Toner Container Mount Detection Using Contact Springs and Key Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with detection failures due to incompatibility-sensitive structures that prevent the mounting of non-compatible toner containers, leading to potential operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a detection mechanism using a detection circuit and key members to ensure correct mounting of toner storage containers, allowing for simple and cost-effective detection of compatibility through a change in detection signal when the toner container is inserted to a predetermined position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an incompatibility-sensitive structure is used to prevent non-compatible toner containers from being mounted, then compatibility control is improved, but detection reliability deteriorates due to detection failures when the detection shape is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical incompatibility-sensitive structure with an electrical detection system. Instead of relying on physical shape compatibility that can fail when damaged, the invention uses contact springs and detection circuits to sense the presence and compatibility of toner containers through electrical contact. This substitution eliminates detection failures caused by mechanical damage while maintaining compatibility control through the key member and contact terminal interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces contact springs as intermediary elements between the mounting portion and the toner container. These contact springs serve as mediators that can reliably detect the presence and compatibility of containers without being directly damaged by incompatible mounting attempts. The key members on compatible containers make contact with these intermediary contact terminals, allowing detection without exposing fragile detection shapes to damage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex incompatibility-sensitive structure is used to ensure correct toner container mounting, then compatibility control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from a complex mechanical incompatibility-sensitive structure and separates it into simple electrical contact elements. The key members and contact terminals are separated from the mounting mechanism itself, allowing the mounting portion to remain simple while adding only minimal detection components. This extraction reduces overall device complexity compared to integrated mechanical detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical shape compatibility to electrical contact presence. Instead of using complex mechanical interlocking shapes that require precise fabrication and assembly, the system detects compatibility through simple electrical contact between key members and contact terminals. This parameter change simplifies the detection mechanism while maintaining effective compatibility control.
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 solution enables reliable detection of compatible toner containers, preventing detection failures and ensuring proper operation without the need for complex mechanisms, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
a first contact spring provided in the coupled part, a second contact spring having a plurality of contact terminals that contact the first contact spring
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus (100) includes an image forming portion (Pa to Pd), a toner storage container (4a to 4d), a mounting portion (30a to 30d), a detection mechanism, and a control portion. (190) The detection mechanism includes a first contact spring (92) , a second contact spring (93), a ground line (G), a signal line (L1 to L4) , a power supply (V), a detection board (141) having a detection portion (143) that detects the voltage applied from the power supply (V) to the signal line (L1 to L4) as a detection signal, and an electrically insulating key member (83) protruding from the coupling portion (80) of the toner container (4a to 4d) toward the coupled portion (90) of the mounting portion (30a to 30d).When, as a result of the toner storage container (4a to 4d) being inserted up to a mounting position, the key member (83) moves to between the first and second contact springs (92, 93) so that the first and second contact springs (92, 93) turn from a contacting state to a non-contacting state, the control portion (190) detects the toner storage container mounted in the mounting portion (30a to 30d) based on a change in the detection signal detected by the detection portion.