Waste Toner Collection Apparatus with Leveling Member

Solution Overview

Problem

Tandem type image forming apparatuses face issues with uneven waste toner accumulation leading to locked conveyance mechanisms and spillage, as well as inaccurate detection of waste toner box fullness, resulting in inefficient and unsafe waste toner collection.

Innovation Solution

A waste toner collection apparatus featuring a leveling member to distribute waste toner evenly within a containing member, a full condition sensing section accessible by a drive shaft, and a waste toner supply member to ensure accurate detection by a sensor, preventing conveyance mechanism lockage and spillage while allowing for safe and effective collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If waste toner is collected in a single waste toner box from multiple collection ports, then the waste toner box capacity is increased, but waste toner accumulates unevenly causing conveyance mechanism lockage and spillage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste toner box capacityVSAvoidconveyance mechanism operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The waste toner box is divided into multiple storage chambers, each corresponding to a specific collection port. Each chamber has its own level sensor that independently monitors waste toner levels, allowing the system to manage toner from different sources separately while using a single integrated box structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the waste toner box are designed with different functions: some chambers serve as primary storage while others act as buffer zones. The level sensors are positioned at different heights in different chambers to account for varying accumulation patterns, enabling localized monitoring and prevention of spillage at critical points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of stationary object

If waste toner is collected in a single waste toner box from multiple collection ports, then the waste toner box capacity is increased, but waste toner accumulates unevenly causing conveyance mechanism lockage and spillage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste toner box capacityVSAvoidfull condition detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into multiple level sensors distributed across different chambers and heights within the waste toner box. Each sensor monitors a specific zone, providing granular detection of waste toner levels throughout the entire box volume, which enables accurate determination of overall fullness despite uneven accumulation patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection by monitoring waste toner levels at multiple zones simultaneously. When any sensor detects that its zone is full, the system can take preliminary action to alert the operator or stop collection, preventing overflow before it occurs and ensuring accurate fullness detection across the entire box.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Volume of stationary object

If waste toner is collected in a single waste toner box from multiple collection ports, then the waste toner box capacity is increased, but waste toner accumulates unevenly causing conveyance mechanism lockage and spillage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste toner box capacityVSAvoidwaste toner spillage

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The waste toner box is segmented into multiple isolated chambers that prevent cross-contamination between different collection ports. Each chamber has controlled access points and spill prevention features, containing potential spillage within individual chambers rather than allowing it to affect the entire box or surrounding areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates buffer zones and overflow channels in each chamber that can accommodate unexpected toner accumulation. These cushioning features prevent spillage by providing additional capacity and controlled overflow paths before waste toner can escape from the collection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS7848667B2Waste toner collection apparatus and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2010.12.07 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

The waste toner flown into a waste toner box by way of a plurality of collection ports is leveled by means of a paddle. The waste toner collected in the waste toner box is supplied to a full condition sensing section arranged at a higher position so as to be piled up by means of an auxiliary paddle 42. A photodetector detects the waste toner that is accumulated higher at the position of the full condition sensing section than at the other area of the waste toner box to detect a full condition of the waste toner box.