Toner Container Discharge Openings Sharing Ridge Line

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collecting toner containers require extensive time for toner discharge and cleaning due to limited discharge openings, which hampers efficient reuse and maintenance reduction.

Innovation Solution

The collecting toner container features discharge openings on two adjacent surfaces that share a ridge line, allowing for efficient toner discharge and integration of the toner amount detector with the lid member to streamline cleaning processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If the collecting toner container is increased in size or the collecting toner charging amount is increased, then the number of replacements is reduced, but the time required for toner discharge and cleaning increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice life between replacementsVSAvoidtime for toner discharge and cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge opening is divided into multiple separate openings distributed across different surfaces of the container, allowing toner to be discharged from multiple locations simultaneously rather than through a single opening, thereby reducing discharge time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge openings are arranged across multiple spatial dimensions (different surfaces and positions of the container), enabling parallel discharge paths that reduce the overall time required to empty the container

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a single discharge opening is provided in the collecting toner container, then the structure is simple, but the toner discharge efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge opening structureVSAvoidtoner discharge efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge function is segmented into multiple separate discharge openings located at different positions and surfaces, allowing parallel discharge operations that significantly improve toner discharge efficiency without excessive structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different discharge openings are positioned at specific locations where toner accumulates, optimizing local discharge efficiency at each position while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9477199B2Collecting toner container and image forming apparatus using the same

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 CANON KK

AI summary

Provided are a collecting toner container that is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus so as to collect and store toner; an opening portion through which toner flows from the main body of the image forming apparatus into the collecting toner container; and a stirring/conveying member that conveys the toner flowing from the opening portion into the collecting toner container in the downstream direction of the collecting toner container, wherein a discharge opening used to discharge the toner inside the collecting toner container is formed in each of two adjacent surfaces as a bottom surface and a side surface of the collecting toner container, and the discharge openings provided in the respective surfaces are formed so as to share a ridge line portion of the two surfaces.