Cartridge Detection Body Layout for Accurate Optical Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The downsizing of developing cartridges in electrophotographic systems leads to reduced detection accuracy due to decreased displacement of detection components, making it difficult for optical sensors to detect pivotal movements, thereby lowering the accuracy of determining cartridge information.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge design featuring a detected body that rotates from a first position to a second position, with a detected portion positioned on a peripheral portion away from the axis, allowing for increased displacement and improved detection accuracy, including a drive-transmission member with an abutment portion and a gear system that engages with the detected body to enhance sensor detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cartridge is downsized, then the cartridge size is reduced, but the detection accuracy is lowered due to decreased displacement of detection components
Solution Approach 1:
The detected body is designed to rotate about a second axis that is parallel to but offset from the first axis of the drive-transmission member. This axial offset creates a peripheral portion where the detected body has larger radius of rotation, thereby increasing the displacement of the detected portion during rotation. This dimensional change from the center axis to an offset axis resolves the contradiction by enabling sufficient detection displacement even in a downsized cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The detected body is configured with different functional zones: a receiving portion that receives drive force near the center, and a peripheral portion positioned away from the second axis where the detected portion is located. This local differentiation allows the detected portion to achieve larger displacement amplitude during rotation, improving detection accuracy while maintaining the compact overall cartridge size.
2Measurement precision
If the detected body is positioned to increase displacement, then detection accuracy is improved, but interference with other components during mounting and removal may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The detected body is designed with asymmetric positioning relative to the drive-transmission member, with the second axis offset from the first axis. The detected portion is positioned on the peripheral portion away from the second axis, creating an asymmetric rotation path that maximizes displacement in the detection direction while minimizing lateral excursions that could cause interference with mounting and removal operations.
3Measurement precision
If the detected portion is positioned on the peripheral portion away from the axis, then the displacement amplitude is increased, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detected body is designed as an integrated component that combines the receiving portion for drive force transmission and the peripheral portion with the detected portion for optical detection. This merging of functions into a single rotatable body eliminates the need for separate transmission and detection components, reducing overall structural complexity while achieving the desired displacement amplitude for accurate detection.
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
The design enhances detection accuracy by increasing the displacement of detection components, ensuring reliable detection of cartridge information even with downsized cartridges, and prevents interference with other components during mounting and removal.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor configured to detect the pivotal movement of the actuator
Data Source
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AI summary
A cartridge (1) includes a housing (2), a drive-transmission member (71) and a detected body (72). The housing has a first wall (33) and a second wall (32) opposing each other in a first direction from the second wall toward the first wall. The drive-transmission member is provided on the first wall and rotatable about a first axis (A1) parallel to the first direction for transmitting a drive force. The detected body is disposed on the first wall and rotatable about a second axis (A2) parallel to the first axis upon receipt of the drive force to move the detected body irreversibly from a first position to a second position. The detected body includes: a detected portion (87); a receiving portion (88) configured to receive the drive force; and a peripheral portion (115) positioned downstream of the receiving portion in a radial direction of the detected body away from the second axis, the detected portion being positioned on the peripheral portion.