Coil-Shaped Electrode Member for Developing Cartridge Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing developing cartridges in electrophotographic systems face high production costs and instability due to the use of complex metal or conductive resin leaf springs for electrically-conductive members, which can result in significant load changes when not in the correct contact position.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge design incorporating a coil-shaped electrode member formed by winding a wire rod, featuring a contact portion and an urging portion, which is pivotally moved to ensure reliable contact with an external electrode, reducing production costs and maintaining consistent load during contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a leaf spring is used as the electrically-conductive member, then assembling workability is excellent and stability in attitude is high, but production cost increases due to complex shape
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the electrically-conductive member from a complex leaf spring shape to a simple rod shape with a coil urging portion, maintaining functionality while simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The electrically-conductive member is segmented into distinct functional portions: a rod-shaped main body, a coil-shaped urging portion, and a contact portion, allowing simple manufacturing of each segment while achieving complex functionality through assembly
2Stability of the object's composition
If a leaf spring with high spring constant is used, then structural stability is improved, but load changes significantly when contact position is displaced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spring constant parameter by using a coil-shaped urging portion with lower spring constant compared to a leaf spring, enabling the contact portion to accommodate position displacements while maintaining stable contact load through increased compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The coil-shaped urging portion provides dynamic compliance that allows the contact portion to adapt to varying contact positions, maintaining reliable electrical connection despite positional variations
3Device complexity
If a simple rod shape is used for the electrically-conductive member, then production cost is reduced, but reliable contact with external electrode becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically-conductive member is divided into a simple rod-shaped main body and a coil-shaped urging portion with contact portion, combining manufacturing simplicity with contact reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The coil-shaped urging portion acts as an intermediary between the simple rod structure and the external electrode, providing the necessary compliance and urging force to ensure reliable contact
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 coil electrode design provides reliable power supply to rotation bodies while reducing production costs and maintaining stable contact over time, minimizing damage and ensuring consistent contact pressure.
Implementation Method 1
an urging portion (69) in a shape of a coil formed by winding a wire rod (65). The urging portion (69) is configured to urge the contact portion (70) toward the external electrode (34)
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge includes: a rotation body; and an electrode member. The electrode member is configured to supply the rotation body with electric power from an external electrode provided outside of the cartridge. The electrode member includes: a contact portion; and an urging portion. The contact portion is configured to be contacted by the external electrode. The urging portion is in a shape of a coil formed by winding a wire rod and configured to urge the contact portion toward the external electrode such that the contact portion is pivotally moved about the urging portion.