Toner Case Shutter Film Gap Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner supply systems for image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently managing toner flow and preventing toner residue during attachment and detachment of toner containers, leading to potential contamination and inefficiencies in toner replenishment.
Innovation Solution
A toner case design featuring a shutter mount with a sliding film contact mechanism that opens and closes a discharge port, ensuring seamless toner replenishment and discharge while preventing toner residue, by forming a gap between the case main body and shutter mount, and utilizing a shutter that slides to control the discharge port, aligning with the replenishment port of the development device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a toner container is detachably attached to supply toner to the development device, then toner replenishment is enabled, but toner residue and contamination occur during attachment and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a shutter that is preliminarily positioned to close the discharge port before toner discharge begins. When the toner container is detached, the shutter is preliminarily moved to close the discharge port to prevent toner residue and contamination. This preliminary positioning and closing action ensures that toner flow is controlled from the start, preventing contamination while maintaining efficient replenishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter acts as an intermediary mechanism between the toner container and the development device. It mediates the toner flow by being slidable to open and close the discharge port, controlling when toner is discharged and preventing residue during attachment/detachment operations. The shutter mount with film provides a controlled interface that manages the interaction between container and device.
2Ease of operation
If a shutter mechanism is used to open and close the discharge port, then toner flow control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a slidable shutter mechanism that can dynamically open and close the discharge port based on operational needs. The shutter is movable between open and closed positions, allowing flexible control of toner flow. The shutter mount with film provides a dynamic interface that adapts to different operational states (attached/detached), enabling easy toner flow control without overly complex mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the shutter mount forms a gap with the case main body, then shutter sliding is enabled, but toner leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The film on the shutter mount acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the case main body and the shutter. It allows the shutter to slide smoothly while maintaining toner containment. The film provides a controlled interface that enables shutter movement necessary for opening/closing the discharge port while preventing toner leakage through the gap area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using a film on the shutter mount that can deform or flex to accommodate shutter movement. This thin film structure allows the shutter to slide while maintaining sealing properties, enabling easy shutter operation without increasing toner leakage risk. The film's flexibility compensates for the gap while preventing contamination.
Data Source
AI summary
A toner case includes a case main body, a shutter mount and a shutter. The case main body contains a toner to be replenished to a development device provided in an apparatus main body and is detachably attached to the apparatus main body. The case main body has an opened face on which a discharge port is arranged and the discharge port corresponds to a replenishment port of the development device in a state where the case main body is attached to the apparatus main body. The shutter mount is provided to form a gap between the opened face of the case main body and the shutter mount. The shutter is provided between the opened face of the case main body and the shutter mount to be slidable to open and close the discharge port. The shutter mount includes a film which comes into sliding contact with the shutter.