Toner Cartridge Venting Layout for Low-Loss Supply and Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently supplying toner to developing containers and managing air ventilation, leading to inefficiencies and maintenance complexities.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge design featuring a first chamber for toner storage, a second chamber for air intake, a filter to separate toner and air, a discharge port for toner, and an intake port for air, with communication between the discharge port and intake port through a discharge pipe, allowing for efficient toner supply and air management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a toner supply method using a toner pack is used, then toner can be supplied to the developing container, but the structure becomes complex and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for storing toner and a second chamber for air intake and passage. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific function, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining efficient toner supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is extracted as a separate component that divides the two chambers, allowing it to be easily replaced or maintained independently. This extraction principle simplifies maintenance by enabling users to access and replace the filter without disassembling the entire cartridge structure.
2Reliability
If air ventilation is managed through the developing device, then air can be filtered, but the structure becomes complex and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The air ventilation path is segmented into a dedicated second chamber that is separate from the toner storage area. This chamber is specifically designed for air intake and passage, allowing the air filter to be positioned and maintained independently from the toner supply mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter acts as an intermediary component that separates the toner chamber and air chamber while allowing controlled passage of air. This intermediary structure simplifies maintenance by providing a single access point for filter replacement without requiring disassembly of the entire cartridge.
3Volume of stationary object
If the discharge port and intake port are positioned on the same end surface, then the cartridge structure is compact, but pressure loss increases in the supply pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge port and intake port are positioned on different end surfaces of the cartridge, utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This dimensional distribution creates more favorable flow paths for both toner and air, reducing pressure loss while maintaining a compact overall cartridge structure.
4Device complexity
If the filter allows both air and toner passage, then the structure is simple, but toner contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed with local quality characteristics that allow it to selectively permit air passage while restricting toner passage. This is achieved through specific filter media properties that create different permeability for different substances, ensuring toner contamination control while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 and air management, reducing maintenance complexity and improving usability by allowing easy replacement of toner cartridges while maintaining apparatus compactness and reducing pressure loss in supply pipes.
Implementation Method 1
a filter (83Y) provided to divide the toner storage chamber (430Yc) and the air chamber (430Yd), the filter allowing passage of air and restricting passage of the toner
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge includes a first chamber for storing toner, a second chamber provided to be aligned with the first chamber in a first direction, a filter provided to divide the first chamber and the second chamber, the filter allowing passage of air and restricting passage of the toner, a discharge port for discharging the toner stored in the first chamber to the outside of the cartridge, an intake port for introducing air into the second chamber from an outside of the cartridge, and a discharge pipe portion for communicating the discharge port with an inside of the first chamber, wherein the discharge port is provided on a first end surface, which is an end surface of the cartridge in the first direction, and the intake port is provided on a second end surface, which is an end surface of the cartridge in a second direction intersecting the first direction.