Toner Container Cap Positioning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner containers for image forming apparatuses face issues with positional deviation due to the cap being inserted askew, leading to unreliable toner discharge.
Innovation Solution
A toner container design featuring a cylindrical container body with a cap that includes primary and secondary positioning holes, and a shutter mechanism for ensuring accurate alignment and reliable toner discharge, utilizing a cap holder with reference pins and engaged portions to secure the cap in the correct position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cap is made removable and insertable without positioning features, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of toner discharge deteriorates due to positional deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The cap holder incorporates reference pins that automatically engage with positioning holes in the cap during insertion, enabling self-positioning without requiring user alignment skills. The system serves itself by using the insertion motion to automatically achieve correct positioning through the engagement of positioning features.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference pins act as intermediary elements between the cap holder and the cap, mediating the positioning relationship. These pins physically guide and constrain the cap to the correct position, serving as a mechanical intermediary that translates the insertion motion into accurate positioning.
2Reliability
If positioning holes and restriction members are added to the cap, then the reliability of positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into distinct functional elements: reference pins in the cap holder and positioning holes in the cap. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, making the overall system easier to manufacture and assemble despite the increased number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
Positioning features are added only at specific critical locations (cap holder and cap interface) rather than throughout the entire structure. The restriction members are positioned strategically to provide horizontal positioning only where needed, maintaining simplicity in non-critical areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A toner container includes a cylindrical container body, a cap having a toner outlet, and a shutter. The cap includes a primary positioning primary positioning hole, formed in a top front surface perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the toner container, extending in the longitudinal direction, to determine an installation position of the cap relative to the image forming apparatus, a secondary positioning hole, formed in a bottom front surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner container, extending in the longitudinal direction forward the toner outlet, to subsidiary determine the installation position of the cap, and a first restriction member to position the cap in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, projecting vertically upward from an outer circumferential surface of the cap and symmetrical about a virtual perpendicular line passing through a cross-sectional center position of the primary positioning hole perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.