Process Cartridge Input Part Positioning for Collision Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process cartridge design for electrophotographic laser printers has a coupling member that protrudes outward, causing collisions and potential damage when mounting or detaching the cartridge, leading to difficulties in smooth installation and increased risk of damage to both the cartridge and apparatus components.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a process cartridge with a photosensitive drum, a first outer side plate, a second outer side plate, and an input part on the drum's end, where the input part's end face is inwardly positioned relative to the first outer side plate, preventing protrusion and minimizing collisions during mounting and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the coupling member protrudes outward from the frame body to transmit drive force, then the drive transmission function is improved, but the coupling member collides with other members during mounting and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is positioned within the frame body rather than protruding outward, nesting the drive transmission component inside the protective enclosure. This allows the drive force to be transmitted through the photosensitive drum while the coupling member remains hidden, preventing collision during mounting and detachment operations.
2Power
If the coupling member protrudes outward from the frame body, then the drive transmission function is improved, but the coupling member or other members could be damaged due to repeated collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is nested within the frame body, protecting it from external damage during mounting and detachment. This nesting arrangement ensures that the drive transmission function is maintained while eliminating the collision risk that could damage the coupling member or other apparatus members.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the input part end face is positioned inward with respect to the outer surface of the first outer side plate, then the risk of collision is reduced, but the volume available for toner storage may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The input part end face is positioned inward only at the specific location where collision risk exists, while the rest of the frame body and toner storage space maintain their original dimensions. This localized adjustment minimizes the impact on toner storage volume while effectively reducing collision risk at the critical interface with the apparatus body.
Data Source
AI summary
A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus are provided. The process cartridge is detachably mountable in an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, a first outer side plate which is provided on one side of the photosensitive drums in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a second outer side plate which is provided on the other side of the photosensitive drums in the axial direction, and opposes the first outer side plate with the photosensitive drums interposed therebetween, and a plurality of input parts which are provided on ends of the photosensitive drums at the one side, respectively. An end face of each of the input parts being provided inward with respect to the outer surface of the first outer side plate.