Developing Cartridge Friction Angle Clamping Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional detachable processing cartridges in image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining sufficient clamping force between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum, leading to potential deformation and reduced print quality due to uneven thrust forces, which can cause blurred images and inconvenience in toner replacement.

Innovation Solution

A developing cartridge design with a supported element and a force-applying component that applies a thrust force with an angle greater than or equal to the friction angle between the supported element and the supporting part, ensuring stable contact between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum, and incorporating a storage unit and driving gear on the same side to reduce rotational torque and stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a large thrust force is applied to push the developing cartridge to ensure clamping force between the developing roller and photosensitive drum, then the clamping effect is improved, but the resin frame of the processing cartridge may deform due to excessive counterforce

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping force between developing roller and photosensitive drumVSAvoidstrength of resin frame
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The force-applying component is divided into multiple force-applying sections that can independently apply thrust force to different locations on the developing cartridge. This segmentation allows the force to be distributed more evenly, preventing concentration of stress on the resin frame while still achieving sufficient clamping force between the developing roller and photosensitive drum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies thrust force locally at specific positions on the developing cartridge through multiple force-applying sections rather than applying a single large force. This local application of force ensures adequate clamping at the contact interface between the developing roller and photosensitive drum while avoiding excessive counterforce that could deform the resin frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the thrust force is set to be too small, then the resin frame is protected from deformation, but the clamping force between the developing roller and photosensitive drum becomes insufficient, affecting print quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of resin frameVSAvoidprint quality
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the force application into multiple sections, each applying a moderate thrust force, the patent achieves sufficient cumulative clamping force for high-quality printing without requiring a single large force that would deform the resin frame. The segmented force application ensures uniform pressure distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies thrust force at multiple locations simultaneously, using partial forces at each location that collectively provide the necessary total clamping force. This approach ensures adequate contact pressure for sharp print quality while keeping individual force magnitudes low enough to prevent frame deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If conventional pushing components are used to provide forces in two different directions, then the developing roller can be maintained in contact with the photosensitive drum and the processing cartridge mounting is stabilized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of processing cartridge mountingVSAvoidcomplexity of pushing component
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The force-applying component is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides thrust force in the mounting direction to stabilize the processing cartridge, and simultaneously provides force through multiple sections to maintain clamping between the developing roller and photosensitive drum. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pushing components for each function, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of stabilizing the processing cartridge mounting and maintaining developing roller contact into a single force-applying component with multiple force-applying sections. This integration simplifies the overall structure compared to using separate conventional pushing components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution maintains stable contact between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum, preventing deformation and ensuring high-quality prints while simplifying toner management and reducing environmental pollution.

Implementation Method 1

an angle between a direction of the force and a normal direction of a contact interface between the supported element and the supporting part is not smaller than a friction angle between the supported element and the supporting part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3492992B1Developing box, processing box, and image forming device
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 ZHUHAI PANTUM ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3492992B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3492992B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3492992B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention disclosure a developing cartridge, a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus, relates to the field of image forming apparatus technology. The process cartridge includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive drum cartridge. The developing cartridge disposes a supported element, the photosensitive drum disposes a supporting part. When the process cartridge is mounted inside the image forming apparatus, the supported element and the supporting part receives a force applied by the force-applying component, and the angle between a direction of the force and a normal direction of a contact interface between the supported element and the supporting part is not smaller than a friction angle between the supported element and the supporting part. Such that the process cartridge can be pushed by a simple urging mechanism, and an excessively force applied on the process cartridge can be avoided.