Toner Container Cooling via Movable Ejection Stacking Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proximity of the toner container to the ejection stacking section in image forming apparatuses leads to heat conduction, causing the toner to degrade due to the heat applied by the fixing section.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cooling mechanism with a cooling fan and movable members that adjust to allow airflow between the ejection stacking section and the toner container, ensuring effective cooling of the toner container by directing air flow through an opening that opens only when a predetermined number of recording mediums are stacked, thereby reducing the temperature of the toner container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the ejection stacking section and toner container are disposed close to each other, then the device structure is compact, but heat from the fixing section conducts to the toner container causing toner degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection stacking section is divided into an upper section and a lower section with a movable member between them. The movable member can move to create openings that allow cooling air to reach the toner container, effectively segmenting the heat path while maintaining structural compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable member is designed to dynamically change position between a closed position (maintaining compact structure) and an open position (allowing cooling airflow). This dynamic adjustment enables the system to switch between structural integrity and heat dissipation modes as needed.
2Temperature
If a cooling mechanism with movable members is added, then the toner container is effectively cooled, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The movable member is biased by a spring and automatically moves between closed and open positions based on the weight of stacked recording mediums. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for motors, sensors, or control systems, achieving effective cooling while minimizing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable member acts as an intermediary element that connects the upper and lower sections of the ejection stacking section. It mediates between the need for structural compactness and the need for cooling airflow, providing a simple mechanical solution that balances both requirements.
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 effectively cools the toner container, preventing toner degradation and maintaining its quality by reducing heat transfer from the ejection stacking section, thus ensuring consistent image formation.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling fan sends air to flow between the cooling target unit and the ejection stacking section
Implementation Method 2
heat applied to a recording medium by the fixing section is conducted to the toner container via the ejection stacking section
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an ejection stacking section, a cooling target unit, and a cooling fan. The cooling target unit is disposed below the ejection stacking section. The cooling fan sends air to flow between the cooling target unit and the ejection stacking section. The ejection stacking section includes an opening, a movable member, and a biasing member. The movable member is movable between a closed position and an open position. The biasing member biases the movable member toward the closed position. In response to that the recording mediums are stacked on the ejection stacking section, the movable member moves toward the open position against a biasing force of the biasing member to allow the air sent from the cooling fan to flow through the opening so as to cool a lower surface of the recording mediums stacked on the ejection stacking section.