Rotator Flap with Bent Portion for Toner Scraping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner containers in image forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively scraping and preventing toner from adhering to the inner walls, leading to residual toner issues when the toner level is low, which complicates the replacement process.
Innovation Solution
The toner container incorporates a rotator with a flap that extends radially and has a bent portion, allowing it to effectively scrape toner off the inner wall surface, preventing adhesion and ensuring efficient toner removal even when the toner level is low.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple rotator without a bent portion is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the toner removal effectiveness deteriorates when toner level is low
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is designed with a bent portion that curves toward the downstream direction, allowing it to effectively contact and scrape toner from the inner wall surface even when toner level is low. This curvature enables the flap to follow the wall contour and maintain scraping contact, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and effective toner removal.
2Manufacturing precision
If the flap extends only radially without bending, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the ability to prevent toner adhesion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bent portion of the flap creates a curved scraping surface that maintains contact with the inner wall throughout the rotation cycle. This curvature ensures reliable toner adhesion prevention without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances, as the bent shape provides inherent contact assurance.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap structure transitions from a simple radial extension to a localized bent configuration at the downstream end. This local bending creates a specific scraping zone with enhanced contact properties, improving toner adhesion prevention in the critical area where toner accumulates most.
3Productivity
If a bent portion is added to the flap, then complete toner removal is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single bent portion is incorporated into the flap structure, providing the necessary scraping action for complete toner removal. This minimal curvature modification achieves the productivity goal while keeping the structural complexity increase to an absolute minimum.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap is segmented into two functional portions: a base portion extending radially from the rotation axis and a bent portion at the downstream end. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function - the base provides structural support while the bent portion performs the scraping action, achieving complete toner removal with minimal added complexity.
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 ensures complete toner removal and prevents adhesion to the inner wall, facilitating easy replacement and reducing residual toner, thereby improving the operational efficiency of the toner container.
Implementation Method 1
a bent portion bent from the base in a direction intersecting the radial direction and toward downstream in a rotation direction of the rotator
Data Source
AI summary
A powder container includes a rotator configured to rotate on a rotation axis as a rotation center. The rotator includes a flap configured to contact and rub against an inner wall surface of the powder container. The flap includes a base extending from the rotation axis as the rotation center in a radial direction and a bent portion bent from the base in a direction intersecting the radial direction and toward downstream in a rotation direction of the rotator.