Developing Cartridge Rotation to Clear Exposing Unit Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in easily mounting and demounting photosensitive member cartridges due to interference with the exposing unit and require additional components to manage urging forces, leading to increased costs and operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a rotating mechanism for the developing cartridge and photosensitive member cartridge, allowing the developing roller to be spaced apart from the photosensitive drum and the waste developer container to be moved out of the exposing light path, with a guiding system and urging member to facilitate easy mounting and demounting without interfering with the front cover, and a compression spring to manage urging forces without increasing component costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the waste developer container is arranged above the photosensitive member, then the photosensitive member cartridge can be mounted and demounted from below the exposing unit, but the waste developer container may interfere with the exposing unit during mounting and demounting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The waste developer container is configured to move in the subordination direction (vertical dimension) relative to the photosensitive member cartridge, allowing it to clear the exposing unit path during mounting and demounting operations. This dimensional movement resolves the interference problem while maintaining the operational ease of accessing cartridges from below.
2Force
If an urging member is provided on the front cover to press the developing roller to the photosensitive drum, then the developing cartridge can be pressed against the photosensitive member, but the front cover is applied with reactive force making it difficult to close and likely to open unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The urging member is extracted from the front cover structure and relocated to the developing cartridge itself. This removes the reactive force from the front cover, eliminating the difficulty of closing and preventing unnecessary opening, while the urging member continues to provide the necessary pressing force through direct engagement with the developing cartridge.
3Force
If an urging member is provided for each replacement component such as the developing cartridge, then the component can be properly pressed against the photosensitive member, but the cost of the replacement component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The urging member is designed as a shared component that serves multiple functions: it provides pressing force for the developing cartridge and is integrated into the cartridge structure to enable proper engagement with the photosensitive member. This universal design approach reduces overall system cost compared to providing separate urging mechanisms for each component.
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 enhances the operational ease of mounting and demounting the cartridges, prevents interference with the exposing unit, and reduces the cost of replacement components by integrating the urging mechanism into the apparatus main body rather than the cartridges.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring configured to urge the developing cartridge in the developing direction
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus has a main body including a front wall and a rear wall. A side frame is disposed in the main body and has a photosensitive member cartridge guide and a developing cartridge guide. A sheet feeding tray is disposed in the main body. A photosensitive member cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing cartridge has a developing roller. An exposing unit is configured to emit light toward the photosensitive drum to expose the photosensitive drum. A fixing device has a heating roller and a pressing roller. When the photosensitive member cartridge is at the photosensitive member cartridge mounting position, the photosensitive member cartridge is disposed at a position between the fixing device and the sheet feeding tray. When the developing cartridge is at the developing cartridge mounting position, the developing member is disposed at a position between the photosensitive member cartridge and the sheet feeding tray.