Circuit Board Unit With End-Face Terminals For Reliable Cartridge Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently communicating and managing information between detachable toner cartridges and the main apparatus, particularly in ensuring reliable electrical connections during mounting and detachment operations.
Innovation Solution
A circuit board unit with multiple IC chips arranged side by side and connected via relays, including grounding terminals and main surface terminals, allows for detachable and reliable electrical communication with the apparatus, preventing damage during insertion and ensuring continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple IC chips are arranged side by side on a circuit board unit for information exchange, then the information exchange capability between toner cartridges and the image forming apparatus is improved, but the complexity of electrical connections and terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the circuit board unit into multiple separate IC chips arranged side by side, each handling specific communication functions. This segmentation allows independent design and optimization of each chip while maintaining overall system functionality, resolving the contradiction between information exchange capability and connection complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a terminal structure that serves as an intermediary between the multiple IC chips and the image forming apparatus. This terminal acts as a centralized interface that simplifies external connections while accommodating multiple chips internally, thereby reducing the complexity of electrical connections from the perspective of the main apparatus
2Ease of operation
If the circuit board unit is designed for detachable mounting to enable easy replacement of toner cartridges, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of electrical connections during mounting and detachment may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the terminal structure with dynamic characteristics that allow it to flexibly adapt during the mounting and detachment process. The terminal can deform elastically to accommodate insertion forces while maintaining reliable electrical contact, thus preserving connection reliability despite the detachable nature of the mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates elastic deformation capability in the terminal structure as a cushioning mechanism. This allows the terminal to absorb mechanical stresses during mounting and detachment operations beforehand, preventing damage to electrical connections and ensuring reliable contact throughout the operation cycle
3Reliability
If the terminal structure is made rigid to ensure stable electrical contact, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the risk of damage during insertion and detachment operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the terminal structure by introducing elastic properties. This allows the terminal to maintain stable electrical contact through elastic force while simultaneously absorbing mechanical shocks during insertion and detachment, thus resolving the contradiction between contact stability and damage resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit board unit includes a plurality of circuit boards disposed side by side with a gap in a direction substantially perpendicular to a predetermined direction in which the circuit board unit is detachably mounted to a body of an apparatus. At least one of the plurality of circuit boards includes an end-face terminal on an end face facing an adjacent one of the plurality of circuit boards. The end-face terminal is attachable to and detachable from a terminal of the apparatus that is inserted between an adjacent pair of the plurality of circuit boards in conjunction with a mounting operation of the circuit board unit to the body of the apparatus.