Toner Container Tag Plate Interlock for Compatibility Checking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Incompatible color material containers can be inadvertently attached to image forming apparatuses, leading to inconvenience and potential malfunction.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus includes a container with an IC tag storing color material information, a mounting portion with a tray and holder for the container, and an actuator that presses a switch based on the shape of a tag plate to ensure compatibility, preventing the attachment of non-compatible containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the container is made detachable and replaceable, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of incompatible container attachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of container replacementVSAvoidcompatibility assurance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of container compatibility through IC tag reading and shape matching before allowing the container to be mounted. The actuator is pre-positioned to engage with the first section of the tag plate, and the switch is activated in advance to confirm compatibility before the container becomes operational.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The IC tag and its reading mechanism serve as an intermediary verification system between the container and the image forming apparatus. The tag plate with its specific shape features acts as a mediator that physically indicates compatibility, while the switch serves as an intermediary control element that enables or disables operation based on verification results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a verification mechanism is added to prevent incompatible containers, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility verificationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container itself provides verification information through its IC tag and shape features. The tag plate's first section is designed to automatically engage with the actuator based on the container's inherent shape characteristics, allowing the container to self-identify its compatibility without requiring external verification equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical verification systems with a simplified electromechanical approach. Instead of using intricate mechanical interlocking mechanisms, the system uses an IC tag reading system combined with a simple actuator-switch mechanism to verify compatibility, reducing overall mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4684971A1Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

An image forming apparatus (100) includes a container (1), a mounting portion (2), and an image forming portion (3), the container (1) including a tag plate (13), the mounting portion (2) including a tray (21), a holder (22), a switch (23), and an actuator (24). The tag plate (13) includes a first section (131) formed in a shape that corresponds to one of a plurality of different shapes determined in advance as options for a shape of the actuator (24). When the tray (21) is inserted, if the first section (131) of the tag plate (13) having been entered into the holder (22) has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the actuator (24), the actuator (24) is pressed in an insertion direction by the first section (131).