Developer Cartridge Hook Mechanism for Drum Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a lock mechanism in developer cartridges that can secure them to drum cartridges without occupying excessive space, as downsizing the drum cartridge makes it difficult to accommodate a traditional lock unit.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a movable hook mechanism within the developer cartridge that can be positioned to either lock or unlock the cartridge by interacting with a rib on the drum cartridge, allowing secure mounting and easy removal without additional operational steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lock unit is provided to the drum cartridge, then the developer cartridge can be securely locked to the drum cartridge, but the drum cartridge size increases making it difficult to downsize

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoiddrum cartridge volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing the lock unit on the drum cartridge, the invention inverts the approach by providing the hook mechanism on the developer cartridge itself. The hook can be moved between a first position (engaging with the drum cartridge rib) and a second position (disengaged), allowing the developer cartridge to actively lock itself to the drum cartridge rather than requiring the drum cartridge to provide the locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking function is extracted from the drum cartridge and transferred to the developer cartridge. The hook mechanism is taken out as a separate movable component on the developer cartridge, allowing it to interact with the rib on the drum cartridge without requiring the drum cartridge to contain a lock unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a lock unit is provided to the drum cartridge, then secure mounting is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidlock unit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention simplifies the overall system by inverting who provides the locking mechanism. Instead of a complex lock unit on the drum cartridge, a simple movable hook on the developer cartridge interacts with a fixed rib on the drum cartridge, reducing device complexity while maintaining mounting security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10845731B2Developer cartridge mountable to a drum cartridge

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A developer cartridge includes a developing roller, a housing, an electrode, a gear, and a hook. The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. The housing extends in the first direction and is configured to store toner therein. The electrode is positioned at an outer surface of the housing in the first direction and extends in the first direction. The gear is rotatable about the electrode. The hook is positioned opposite to the developing roller relative to the gear in a second direction and is movable between a first position and a second position.