Toner Cartridge Layout to Protect Memory Contacts From Toner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently supplying toner to developing containers while maintaining a compact design and facilitating easy maintenance, particularly in electrophotographic printers where toner cartridges need to be easily replaceable and not interfere with other components like laser scanners.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge design featuring a first chamber for toner with a discharge opening, a filter for air passage, a pipe connecting the chambers, and a memory for storing information, arranged in a gravitational direction to optimize toner supply and minimize interference with other components, allowing for a compact and maintainable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the memory is provided on the side surface of the cartridge, then it is easy to mount the cartridge to the developing container, but the memory may come into contact with toner and cause malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The memory is relocated from the side surface to the upper or lower surface of the cartridge, changing the spatial dimension of memory placement. This dimensional shift allows the memory to be positioned away from the toner discharge path while maintaining mounting functionality through the gravitational orientation of the cartridge.
2Volume of moving object
If the cartridge is designed to be compact, then it saves space in the image forming apparatus, but it may interfere with other components like laser scanners
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge components are arranged in the gravitational direction (vertical arrangement of first and second chambers), utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal footprint. This allows compact packaging while maintaining sufficient clearance from laser scanners and other horizontal components.
3Ease of repair
If the toner discharge opening is positioned for easy access, then maintenance is simplified, but toner may scatter during replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The toner discharge opening is positioned on the side surface while the memory is on the upper or lower surface, separating these functions in different dimensions. This allows the discharge opening to remain accessible for maintenance while the memory's elevated position prevents toner scattering during cartridge handling and replacement.
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
The solution enables efficient toner supply to developing containers without interfering with laser scanners, facilitating a compact image forming apparatus and improving maintenance accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
a filter configured to prevent passing of the toner and to permit passing of air
Implementation Method 2
in a case where a direction in which the first chamber and the second chamber are arranged is a gravitational direction and the cartridge is directed in a predetermined direction in which at least a part of the first chamber is positioned above the second chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge includes a first chamber provided with a discharge opening; a filter; a second chamber provided with an inlet for taking in the air from an outside of the cartridge; a pipe provided in the first chamber and for permitting passing of the toner, wherein the pipe is provided with a first pipe opening and a second pipe opening for communicating with the discharge opening, the pipe being extended from the first pipe opening to the second pipe opening; and a memory. In a case where a direction in which the first chamber and the second chamber are arranged is a gravitational direction and the cartridge is directed in a predetermined direction in which at least a part of the first chamber is positioned above the second chamber, the memory is provided on an upper surface or a lower surface of the cartridge.