Integrated Waste Developer Container Detection Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in compact design and user operability due to the need for multiple developer collecting devices, which also lead to pollution issues, and current detection methods for waste developer containers are complex and prone to false detection.

Innovation Solution

A developer collecting device with an integrated container detection section that simplifies the detection of whether a waste developer container is mounted and filled, using a movable lever and mechanical sensor portion to accurately determine the container's state without requiring multiple sensors, allowing for a larger waste developer container capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple developer collecting devices are provided for multiple image forming units and intermediate transfer body, then waste developer can be collected from all sources, but the apparatus requires larger space and user operability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste developer collection completenessVSAvoidapparatus space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate developer collecting devices into a single integrated waste developer container that can collect waste developer from multiple image forming units and the intermediate transfer body. This single container replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate containers, thereby reducing the space required while maintaining complete waste developer collection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The waste developer container is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: it collects waste developer from multiple different sources (image forming units and intermediate transfer body), and it incorporates an integrated detection system that performs multiple detection functions (mounting detection and fullness detection) within a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple detecting sensors are used to determine container mounting and fullness, then detection accuracy is improved, but the apparatus requires more space and determination operation becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer state detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple detection sensors into a single integrated container detection section. This detection section integrates both the mounting detection sensor and the fullness detection sensor into one unified component, reducing the number of separate sensors needed while maintaining the ability to accurately detect both whether the container is mounted and whether it is full.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container detection section is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple detection tasks simultaneously. It can detect both the mounting state and the fullness state of the waste developer container using an integrated sensor system, thereby simplifying the overall detection architecture while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution enables easy and reliable detection of the waste developer container's state, enhancing maintenance and reducing the need for frequent replacements, while maintaining a compact design and preventing pollution.

Implementation Method 1

an integrated container detection section for detecting whether or not the waste developer container is mounted on the positioning frame and whether or not the waste developer container is filled up with the waste developer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical detection:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical detection:

Data Source

PatentUS7515838B2Developer collecting device and image forming apparatus having the same

Publication Date: 2009.04.07 SHARP KK

AI summary

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided with a developer collecting device which collects developer removed from an image bearing member and an intermediate transfer body by a cleaning section. The developer collecting device comprises a positioning frame for determining a mounting position of the image bearing member onto an image forming apparatus main body; a waste developer container detachably mounted on the positioning frame 4, for accommodating waste developer collected by the cleaning section; and an integrated container detection section for detecting whether or not the waste developer container is mounted on the positioning frame and whether or not the waste developer container is filled up with the waste developer.