Toner Container Cap Layout to Prevent ID Chip Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently managing toner supply and communication with detachable toner containers, particularly due to issues with toner leakage and contamination of information storage media during attachment and detachment, leading to potential communication failures.
Innovation Solution
A toner container design featuring a cap with a through hole, a shutter mechanism to control toner discharge, and an information storage medium (ID chip) positioned away from the through hole to prevent toner contamination, ensuring reliable communication and efficient toner supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the information storage medium is positioned near the through hole for easy access, then the attachment and detachment operation is simplified, but toner leakage and contamination of the information storage medium occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The information storage medium is repositioned from a location near the through hole to a position downstream in the attachment direction, utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the cap. This spatial reconfiguration maintains operational accessibility while eliminating exposure to toner leakage paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap structure serves as an intermediary element that physically separates the information storage medium from the through hole. By positioning the medium downstream within the cap's protected space, the cap acts as a barrier preventing direct contact between toner and the information storage medium during attachment and detachment operations.
2Productivity
If the shutter is positioned to control toner discharge through the through hole, then toner supply control is improved, but the risk of toner leakage during attachment and detachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is configured to close the through hole in advance before the container body is detached from the apparatus body. This preliminary action ensures that any residual toner pressure or airflow cannot cause leakage during the detachment process, while still allowing efficient toner supply control when the container is attached and operational.
3Ease of operation
If the through hole is positioned for easy shutter operation, then the shutter mechanism accessibility is improved, but the information storage medium becomes vulnerable to toner contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The information storage medium is relocated along the attachment direction axis, positioning it downstream from the through hole. This dimensional separation allows the through hole to remain optimally positioned for shutter operation while the medium resides in a protected downstream zone isolated from toner exposure risks.
Data Source
AI summary
A powder container includes a container body, a cap, a shutter, and an information storage medium. The store powder in the container body and is detachably attachable to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus in an attachment direction. The cap has a through hole having an entrance at a downstream end of the through hole in the attachment direction and covers a portion of the container body. The shutter is fittable to the through hole and openably closes the through hole in response to an attachment and a detachment of the container body to and from the apparatus body. The information storage medium is on the cap, is disposed downstream from the entrance of the through hole in the attachment direction, and is electrically communicable with the image forming apparatus in response to the attachment of the container body to the apparatus body.