Toner Supply Container Shutter Mechanism for Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner supply systems for image forming apparatuses lack an efficient and convenient method for toner discharge and mounting, leading to potential toner leakage and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A toner supply container with a memory portion, electroconductive portion, container portion, and a shutter mechanism that allows for controlled toner discharge and easy mounting, featuring a rotating shutter that covers and exposes the discharge opening, and an electroconductive surface for communication with the image forming apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shutter mechanism is added to control toner discharge, then toner leakage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is divided into multiple segments (first shutter, second shutter, third shutter) that can independently rotate around different axes. Each segment can be controlled separately to open or close the discharge opening, allowing precise control of toner discharge while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter mechanism employs dynamic rotation around first and second axes that are substantially perpendicular to each other. This dynamic configuration allows the shutter to transition between closed and open states efficiently, providing reliable toner discharge control while the rotational freedom reduces the need for complex locking and positioning mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the first exposed surface of the electrode is positioned inside the imaginary circle of the shutter, then the shutter can effectively cover the discharge opening, but the electrode area exposed to outside is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is designed with different surface characteristics in different regions. The first exposed surface is positioned within the shutter's coverage area to ensure reliable discharge control, while the second exposed surface extends beyond the imaginary circle to provide additional exposed area. This local differentiation optimizes both the shutter coverage effectiveness and the overall electrode exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is configured with exposed surfaces in multiple spatial dimensions. The first exposed surface faces a direction substantially perpendicular to the first axis, while the second exposed surface faces a different direction. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows the electrode to maintain adequate exposed area even when the first surface is constrained within the shutter's imaginary circle.
Data Source
AI summary
A toner supply container includes a memory portion, a container portion, a discharging portion, and a shutter. The memory portion includes a memory for storing information and an electrode having an exposed surface. The discharging portion is disposed on one end side of the container portion with respect to a first direction. The shutter is configured to rotate around an axis extending in the first direction. As viewed along the first direction, the exposed surface is disposed inside of an imaginary circle that passes through an outer end of the shutter with the axis as a center of the imaginary circle.