Rotating Toner Container with Stirrer for Stagnation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low-melting-point toner stored in toner containers experiences reduced fluidity at high temperatures, leading to toner stagnation and inadequate supply due to the spatial restrictions and design of existing toner supply systems, which hinder effective feeding mechanisms like spiral convex or fin feeders.

Innovation Solution

A toner supply system with a non-rotating receiving section and a cylindrical toner container that rotates, featuring a first toner feeder and a toner stirrer positioned close to the feeder, along with a second feeder mechanism that assists in toner flow, ensuring consistent toner supply by collapsing and stirring stagnated toner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a spiral convex or fin is formed on the inner wall of the toner container to feed toner, then toner feeding function is improved, but toner stagnation occurs in the vicinity of the supply-side opening due to spatial restriction and the upslope/step structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner feeding functionVSAvoidtoner supply reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the feeding function into two separate components: the spiral convex/fin on the rotating container for general toner movement, and a dedicated feeding portion with a downward slope at the supply-side opening to specifically address toner discharge. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having an upslope or step at the supply-side opening (which naturally forms due to spatial constraints), the invention inverts the slope to create a downward inclination. This inverted geometry actively guides toner toward the opening rather than creating an obstacle, directly counteracting the stagnation problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If low-melting-point toner is used, then toner fluidity is improved under normal conditions, but toner fluidity becomes low and stagnation occurs when stored under high temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner fluidityVSAvoidtoner feed reliability under high temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The feeding portion with downward slope is designed in advance to counteract the potential harmful effect of high temperature storage. By pre-configuring the geometry to actively guide toner downward, the system prepares a mechanical solution that will compensate for reduced fluidity before stagnation actually occurs during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameter of the supply-side opening from an upslope/step configuration to a downward slope. This parameter change creates a gravitational assistance effect that remains effective regardless of toner fluidity variations due to temperature, ensuring reliable feeding under all storage conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the supply-side opening is made smaller than the outer diameter of the toner container, then spatial restriction is satisfied, but an upslope or step is created that becomes an obstacle to toner feed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial arrangementVSAvoidtoner feed smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention directly inverts the problematic upslope geometry created by the small opening into a downward slope. This simple geometric inversion eliminates the obstacle effect while maintaining the same spatial constraints and opening size, improving toner feed smoothness without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

The system effectively addresses toner stagnation by ensuring reliable toner feeding even with low-fluidity toners, maintaining consistent supply to the development device through the combination of rotational feeding and stirring mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

a supply port that permits the toner fed thereto with rotation of the toner container to drop down

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a toner stirrer that extends to a position close to the first toner feeder located inside the toner container while the toner container is mounted in the receiving section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical stirring: Stirring

Data Source

PatentUS8824934B2Toner supply system including receiving section having toner stirrer and toner container rotatble in toner supply system

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A toner supply system having: a receiving section that is set in a body of an image forming apparatus so as not to rotate; and a substantially cylindrical toner container that is mountable in and dismountable from the receiving section and that can be driven to rotate on an axis while being mounted in the receiving section, wherein: the toner container has a first toner feeder for feeding toner stored therein toward the receiving section while the toner container is rotated; and the receiving section has a supply port that permits toner fed thereto with rotation of the toner container to drop down and a toner stirrer that extends to a position close to the first toner feeder located inside the toner container while the toner container is mounted in the receiving section.