Toner Sensing Partition Mechanism for Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting the full and near-full conditions of the toner in the cleaning apparatus, leading to unexpected termination of printing operations due to uneven toner deposition, which necessitates a more precise sensing mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a second chamber with a groove and a partition member that moves under toner pressure, allowing toner to enter a sensing chamber where two sensors can accurately detect toner deposition, preventing false full condition detection and enabling earlier notification of near-full conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a toner detection sensor is arranged in the center of the rear wall of the accommodating chamber, then the sensing structure is simple, but the sensing accuracy is poor due to uneven toner deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodating chamber is divided into two separate chambers: a first accommodating chamber for storing recovered toner and a second sensing chamber for detection. This segmentation allows the sensing function to be separated from the storage function, enabling accurate detection while maintaining simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A partition member is introduced as an intermediary between the first accommodating chamber and the second sensing chamber. This partition member is movable under toner pressure and controls the flow of toner into the sensing chamber, enabling indirect detection that accurately reflects the toner level in the main storage chamber.
2Measurement precision
If a small sensing chamber is located at the rear side of the accommodating chamber with a partition member opened by toner pressure, then the sensing accuracy is improved, but the user convenience deteriorates due to unexpected termination of printing operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of near-full conditions before the toner actually reaches the full condition. By detecting when toner approaches the partition member in the sensing chamber, the system can notify users in advance and allow them to prepare for toner replacement, preventing unexpected interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the sensing chamber provides real-time information about toner levels to the control unit. This feedback enables the system to distinguish between near-full and full conditions, providing appropriate notifications to users at different stages of toner depletion.
3Measurement precision
If the partition member is positioned to allow toner entry into the sensing chamber, then the near-full condition can be detected, but false detection may occur if toner deposition is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing function is extracted from the main accommodating chamber and placed in a separate sensing chamber. This extraction ensures that the sensing process is independent of the toner deposition pattern in the main chamber, eliminating false detections caused by uneven distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, responding dynamically to toner pressure. This dynamic behavior allows the partition to automatically adjust its position based on the actual toner level, ensuring reliable detection regardless of deposition patterns.
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 enhances sensing accuracy by ensuring toner enters the sensing chamber only when the accommodating chamber is full, allowing for timely notification of near-full conditions and preventing premature detection of full conditions, thus optimizing printing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a partition member positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber and which is movable by a pressure of the developer deposited in the first chamber
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the present invention can include an image forming apparatus having an image forming portion configured to form an image using developer, a recovery portion configured to recover the developer, a accommodating portion having a first chamber for accommodating developer recovered by the recovery portion, a second chamber which is connected to the first chamber and has a groove, a partition member positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber and which is movable by a pressure of the developer deposited in the first chamber, and a sensing portion having two positions for sensing developer deposited in the groove.