Developer Cartridge Elastic Member Pressing Force Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The elasticity of elastic members in color laser printers deteriorates over time, leading to a decrease in the pressing force of developer rollers on photosensitive drums, which can result in inadequate toner conveyance and poor image quality.
Innovation Solution
The use of a separation and press mechanism with elastic members, such as flat springs, that maintain consistent pressure on developer rollers, ensuring proper toner conveyance by adjusting the position of developer cartridges relative to photosensitive drums through a translation cam and intermediate member system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic members are used to press the developer roller to the photosensitive drum, then the pressing force is initially adequate, but the elasticity gradually decreases as the elastic member deteriorates, leading to insufficient pressing force
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing mechanism transitions from a static elastic member to a dynamic cam-based system. The cam profile is designed to provide the required pressing force throughout the operational cycle, compensating for wear and deterioration over time. This dynamic adjustment ensures consistent pressing force without relying on elastic member properties that degrade with use.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressing force delivery mechanism from elastic deformation (spring) to geometric profile (cam). By altering the fundamental parameter of force generation from material elasticity to mechanical geometry, the system eliminates the deterioration issue inherent in elastic members while maintaining the required pressing force characteristics.
2Device complexity
If the pressing force of the developer roller decreases due to elastic member deterioration, then the structure remains simple, but the toner conveyance becomes inadequate, affecting image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism introduces controlled dynamics to the pressing system, allowing the pressing force to be precisely regulated through cam profile design. This ensures uniform toner conveyance across the drum surface while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that integrates with existing printer architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam acts as an intermediary element between the drive mechanism and the developer roller pressing system. It translates rotational motion into the required pressing force profile, ensuring uniform toner transfer without requiring complex direct actuation mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a translation cam and intermediate member system is introduced to adjust developer cartridge position, then pressing force consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The translation cam mechanism is merged with the existing developer cartridge mounting and separation operations. The same cam structure that adjusts positioning during installation also provides the pressing force during operation, combining multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism rather than adding separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam-based mechanism serves multiple functions: it adjusts the developer cartridge position during installation, maintains pressing force during operation, and can be integrated with the separation process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, offsetting the complexity increase with functional consolidation.
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
This solution maintains a consistent pressing force on developer rollers, ensuring stable toner supply to photosensitive drums, resulting in high-quality image formation without toner conveyance issues, even as elastic members degrade or specifications change.
Implementation Method 1
The laser printer includes an elastic member such as springs, and the elastic member acts on the developer cartridge to press the developer roller to the photosensitive drum. However, the elasticity of the elastic member gradually decreases as the elastic member deteriorates.
Data Source
AI summary
An elastic member for urging a developer carrier in the direction of an image carrier is located in a casing of a developer cartridge. Since the elastic member will be new whenever the developer cartridge is replaced, an urging force of the elastic member will not deteriorate over time. Thus, a proper pressing state of the developer carrier on the image carrier is maintained. Thus, the amount of toner supplied from the developer carrier to the image carrier is stable. Thereby, a picture of high quality can be formed continuously without poor development by poor pressure between the developer carrier and the image carrier.