Toner Container with Longitudinal Rib for Gravity Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toner cartridges have high production costs due to the complexity of manufacturing molds with spiral ribs covering the entire inner circumference to facilitate toner discharge.
Innovation Solution
An elongated hollow container design with distinct sections and a longitudinal rib, featuring tapered guiding surfaces and flaps that allow toner to move by gravity when rotated, simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spiral ribs are lined on the whole inner circumference of the container to force toner movement, then toner discharge function is improved, but mold manufacturing difficulty increases and production cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the inner circumference of the container into multiple discrete sections with individual ribs or protrusions rather than using continuous spiral ribs. This segmentation allows each section to be molded independently, significantly simplifying mold design and manufacturing while still providing effective toner guidance and discharge functionality through the distributed arrangement of these segmented elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying uniform spiral ribs across the entire inner circumference, the patent implements localized guiding structures at specific positions where they are most effective for toner flow. This local quality approach concentrates the toner-moving function in key areas while leaving other areas simpler, reducing overall mold complexity and manufacturing difficulty while maintaining reliable toner discharge.
2Reliability
If spiral ribs cover the entire inner circumference to ensure toner movement, then toner discharge reliability is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is segmented into distinct zones with different rib configurations, allowing each zone to perform its specific function with appropriate complexity. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity by avoiding the need for continuous spiral ribs while maintaining toner discharge reliability through strategically placed segmented guiding elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the partial action principle by implementing ribs or guiding structures in only the necessary portions of the container inner circumference rather than the entire circumference. This partial coverage is sufficient to achieve reliable toner discharge while significantly reducing structural complexity and manufacturing requirements compared to full circumferential spiral ribs.
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
The design effectively moves toner from the rear to the front end of the container while reducing manufacturing costs by simplifying the mold production process.
Implementation Method 1
the first section is provided at the inner circumference with a first guiding surface defining with the central axis a distance L1 gradually increasing toward the opening, the second section is provided at the inner circumference with a second guiding surface defining with the central axis a distance L2 gradually increasing toward the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A container for a toner cartridge includes a hollow main body defining a longitudinal central axis. The main body has a first section near a rear end thereof, a second section near a front end thereof, a connecting section between the first and second sections, a longitudinal rib extending from the first section to the second section via the connecting section. The radii of cross sections of the first and second sections respectively gradually increase toward the front end of the main body. The longitudinal rib has a third guiding surface defining with the central axis a distance shorter than the radius of a cross section of the connecting section. The container can effectively move the toner accommodated inside the container from the rear end toward the front end. A mold for the container is easy to manufacture, resulting in cost reduction in manufacturing.