Cartridge Terminal Recess Structure for Misalignment-Tolerant Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in ensuring proper electrical connection between cartridge and printer terminals due to manufacturing errors, leading to potential misalignment, rubbing, and generation of shavings or dust, which can hinder effective signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge mounting unit design with precise alignment mechanisms, including orthogonal wall portions and guiding rails, ensures correct positioning and contact between cartridge and printer terminals, reducing the likelihood of misalignment and rubbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a movable connector is used to accommodate manufacturing errors, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with movable components including a movable body that can shift position and elastic members (springs) that provide flexible contact pressure. This dynamic structure allows the connector to automatically adjust and compensate for manufacturing errors in the recessed portion, ensuring reliable electrical connection without requiring overly complex positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic members (springs) are pre-installed in the connector to provide cushioning force before contact is made. These springs absorb position deviations and maintain stable contact pressure, preventing connection failures due to manufacturing tolerances while keeping the overall structure relatively simple
2Ease of operation
If the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit, then the cartridge can be mounted, but rubbing occurs between the apparatus side terminal group and the side surface of the recessed portion
Solution Approach 1:
A movable body acts as an intermediary between the cartridge and the fixed housing. This movable body absorbs the rubbing action through its ability to shift position, preventing direct contact and friction between the apparatus side terminal group and the recessed portion side surface, thereby eliminating shaving generation during cartridge installation
Solution Approach 2:
The movable body can dynamically adjust its position during cartridge insertion, accommodating the movement and preventing rigid contact that would cause rubbing. This dynamic adaptation allows smooth cartridge mounting while protecting the terminal groups from mechanical damage
3Reliability
If the cartridge side terminal group is arranged on the side surface in the recessed portion, then electrical connection is achieved, but misalignment may occur due to manufacturing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a movable body that can shift position to accommodate manufacturing errors in the recessed portion. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the apparatus side terminal group to align properly with the cartridge side terminal group even when there are dimensional variations, ensuring reliable electrical connection
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design allows for positional parameter changes through the movable body's ability to shift. This parameter adjustment compensates for manufacturing tolerances in the recessed portion, enabling proper terminal alignment and electrical connection despite variations in manufacturing precision
Data Source
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AI summary
A cartridge (4) includes a concave portion (90). The concave portion has an opening, first and second side walls (902t, 902w), and a bottom wall (988), and the bottom wall has a tilted surface (50fa). The tilted surface is provided with a cartridge side terminal group (521). The first side wall is provided with a first restriction portion (906t) which restricts movements in a +Z axis direction and a +X axis direction of an apparatus side terminal unit, and the second side wall is provided with a second restriction portion (906w) which restricts movements in the +Z axis direction and a -X axis direction of an apparatus side terminal unit (721).