Toner Housing Container Shutter Guide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toner housing containers face issues where the shutter member cannot be opened due to clogging of the conveying pipe receiving member, especially when certain types of toner are used, leading to problems in toner supply in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A toner housing container design featuring a protruding portion and a shutter member that moves between closing and opening positions, with an uplifting portion that includes a curving surface to facilitate toner conveyance and prevent clogging, ensuring the shutter member can be opened even when the toner has a bulk density of 0.399 g/cm³ or less.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shutter member is used to close the container opening portion, then toner leakage is prevented, but the conveying pipe receiving member may be clogged with toner causing the shutter member to cannot be opened
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the shutter member and the conveying pipe receiving member. The guide member has a guide surface that guides the shutter member during opening/closing operations, preventing toner from clogging the receiving member while allowing the shutter to move freely. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling both leakage prevention and reliable opening operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide surface of the guide member is designed with a curved shape that conforms to the movement path of the shutter member. This curved geometry allows the shutter to move smoothly along the guide surface during opening and closing, preventing toner accumulation that would otherwise block the shutter's motion while maintaining the sealing function.
2Productivity
If the conveying pipe receiving member is designed to receive the conveying pipe, then toner supply is enabled, but the receiving member may be clogged with toner preventing shutter operation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member serves as a mediator that separates the functions of toner supply and shutter operation. It allows the conveying pipe receiving member to maintain its toner supply function while the guide member's guide surface prevents toner from interfering with shutter movement, ensuring reliable shutter operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the conveying pipe receiving member handles toner supply, while the guide member handles shutter guidance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interference, preventing clogging issues that would affect shutter operation.
3Ease of operation
If the shutter member moves between closing and opening positions, then toner supply control is achieved, but toner may clog the receiving member during shutter movement
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member acts as an intermediary that facilitates shutter movement while preventing toner from entering the space where the shutter moves. The guide surface provides a controlled path for the shutter, eliminating the harmful effect of toner clogging during the opening/closing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved guide surface is designed to match the shutter's movement trajectory, allowing smooth motion that prevents toner from getting trapped. This geometric design eliminates dead zones where toner could accumulate and cause clogging during shutter operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A toner housing container (32) includes: container body (33); conveying portion (302); pipe receiving port (331); and uplifting portion (304). Container body includes: protruding portion (335a) protruding from container body interior side of container opening portion to one end of container body; and shutter member (332) moving between closing and opening positions to close and open container opening portion. Uplifting portion includes: uplifting wall surface (304f) extending from container body internal wall surface toward protruding portion; and curving portion (304i) curving to conform to protruding portion. Shutter member moves from closing to opening position upon push by conveying pipe (611). When toner housing container is mounted on toner conveying device (60), protruding portion is present between curving portion and toner receiving port of conveying pipe inserted and extends along shutter member moving region. Toner has bulk density of ≤0.399 g/cm3 when toner housing container is shaken up-and-down 10 times at 25°C, 50%RH, and put such that container opening portion faces downward.