Developer Electrode Recess for Drum Wall Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of a developer cartridge for an image forming apparatus faces a challenge when the drum cartridge has a higher lateral wall, as the developer electrode may collide, necessitating a smaller electrode to avoid collision, which compromises contact with the image forming apparatus's electrode.
Innovation Solution
The developer cartridge is designed with a developer electrode that includes a recess to accommodate the lateral wall of the drum cartridge, ensuring stable contact with the image forming apparatus's electrode by positioning the electrode's contact section opposite to the casing, thereby maintaining effective electrical connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the drum cartridge is designed to have a higher lateral wall, then the structural integrity and support are improved, but the lateral wall may collide with the developer electrode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by creating a recess in the developer electrode that accommodates the lateral wall of the drum cartridge. This allows the lateral wall to be nested within the electrode structure, eliminating collision while maintaining the structural integrity provided by the higher lateral wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the collision issue by changing the spatial arrangement in the axial direction. The contact surface is positioned at a location that faces away from the lateral wall, and the recess is formed to receive the lateral wall, effectively using dimensional positioning to avoid interference while preserving structural strength.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the developer electrode is designed to be smaller to avoid collision, then the collision risk is reduced, but contact with the electrode in the body of the image forming apparatus may not be secured
Solution Approach 1:
The recess in the developer electrode nests the lateral wall, allowing the electrode to maintain its full contact surface area for reliable electrical contact while accommodating the lateral wall structure without requiring the electrode to be smaller.
Solution Approach 2:
The developer electrode is segmented into different functional regions: a contact surface for electrical contact with the image forming apparatus electrode, and a recess for accommodating the lateral wall. This segmentation allows each region to fulfill its specific function without compromise.
3Volume of moving object
If the contact surface of the developer electrode is positioned to face the lateral wall, then the electrode can be compact, but it prevents reliable contact with the electrode in the body of the image forming apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the contact surface in a different axial location rather than having it face the lateral wall directly. The contact surface faces away from the lateral wall in the axial direction, while the recess accommodates the lateral wall, separating these functions spatialally to ensure both compactness and reliable contact.
Data Source
AI summary
A developer cartridge attachable to a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum is provided. The developer cartridge includes a casing configured to store toner therein, a developer roller rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction, and a developer electrode electrically connectable with the developer roller. The developer electrode is configured to be in contact with a first electrode of an image forming apparatus along the axial direction. In a state where the developer cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, a portion of the developer electrode faces a surface of a lateral wall of the drum cartridge on an opposite side to a surface facing the casing.