Toner Cartridge Positioning Adapter for Stable Contact Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The unstable electrical connection between the first and second conductive contacts in a toner cartridge and the image forming apparatus due to relative movement caused by the rotational force from the driving head affects the normal operation of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A positioning adapter with a first positioning part is installed on the cartridge, which matches with a first positioning matching part on the main body to stabilize the transmission-connection between the first meshing part and the driving head, ensuring multiple contact points and a maximum width of the positioning part exceeds the maximum line distance between contacts, reducing relative movement and enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the driving head provides rotational force to the toner cartridge, then the toner transportation apparatus can be rotated, but the toner cartridge swings causing unstable electrical connection between conductive contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a driving transmission mechanism as an intermediary between the driving head and the toner cartridge. This mechanism includes a driving gear on the driving head that meshes with a driven gear on the toner cartridge, providing indirect transmission. Additionally, a positioning structure with positioning protrusions and positioning grooves is introduced to stabilize the electrical connection between conductive contacts, preventing relative movement while maintaining rotational capability for toner transportation.
2Ease of operation
If the toner cartridge is detachably installed, then ease of replacement is improved, but positioning stability and contact reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary positioning action through positioning protrusions on the cartridge body that engage with corresponding positioning grooves in the main body before the cartridge is fully installed. This preliminary positioning ensures that the conductive contacts are properly aligned and stabilized early in the installation process, maintaining reliable electrical connection while preserving the detachable nature of the cartridge for easy replacement.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A positioning adapter is installed on a cartridge (20) that is detachably disposed on a main body (10) of an image forming apparatus (100). The main body has a first driving head (60), a first conductive contact (50), and a first positioning matching part (11). The cartridge has a storage apparatus (22), with a second conductive contact (222), and a first meshing part (24). When the cartridge with the positioning adapter is inserted and installed into the main body, a first positioning part (23) is configured to cooperate with the first positioning matching part (11) to position the first meshing part, stabilizing a transmission-connection between the first meshing part and the first driving head. A maximum width of an outermost contour of the first positioning part is greater than or equal to a maximum line distance between any two of multiple contacts where the first conductive contact contacts the second conductive contact on the transverse cross-section of the main body.