Developing Cartridge Electrical Contact Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, the relative positional change between the electrical contact surface of the developing cartridge and the terminal portion during the separating operation leads to wear on the electrical contact surface, causing reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a holder with a movable electrical contact surface that remains in contact with the terminal portion during attachment and separation, utilizing a coil spring mechanism to maintain consistent contact and reduce wear by adjusting the position of the electrical contact surfaces relative to the guide plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the developing cartridge is separated from the photosensitive drum during monochrome printing, then power consumption is reduced and heat generation is minimized, but the electrical contact surface and terminal portion are rubbed against each other causing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to be movable relative to the casing along the second direction (insertion direction), allowing the electrical contact surface to dynamically adjust its position. This dynamic structure enables the contact surface to maintain consistent contact with the terminal portion even when the casing moves during separation operations, thereby reducing wear while allowing the separating operation to reduce power consumption
2Device complexity
If the electrical contact surface is fixed to the casing, then the structure is simple, but the relative positional change during separation operation causes rubbing and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to be movable relative to the casing along the insertion direction, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamic one. This allows the electrical contact surface to automatically adjust its position to maintain contact during separation operations, reducing wear without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary component between the casing and the electrical contact surface. It provides a buffer that allows relative movement between the casing and contact surface, absorbing the positional changes during separation operations and preventing direct rubbing between the contact surface and terminal portion
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 configuration effectively reduces wear on the electrical contact surfaces, ensuring reliable contact and prolonged lifespan by maintaining consistent contact between the electrical contact surfaces and the terminal portion throughout the attachment and separation processes.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a coil spring mechanism to maintain consistent contact
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus comprises a photosensitive drum, a developing cartridge and a frame. The developing cartridge comprises a casing, a developing roller, a storage medium having an electrical contact surface and a holder holding the electrical contact surface on the first external surface. The frame has an electrical contact. The electrical contact is contact with the electrical contact surface of the developing cartridge in a state that the developing cartridge is attached to the frame. The casing is movable relative to the holder in a separating direction in which the developing roller separates from the photosensitive drum in a state that the electrical contact surface is in contact with the electrical contact.