Toner Container Coupling System for Stable Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toner containers may experience unstable toner distribution and replenishment if the rotating member is accidentally rotated in the opposite direction, leading to inconsistent toner discharge and supply to the developing device.
Innovation Solution
The toner container design includes a rotating member with a coupling system that restricts rotation in the opposite direction through a ratchet mechanism and agitating coupling arrangement, ensuring the rotating member only rotates in the intended direction, preventing toner distribution instability and ensuring stable supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotating member is allowed to rotate freely in both directions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of toner discharge becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the transmitting member and rotating member employs asymmetric toothed surfaces where one surface is inclined and the other is substantially perpendicular to the rotating member's axis. This asymmetric design permits rotation in the forward direction while preventing reverse rotation, thereby maintaining operational ease while ensuring reliable toner discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the reverse-rotation prevention function from the main rotating mechanism by introducing a separate coupling structure with asymmetric surfaces. This dedicated anti-reverse mechanism operates independently from the primary rotation function, allowing the rotating member to rotate freely in the forward direction while being constrained against reverse rotation
2Reliability
If a coupling mechanism is added to prevent opposite direction rotation, then the reliability of toner supply is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is merged with the existing transmitting member structure, where the asymmetric coupling surfaces are integrated into the toothed interface between the transmitting member and rotating member. This combination eliminates the need for separate complex anti-reverse mechanisms while achieving reliable toner supply
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by modifying only the specific coupling surfaces where needed - one surface is made inclined while the other remains perpendicular - rather than redesigning the entire rotating mechanism. This localized modification achieves reverse-rotation prevention with minimal increase in overall device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A toner container (6) includes a container body (21) having a discharging port (37) discharging a toner, a rotating member (22), a moving member (23), a transmitting member (25) transmitting rotation to the rotating member (22), an agitating member (24) agitating the toner in the container body (21), and a connecting member (26) transmitting rotation to the agitating member (24). At least a part of the rotating member (22) is at least partly installed in the container body (21). At least a part of the transmitting member (25) is arranged outside the container body (21). The rotating member (22) includes a following coupling (56) facing to the outside of the container body (21). The transmitting member (25) includes a transmitting coupling (98) connected to the following coupling (56). The agitating member (24) includes an agitating coupling (86) facing to the outside of the container body (21). The connecting member (26) includes a connecting coupling (104) connected to the agitating coupling (86). The agitating coupling (86) is arranged outside the outer circumference of the following coupling (56).