Process Unit Toner Box Attachment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process units for laser printers fail to reliably maintain the attached state of the toner box during detachment, as the engaging projection is not located on the downstream side, leading to potential disengagement when a force is applied in the detaching direction.
Innovation Solution
A process unit with a pivoting member that contacts the toner box from the downstream side during detachment, ensuring secure attachment and easy release, and a vibration applying unit to facilitate toner supply and prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engaging projection is located only on both right and left sides of the toner box, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the attached state of the toner box cannot be reliably maintained when force is applied in the detaching direction
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure is divided into multiple independent engagement projections distributed at different locations (both right and left sides, and downstream side in detaching direction). Each projection provides independent engagement, and the combination of multiple projections ensures reliable attachment even when force is applied in the detaching direction.
2Reliability
If the engaging projection is added on the downstream side in the detaching direction, then the attachment state is reliably maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement projections are designed to work dynamically during attachment and detachment operations. During attachment, all projections engage simultaneously to provide stable mounting. During detachment, the projections allow smooth disengagement when appropriate force is applied, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable attachment during normal use.
Data Source
AI summary
A process unit is described. The process unit may include a unit main body being detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body and having a developer carrier for supplying a developing agent to an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a toner box being detachably mountable to the unit main body and accommodating the developing agent, a pivoting member pivotably disposed at the unit main body, and a contacting member disposed at the pivoting member and contacting with the toner box from a downstream side in a detaching direction of the toner box from the unit main body.