) movable to an attached position and a retracted position, a moving device (85) configured to move the cartridge (70), a driving device (98) configured to drive the moving device (85) and to perform a first operation and a second operation, and a controller (30) configured to control the driving device (98) and to cause the driving device (98) to perform the second operation in a case where the cartridge (70) has not reached the retracted position even after elapse of a predetermined time since the driving device (98) is caused to start the first operation in a state in which the cartridge (70) is positioned at the attached position.