Developer Cartridge Cover with Curved Conveying Guide Protection
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing developer cartridges face issues with damage to conveying ribs and excessive size increase when the developing roller cover is attached, leading to potential damage during shipping and conveying due to external forces and the formation of spaces between the housing and the cover.
Innovation Solution
A developer cartridge design featuring a rotatable body with a conveying guide structure and a cover that includes a facing part with a predetermined space, a first covering part to contact the conveying guide, and a second covering part that curves to contact the second guide, ensuring the conveying ribs are protected and the cartridge size is maintained.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a developing roller cover is provided to cover the exposed part of the developing roller, then the developing roller is protected from damage during shipping and conveying, but the cartridge size increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The developing roller cover is nested within the housing structure, utilizing the existing internal space of the housing to accommodate the cover when the cartridge is detached from the printer. This eliminates the need for additional external space, thereby protecting the developing roller without excessively increasing the cartridge size.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed to extend in the axial direction of the developing roller, utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the cartridge rather than increasing the radial or width dimensions. This dimensional approach allows the cover to protect the exposed roller surface while maintaining a compact overall cartridge size.
2Ease of manufacture
If space is formed between the front end part of the developing roller cover and the developing roller housing, then the cover can be attached, but the conveying ribs may be damaged when external force is applied during conveying
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with a predetermined space between its front end part and the housing, creating a cushioning zone that absorbs external forces applied during conveying. This pre-designed space prevents the cover from directly contacting and damaging the conveying ribs when subjected to impact or vibration during shipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The space between the cover and housing acts as an intermediary buffer zone that mediates between external forces and the conveying ribs. This buffer absorbs and distributes applied forces, preventing direct transmission of impact to the fragile conveying ribs while still allowing the cover to be properly attached.
3Reliability
If the cover is designed with a substantially U-shaped cross section to cover the developing roller, then the developing roller is protected, but the cartridge size increases and space is formed between the cover and housing
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with a substantially U-shaped cross section specifically at the region where the developing roller is exposed, providing localized protection only where needed. The rest of the cover structure is minimized to avoid unnecessary volume increase, achieving protection of the developing roller while maintaining a compact overall cartridge size.
Data Source
AI summary
A developer cartridge has a rotatable body, a casing, a conveying guide structure, and a cover. The cover includes a facing part and a first covering part. The conveying guide structure includes a first conveying guide extending in the second direction, and a second conveying guide connected from the first conveying guide at an end on the other side of the second direction and extends toward the other side of the second direction so as to curve in the first direction with respect to the first conveying guide. The first covering part includes a first contacting part configured to contact the first conveying guide, and a second contacting part configured to curve in the first direction with respect to the first contacting part so as to extend toward the other side in the second direction, and contact the second conveying guide.