Toner Container Vibration Damping for Accurate Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waste toner collection devices experience unstable sensor outputs due to vibration of the waste toner bottle caused by changes in toner amount, leading to inaccurate detection of the stored toner quantity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a cushioning member between the container mounting portion and the toner container to absorb vibrations, combined with a displacement amount detection system using a coil spring and optical sensor to accurately determine the toner amount based on weight changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a waste toner container is used to collect waste toner, then the toner quantity can be collected and stored, but the container vibrates when the toner amount changes causing unstable sensor outputs
Solution Approach 1:
A cushioning member is provided between the mounting portion and the waste toner container to cushion vibration of the waste toner container in the gravitational direction which vibration occurs due to a change in the weight of the waste toner container. This beforehand cushioning prevents the vibration from affecting the displacement amount detection portion, thereby stabilizing the sensor output while maintaining the waste toner collection function.
2Measurement precision
If a detection sensor is used to detect when the container is full, then the user can be notified of replacement timing, but the sensor output becomes unstable due to container vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member acts as an intermediary between the waste toner container and the mounting portion, isolating the detection sensor from the vibration caused by toner weight changes. This intermediary element allows the sensor to accurately detect displacement caused by toner accumulation while filtering out the harmful vibration that would otherwise destabilize the detection signal.
3Ease of operation
If the container is made detachable for easy replacement, then user operation is simplified, but vibration during toner accumulation affects detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member is pre-installed in the mounting portion to cushion vibration before it reaches the detection system. This allows the container to remain detachable for easy user replacement while simultaneously protecting the detection precision by isolating the sensor from vibration caused by toner weight changes during normal operation.
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
Stabilizes the detection signal output, improving the accuracy of toner quantity determination and ensuring reliable notification for toner replacement timing.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member is provided between the toner container and the mounting portion and configured to support the toner container by an elastic force thereof and contract and expand in accordance with a weight of the toner container.
Implementation Method 2
the displacement amount detection portion is configured to detect a displacement amount of the toner container displaced in a gravitational direction when the weight of the toner container increases
Implementation Method 3
The cushioning member is provided between the mounting portion and the toner container and configured to cushion vibration of the toner container in the gravitational direction which vibration occurs due to a change in the weight of the toner container.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a toner container, a mounting portion, an elastic member, a displacement amount detection portion, a stored amount determination portion, and a cushioning member. The elastic member is configured to support the toner container by an elastic force thereof and contract and stretch in accordance with a weight of the toner container. The displacement amount detection portion is configured to detect a displacement amount of the toner container displaced in a gravitational direction when the weight of the toner container increases. The stored amount determination portion is configured to determine an amount of the toner stored in the toner container on the basis of a result of detection by the displacement amount detection portion. The cushioning member is configured to cushion vibration of the toner container in the gravitational direction which vibration occurs due to a change in the weight of the toner container.