Heat Insulating Portions for Toner Bottle Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging configurations for image forming apparatuses inadequately insulate toner bottles during transportation, leading to temperature increases that can cause toner deterioration and image defects, especially due to direct sunlight and global warming effects, while also increasing the number of required heat insulating members.
Innovation Solution
A package body design for image forming apparatuses that includes a packing box covering all surfaces, with strategically placed heat insulating portions on specific areas around the toner bottle installation, such as a first heat insulating portion on the front side, a second on the left side, and a third on the discharge tray, using materials with heat insulating and storing properties like corrugated cardboard to minimize temperature rise without excessive insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat insulating members are disposed on all surfaces of the image forming apparatus, then the temperature increase of the toner bottle is suppressed, but the number of packing members increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing heat insulating members only at specific locations where heat accumulation is most likely to occur (above the toner bottle installation portion and at the four corners of the apparatus main body), rather than covering all surfaces uniformly. This targeted approach effectively suppresses toner bottle temperature increase while minimizing the total number of packing members required.
2Device complexity
If only non-restricted portions are covered with sheet material or buffer material, then the number of packing members is reduced, but the portion around the toner bottle is insufficiently insulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and addresses the critical heat accumulation zones through local quality enhancement. Heat insulating members are strategically positioned above the toner bottle installation portion (where direct sunlight and ambient heat affect the toner) and at the four corners of the apparatus main body (where heat traps form in confined spaces). This selective insulation ensures adequate protection of the toner bottle while keeping the overall packing member count low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively placing heat insulating members at locations predicted to experience heat accumulation during transportation, based on understanding of thermal behavior in confined spaces. The insulating members are positioned in advance at the top surface above the toner bottle installation portion and at all four corners, preventing heat buildup before it can cause toner deterioration.
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 configuration effectively reduces the number of heat insulating members needed while maintaining effective temperature control, preventing toner bottle temperature increases and thus preventing defects during transportation.
Implementation Method 1
a heat insulating portion disposed between the packing box and the apparatus main body and disposed to cover a part of portion around the apparatus main body
Data Source
AI summary
A package body for packing a main body of an image forming apparatus is configured to be conveyed when the image forming apparatus is packed therein. The package body includes a packing box which covers the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a heat insulating portion, disposed between the packing box and a part of a plurality of exterior surfaces of the image forming apparatus, for insulating a toner bottle installed in the image forming apparatus. The heat insulating portion includes a first heat insulating portion, covering the toner bottle on a front side surface of the main body, a second heat insulating portion, covering the toner bottle on a second side surface of the main body included in the plurality of exterior surfaces, and meeting the first side surface, and a third heat insulating portion, covering a discharge tray portion of the image forming apparatus.