Cartridge Mounting Support Member Reduces Operation Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrophotographic image forming apparatus requires a large operation force for mounting cartridges due to increased reaction forces from drive couplings, electrical contacts, and waste toner conveying mechanisms, leading to potential connection failures and insufficient mounting states.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a support member with a biasing mechanism that moves in an intersecting direction to engage with the cartridge, allowing for easy positioning and reduced operation force by utilizing a support member with an engaged portion and biasing surface to guide the cartridge into contact with a positioning portion, thereby reducing the user's mounting force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plurality of drive couplings and electrical contacts are added to control various cartridges, then the functionality and control capability are improved, but the reaction force from the apparatus main body increases, requiring larger operation force for mounting
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary component between the cartridge and the apparatus main body. This support member receives the reaction force from the apparatus main body and transmits it to the cartridge, thereby reducing the operation force required for mounting while maintaining the functionality of multiple drive couplings and electrical contacts
2Reliability
If a spring-type shutter mechanism is added to prevent waste toner spilling, then the reliability is improved, but the reaction force increases, requiring larger operation force for mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves as a mediator that receives the reaction force from the spring-type shutter mechanism and transmits it to the cartridge. This allows the shutter mechanism to maintain its reliability function while the support member manages the force transmission, reducing the operation force required
3Reliability
If a drawing-in spring with large biasing force is used to compensate for increased reaction force, then the positioning reliability is improved, but the operation force for charging the spring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as an intermediary that distributes and manages the biasing force from the drawing-in spring. By introducing this intermediate component, the spring can maintain its positioning reliability function while the support member facilitates force transmission, reducing the operation force required to charge the spring
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 enables reliable and easy cartridge mounting with reduced operation force, preventing connection failures and ensuring proper positioning, thus enhancing user operability and apparatus reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member that biases the engaged portion of the support member in an intersecting direction
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge has a surface to be biased which is connected to a first surface extending in an intersecting direction that intersects with an insertion direction from an upstream side to a downstream side in the insertion direction, and an engaging portion engaging with a support member that supports the cartridge inside a main body and has a biasing member that biases an engaged portion to be engaged with the engaging portion in the intersecting direction. The engaged portion has a biasing surface extending in the intersecting direction from the upstream side to the downstream side in the insertion direction. Movement of the support member in the intersecting direction by the closing operation of an opening and closing member, the surface to be biased is biased by the biasing surface, the cartridge contacts with a positioning portion, and positioning of the cartridge is performed.