Waste Toner Container Regulating Member Displacement Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waste toner containers face failures during attachment and detachment from image forming apparatuses due to the displacement of movable members in waste toner detection units, which can lead to contact with the apparatus body, especially when the containers are made of soft resin materials and subjected to increased internal pressure.
Innovation Solution
A waste toner container design that includes a waste toner detection unit with a flexibility member and a movable member, where the displacement of the movable member is limited by a regulating member to prevent contact with the image forming apparatus body during attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the waste toner container is made of soft resin material to decrease weight, then the weight of the container is reduced, but the container becomes susceptible to crushing during attachment/detachment operations causing movable member displacement
Solution Approach 1:
A regulating member is installed beforehand to limit the displacement range of the movable member. This preventive measure ensures that even if the soft container is crushed during attachment/detachment operations, the movable member cannot displace beyond the regulated range and contact the image forming apparatus main body, thus cushioning against potential damage before it occurs.
2Weight of moving object
If the waste toner container is made of soft resin material to decrease weight, then the weight of the container is reduced, but the container structure becomes less rigid leading to potential damage to the image forming apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating member acts as an intermediary element between the movable member and the image forming apparatus main body. It mediates the interaction by providing a physical barrier that prevents direct contact between the movable member and the apparatus, thus protecting the apparatus from potential damage caused by the soft container's structural deformation.
3Extent of automation
If a movable member is used in the waste toner detection unit, then the detection function is enabled, but the movable member can be displaced and contact the image forming apparatus main body causing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating member is pre-installed to define the displacement limits of the movable member before any operational issues arise. This preliminary structural constraint ensures that the movable member can perform its detection function through controlled movement while being prevented from exceeding safe displacement ranges that would cause contact with the image forming apparatus main body.
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 solution effectively prevents the displacement of the movable member, thereby avoiding contact with the image forming apparatus body and ensuring safe and reliable operation of the waste toner container during handling.
Implementation Method 1
a flexibility member installed so as to cover an opening portion formed in a ceiling portion or a side wall and is deformed by direct or indirect push from the waste toner
Data Source
AI summary
The waste toner container includes: a waste toner detection unit configured to detect a state in which a toner surface of waste toner at that position is displaced up to a ceiling portion or near the ceiling portion. The waste toner detection unit includes: a flexibility member installed so as to cover an opening portion formed in the ceiling portion or a side wall and is configured to be deformed by a direct or indirect push by the waste toner; and a movable member formed so as to contact the flexibility member from outside of the container and so as to be displaced by the direct or indirect push by the waste toner interposing the flexibility member such that displacement thereof is detected by a detection unit. The displacement of the movable member is limited by a regulating member.