Toner Container Shutter Lock Mechanism for Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toner containers for image forming apparatuses lack a reliable mechanism to prevent toner leakage during replacement, especially when the toner container is not properly aligned with the attachment portion.

Innovation Solution

A toner container with a shutter mechanism that includes a shutter linking mechanism and a shutter lock mechanism. The shutter linking mechanism moves the shutter portion to open or close the feeding port based on forces applied from the attachment portion, while the shutter lock mechanism restricts the shutter's movement to prevent accidental opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a shutter mechanism is provided to close the feeding port, then toner leakage is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner leakage preventionVSAvoidshutter mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter mechanism is merged with the attachment portion structure. The force applying portion is integrated into the attachment portion, and the shutter linking mechanism is combined with the attachment structure, eliminating the need for separate independent components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable toner leakage prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter mechanism automatically opens and closes based on the attachment and detachment states. When the toner container is attached, the force applying portion automatically moves the linking portion to open the shutter. When detached, the lock mechanism automatically closes and locks the shutter, eliminating the need for manual operation or complex control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If the shutter mechanism is made simple, then device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing toner leakage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter mechanism simplicityVSAvoidtoner leakage prevention reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter lock mechanism includes a lockable state that is automatically engaged when the toner container is attached. The engaging portion and engaged portion are pre-positioned to automatically lock the shutter in the closed state, ensuring reliable toner leakage prevention before any potential leakage can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The link portion acts as an intermediary between the force applying portion and the shutter portion. This intermediary component translates the attachment force into reliable shutter opening action, while the lock mechanism serves as an intermediary that ensures the shutter remains closed and locked when not in use, thereby maintaining high reliability without complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the shutter lock mechanism is added to prevent accidental opening, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter lock reliabilityVSAvoidlock mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock mechanism is merged with the attachment portion structure. The engaging portion is integrated into the attachment portion, and the lockable state is combined with the existing attachment/detachment action. This merging eliminates the need for separate lock actuators or complex control systems, achieving high reliability with minimal added complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lock mechanism automatically engages and disengages based on the attachment state. When the toner container is attached, the force applying portion automatically moves the link portion to the locked state. When detached, the mechanism automatically unlocks, eliminating the need for manual locking or complex control while ensuring reliable prevention of accidental opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If the force applying portion is integrated into the attachment portion, then device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration levelVSAvoidattachment operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The force applying portion is designed to automatically engage with the link portion when the toner container is attached to the attachment portion. This self-acting mechanism eliminates the need for manual operation of the shutter or lock, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high integration and reduced complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12242214B2Toner container with shutter portion lockable with removal of toner container from attachment portion, and image forming apparatus having same

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A shutter lock mechanism moves an engaging portion from a released position to an engaged position when a toner container is removed from an attachment portion. A feeding portion formed with a feeding port or a shutter portion that closes the feeding port is a linking portion. When the engaging portion is at the engaging position, the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion in both a case where the linking portion is at the closed position, and a case where the linking portion is at a semi-closed position between the closed position and the open position. When the linking portion is at a region from the semi-closed position to the closed position, the shutter portion closes the feeding port.