Cartridge Electrode Positioning for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electro-photographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting the condition of developing cartridges, often resulting in erroneous detection of new cartridges as old due to inadequate positioning accuracy of detection components, leading to incorrect cartridge status determination.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a main casing, a cartridge with a cartridge electrode, a moving member, and a judgment unit that moves the cartridge electrode between two positions to determine if the cartridge is new by detecting the movement of the main electrode, ensuring accurate positioning and detection of the cartridge's condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the detection projection and feed electrode are provided integrally and positioned to abut simultaneously, then both positioning accuracy requirements are satisfied, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to manufacture with high precision
Solution Approach 1:
The detection structure is divided into two separate components: a detection projection and a feed electrode. This segmentation allows each component to be positioned and adjusted independently, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the ability to achieve both positioning accuracy requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
A gear cover is introduced as an intermediary component that houses and positions both the detection projection and feed electrode. The gear cover provides a structured framework that facilitates precise positioning of both elements without requiring direct integration between them, thereby reducing overall structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the developing cartridge is not sufficiently accommodated in the printer, then assembly is easier, but positioning accuracy between detection components degrades leading to erroneous detection
Solution Approach 1:
The detection projection and feed electrode are pre-positioned within the gear cover at designed locations that ensure proper alignment when the cartridge is fully inserted. This preliminary positioning ensures that even with variations in assembly tolerance, the components will achieve accurate positioning upon proper insertion, maintaining detection accuracy while allowing ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection structure provides feedback through the interaction between the detection projection and actuator, and between the feed electrode and main casing feed electrode. This feedback mechanism ensures that proper cartridge accommodation is confirmed through electrical contact, preventing erroneous detection while maintaining ease of assembly operations.
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 solution stabilizes the positioning accuracy between the cartridge electrode and the main electrode, enabling precise detection of the cartridge's condition, ensuring accurate identification of new cartridges and preventing erroneous detection, thus improving the reliability of cartridge status determination.
Implementation Method 1
The main electrode is configured to be moved in the confronting direction. The judgment unit is configured to judge that a cartridge attached to the main casing is a new cartridge if the main electrode is moved in accordance with a movement of the cartridge electrode between the first position and the second position.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus and a cartridge to be used therein are provided. The image forming device includes a main casing, a CPU as a judgment unit, and a main electrode. The cartridge accommodating therein a toner is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a moving member and a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the main electrode. The CPU is configured to judge assembly or non-assembly of the cartridge with respect to the main casing and to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The moving member is movable by a predetermined moving amount to permit the cartridge electrode to be movable. As a result of a movement of the main electrode in accordance with the movement of the cartridge electrode, the CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge.