Cartridge Guide Structure for Interference-Free Roller Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In known image forming apparatuses, the drum cartridge and developing cartridge can interfere with each other during insertion into the main body casing, causing installation difficulties.
Innovation Solution
The design includes inclined surfaces and guides within the slots to guide the developing cartridge and drum cartridge insertion, ensuring they do not interfere, with pressing members that press the developing roller towards the photosensitive drum without contact during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the developing cartridge is inserted into the main body casing in a state where the drum cartridge is attached, then the developing roller can be pressed toward the photosensitive drum correctly, but the developing cartridge and drum cartridge may interfere with each other during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is pre-configured in the main body casing to guide the developing cartridge during insertion. The guide includes a guide surface that contacts the developing cartridge and a pressing member that is preliminarily positioned to press the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum when the cartridge is inserted, preventing interference before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure acts as an intermediary between the developing cartridge and drum cartridge during insertion. The guide surface and pressing member mediate the insertion process by controlling the movement path and positioning of the developing cartridge, ensuring it does not interfere with the drum cartridge while still achieving correct pressing
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge and developing cartridge. The drum cartridge may include a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The developing cartridge may include a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus may include a main casing including a slot extending in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus may include a first inner surface positioned inside of the slot, and a second inner surface positioned inside of the slot farther from the cover in the axial direction than the first inner surface from the cover in the axial direction. The first and second inner surfaces may be configured to press the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum.