Toner Case Coupling Mechanism for Simplified Drive Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing configuration of toner cases in electrographic image forming apparatuses is complicated due to the inclusion of a pressuring piece to move the drive coupling, which increases the complexity and reduces user operability.
Innovation Solution
A toner case design featuring a case main body with a discharge port, rotating members, and a transmission coupling, attachably/detachably installed to an attachment member with a drive coupling, advance/retreat member, and lever, allowing the toner case to engage with the advance/retreat member and move closer to the drive coupling for connection, simplifying the configuration and reducing user workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressuring piece is added to move the drive coupling in the toner case, then the drive coupling can be connected reliably, but the configuration of the toner case becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The pressuring piece function is extracted from the toner case and relocated to the attachment member. The attachment member now includes a pressuring piece that presses the transmission coupling of the toner case against the drive coupling, eliminating the need for a pressuring piece within the toner case itself while maintaining reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment member acts as an intermediary between the toner case and the drive source. It provides the pressuring mechanism and positioning structure that enables reliable coupling connection without requiring complex internal mechanisms within the disposable toner case.
2Ease of manufacture
If the toner case configuration is simplified for consumable use, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the drive coupling connection mechanism becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a disposable toner case and a reusable attachment member. The attachment member contains the complex drive coupling connection mechanism including the pressuring piece, while the toner case maintains a simple configuration suitable for mass production and disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The toner case is designed as a disposable component with simplified structure for cost-effective manufacturing. The attachment member, which contains the expensive pressuring and coupling mechanisms, is reused across multiple toner cases, optimizing the balance between manufacturing cost and connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a toner case and an attachment member. The toner case has a transmission coupling. The attachment member has a drive coupling, an advance/retreat member and a lever. The advance/retreat member advances and retreats between a first position and a second position being closer to the drive coupling than the first position. The lever is moved between a first operation position to move the advance/retreat member to the first position and a second operation position to move the advance/retreat member to the second position. When the toner case is attached to the attachment member, the toner case engages with the advance/retreat member. In this time, when the lever is moved from the first operation position to the second operation position, the toner case together with the advance/retreat member approaches to the drive coupling and the transmission coupling is connected to the drive coupling.