Toner Cartridge Shutter Orientation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional toner cartridges are prone to foreign matter entry due to the design of their shutter mechanisms, which can inadvertently open when the toner outlet faces upward, leading to contamination and inefficiency in toner discharge.

Innovation Solution

A developer material container with a shutter mechanism that is enabled or disabled based on the orientation of the discharging opening, using an enabling-and-disabling member that couples or decouples the shutter from the operation member depending on whether the opening faces upward or downward, preventing accidental opening and ensuring secure toner discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the shutter mechanism is designed to be operable in any orientation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to accidental opening when the toner outlet faces upward

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of shutter operationVSAvoidreliability of shutter closure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameter of the shutter mechanism by introducing an orientation-dependent enabling/disabling feature. The shutter is enabled for operation only when the discharging opening faces downward, and disabled when facing upward, using gravitational force detection to control the coupling between the operation member and shutter member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary enabling-and-disabling member that mediates between the operation member and shutter member. This intermediary component couples or decouples the operation member from the shutter member based on the orientation of the discharging opening, preventing direct operation when the orientation is incorrect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the shutter is always kept closed to prevent foreign matter entry, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the user cannot easily discharge toner

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against foreign matter entryVSAvoidease of toner discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameter by making the shutter operable only under specific orientation conditions. The discharging opening must face downward for the shutter to be operable, which maintains protection during storage and transport while enabling easy toner discharge during proper installation and use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the shutter mechanism is simplified without orientation control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the harmful factors increase due to foreign matter contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of shutter mechanismVSAvoidforeign matter contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a relatively simple intermediary enabling-and-disabling member that adds orientation control functionality without significantly complicating the overall shutter mechanism. This intermediary component uses gravitational force detection to prevent foreign matter entry while maintaining a straightforward mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design effectively prevents foreign matter from entering the toner cartridge by ensuring the shutter remains closed when the toner outlet is not intended to be opened, thereby maintaining the integrity of the toner and enhancing the operational reliability of image forming units.

Implementation Method 1

an enabling-and-disabling member that allows or does not allow the operation member to move the shutter relative to the holding body depending on the orientation of the discharging opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP1895368B1Developer material container, image forming unit, and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.11.16 OKI DATA CORP

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AI summary

A developer material container includes a holding body (43), a shutter member (42,62), an operation member (42b,63), coupling member (53,73,220,320). The holding body holds developer therein and includes a developer outlet (44). The shutter member is movably assembled to the holding body. The shutter member is movable either to an opening position where the shutter member opens the developer outlet or to a closing position where the shutter member closes the developer outlet. The operation member is operated to move the shutter to either the opening position or to the closing position. Depending on the orientation of the discharging opening (44), an enabling-and-disabling member (53,73,220,320) allows or does not allow the operation member to move the shutter relative to the holding body.