Compact Developing Cartridge With Overlapping Holders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developing cartridges with storage media, such as IC chips, become larger due to the positioning of holders and couplings on one side, making them less compact.
Innovation Solution
The developing cartridge design overlaps holders and positions them closer in one direction, with the coupling situated between them, allowing for a more compact structure by optimizing the arrangement of components like the chip holder, coupling, and gear system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the holder and coupling are positioned at one side of the developing cartridge and arrayed with each other, then the electrical connectivity and mechanical coupling are ensured, but the developing cartridge grows in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear arrangement of holder and coupling along one dimension to a two-dimensional configuration where the holder and coupling are positioned at opposite sides of the cartridge, facing each other across a gap. This spatial reconfiguration allows electrical contacts to extend through the cartridge body in the thickness direction, achieving connectivity without increasing the cartridge's footprint area.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder and coupling are positioned such that their respective contact portions can be integrated into the cartridge structure more efficiently. The coupling's contact portion faces the holder's contact portion across a gap, allowing the electrical connection to be established through the cartridge body rather than requiring external extension, thereby nesting the connection mechanism within the cartridge volume.
2Device complexity
If the holder and coupling are positioned at one side of the developing cartridge, then the assembly is simplified, but the developing cartridge grows in size
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging holder and coupling linearly along one side, the patent positions them at opposite sides of the cartridge, utilizing the thickness dimension to separate them. This creates a more compact footprint while the contact portions extend through the cartridge body to establish electrical connections, effectively using three-dimensional space rather than just linear arrangement.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact developing cartridge. The developing cartridge includes: a first holder 621 movable in a first direction relative to a casing 10 capable of accommodating a developer agent, and holding an electrical contact surface 611; a second holder 622 movable in the first direction together with the first holder 621 relative to the casing 10, and positioned away from the first holder 621 in a third direction; and a coupling 41 rotatable about a second axis extending in a second direction. The first holder 621 and the second holder 622 are movable relative to the casing 10 and the coupling 41 between a first position and a second position in the first direction. A portion of the coupling 41 is positioned between the first holder 621 and the second holder 622 in a case where the first holder and the second holder are positioned at the second position.