Developer Cartridge Movable Housing Parallelization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in securing the degree of parallelization of the developing roller with respect to the photoconductive drum, especially when the developing roller is movable with respect to the drum.

Innovation Solution

The developer cartridge includes a developing roller, a developer housing, and a toner storage unit with a first storage chamber for toner and a second storage chamber for the developer housing. The toner storage unit supports the developer housing to allow it to be movable with respect to the first storage chamber, ensuring proper alignment and parallelization with the photoconductive drum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the developing roller is configured to be movable with respect to the photoconductive drum, then the adaptability and image quality are improved, but the degree of parallelization becomes difficult to secure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovability of developing rollerVSAvoiddegree of parallelization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge is divided into separate functional modules: a drum cartridge containing the photoconductive drum and a developer cartridge containing the developing roller. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the drum cartridge provides stable mounting for the photoconductive drum, while the developer cartridge enables movable mounting for the developing roller, thus achieving both parallelization and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A support member is introduced as an intermediary component between the drum cartridge and the developer cartridge. This support member provides a mounting structure that maintains parallelization of the developing roller with respect to the photoconductive drum while allowing the developing roller to remain movable, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the opening is located on the first side of the cartridge, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the support for both drum cartridge and developer cartridge becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening locationVSAvoidsupport structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the cartridge into separate drum and developer cartridges, the support structure can be simplified. The opening location on the first side remains advantageous for manufacturing, while the segmented design allows the support member to be positioned strategically to provide necessary support without increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support member extends in the axis direction of the photoconductive drum, utilizing the longitudinal dimension to provide support. This dimensional approach allows the support structure to be integrated efficiently without adding complexity in other directions, maintaining ease of manufacture while providing adequate support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12332583B2Developer cartridge and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A developer cartridge includes a developing roller, a developer housing supporting the developing roller, and a toner storage unit including a first storage chamber capable of storing toner, and a second storage chamber storing the developer housing. The toner storage unit supports the developer housing such that the developer housing is movable with respect to the first storage chamber.