Developing Cartridge Holder with Resilient Member for Contact Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image-forming apparatuses face issues with scraping of the electrical contact surface of developing cartridges during attachment, leading to potential damage and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a developing cartridge with a holder having a resilient member that expands and contracts, allowing controlled movement and contact with the drum cartridge's holder support portion, guided by first and second guide portions to minimize contact deviations and ensure proper electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the developing cartridge is directly attached to the image-forming apparatus, then the attachment process is simple, but the electrical contact surface may be scraped during attachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment process simplicityVSAvoidelectrical contact surface integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holder acts as an intermediary component between the developing cartridge and the image-forming apparatus. It includes a resilient member that provides buffering during attachment, preventing direct contact between the electrical contact surface and potentially damaging surfaces, thus protecting the electrical contact surface while maintaining the attachment process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member in the holder is pre-configured to provide cushioning effect during the attachment process. This beforehand cushioning absorbs shocks and prevents scraping of the electrical contact surface before damage can occur, ensuring reliable electrical contact without compromising the contact surface integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the holder structure is rigid to maintain precise contact, then electrical connection is stable, but scraping risk increases during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidscraping risk during insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder incorporates a resilient member that transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure during insertion. The resilient member deforms to absorb insertion shocks and then maintains stable contact, providing both protection during insertion and stable electrical connection during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If guide portions are added to prevent scraping, then electrical contact surface protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact surface protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder serves multiple functions: it holds the developing cartridge, provides cushioning during attachment, protects the electrical contact surface, and guides the insertion process. By combining these functions into a single component, the design protects the electrical contact surface without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces the likelihood of scraping on the electrical contact surface, enhancing the reliability and durability of the attachment process by maintaining precise contact and alignment during insertion.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member positioned between the first outer surface and the second outer surface and configured to expand and contract in the third direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10101706B2Image-forming apparatus including frame to which developing cartridge having electrical contact surface is attachable together with drum cartridge

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image-forming apparatus includes a developing cartridge, a drum cartridge, an electrical contact, a frame to which the developing cartridge attached to the drum cartridge is attachable, and first and second guide portions. The developing cartridge includes a storage medium having an electrical contact surface, and a holder including: a first outer surface holding the electrical contact surface, a second outer surface, and a resilient member connected to the both outer surfaces. The drum cartridge includes a holder support portion. The frame allows the developing cartridge to move from a first position to a second position, and then to a third position during insertion of the developing cartridge into the frame. The first guide portion guides the first outer surface, and the second guide portion guides the holder support portion to allow the electrical contact surface to contact the electrical contact during insertion of the developing cartridge into the frame.