Vibration Plate Powder Detector for Toner Level Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses lack an efficient method to detect the remaining amount of developer, such as toner, in containers, leading to potential shortages and inefficiencies in image formation processes.
Innovation Solution
A powder detector system is introduced, comprising a vibration plate within the powder container, a vibration detector to sense the plate's vibration state, and a contact member to agitate and vibrate the plate, utilizing a magnetic flux sensor to output frequency signals corresponding to the plate's vibration, allowing for accurate detection of the toner level based on oscillation frequency changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no powder detection system is installed, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of image formation deteriorates due to potential powder shortages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by vibrating the powder container at a specific frequency to generate acoustic resonance. When the container is empty or nearly empty, the vibration produces a characteristic sound frequency that differs from when powder is present. This allows detection of powder levels without complex sensors or additional components, maintaining low device complexity while ensuring reliable image formation by detecting powder shortages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems (such as weight sensors, level sensors, or optical detectors) with a simple acoustic vibration method. By using a vibration generator and acoustic sensor to detect resonance frequency changes, the system achieves reliable powder level detection with minimal mechanical complexity, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a complex detection system is installed, then the measurement precision of powder amount is high, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses mechanical vibration at resonance frequency to detect powder amount with high precision. The vibration generator excites the container at its natural frequency, and the acoustic sensor measures the resonance characteristics. The presence or absence of powder significantly affects the resonance frequency and acoustic properties, enabling precise measurement of powder levels through simple acoustic analysis rather than complex detection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter being measured from direct mechanical or optical properties to acoustic resonance frequency. By monitoring changes in resonance frequency and acoustic characteristics of the container, the system achieves high measurement precision of powder amount while keeping the detection mechanism simple. The powder's effect on acoustic parameters provides precise measurement without requiring complex detection systems.
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 system enables precise detection of toner levels, preventing shortages and optimizing image formation by accurately determining when toner is low, ensuring continuous operation and efficient supply management.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration plate disposed in the powder container to vibrate... The vibration state of the vibration plate is affected by the powder in the powder container
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a magnetic flux sensor to output frequency signals corresponding to the plate's vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A powder detector to detect an amount of powder in the powder container includes a vibration plate disposed in the powder container to vibrate, a contact member to vibrate the vibration plate; and a vibration detector to detect a vibration state of the vibration plate. The powder has flowability, and the vibration state of the vibration plate is affected by the powder in the powder container.