Toner Cartridge Pressurizing Device Using Elastic Airbag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toner cartridges experience issues with toner accumulation and clumping in the printing device due to insufficient fluidity, leading to blockages, especially when idle for long periods, as existing solutions rely heavily on stirring blades and rotation for toner transportation.
Innovation Solution
An elastic airbag is integrated at the toner feeding port of the toner cartridge, which is compressed to eject high-pressure gas, improving toner fluidity and preventing blockages by blowing toner out of the outlet and into the printing device, with a sliding member driving the airbag to compress and decompress with each rotation of the cartridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If stirring blade and rotation are used for toner transportation, then toner can be transported to the outlet, but toner fluidity is insufficient causing accumulation and clumping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressurizing device that uses compressed gas to blow toner from the storage chamber through the outlet. This pneumatic approach supplements the mechanical stirring and rotation methods, providing sufficient force to maintain toner fluidity and prevent accumulation and clumping in the passage, thereby resolving the contradiction between transportation efficiency and flow stability.
2Reliability
If toner cartridge is idle for long time, then toner is easily adsorbed and clumped, but continuous pressurization increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a periodic pressurization mechanism where the pressurizing device operates intermittently rather than continuously. The controller activates the pressurization function based on detected toner flow conditions, applying compressed gas only when toner accumulation or clumping is detected. This periodic action maintains toner flow stability while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods.
3Reliability
If high-pressure gas is ejected into toner cartridge, then toner fluidity is improved and blockage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurizing device is integrated into the existing toner cartridge structure, sharing components with the stirring mechanism and outlet system. The compressed gas source and delivery mechanism are designed to work in conjunction with existing parts, allowing the pressurization function to be achieved without proportionally increasing overall device complexity. The multi-functional design enables blockage prevention while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity.
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
Enhances toner fluidity and output, preventing clumping and blockages, while increasing transportation speed and efficiency, allowing for more efficient toner use and reduced energy consumption by ensuring consistent airflow with each rotation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic airbag is arranged at an end of the toner cartridge
Implementation Method 2
the airbag is compressed, so that high-pressure gas is ejected into the toner cartridge
Implementation Method 3
a sliding member is arranged inside the toner cartridge... the sliding member driving the airbag to compress and decompress with each rotation of the cartridge
Data Source
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AI summary
A pressurization device for a toner cartridge includes an inner cover (200), an airbag (400) and a sliding member (500). The inner cover (200) is arranged at a toner feeding port (110) of the toner cartridge (100); the airbag (400) is made of elastic material; the airbag (400) comprises a fixed end that is fixed to the inner cover (200) and a free end that extends outward from the fixed end; the fixed end is provided with an airbag opening (410) interconnected to an interior of the toner cartridge (100); a remaining portion of the airbag (400) is arranged as closed except for the airbag opening (410); a first end of the sliding member (500) is connected to the free end of the airbag (400) and moves toward the fixed end of the airbag (400) back and forth, so that the airbag (400) ejects gas into the toner cartridge (100) by means of being compressed. Through compressing the airbag (400), high-pressure gas is continuously ejected into the toner cartridge (100), and toner is mixed with gas to be ejected together from a toner outlet at a front end of the toner cartridge (100), so that fluidity of the ejected toner is improved, problems such as easy compacting and clumping of the toner at the toner outlet and inside each toner flowing passage of the printing device are eliminated, and a blockage due to accumulation is effectively prevented.