Toner Replenishment Lever Switching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses with a pendulum gear mechanism for switching the driving state of a toner conveying member can obstruct the attachment and detachment of cartridges, hindering smooth operation.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a toner replenishment lever that switches the conveying member between driven and non-driven states without blocking the cartridge's attachment/detachment movement, using a contacting part that moves between a pushing position to engage the switching lever and a spaced position to disengage it, ensuring unobstructed access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pendulum gear mechanism is used to switch the driving state of the toner conveying member, then the conveying member can be effectively controlled between driven and non-driven states, but the cartridge attachment and detachment movement is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the contacting part movable between different positions. The contacting part can move to a first position to push the switching lever and engage the driving force, or move to a second position to disengage and allow cartridge attachment/detachment. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the mechanism to adapt its state based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by introducing movement in a third dimension (vertical or lateral displacement) for the contacting part. Instead of the contacting part being fixed in a plane that would block cartridge movement, it is allowed to move out of the way in another dimension, enabling both reliable driving control and unobstructed cartridge operation.
2Productivity
If the contacting part is positioned to push the switching lever for driving the conveying member, then the conveying member can be activated, but the cartridge cannot pass through the space unobstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting part is designed to be dynamically repositionable. When cartridge attachment/detachment is needed, the contacting part moves to a second position that is spaced from the switching lever, creating clearance for the cartridge. When toner conveying is required, the contacting part moves to the first position to push the switching lever and activate the conveying member, thus resolving the spatial conflict between these two operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the contacting part before each operation. Before cartridge attachment/detachment, the contacting part is preliminarily moved to the second position to clear the path. Before activating toner conveying, the contacting part is preliminarily positioned at the first position to ensure proper engagement with the switching lever. This preliminary action prevents interference and ensures smooth operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge of an image forming apparatus includes a conveying member configured to convey toner from a tonner accommodating part of the cartridge to a developing device, and a switching lever configured to switch a state of the conveying member between a driven state and a non-driven state. The toner replenishment lever is movable between a first position at which the replenishment lever pushes the switching lever and a second position at which the replenishment lever is spaced from the switching lever. The contacting part is retracted to outside of a space through which the cartridge passes when attached to or detached from the attachment position. The switching lever is configured to switch the state of the conveying member between the driven state and the non-driven state depending on whether the contacting part of the toner replenishment lever is located at the first position or the second position.