Toner Collection Filtration With Partial Suction to Prevent Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner collecting devices struggle with low toner recovery rates and aggregation issues due to inefficient airflow circulation and filtration, leading to increased time and cost for recycling.
Innovation Solution
A toner collecting device with a centrifugation cylinder, airflow inlet, airflow outlet, toner collector, suction unit, and filtration filter, where the ratio of suction airflow to introduction airflow and filtration area are optimized to reduce friction and pressure on toner, preventing aggregation and improving recovery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a suction unit with filtration filter is added to the toner collecting device, then the toner recovery rate is improved, but the toner is more likely to aggregate due to increased friction and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the suction airflow ratio parameter to be 5% or more and 30% or less of the introduction airflow, and sets the filtration area to specific values, thereby changing the operational parameters to balance toner recovery with prevention of aggregation caused by excessive friction and pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The suction unit is designed to suction only a partial portion of the airflow (5-30%) rather than the entire airflow, which is sufficient to achieve high toner recovery rates while avoiding excessive friction and pressure that would cause aggregation
2Productivity
If the suction airflow ratio is increased to improve toner recovery, then the toner collection efficiency is improved, but the toner aggregation increases due to higher friction and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and optimizes the suction airflow ratio parameter, setting it within the range of 5% to 30% of the introduction airflow, which achieves high toner collection efficiency while preventing aggregation caused by excessive suction force
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of suctioning the entire airflow, the system uses a partial suction approach (5-30% of total airflow), which provides sufficient toner recovery without creating the excessive friction and pressure conditions that lead to aggregation
3Loss of substance
If the filtration area is increased to improve toner recovery, then the filtration efficiency is improved, but the toner aggregation increases due to higher friction and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the filtration area parameter to specific values that achieve high toner recovery rates while avoiding excessive filtration surface area that would create high friction and pressure causing aggregation
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 method enhances toner recovery rates and prevents aggregation, allowing for continuous operation with reduced filtration filter exchange frequency and improved toner collection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugation cylinder to which an airflow containing a toner is introduced and in which the toner is centrifugally separated by a swirling flow caused by the introduced airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A toner collecting device including: a centrifugation cylinder configured to be introduced with an airflow containing a toner and configured to centrifugally separate the toner; an airflow inlet; an airflow outlet; a toner collector that is located at a lower end of the centrifugation cylinder configured to collect the toner separated in the centrifugation cylinder; and a suction unit configured to suction an inside of the centrifugation cylinder through the toner collector and comprising a filtration filter configured to filter out the toner. The ratio of a suction quantity QBD (m3/min) of the airflow suctioned to an introduction quantity Qin (m3/min) at which the airflow containing the toner is introduced is more than 0% and 30% or less. The ratio of a filtration area (m2) of the filtration filter to the suction quantity QBD (m3/min) of the airflow suctioned is 0.4 or more and 4.0 or less.