Image Forming Apparatus Toner Outlet Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, toner scattering onto electrical contacts during cartridge replacement leads to poor electrical contact due to the interface between the removed toner conveying unit and the toner container being on the same side as the electrical contacts, causing toner adherence and potential drive transmission errors.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a moving unit with a rotatable image bearing member, a cleaning member, and a conveying member that discharges toner to an outlet at one end, while the power contact is at the opposite end, and a container with an inlet outside the moving path, ensuring the toner is collected when the unit is inside and preventing scattering when moved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the removed toner conveying unit and toner container interface are disposed on the same side as electrical contacts, then the structure is simplified and space is saved, but toner scatters and adheres to electrical contacts causing poor electrical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional separation by positioning the toner outlet and electrical contacts at opposite ends of the moving unit along the longitudinal axis. This spatial arrangement in one dimension (longitudinal direction) effectively separates the toner discharge path from the electrical contact area, preventing toner adhesion while maintaining structural integration.
2Ease of operation
If the moving unit is designed to be movable for cartridge replacement, then ease of operation is improved, but toner may scatter during movement and adhere to electrical contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful factor (toner discharge) from the movement path by positioning the toner outlet at the end of the moving unit opposite to the electrical contacts. This ensures that during movement operations, toner is discharged away from sensitive components, eliminating the harmful effect while preserving the movable design for ease of operation.
3Productivity
If the outlet and inlet are positioned to connect when moving unit is inside, then toner collection is efficient, but they must be repositioned to prevent scattering when moved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic positioning approach where the toner outlet and container inlet are fixed at opposite ends of the moving unit. The connection and disconnection of these interfaces occur automatically based on the moving unit's position (inside or outside the housing), eliminating the need for additional positioning mechanisms while maintaining both efficient toner collection and scattering prevention.
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
This configuration prevents toner from adhering to electrical contacts and drive couplings, maintaining reliable electrical connections and preventing drive transmission errors during cartridge replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a conveying member configured to convey removed toner in a rotational axis direction of the image bearing member, the removed toner being removed from the image bearing member by the cleaning member
Implementation Method 2
electrophotographic image forming apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body; a moving unit movable between a first position where the moving unit is inside the apparatus main body and a second position where the moving unit is outside the apparatus main body, the moving unit including an image bearing member, a cleaning member, a conveying member conveying removed toner from the image bearing member, and an outlet disposed at a first end of the moving unit and through which the removed toner is discharged outside the moving unit; a processing unit acting on the image bearing member; and a contact disposed at a second end of the moving unit opposite the first end and through which the processing unit receives power. The apparatus main body includes a container accommodating the removed toner, having an inlet for receiving the removed toner from the outlet.