Toner Container Shutter Mechanism Preventing Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner containers for image forming apparatuses face issues with preventing incorrect color toner insertion and accidental toner leakage due to the design of discrimination protrusions and shutter mechanisms, which can lead to unintended opening of the toner outlet.
Innovation Solution
A powder container with a horizontally extending compartment, a removably insertable plug member to control the powder outlet, and discrimination protrusions unique to each type of powder, along with a container mount and detection system that ensures correct insertion and prevents leakage by using a controller to manage the rotation of the container and the plug member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shutter moves in parallel to the installation direction of the toner container, then the toner container can be easily installed and removed, but the shutter may jolt and open the toner outlet unintentionally when the wrong color container is inserted, causing toner leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the movement direction relationship between the shutter and installation direction. Instead of the shutter moving parallel to the installation direction (which causesjolting), the shutter moves perpendicular to the installation direction. This inversion eliminates the jolting problem while maintaining ease of operation, as the shutter is actuated by a different mechanical linkage that responds to container insertion without direct parallel movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (a lever or linkage system) between the container insertion action and the shutter movement. This intermediary translates the insertion force into shutter opening motion without allowing direct parallel movement, thereby preventing jolts while still enabling reliable shutter actuation when the correct container is installed.
2Reliability
If the discrimination protrusion is positioned to hit the insertion opening early during insertion, then incorrect color prevention is enhanced, but the toner outlet may open before the discrimination protrusion hits, causing toner leakage onto the container mount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by ensuring the discrimination protrusion hits the insertion opening at the precise moment when the shutter is fully open, rather than before. This timing control prevents toner leakage because the outlet is already open when the discrimination check occurs, eliminating the risk of toner spilling onto the mount during the insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the position of the discrimination protrusion relative to the insertion opening provides information about correct container installation. This feedback is coupled with shutter control so that the shutter only opens when the discrimination protrusion properly engages, ensuring that toner discharge occurs only when the correct container is installed and the outlet is ready to receive it.
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 incorrect toner insertion and leakage by ensuring the toner container is correctly aligned and secured, maintaining the integrity of the toner supply and preventing accidental discharge.
Implementation Method 1
The toner discharged from the bottle body is discharged outside the toner bottle through a toner outlet formed in the cap so that the toner flows down under its own weight
Implementation Method 2
a spiral protrusion formed in an inner circumferential surface of the bottle body. As the bottle body rotates, the toner contained in the bottle body is transported along the spiral protrusion to the opening of the bottle body
Data Source
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AI summary
A powder container includes a powder containing compartment having a powder outlet connectable to a horizontally extending tube of an apparatus in conjunction with installation of the powder container in the apparatus, a removably insertable plug member to open and close the powder outlet in conjunction with installation of the powder container, and at least one discrimination protrusion projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the powder container. The powder contained in the powder containing compartment is discharged from the powder outlet thereof to the tube. A downstream end of the discrimination protrusion is positioned downstream from a downstream end of the powder outlet of the powder containing compartment in an installation direction in which the powder container is installed in the apparatus, and at least one of shape, arrangement, and quantity of the discrimination protrusion is unique to the type of powder contained in the powder container.