Bidirectional Waste Toner Screw Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waste toner storing containers inefficiently use storage space due to conveyance screws that convey waste toner in one direction, leading to uneven accumulation and wasted space, especially during idling operations in color image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The waste toner storing container incorporates an upper and lower conveyance screw system, where the upper conveyance screw conveys waste toner in one direction and the lower conveyance screw conveys it in the opposite direction, ensuring even distribution and efficient storage without wasting space, with the lower screw not having a conveyance force in the upstream side to prevent unnecessary movement during idling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single conveyance screw is used to convey waste toner in one direction, then the structure is simple, but the waste toner accumulates unevenly and storage space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The single conveyance screw is divided into two separate conveyance screws (first and second conveyance portions) that operate in opposite directions. This segmentation allows waste toner to be conveyed bidirectionally, achieving even accumulation across the container while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using one screw to convey toner in a single direction, the invention uses two screws conveying toner in opposite directions. The second conveyance portion conveys waste toner in the opposite direction to the first conveyance portion, creating a balanced distribution system that maximizes storage space utilization.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lower conveyance screw conveys waste toner in the upstream side during idling, then the toner distribution may be more uniform, but unnecessary movement occurs during idling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance characteristics of the lower conveyance screw are made position-dependent. The second conveyance portion has different operational characteristics in different regions: it conveys waste toner in the downstream side (opposite to the first conveyance portion) during normal operation, but does not convey waste toner in the upstream side during idling operations. This local differentiation optimizes both distribution uniformity and idling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance screw system operates dynamically with different rotation directions depending on the operational state. During image forming operations, both screws rotate to convey toner bidirectionally. During idling operations, only the first conveyance portion rotates, while the second conveyance portion remains stationary in the upstream region, adapting to operational conditions.
3Volume of stationary object
If multiple conveyance screws are added to achieve even distribution, then storage space utilization improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second conveyance portions are integrated into a unified waste toner storing container structure, sharing common support elements and operating in coordination. This merging approach allows bidirectional conveyance functionality to be achieved without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity, as the two conveyance portions work together within a single container framework.
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 ensures even accumulation of waste toner across the container, optimizing storage space and preventing wasteful space usage, while maintaining efficient operation during both normal and idling operations.
Implementation Method 1
The first conveyance portion is rotatably provided in the container main body and, by being rotated when an image forming operation is performed by the image forming apparatus, conveys the waste toner toward one side in a rotation axis line direction. The second conveyance portion is rotatably provided below and parallel to the first conveyance portion in the container main body and, by being rotated when the image forming operation is performed, conveys the waste toner toward another side that is opposite to the one side.
Data Source
AI summary
A waste toner storing container includes a container main body, a first conveyance portion, and a second conveyance portion. The container main body includes a plurality of reception ports, and stores the waste toner carried in from the reception ports. The first conveyance portion, by being rotated when an image forming operation is performed, conveys the waste toner toward one side in a rotation axis line direction. The second conveyance portion, by being rotated when the image forming operation is performed, conveys the waste toner toward another side that is opposite to the one side. The second conveyance portion does not have a conveyance force with regard to waste toner stored in a side-end storage portion, the side-end storage portion corresponding to a side-end reception port among the plurality of reception ports that is located closest to the one side in the rotation axis line direction.