Developing Cartridge Pivot Mechanism for Drum Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in ensuring that the developing roller of a developing cartridge can contact the photosensitive drum even when the cartridge is attached to the housing while initially separated from the drum, preventing the supply of developing agent.
Innovation Solution
The developing cartridge is designed with a casing that moves from a first position, where the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, to a second position where it is in contact, facilitated by a holder and pressure receiving surfaces that interact with the drawer and housing to ensure proper alignment and contact during attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the developing cartridge is designed to be detachable from the drawer, then the ease of operation is improved, but the developing roller may not contact the photosensitive drum properly upon attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is pre-configured with the electrical contact surface positioned to move from a first position (separated) to a second position (contacting) automatically during the attachment process. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the drawer is inserted into the housing, the developing roller and electrical contact surface are already positioned to engage with the photosensitive drum and electric terminal respectively, without requiring additional manual adjustment.
2Ease of operation
If the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum during attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the developing agent supply is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to be movable relative to the casing in the second direction, allowing the electrical contact surface to transition dynamically from a separated position during insertion to a contacting position during operation. This dynamic adjustment enables the developing roller to engage with the photosensitive drum automatically as the drawer is inserted into the housing, ensuring both ease of insertion and proper developing agent supply.
3Device complexity
If the holder is fixed in position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the electrical connection cannot be established during drawer insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with movable components that allow it to transition from a fixed-like appearance during insertion to a dynamically adjustable position for electrical contact. The holder can move in the second direction relative to the casing, enabling the electrical contact surface to engage with the electric terminal automatically during drawer insertion, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable electrical connection.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
To provide a technology capable of moving a developing cartridge to permit a developing roller to contact a photosensitive drum even in a case where a drawer is attached to the housing while the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum. In accordance with movement of the drawer, position of a casing of the developing cartridge can be moved from the first position to the second position. Hence, the developing roller can be in contact with the photosensitive drum. Further, in accordance with movement from the first position to the second position, an electrical contact surface of a storage medium can be in contact with an electric terminal of the drawer. Further, in accordance with movement from the first position to the second position, a separation cam can be moved to a predetermined position out of contact with a frame of the drawer. Further, in accordance with movement from the first position to the second position, the casing of the developing cartridge can be pivotally moved from the first position to the second position about a first axis.