Developing Cartridge Electrode Inclined Surface Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to ensure appropriate contact between the developing electrode and the apparatus electrode in a reduced-size developing cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, preventing damage to the roller shaft or developing contact during installation.
Innovation Solution
The developing cartridge design includes a developing roller with a shaft, a housing, a developing electrode with a first and second contact portion, and a connecting portion with an inclined surface, allowing the electrode to align properly with the apparatus electrode, ensuring safe and effective contact while reducing the cartridge's thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the developing cartridge is reduced in thickness, then the size of the developing cartridge is reduced, but the roller shaft may come into contact with the developing contact before the developing electrode, causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by designing the connecting portion with an inclined surface that guides the developing electrode to contact the apparatus electrode before the roller shaft can contact the developing contact. The inclined surface (45 degrees) ensures that during installation, the developing electrode makes contact first, preventing damage to the developing contact while maintaining a thin cartridge body structure.
2Length of moving object
If the developing electrode and roller shaft are aligned along the installation direction, then the cartridge thickness is reduced, but the roller shaft contacts the developing contact before the developing electrode, causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the inclined surface of the connecting portion as an intermediary mechanism. This inclined surface acts as a mediator that controls the sequence of contact during installation, ensuring the developing electrode contacts the apparatus electrode first. The inclined surface transforms the installation motion into a controlled contact sequence, preventing direct harmful contact between the roller shaft and developing contact.
3Volume of moving object
If the developing cartridge is made thin, then size reduction is achieved, but appropriate contact between developing electrode and apparatus electrode becomes difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometry of the connecting portion with a specific inclined surface angle (45 degrees). This parameter change in the connecting portion's shape allows the developing electrode to be positioned correctly relative to the apparatus electrode even in a thin cartridge structure. The inclined surface parameter ensures proper contact alignment while maintaining compact dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A developing cartridge includes a developing roller with a shaft, a housing with a wall portion, a developing electrode, a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and a connecting portion. The developing electrode includes a first contact portion contacting the shaft and has a first surface against which an apparatus electrode of an image forming apparatus body slides, a second contact portion disposed next to the first contact portion, and a second surface configured to contact an electrode of the image forming apparatus. The connecting portion includes a first inclined surface connecting the first surface and the second surface with each other and being contiguous with the first surface. The first inclined surface is inclined toward the second contact portion from the first contact portion such that the first inclined surface extends in a direction away from the wall portion.