Process Cartridge Connector Layout to Prevent Contact Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses with detachable cartridges face issues of increased components, cost, and size due to the configuration for interlocking electrical contacts with the door opening/closing mechanism, leading to potential interference during cartridge attachment and detachment.

Innovation Solution

A simple configuration using a cartridge with a pressing portion, recessed portion, and powered member, along with an apparatus body contact unit that includes a movable contact and protrusion, allowing for non-contact transitions during mounting and detachment to prevent interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the door opening/closing operation is used to interlock the contact separation between the electrical contact of the cartridge and the contact of the apparatus body, then the contact is not caught during cartridge attaching and detaching operations, but the number of components, cost, and size of the apparatus increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperability during cartridge attaching and detachingVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the contact unit from the door mechanism, making it an independent component that can move autonomously based on cartridge insertion. This eliminates the need for door-opening interlocking mechanisms while maintaining the benefit of contact separation during cartridge removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact unit is designed with elastic force to dynamically adjust its position. When the cartridge is inserted, the pressing portion pushes the contact unit, causing the contact to separate from the electrical contact. This dynamic movement eliminates the need for complex interlocking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperability during cartridge attaching and detachingVSAvoidsize of the apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The contact unit is extracted from the door mechanism and positioned independently near the cartridge insertion path. This allows the contact separation function to be achieved without requiring door-opening space, thereby reducing the overall apparatus size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic force mechanism allows the contact unit to compactly store its movement capability within a small space. The contact can dynamically extend and retract without requiring large structural accommodations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a simple configuration is used for cartridge mounting, then the component count, cost, and size are reduced, but interference between the cartridge and contact during attaching and detaching may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidinterference between cartridge and contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The contact unit uses elastic force to dynamically respond to cartridge insertion. When the pressing portion of the cartridge contacts the contact unit, the elastic force causes the contact to automatically separate from the electrical contact, preventing interference without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing portion is specifically designed to preemptively push the contact unit away before any interference can occur. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect of contact interference during cartridge mounting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 effectively suppresses interference between the cartridge and the apparatus body during attachment and detachment, reducing component count, cost, and size while maintaining operational ease.

Implementation Method 1

a contact and a protrusion protruding toward the mounting region, the contact and the protrusion being movable in the second direction and in a direction away from the mounting region against an elastic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12529979B2Image forming apparatus having connector for detachable process cartridge

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 CANON KK

AI summary

A cartridge includes a pressing portion, a recessed portion, and an electrical contact. An apparatus body includes a contact unit that includes a contact and a protrusion. The contact and the protrusion are movable away from the mounting region against an elastic force. The contact unit is at a first position in a non-mounted state, a second position in a mounted state, and a third position in a middle state of transitioning from the non-mounted state to the mounted state. The second position is farther away from the mounting region than the first position by the protrusion being inserted into the recessed portion and the contact contacting with the electrical contact. The third position is farther away from the mounting region than the second position by the protrusion being pressed by the pressing portion so that the contact does not contact with the cartridge.