Toner Storage Case Rotary Shaft Toner Returning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional image forming apparatuses, toner can fuse and stick due to rotary friction between the rotary shafts of stirring and conveyance members and their bearing portions, leading to malfunctions and rotation failures.
Innovation Solution
A toner storage case with a toner returning mechanism featuring inclined grooves or ribs on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shafts, which discharge toner back out of the bearing hole as the members rotate, preventing accumulation and stickage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rotary member rotates to convey and stir toner, then the toner is effectively moved and mixed, but toner accumulates in the gap between the rotary shaft and bearing portion causing fusion and rotation failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful accumulated toner from the gap between the rotary shaft and bearing portion by providing a discharge port that communicates with this gap. The toner is removed from the problematic area through the extraction mechanism, preventing fusion and maintaining reliable rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism (the discharge port and associated structure) that mediates between the rotary shaft rotation and the bearing portion. This intermediary provides a controlled pathway for toner to exit the gap, preventing direct contact and fusion between toner and bearing surfaces while maintaining rotation reliability.
2Reliability
If a conventional discharge mechanism is added to remove toner from the gap, then rotation reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the toner discharge function with the existing rotary shaft structure by forming the discharge port in the rotary shaft itself or in the bearing housing that works in conjunction with it. This integration combines multiple functions (rotation and toner discharge) into a unified structure, improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary shaft structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it rotates to convey and stir toner, and simultaneously acts as a barrier and discharge pathway for preventing toner accumulation in the bearing gap. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated discharge mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
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 effectively prevents toner accumulation and rotation failures by discharging toner from the gap between the rotary shafts and bearing portions, ensuring smooth operation with a simple and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
The toner returning portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft portion and configured to return the toner that has entered the bearing hole, in an outward direction toward an outside of the bearing hole as the rotary member is rotated
Data Source
AI summary
A toner storage case includes a case main body, a rotary member, a support shaft portion, a bearing portion, and a toner returning portion. The case main body is configured to store toner therein. The rotary member is provided in the case main body and configured to move the toner by being rotated. The support shaft portion rotatably supports the rotary member. The bearing portion includes a bearing hole that rotatably supports the support shaft portion in a state where the support shaft portion is inserted in the bearing hole. The toner returning portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft portion and configured to return the toner that has entered the bearing hole, in an outward direction toward an outside of the bearing hole as the rotary member is rotated.