Movable Shutter Powder Storage Container with Radial Restricting Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder storage containers and developer replenishment systems in image forming apparatuses face challenges in securely supplying toner or developer powder, leading to potential leakage and inefficient replenishment processes.
Innovation Solution
A powder storage container with a movable shutter member that can transition between closed and supply positions, featuring restricting portions to ensure secure powder supply, integrated with a toner replenishment device that includes a cartridge mount portion and toner transport members for efficient toner distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a movable shutter member is used to control powder supply, then powder leakage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter member is divided into multiple independent restricting portions (first restricting portion and second restricting portion) that can move separately to control the supply opening. This segmentation allows each portion to independently perform sealing and supply functions, improving reliability while keeping each individual component simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting portions are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically transition between closed positions (sealing the supply opening) and open positions (allowing powder supply). This dynamic design enables the shutter to adapt to different operational states without requiring a complex multi-component mechanism.
2Reliability
If restricting portions are provided on the inner side of the movable member, then powder leakage is prevented, but the movement range of the movable member is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting portions extend in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the shutter member, utilizing the radial dimension rather than solely the axial dimension. This allows the restricting portions to effectively seal the supply opening while the shutter member maintains sufficient axial movement range for opening and closing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting portions are positioned at specific locations (first and second restricting portions at different angular positions) on the shutter member, providing localized sealing functions where needed. This localized approach ensures powder leakage prevention at critical points without requiring the entire shutter member to have uniform sealing capability, thus maintaining movement flexibility.
3Reliability
If a movable shutter member with restricting portions is used, then powder leakage is prevented, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first restricting portion and second restricting portion are integrally formed as a single shutter member rather than separate components. This merging simplifies manufacturing by requiring only one molding or machining operation instead of multiple assembly steps, while still providing the reliability benefits of multiple restricting portions working together to seal the supply opening.
Data Source
AI summary
A powder storage container includes a storage container body, a movable member, and a restricting portion. The storage container body stores powder therein, and includes a supply portion that supplies the powder. The movable member is provided to the storage container body, and is movable between a closed position at which the supply portion is closed and a supply position at which the supply portion is able to supply the powder. The restricting portion is provided on an inner side with respect to an outer peripheral shape of the movable member to restrict movement of the movable member to the supply position.