Toner Case Drive Coupling Lever Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrographic image forming apparatuses, there is a risk of incomplete connection between the drive coupling and transmission coupling during the installation of the toner case, leading to inefficient operation before the installation is fully completed.
Innovation Solution
A toner case with a detachable design that includes a lever mechanism to move the drive coupling from a disconnecting position to a connecting position with the transmission coupling, ensuring secure connection upon installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive coupling is connected with the transmission coupling during toner case installation, then the toner supply operation can be performed, but the connection may be incomplete leading to unreliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the drive coupling at a disconnecting position before toner case installation is complete. The movement mechanism is activated only after installation is finished, ensuring the coupling connects at the optimal moment. This prevents premature connection attempts that would occur with simple direct coupling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the drive coupling movable between disconnecting and connecting positions through a movement mechanism. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt the connection timing to the installation status, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automatic mechanism activation.
2Reliability
If the drive coupling moves to the transmission coupling during installation, then connection is achieved, but the connection may be insufficient before proper facing alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The movement mechanism is designed to activate only after toner case installation is complete, performing the coupling movement as a preliminary action to ensure proper alignment before connection. This prevents wasted time from incorrect connection attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement mechanism acts as an intermediary between the drive coupling and transmission coupling, controlling the timing and manner of their interaction. This ensures the coupling only occurs when properly aligned, eliminating time loss from misalignment.
3Device complexity
If a simple direct connection is used between drive coupling and transmission coupling, then the structure is simple, but the connection reliability during installation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds dynamic capability through the movement mechanism that allows the drive coupling to move between positions. While this increases structural complexity slightly, it dramatically improves connection reliability by ensuring coupling occurs only when properly aligned and timed.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement mechanism performs preliminary positioning of the drive coupling before final connection, ensuring proper alignment. This preliminary action prevents connection failures that would occur with simple direct coupling, justifying the increased structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a toner case, a driving mechanism and an installed part. The toner case includes a container main body, a rotating member and a transmission coupling. The container main body is provided with a discharge port configured to discharge a toner. The rotating member is installed into the container main body. The transmission coupling is connected with the rotating member. The driving mechanism includes a drive coupling and a drive unit. The drive coupling is detachably connected with the transmission coupling. The toner case has a lever supported onto the container main body. The driving mechanism has a movement mechanism which works in accordance with the operation of the lever, in a state of installing the toner case into the installed part, to move the drive coupling from a disconnecting position to a connecting position with the transmission coupling.