Residual Toner Container Orientation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, residual toner collected in containers with side openings tends to shift and flow out during mounting and dismounting, leading to contamination, as existing solutions do not effectively ensure the opening is oriented upwardly during removal.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a holding tray with a protruded portion on the bottle and an interference mechanism that prevents the bottle from being removed until it reaches a predetermined inclined angle, ensuring the side opening is directed upwardly, thus preventing toner from flowing out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bottle is designed with a side opening for easy removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the residual toner may flow out through the opening during removal, causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The interference portion is positioned in advance to engage with the protruded portion before the bottle can be completely removed. This preliminary engagement ensures that the bottle is rotated to the correct orientation (opening facing upward) before removal is completed, preventing toner leakage while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the bottle and the support plate. It mediates the removal process by physically preventing the bottle from being removed until it reaches the correct orientation, thus solving the contradiction between easy removal and preventing toner leakage.
2Ease of operation
If the bottle is allowed to be drawn out freely, then the ease of operation is improved, but the opening may not be directed upwardly, causing toner to flow out
Solution Approach 1:
The interference portion is positioned in advance to engage with the protruded portion before the bottle can be completely removed. This preliminary engagement ensures that the bottle is rotated to the correct orientation (opening facing upward) before removal is completed, preventing toner leakage while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the bottle and the support plate. It mediates the removal process by physically preventing the bottle from being removed until it reaches the correct orientation, thus solving the contradiction between easy removal and preventing toner leakage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the bottle is inclined during removal, then the opening can be directed upwardly to prevent toner flow, but the complexity of the removal mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is segmented with a specific groove structure that guides the bottle's movement. The groove divides the removal path into controlled stages, ensuring the bottle rotates to the correct orientation without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms. This segmentation simplifies the overall design while achieving reliable opening orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution utilizes the rotational dimension of the bottle around its axis. By allowing the bottle to rotate within the groove of the support plate, the opening is directed upwardly through angular orientation rather than through complex linear mechanisms. This dimensional approach simplifies the removal mechanism while preventing toner leakage.
Data Source
AI summary
The image forming apparatus includes image forming device for forming a toner image on a recording material, a residual toner collecting container detachably provided on a main body of said image forming apparatus and adapted to collect residual toner discharged from said image forming means, said residual toner collecting container being capable of collecting the residual toner through an opening at a side of said container, and regulation means for preventing said containing container from being attached onto or removed from the main body of said image forming apparatus until the opening of said collecting container is directed upwardly in a gravitational direction and an inclined angle of said collecting container exceeds a set angle. It can prevent from flowing out through the opening more positively.