Single Toner Supply Bottle for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of the apparatus structure increases when multiple toner supply bottles are provided for a single image forming unit, requiring separate conveyance paths and complicating the internal structure, especially when additional toner supply bottles are disposed in the empty space of tandem-type color image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a single toner supply bottle that is elongated to occupy the empty space, positioned such that one end is near the image forming unit and the other end is distant from it, supported by first and second support members within the intermediate transfer belt's rotation path, simplifying the structure and increasing toner capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple toner supply bottles are provided for a single image forming unit, then the toner replenishment capacity is increased, but the apparatus structure becomes complex due to separate conveyance paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple toner supply bottles into a single integrated bottle structure. The single bottle body contains multiple compartments or sections that can supply toner to the image forming unit through a unified conveyance path, eliminating the need for separate pipes and reducing structural complexity while maintaining the capacity to supply multiple colors of toner.
Solution Approach 2:
The single toner supply bottle is designed to perform multiple functions - it can supply different colors of toner (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) through its multiple compartments or sections. This multi-functional design allows one bottle to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate bottles, simplifying the overall apparatus structure.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple toner supply bottles are disposed in the empty space, then the toner capacity is increased, but the conveyance path complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple toner supply functions into a single bottle structure that occupies the empty space. Instead of placing multiple separate bottles in the available space, the invention uses one integrated bottle with multiple compartments, thereby increasing toner capacity while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate conveyance paths.
3Device complexity
If a single elongated toner supply bottle is used, then the apparatus structure is simplified, but the toner supply distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single elongated bottle is segmented into multiple compartments or sections, each capable of supplying toner independently. This segmentation allows the bottle to maintain a compact form factor while providing multiple toner supply points, effectively reducing the supply distance despite the elongated overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus performs primary transfer of single-color toner image onto an intermediate transfer belt and performs secondary transfer of the toner image onto a sheet, and includes: single image forming unit forming the single-color toner image; single toner supply bottle containing replenishment toner; and first and second support members supporting the belt. The image forming unit is closer to the first member than the second member in a belt rotation direction. The bottle includes: single bottle body; and supply unit near one end of the body in the rotation direction. The other end is (i) closer to the second member than the one end is in the rotation direction and (ii) distant from the image forming unit in a support member direction from the first member toward the second member by one to three times a length of the image forming unit in the support member direction.