Rotary Toner Refill Device with Angularly Offset Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional toner refill devices are bulky due to the linear movement of closure members, leading to increased space requirements and potential toner powder dispersion and staining.

Innovation Solution

The toner refill device features rotatably supported closure members and angularly offset refill openings, allowing for a more compact design with reduced space requirements and controlled toner discharge, utilizing a motor drive unit to manage friction and prevent toner caking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If linear movement of closure members is used, then reliable sealing and controlled toner discharge are achieved, but device size increases and space requirements expand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from linear movement to rotary movement of the closure members. The second closure member rotates about a vertical axis to open and close the second refill opening, while the passage forming element rotates horizontally to connect or disconnect refill openings. This dimensional change from linear to rotary motion compactes the mechanism while maintaining sealing reliability through rotational engagement of sealing surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure members are designed as rotatable dynamic components rather than linearly moving parts. The first closure member rotates to open/close the first refill opening, and the second closure member rotates to control the second refill opening. This dynamic rotational design allows the mechanism to achieve the same sealing function in a more compact configuration, reducing the overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If linearly slideable drawer mechanism is used, then controlled passage formation is achieved, but device becomes bulky with increased space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled passage formationVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The passage forming element is configured to rotate horizontally about a vertical axis rather than move linearly. When rotated to a first position, it connects the first and second refill openings to enable toner transfer. When rotated to a second position, it disconnects the openings and is shielded by the second closure member. This rotary mechanism achieves controlled passage formation in a compact design, eliminating the need for a bulky linearly slideable drawer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If rotatable closure members are used, then compact design is achieved, but friction increases potentially causing toner caking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidtoner caking

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a motor drive unit to replace manual operation of the rotatable closure members. The motor drive unit automatically rotates the first and second closure members to their proper positions and rotates the passage forming element to connect or disconnect refill openings. This automated mechanical system reduces friction by ensuring smooth, controlled rotation and proper positioning, preventing toner caking that could result from manual operation or misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Volume of moving object

If angularly offset refill openings are used, then compact configuration is achieved, but alignment precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs rotary movement about a common vertical axis for both closure members and the passage forming element. The second refill opening and the accommodation space are angularly offset about this common axis of rotation. This rotational symmetry and angular offset design allows compact configuration while maintaining alignment precision through the inherent geometry of circular rotation, where precise angular positioning is achieved through rotational engagement rather than linear alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS9207580B2Toner refill device

Publication Date: 2015.12.08 CANON PRODUCTION PRINTING NETHERLANDS BV

AI summary

A toner refill device includes first and second adapter units defining first and second refill openings, and first and second closure members movable between closed positions open and closed positions to respectively close and open the refill openings. The second closure member has a passage forming element connecting the refill openings when the second closure member is in the open position. The second adapter unit defines an accommodation space for accommodating the passage forming element when the second closure member is in the closed position. The closure members are adapted to be coupled to one another for a joint movement relative to the adapter units. The closure members are rotatably supported in their respective adapter units so as to be jointly rotatable about a common axis of rotation. The second refill opening and the accommodation space are angularly offset from one another about said common axis of rotation.