Toner Container Conveyance Member with Segmented Blades

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toner containers face challenges in efficiently conveying toner from the storing chamber to the discharge outlet due to limited space and blade size constraints, leading to incomplete toner discharge and potential printing failures.

Innovation Solution

The toner container incorporates a conveyance member with a rotation shaft and multiple blades of varying sizes and inclinations, ensuring effective toner conveyance by expanding the storage space and optimizing blade dimensions to facilitate smooth toner flow to the discharge outlet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the blade size is increased to improve toner conveyance efficiency, then the toner discharge completeness is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase due to space constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner conveyance efficiencyVSAvoidconveyance member structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance member is divided into multiple blades (first blade, second blade, third blade) with different configurations. Each blade segment performs a specific function: the first blade conveys toner from the storing chamber, the second blade conveys toner in the inner space, and the third blade discharges toner. This segmentation allows efficient toner conveyance while maintaining a compact structure that fits within the limited space of the toner container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different blades are designed with different local qualities - varying in size, shape, and inclination angle according to their specific positions and functions. The first blade has a larger size for effective toner pickup, while the second and third blades have different configurations suited for their respective conveyance and discharge roles. This local optimization ensures high conveyance efficiency without requiring all blades to be uniformly large, thus managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If the blade inclination angle is increased to improve toner flow speed, then the toner conveyance speed is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner conveyance speedVSAvoidblade inclination angle precision

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The second blade is specifically designed with a larger inclination angle compared to other blades, optimized for its function of conveying toner in the inner space at higher speed. This local quality differentiation allows the patent to achieve fast toner conveyance where needed without requiring all blades to meet high precision inclination angle requirements, thereby managing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the first blade is made larger to improve toner discharge from the storing chamber, then the toner conveyance effectiveness is improved, but the available space for other components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner discharge effectivenessVSAvoidavailable space in container

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance function is segmented across multiple blades positioned at different locations. The first blade is optimized for discharge from the storing chamber, while the second and third blades handle conveyance in the inner space and final discharge. This segmentation allows the system to achieve effective toner discharge without requiring a single oversized blade that would consume excessive space, enabling better space utilization within the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration ensures stable and reliable toner conveyance, preventing toner accumulation and ensuring consistent supply to the developing device, thereby enhancing printing performance and preventing printing failures.

Implementation Method 1

The conveyance member is rotatably provided in a region extending from the storing chamber to the inner space, includes a rotation shaft and a plurality of blades along the rotation shaft and when rotated, allows the plurality of blades to convey the toner that is present inside the storing chamber and the inner space toward the toner discharge outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical conveyance:

Data Source

PatentUS9535371B2Toner container, image forming apparatus to which toner container is attached

Publication Date: 2017.01.03 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A toner container includes a container main body, a cylindrical portion, an opening/closing member, and a conveyance member. Container main body includes a storing chamber. Opening/closing member is provided in a inner space of cylindrical portion and, operates to open and close a toner discharge outlet of cylindrical portion. Conveyance member includes rotation shaft and blades along rotation shaft and when rotated, allows blades to convey the toner that is present inside storing chamber and the inner space toward toner discharge outlet. The plurality of blades include a first blade and a second blade. First blade is disposed in storing chamber at a position near a boundary between storing chamber and the inner space and is larger in outer diameter than the other blades. Second blade is disposed in the inner space and is larger than first blade in inclination angle with respect to rotation shaft of conveyance member.