Waste Toner Container Paddle Layout for Accurate Level Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste toner detection systems in image forming apparatuses struggle to accurately measure the amount of waste toner due to varying storage states, leading to potential overflow and scattering.
Innovation Solution
A waste toner storage container equipped with a paddle mechanism featuring an elongated shaft and plates that convey toner in multiple directions, ensuring uniform distribution and enabling accurate detection by a sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple stirring member is provided inside the waste toner storage container, then the liquid level of waste toner can be smoothed, but accurate detection of waste toner amount cannot be ensured under all storage states
Solution Approach 1:
The waste toner storage container is divided into two functional spaces: a first space for storing waste toner and a second space for detection. The paddle mechanism is segmented with a first plate for general stirring and a second plate for directing toner to the detection space. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, ensuring both smoothing and accurate detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The second plate of the paddle acts as an intermediary component that directs waste toner from the first space to the second detection space. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the sensor can accurately detect toner levels by creating a controlled interface between the storage area and detection area, resolving the contradiction between simple stirring and accurate detection.
2Volume of stationary object
If waste toner is stored in a single large space, then storage capacity is maximized, but detection accuracy varies depending on storage state
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is segmented into a first space for bulk storage and a second space for detection. This allows the majority of the volume to be dedicated to storage while a smaller portion is optimized for accurate sensor detection, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The paddle mechanism performs preliminary action by actively directing waste toner to the second detection space before measurement. This ensures that the detection space is consistently filled with toner regardless of the overall storage state, enabling accurate detection while maintaining large storage capacity in the first space.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A waste toner storage container includes a container body, a toner storage chamber, and a paddle. The toner storage chamber includes an introduction port, a first space, and a second space. The introduction port receives waste toner. The first space stores the introduced waste toner, and extends in a first direction. The second space is disposed in an end portion of the first space in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The paddle includes a shaft, a first plate, and a second plate. The shaft is disposed in the first space, extends along the first direction, and is elongated. The first plate is formed on an outer peripheral surface around a central axis of the shaft, and conveys the waste toner in the first direction. The second plate is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft, and conveys the waste toner toward the second space.