Developing Cartridge Driving Input Portion Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming devices face challenges in securely transmitting driving force to developing cartridges and require additional members for guiding, which complicates the design and increases size.

Innovation Solution

An image forming device with a driving input portion connected to the developing cartridge, guided by a guiding structure that integrates both driving force transmission and positioning, eliminating the need for separate guiding members and enabling size reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate guiding member is used to guide the developing cartridge, then the guiding function is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driving input portion integrates both driving force transmission and guiding functions into a single component. The guiding groove is formed directly on the photoconductor cartridge frame, eliminating the need for separate guiding members while maintaining accurate positioning and guidance of the developing cartridge during installation and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If additional guiding members are added, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding groove is integrated directly into the photoconductor cartridge frame structure, combining the guiding function with the existing frame. This eliminates the need for additional guiding members that would increase device volume, while still providing accurate positioning through the groove's geometric constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of stationary object

If a compact design is implemented, then the device size is reduced, but the driving force transmission reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiddriving force transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The driving input portion is designed as an integrated component that simultaneously provides driving force transmission and guiding functions. The direct engagement between the driving gear and the driving input portion ensures reliable force transmission, while the integrated guiding groove maintains compact dimensions without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1804137B1Image forming device and developing cartridge
Publication Date: 2012.03.07 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP1804137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1804137B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1804137B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A system provides a compact and functional image forming device that can securely supply a driving force to a developing cartridge. The developing cartridge can be mounted to the image forming device in an insertable/removable manner. A passive coupling gear (144) and cylinder (184) externally project in the width direction of the collar member (50) allowing secure supply of a driving force through connection of the passive coupling gear (144) to the coupling input shaft (145). In addition, the amount of movement of the coupling input shaft (145) to connect with the passive coupling gear (144) can be minimized, thereby allowing for a miniaturization of the color laser printer (1). Furthermore, in addition to the original function, the function of being guided by the left guiding groove (189) for the passive coupling gear (144) and the function of being guided by the right groove (73) for the cylinder (184) can be added.