Cartridge Memory Contact Guide Recess for Stable Electrical Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently and reliably connecting the memory units of cartridges to the apparatus main body, particularly in ensuring stable electrical contact during attachment and detachment of the cartridges.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a moving unit with an intermediate contact configuration, featuring an intermediate electrical contact that connects with the memory electrical contact of the cartridge, and a line conductor that connects this intermediate contact to a unit electrical contact, all while being guided by a main body guide portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an intermediate contact configuration is used to connect memory electrical contacts, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate contact configuration consisting of an intermediate electrical contact and a line conductor that mediates between the memory electrical contact and the unit electrical contact. This intermediary structure ensures stable electrical connection during cartridge attachment and detachment, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining manageable device complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact system is segmented into multiple functional components: memory electrical contact on the cartridge, intermediate electrical contact in the moving unit, and unit electrical contact on the apparatus main body. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving overall connection reliability without proportionally increasing total complexity.
2Reliability
If a to-be-guided portion with protrusions is added to guide the moving unit, then attachment reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The to-be-guided portion with first and second protrusions is pre-formed on the moving unit frame, establishing the guidance geometry before assembly. The main body guide portion is similarly pre-formed on the apparatus main body. These preliminary structural features ensure reliable attachment guidance without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during assembly, balancing manufacturing complexity with attachment reliability.
3Reliability
If the line conductor is routed through a recess formed by protrusions, then electrical connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The line conductor is nested within the recess formed by the first and second protrusions of the to-be-guided portion. This nesting arrangement protects the conductor and maintains its positional stability during moving unit attachment and detachment, improving electrical connection stability while avoiding the need for separate conduit structures that would increase device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including a main contact, and a main guide, and a cartridge including a memory contact, a moving unit moving into and out of the apparatus body in a first direction and including a frame to which the cartridge is attached, first and second protrusions protruding in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction from the end surface of the frame, an intermediate contact being in electrical contact with the memory contact, an unit contact being in electrical contact with the main contact, and a line conductor, the first protrusion being supported by the main guide of the apparatus body, the second protrusion being located above the first protrusion. At least part of the line conductor connecting the intermediate contact and the unit contact is located in a recess formed by the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the end surface.