Entrance Suppressing Member for Waste Toner Collection Augers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the reorientation of waste toner collection containers can cause waste toner to accumulate in gaps between transport augers, leading to clogging and inefficient collection, as the toner is pushed by gravity and blocks the transport path when the container is reinstalled.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an entrance suppressing member with a box shape and specific plate configurations that align with the augers' rotational paths, preventing toner from entering the gap and ensuring smooth transport by extending plates to match the augers' dimensions and orientations, thereby preventing toner accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the powder collection container is reoriented for removal and reinstallation, then the container can be easily accessed and maintained, but waste powder accumulates in the gap between transport members due to gravity, causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The entrance suppressing member is positioned in advance to prevent powder from entering the gap between transport members before reorientation occurs. This preliminary protective structure blocks the harmful effect of gravity-induced powder accumulation, ensuring the transport path remains clear during container removal and reinstallation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The entrance suppressing member acts as an intermediary structure between the powder collection space and the gap between transport members. It mediates the interaction by selectively allowing powder to be transported while blocking it from entering the harmful gap, thus resolving the contradiction between container accessibility and transport reliability.
2Productivity
If the end portion of the second transport member is positioned above the first transport member to enable powder transfer, then powder transport efficiency is improved, but a gap is created where powder can accumulate during reorientation
Solution Approach 1:
The entrance suppressing member serves as an intermediary element that fills and seals the gap created by the vertical positioning of transport members. It allows the beneficial vertical arrangement for efficient powder transfer while preventing the harmful gap from causing powder accumulation during container reorientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The entrance suppressing member is strategically positioned only at the specific location where the gap exists between transport members, providing localized protection without interfering with the overall powder transport flow. This targeted approach maintains transport efficiency while preventing clogging at the critical gap location.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses toner entry into the gap, ensuring continuous and efficient waste toner collection, even during reorientation and reinstallation of the collection container, and optimizes the use of space within the collection container.
Implementation Method 1
The first transport member is disposed in the powder collection container, extends in a first transport direction, and is to transport the powder received on an upstream side in the first transport direction to a downstream side in the first transport direction when the first transport member is rotated
Implementation Method 2
The at least one second transport member transports, when the at least one second transport member is rotated, the powder in the second transport direction and passes the powder to part of the first transport member positioned below the end portion
Implementation Method 3
the reorientation of waste toner collection containers can cause waste toner to accumulate in gaps between transport augers, leading to clogging and inefficient collection, as the toner is pushed by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A powder collection device includes a powder collection container, a first transport member, at least one second transport member, and an entrance suppressing member. The powder collection container is removably mounted in an apparatus. The first transport member is disposed in the powder collection container, extends in a first transport direction, and is to transport the powder to a downstream side in the first transport direction. The at least one second transport member extends in a second transport direction. The at least one second transport member transports the powder in the second transport direction so as to pass the powder to the first transport member. The entrance suppressing member suppresses entrance of the powder into a gap between the first transport member and an end portion of the at least one second transport member.