Developing Cartridge Frame with Pressing Plate for Roller Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image-forming apparatuses, the developing roller and photosensitive member positioning is not precise due to inconsistent upward force transfer, leading to potential contamination and inefficient toner management, especially when cleaning devices are moved relative to the photosensitive members.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a developing cartridge with a frame that supports a movable developing roller and an urging member to ensure precise positioning, along with a conveying system to manage waste toner efficiently, minimizing contamination and allowing for a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pressing mechanism presses the new-toner box upward to rotate it and push the developing roller toward the photosensitive member, then the developing roller can be positioned, but the positioning precision is insufficient due to inconsistent upward force transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressing plate as an intermediary component between the pressing mechanism and the new-toner box. The pressing plate receives the pressing force and transfers it uniformly to the new-toner box, ensuring consistent upward force transfer and reliable positioning of the developing roller against the photosensitive member.
2Productivity
If cleaning devices are moved relative to the photosensitive members to remove waste toner, then waste toner can be collected, but toner contamination occurs during the movement process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cleaner component as an intermediary between the cleaning device and the photosensitive member. The cleaner component contacts the photosensitive member to remove waste toner while containing the cleaning process, preventing toner from scattering and contaminating the surrounding area during relative movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible cleaner component that can conform to the surface of the photosensitive member. This flexible structure allows effective contact for waste toner removal while containing the cleaning action within a controlled interface, minimizing toner contamination beyond the contact area.
3Manufacturing precision
If the developing cartridge is designed with a frame supporting a movable developing roller, then positioning precision can be improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frame structure with the developing roller support function into a single integrated component. The frame simultaneously provides structural support, guides the movable developing roller, and maintains positioning precision, thereby reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying the overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame component is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the structural support for the developing roller and the positioning mechanism. This universal design allows the same component to achieve multiple objectives (support, guide, position) without requiring additional specialized elements.
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 improves the precision of developing roller and photosensitive member positioning, reduces toner contamination, and enables efficient waste toner management within a compact device structure.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member disposed between the frame and the developing device to urge the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum
Implementation Method 2
Waste toner accommodating devices for accommodating waste toner collected by the cleaning devices, developing devices that accommodate unused toner, and handles coupled to the downstream ends of the cleaning devices and developing devices with respect to the direction that the imaging unit is pulled and that each have an internally built-in toner conveying device for conveying waste toner from the respective cleaning device to the respective waste toner accommodating device
Data Source
AI summary
A photosensitive drum is rotatably supported in a main body. A developing cartridge is detachably mountable on the main body in a state where the photosensitive drum is supported in the main body. The developing cartridge includes a developing device and a frame. The developing device includes a developing roller disposed in confrontation with the photosensitive drum to supply developer to the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted in the main body, and a developer-accommodating portion configured to accommodate developer. The frame includes a waste-developer-accommodating portion configured to accommodate waste developer and supports the developing device that is movable relative to the frame. The frame is disposed on an opposite side of the developing roller from the photosensitive drum. An urging member is disposed between the frame and the developing device to urge the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum.