Developer Cartridge Terminal Contact Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the pressing force of the developing roller to the photosensitive drum can be destabilized when trying to read information from the developer cartridge's memory, affecting the development of latent images due to interference between the pressing force and electrical contact between terminals.
Innovation Solution
A simple structure that electrically connects a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal without inhibiting pressure contact between the developing agent carrier and the photosensitive member, using a pivotable grip with an elastic member to ensure reliable electrical connection and disconnection, allowing for consistent pressure contact between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminals are pressed against each other to reliably come into contact for reading memory information, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the pressing force of the developing roller to the photosensitive drum becomes destabilized
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing mechanism is segmented into two independent systems: one for electrical connection (terminals on the grip) and one for development (developing roller pressure). The grip assembly can be pressed independently to establish electrical contact with terminals on the photosensitive drum, while the developing roller pressure is maintained separately through the developer cartridge's elastic urging mechanism. This segmentation allows both electrical connection reliability and pressing force stability to be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip structure serves as an intermediary element that establishes electrical connection without directly affecting the developing roller pressure. The grip with its terminals acts as a mediator between the developer cartridge and the photosensitive drum, enabling data transfer while the elastic member maintains consistent developing pressure through a separate mechanical pathway.
2Loss of information
If a memory element is provided on the developer cartridge to store information, then the information storage capability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The memory element is merged with the grip structure, which is already a necessary component for attaching the developer cartridge to the photosensitive drum. By integrating the terminal and memory element into the existing grip assembly rather than adding a separate complex interface mechanism, the information storage capability is achieved with minimal increase in overall structural complexity.
3Reliability
If the developing roller is pressed against the photosensitive drum to bring terminals into contact, then the electrical connection is established, but the pressing force uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact mechanism is segmented so that terminal contact occurs through the grip assembly rather than through the developing roller pressure. The grip with its terminal can be independently positioned and pressed against the photosensitive drum terminal, while the developing roller maintains uniform pressure through the elastic member's consistent urging force on the developer cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip structure acts as an intermediary that establishes electrical connection through a dedicated terminal contact point, separate from the developing roller's pressure distribution. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the electrical connection is established without compromising the uniformity of the developing roller pressure across the photosensitive drum surface.
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 ensures reliable electrical connection for reading memory information without affecting the pressure contact between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum, resulting in excellent development of latent images.
Implementation Method 1
a first terminal electrically connected with the memory element, and a second terminal electrically connected with the first terminal when the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive member
Implementation Method 2
When the developer cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the pressing force of the developing roller to the photosensitive drum must be uniformized, in order to excellently develop a latent image provided on the photosensitive drum
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include a developer cartridge and a photosensitive unit. The developer cartridge may include a first casing accommodating a developing agent, a developing agent carrier supported by the first casing and carrying the developing agent, a memory element storing predetermined information, and a first terminal electrically connected with the memory element. The photosensitive unit may include a second casing to which the developer cartridge is detachably attached, a photosensitive member, with which the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact when the developer cartridge is attached to the second casing, supported by the second casing, and a second terminal electrically connected with the first terminal when the developing agent carrier is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive member.