Developer Cartridge Input Gear Alignment for Positioning Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The positioning of the developer cartridge in conventional image formation devices is unsteady due to an imbalance between the rotational moment applied by the drive gear and the thrust forces from the supported and electrode members.
Innovation Solution
The developer cartridge is designed with a specific configuration where the input gear, electrode member, and supported member are aligned on an imaginary plane, with the input gear located between the contact points of the electrode and supported members, ensuring that the rotational moment is balanced and the cartridge is stably supported by both the supporting and power supply members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the developer cartridge is supported by the supported member and the electrode member contacts the power supply member, then the developer cartridge can be attached with predetermined positioning, but the positioning becomes unsteady due to imbalance between rotational moment and thrust forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by strategically positioning the supported member and electrode member at different locations relative to the input gear's rotation axis. The supported member is positioned at a first location and the electrode member at a second location, creating an asymmetric distribution of thrust forces that balances the rotational moment applied to the input gear, thereby preventing the developer cartridge from shifting during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the counterweight principle by using the thrust force from the electrode member contacting the power supply member to counterbalance the rotational moment generated by the drive gear on the input gear. The supported member provides additional support thrust force, creating a system where opposing forces balance each other to maintain stable positioning of the developer cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
A developer cartridge is attachable to and detachable from an image forming unit. The developer cartridge includes a developer carrier, an input gear rotatable about a rotating axis, the input gear communicating with the developer carrier, an electrode member that is electrically connected with the developer carrier, the electrode member including a first contact where the electrode member contacts a power supply member provided in the image forming unit, a supported member that includes a second contact where the supported member is supported by a supporting member provided in the image forming unit, an imaginary plane orthogonal to the rotating axis of the input gear is defined, the input gear, the electrode member, and the supported member being projected in the imaginary plane, and an imaginary line that connects the first contact and the second contact in the imaginary plane is defined. The imaginary line passes the input gear on the imaginary plane, and the input gear is located between the first contact and second contact in the imaginary plane.