Toner Bottle Measurement Shutter for Compact Printer Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image formation apparatuses face issues with increased size and cost due to the need for a sub-hopper between the toner bottle and process cartridge for fixed toner supply, and toner spillage when removing the toner bottle, which requires it to be installed with the discharge port facing upward.
Innovation Solution
A toner bottle design featuring a cylindrical toner accommodating container with an inner lid having a measurement shutter member that moves between accumulation and discharge positions, allowing for controlled toner supply and preventing spillage, and an outer lid that supports the toner bottle for easy installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a sub-hopper is provided between the toner bottle and process cartridge to discharge fixed amount of toner, then the toner supply control is improved, but the apparatus size and cost are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurement shutter mechanism directly into the toner bottle structure, eliminating the need for a separate sub-hopper component. The measurement shutter member is integrated with the inner lid of the toner bottle, combining the toner storage and measurement functions into a single unit, thereby reducing overall apparatus size while maintaining precise toner supply control.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement shutter mechanism is nested within the toner bottle structure. The measurement shutter member is positioned inside the toner accommodating container, with the inner lid covering the opened portion. This nested arrangement allows the measurement and discharge functions to be embedded within the existing toner bottle volume, avoiding additional space requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the discharge port of toner bottle is opened to enable easy removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but toner is spilled out when removed
Solution Approach 1:
The inner lid is provided in advance to cover the opened portion of the toner bottle before removal. The measurement shutter member is positioned to seal the discharge port when the inner lid is closed. This preliminary sealing action prevents toner spillage during removal and storage, while still allowing easy removal when needed by simply opening the inner lid.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner lid acts as an intermediary element between the discharge port and the external environment. When the toner bottle is removed or stored, the inner lid closes to seal the discharge port, preventing direct exposure of toner to the external environment. This intermediary sealing mechanism allows easy removal while preventing spillage.
3Loss of substance
If the toner bottle is installed with discharge port facing upward to prevent spillage, then toner spillage is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to additional support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The inner lid is provided in advance to cover the opened portion of the toner bottle before removal. The measurement shutter member is positioned to seal the discharge port when the inner lid is closed. This preliminary sealing action prevents toner spillage during removal and storage, while still allowing easy removal when needed by simply opening the inner lid.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner lid acts as an intermediary element between the discharge port and the external environment. When the toner bottle is removed or stored, the inner lid closes to seal the discharge port, preventing direct exposure of toner to the external environment. This intermediary sealing mechanism allows easy removal while preventing spillage.
Data Source
AI summary
A toner bottle includes a toner accommodating container, an inner lid including an inner discharge port, a measurement shutter member movable between an accumulation position where toner is accumulated in space formed between the measurement shutter member and the inner discharge port, and a discharge position where the toner accumulated in the space is discharged, an inner discharge port sealing member, and an outer lid for rotatably supporting the toner accommodating container in a state that the outer lid surrounds the inner discharge port. The outer lid has a shutter opening and closing inner peripheral surface where a restraint portion for restraining the measurement shutter member at the accumulation position, and a non-restraint portion capable of moving the measurement shutter member to the discharge position so that an outer surface of the measurement shutter member is abutted with the non-restraint portion are arranged in the circumferential direction.