Toner Cartridge Partition Layout for Uniform Toner Discharge

Solution Overview

Problem

Toner in toner cartridges becomes localized during transportation and storage, affecting the exchangeability and operating efficiency of the image forming apparatus.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus is designed with a toner cartridge that includes a frame with two discharge openings positioned differently along the longitudinal direction, partitioned by a partitioning portion to create separate spaces, allowing for improved toner distribution and exchangeability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single discharge opening is used in the toner cartridge, then the structure is simple, but toner distribution becomes localized during transportation and storage, affecting operating efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating efficiency during toner cartridge exchangeVSAvoidstructure of toner cartridge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The accommodating chamber is divided into multiple spaces by partition walls, and multiple discharge openings are provided at different positions along the longitudinal direction. This segmentation prevents toner localization during transportation and storage, ensuring uniform toner distribution when the cartridge is exchanged, thereby improving operating efficiency without significantly complicating the overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the accommodating chamber are created with different functions through the partition walls. Each local space is designed to discharge toner through its own discharge opening, ensuring that toner is uniformly distributed from multiple locations rather than from a single point, which resolves the toner localization problem while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If multiple discharge openings are provided at different positions, then toner distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner distribution uniformityVSAvoidtoner cartridge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The accommodating chamber is divided into multiple spaces by partition walls, and multiple discharge openings are provided at different positions along the longitudinal direction. This segmentation prevents toner localization during transportation and storage, ensuring uniform toner distribution when the cartridge is exchanged, thereby improving operating efficiency without significantly complicating the overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Discharge openings are arranged not only in the transverse direction but also in the longitudinal direction at different positions. This multi-dimensional arrangement of discharge openings ensures comprehensive toner distribution throughout the accommodating chamber, improving reliability while the partition wall structure keeps the overall design relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250341792A1Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly including a photosensitive drum, a developing unit, and a rotary, and includes a toner cartridge. The toner cartridge includes a frame extending in a longitudinal direction and including an accommodating chamber, a first discharge opening through which the toner discharged from the accommodating chamber to the developing unit passes, and a second discharge opening through which the toner discharged from the accommodating chamber to the developing unit passes. The second discharge opening is provided in a position different in position from the first discharge opening with respect to the longitudinal direction, and a partitioning portion for partitioning the accommodating chamber into a plurality of spaces including a first space and a second space separated from the first space. The first discharge opening communicates with the first space. The second discharge opening communicates with the second space.