Rotating Powder Container Vibration Mechanism for Toner Agglomeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder containers for image forming apparatuses, such as copiers and printers, face issues with toner agglomeration due to the lack of a rotary conveyance member, leading to increased printing time and the need for periodic reverse rotation to break agglomeration, which disrupts continuous printing operations.
Innovation Solution
A powder container design featuring a cylindrical container body with a spiral protrusion on its outer surface and a holder with a powder outlet, where the container body rotates to convey powder and vibrates due to repetitive contact and separation with the holder projection, preventing agglomeration without the need for a rotary conveyance member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotary conveyance member is used to convey toner, then toner agglomeration is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rotary conveyance member from the system entirely. Instead of using a separate conveyance mechanism, the bottle itself performs the conveyance function through its rotation, which is driven by the coupling member engagement. This extraction of the unnecessary component simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the toner conveyance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member serves multiple functions: it transmits rotational force to rotate the bottle for toner conveyance, and simultaneously acts as a vibration source through its engagement and disengagement with the bottle. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate conveyance and vibration mechanisms, reducing device complexity.
2Reliability
If reverse rotation is performed periodically to break toner agglomeration, then toner flow is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration generated by the coupling member's engagement and disengagement with the bottle to prevent toner agglomeration. The vibration occurs continuously during normal operation rather than requiring periodic reverse rotation, thus maintaining productivity while ensuring reliable toner flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration mechanism operates continuously during bottle rotation and toner discharge, rather than interrupting the printing process for periodic reverse rotation. This continuous action ensures toner flow is maintained without sacrificing printing productivity.
3Reliability
If a rotary conveyance member is installed to prevent agglomeration, then toner discharge is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the rotary conveyance member, which is a costly component requiring precision manufacturing and assembly. By using the bottle's own rotation combined with vibration from the coupling member to achieve toner discharge, the system reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable toner discharge.
4Productivity
If the bottle is rotated continuously without vibration, then toner is conveyed smoothly, but agglomeration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mechanical vibration through the coupling member's engagement and disengagement with the bottle during rotation. This vibration prevents toner particles from adhering to each other and the bottle wall, ensuring reliable toner flow while maintaining continuous rotation for uninterrupted printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the interaction between the coupling member and bottle, transitioning between engagement (providing rotation) and disengagement (providing vibration). This dynamic operation allows the system to simultaneously achieve smooth toner conveyance through rotation and agglomeration prevention through vibration.
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
This design effectively prevents toner agglomeration and ensures continuous powder supply to the image forming apparatus, reducing printing time and eliminating the need for periodic reverse rotation.
Implementation Method 1
The container body has a spiral protrusion formed in an inner circumferential surface to convey the powder contained in the container body to an opening positioned in one end
Implementation Method 2
The container body repetitively contacts and separates from the holder projection with rotation of the container body to vibrate the container body and the holder
Data Source
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AI summary
A powder container (32Y) includes a cylindrical container body (32Y2) to contain a powder, having an opening (32Y2c) in one end thereof, to convey the powder contained in the container body (32Y2) to the opening (32Y2c) with rotation of the container body (32Y2), and having a container-body projection (32Y2z) provided on an outer circumferential surface of the container body (32Y2); and a cylindrical holder (32Y1), into which the end of the container body (32Y2) having the opening (32Y2c) is inserted, to hold the container body (32Y2) rotatably, having a powder outlet (32Y1a) through which the powder is discharged from the holder (32Y1) and a holder projection (32Y1z) provided on an inner circumferential surface thereof. The container-body projection (32Y1z) repetitively contacts and separates from the holder projection (32Y2z) with rotation of the container body (32Y2) to vibrate the container body (32Y2) and the holder (32Y1).