Toner Container Step Portion Seal Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner containers in electrophotographic systems face issues with toner leakage and inaccurate replenishment due to toner accumulation on seal members, leading to disturbances in the sealing process and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A toner container design featuring a step portion on the container main body with a seal member fixed between the step and the cap, ensuring precise alignment and preventing toner leakage, while allowing smooth toner ejection and accurate replenishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal member is interposed between the container main body and the cap to prevent toner leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but toner accumulates on the seal member causing ejection disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The container main body is segmented into two height levels: a lower toner storage section and an upper ejection section. The seal member is positioned at the step portion between these sections, creating a sealed chamber that prevents toner accumulation on the seal member while maintaining effective sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical height dimension to solve the sealing problem. By creating a step portion with different heights between the toner storage section and ejection section, the seal member is positioned in a specific vertical location that prevents toner from reaching and accumulating on it, thereby maintaining both sealing and ejection functions.
2Productivity
If the seal member is aligned with or protruded from the container main body to prevent toner accumulation, then toner ejection is improved, but sealing effectiveness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into sealed and unsealed zones through the step portion. The seal member seals only the toner storage section, while the ejection section remains open for smooth toner flow. This segmentation allows both sealing and ejection optimization without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the container have different structural qualities: the toner storage section has a sealed structure with the seal member at the step portion, while the ejection section has an open structure for smooth toner flow. This local differentiation optimizes both sealing and ejection functions in their respective zones.
3Device complexity
If a conventional sealing structure is used without a step portion, then device complexity is reduced, but toner leakage and accumulation occur leading to maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The step portion creates a natural segmentation that simplifies the sealing structure by eliminating the need for complex seal arrangements. The seal member simply needs to be positioned at the step portion, reducing structural complexity while preventing toner leakage and accumulation that would require maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A toner container for replenishing toner to an image forming apparatus including: a container main body which comprises a toner storage section and a toner outlet; a cap that covers the toner outlet; and a seal member that is interposed between the container main body and the cap to prevent toner leakage, wherein the container main body has a step portion formed between the toner storage section and the toner outlet, and the seal member is fixed on the step portion to be interposed between the step portion and the cap.