Developing Cartridge Shaft Cam Integral Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional developing cartridges lack a configuration where a shaft and a cam are integrally formed, which complicates the stable movement between contact and separated states with the photosensitive drum.

Innovation Solution

A developing cartridge design where the shaft and cam are integrally formed, with an elastic member positioned between them, allowing for stable movement between contact and separated states by using a coil spring that compresses and expands to facilitate the switching mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the shaft and cam are integrally formed, then the stability of movement between contact and separated states is improved, but the difficulty of arranging an elastic member increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of movementVSAvoidease of arranging elastic member

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is segmented into a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion that can move relative to each other in the first direction. The cam is positioned on the first shaft portion, while the elastic member is positioned between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion. This segmentation allows the elastic member to be arranged in a configuration that maintains the integral formation benefits while providing necessary flexibility and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the shaft and cam are integrally formed, then manufacturing precision is improved by reducing manufacturing errors, but the complexity of the structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is divided into movable portions that can shift relative to each other, allowing the elastic member to be positioned between them. This segmentation reduces the overall structural complexity while maintaining the manufacturing precision benefits of integral formation by ensuring precise relative positioning through the elastic member configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member acts as an intermediary element between the first and second shaft portions. It provides the necessary flexibility and stability while maintaining precise dimensional relationships, thereby reducing manufacturing errors without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the elastic member is positioned between the shaft and cam, then the reliability of switching between states is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of switchingVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is segmented into portions that can move relative to each other, creating a dedicated space for the elastic member. This segmentation allows the elastic member to be positioned between the shaft portions and the cam, improving switching reliability while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through modular arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member serves as an intermediary that provides reliable switching between contact and separated states by controlling the relative movement between shaft portions and the cam. Its positioning between the shaft and cam ensures stable force transmission while maintaining acceptable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures precise and reliable switching between contact and separated states, reducing manufacturing errors and dimensional issues, and shortening the moving stroke of the separating member, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of the image-forming apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member configured to expand or contract. The elastic member is positioned outward of the shaft in a radial direction of the shaft. The elastic member is positioned between the first outer surface and the first cam in the first direction.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250093812A1Developing cartridge including movable shaft, and cam provided on shaft and having surface inclined relative thereto

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A developing cartridge includes a housing, a developing roller, a shaft, a first cam, and an elastic member. The housing has a first outer surface at one end portion of the housing in a first direction. The developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction. The shaft is along a second axis extending in the first direction. The shaft is movable in the first direction relative to both the housing and the developing roller. The first cam is at one end portion of the shaft in the first direction. The first cam is movable in the first direction together with the shaft. The elastic member is positioned outward of the shaft in a radial direction of the shaft. The elastic member is positioned between the first outer surface and the first cam in the first direction.