Rotatable Toner Cartridge Holder for Refilling Without Detachment

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electrophotographic printers require frequent replacement of development cartridges, leading to increased printing costs and reduced user convenience due to the need for frequent toner refilling and cartridge detachment for refilling.

Innovation Solution

An integrated development cartridge with a toner refilling portion that allows toner refilling without detaching the cartridge from the printer, using a toner cartridge with a syringe-type design and a rotatable holder for stable electrical connection and efficient toner discharge, enabling continuous operation until the photosensitive drum's lifetime is reached.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the development cartridge is detached for toner refilling, then the toner can be refilled, but the operation time and user convenience deteriorate due to frequent detachment and installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner quantityVSAvoidrefilling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The development cartridge is divided into two independent parts: a reusable development unit containing the developing mechanism and a separate refillable toner cartridge. This segmentation allows the toner cartridge to be refilled independently without removing the entire development cartridge from the printer, enabling toner replenishment while the cartridge remains installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The toner cartridge is designed with a rotatable holder that can rotate between a loading position (when the cartridge is installed) and a refilling position (when detached). This dynamic positioning mechanism allows the cartridge to function as an integrated unit during printing and as a separate refillable component during maintenance, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and refilling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If the development cartridge is detached for toner refilling, then the toner can be refilled, but the user convenience deteriorates due to frequent detachment and installation operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner quantityVSAvoidcartridge operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The development cartridge is divided into two independent parts: a reusable development unit containing the developing mechanism and a separate refillable toner cartridge. This segmentation allows the toner cartridge to be refilled independently without removing the entire development cartridge from the printer, enabling toner replenishment while the cartridge remains installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The toner cartridge is designed with a rotatable holder that can rotate between a loading position (when the cartridge is installed) and a refilling position (when detached). This dynamic positioning mechanism allows the cartridge to function as an integrated unit during printing and as a separate refillable component during maintenance, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and refilling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If a new development cartridge is installed instead of refilling, then the toner is replenished, but the loss of time increases due to cartridge detachment and installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner quantityVSAvoidprinting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The development cartridge is divided into two independent parts: a reusable development unit containing the developing mechanism and a separate refillable toner cartridge. This segmentation allows the toner cartridge to be refilled independently without removing the entire development cartridge from the printer, enabling toner replenishment while the cartridge remains installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The toner cartridge is designed with a rotatable holder that can rotate between a loading position (when the cartridge is installed) and a refilling position (when detached). This dynamic positioning mechanism allows the cartridge to function as an integrated unit during printing and as a separate refillable component during maintenance, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and refilling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11209750B2Toner refill cartridge with holder holding memory unit thereon and rotatable with respect to cartridge body

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

Provided is a toner cartridge. The toner cartridge includes a body, a plunger, a memory unit, and a holder. The body is to accommodate toner and includes a toner discharge portion. The plunger is provided in the body and to push the toner outside of the body via the toner discharge portion. The memory unit includes an electrical contact portion including at least one electrical contact point. The holder facilities loading of the memory unit therein and being rotatable relative to the body between a home position and a rotated position.