Toner Container Nozzle Structure for Leak-Safe Replenishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner replenishment methods in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are inefficient and costly, requiring the replacement of entire process units, which is cumbersome and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A toner container with a bag formed of resin film and a leading edge portion featuring a nozzle with a discharge port and a two-dimensional code, where the leading edge portion has a thickness greater than the film, facilitating easy attachment and reducing toner leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If toner is replenished by replacing the entire process unit, then toner supply is ensured, but cost increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the toner storage function from the entire process unit by introducing a detachable toner container that can be independently replaced. The process unit is divided into the reusable imaging components and the replaceable toner container, allowing users to replenish toner without replacing the entire process unit, thus improving operational efficiency while ensuring reliable toner supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables selective replacement of only the toner container when toner is depleted, while recovering and reusing the expensive process unit components. This approach eliminates the waste of replacing functional components along with depleted toner, reducing operational costs and improving productivity by allowing quick toner replenishment.
2Ease of manufacture
If a flexible film bag is used for toner storage, then toner containment is achieved, but the bag deforms during toner discharge causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different structural qualities to different parts of the toner container. The bag body is made flexible for easy manufacturing and toner storage, while the leading edge portion is made rigid with a fixed thickness to maintain structural stability during discharge. This localized quality differentiation ensures that the discharge port remains properly aligned even as the flexible bag deforms during toner consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The toner container combines flexible film material for the bag body with a rigid leading edge portion that has greater thickness. This composite structure allows the bag to be easily manufactured and filled while the rigid leading edge maintains precise alignment of the discharge port with the replenishment port throughout the toner discharge process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the leading edge portion has uniform thickness, then manufacturing is simplified, but toner leakage occurs during attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The leading edge portion is designed with non-uniform thickness, having a greater thickness at the discharge end compared to other parts. This localized thickness increase provides structural reinforcement at the critical discharge area, ensuring proper sealing and alignment during attachment to the replenishment port, thereby preventing toner leakage while maintaining ease of manufacture for the thinner portions.
4Ease of operation
If the toner container is frequently attached and detached, then toner replenishment is enabled, but the connection interface becomes loose
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the leading edge portion by increasing its thickness to provide greater structural rigidity. This parameter change ensures that the connection interface maintains stable alignment and proper sealing even after multiple attachment and detachment cycles, preventing the connection from becoming loose while still allowing easy toner replenishment operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A toner container includes a bag, including an opening and formed of resin film, stores toner and a leading edge portion mounted on the opening of the bag, the leading edge portion including a nozzle provided with a discharge port to discharge the toner stored in the bag external to the toner container, wherein the leading edge portion includes a portion formed of resin and provided with a two-dimensional code, and wherein the portion has a thickness greater than a thickness of the film.