Toner Collection Case Movable Member for Accurate Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toner collecting mechanisms in image forming apparatuses often inaccurately detect when the toner collecting case is full, leading to unnecessary replacement and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for multiple sensors and larger apparatus size.

Innovation Solution

A toner collecting case with a movable member that conveys toner away from the intake portion, guiding it to a detecting lever which activates a sensor when the case is nearly full, allowing for accurate detection without increasing the apparatus size or cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are provided to detect toner amount at different stages, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner amount detection accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a movable member that moves dynamically in response to toner accumulation, transitioning from an initial position to a second position when toner reaches a certain level. This dynamic mechanism allows a single sensor to detect different toner stages (nearly full vs. full) based on the movable member's position, eliminating the need for multiple sensors while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable member is designed to move automatically based on toner accumulation without external intervention. As toner accumulates in the collecting case, it naturally pushes the movable member from its initial position to the second position, which then triggers the sensor. This self-actuating mechanism reduces system complexity and manufacturing cost while achieving accurate multi-stage detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If a long vertical space is provided for toner collecting case movement, then detection accuracy is improved, but apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner full state detection accuracyVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring vertical movement space, the invention transitions the detection mechanism to a horizontal or lateral movement dimension. The movable member moves laterally in response to toner accumulation and triggers the sensor horizontally, eliminating the need for significant vertical space while maintaining accurate detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of time

If alert is issued early to give user preparation time, then user preparation time is improved, but productivity decreases due to unnecessary apparatus stoppage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser preparation timeVSAvoidapparatus operational time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into two distinct detection stages: nearly full detection (first position of movable member) and full detection (second position of movable member). This segmentation allows the system to issue alerts at different timing - an early alert when nearly full and a final alert when completely full - enabling users to prepare replacement cases at appropriate intervals without causing unnecessary production stoppages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution provides accurate detection of the toner collecting case's full state, reducing unnecessary replacements and downtime by allowing for a longer preparation time and higher packing efficiency without increasing the apparatus size or manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

when some toner is collected in the detecting portion and light emitted from the light-emitting portion is blocked by the collected toner before reaching the light-receiving portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the toner collecting case is held by an elastic member so that the toner collecting case is lowered in accordance with the weight of collected toner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10539917B2Container and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 CANON KK

AI summary

A container includes a collecting portion in which toner discharged from an apparatus body is accumulated, a conveying member that conveys the toner in the collecting portion in a direction away from an intake portion provided in the collecting portion, and a movable member movable in accordance with an amount of toner in the collecting portion and that causes, when the movable member reaches a first position, a detecting portion to detect an amount of toner in the collecting portion. The movable member includes a guiding portion that guides the toner in a direction away from the first position while the toner is conveyed by the conveying member.