Drum Cartridge Memory Integration for Fewer Image-Forming Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of both a toner memory on a toner cartridge and a drum memory on a drum cartridge in an image forming apparatus requires multiple terminals for electrical connection, leading to an increased number of connections needed in the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The drum cartridge is designed with a drum memory integrated into the drum circuit board, sharing common terminals with the toner circuit boards, reducing the overall number of terminals required by using relay lines to connect the controller with both the drum and toner circuit boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If both a toner memory on a toner cartridge and a drum memory on a drum cartridge are installed, then information storage capability is improved, but the number of terminals required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drum memory is integrated into the drum circuit board, and the toner circuit boards share common terminals with the drum circuit board. This merging of memory functions into the circuit board structure allows both drum and toner information to be stored while reducing the number of separate terminal connections required, as the circuit boards interconnect through shared terminal points
Solution Approach 2:
The drum circuit board serves multiple functions: it stores drum memory information, connects to the controller, and provides shared terminal connections for multiple toner circuit boards. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit board structure to handle both drum and toner memory operations without requiring separate dedicated terminals for each function
Data Source
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AI summary
A drum cartridge equipped with a drum memory and having configurations to reduce the number of terminals is provided. This drum cartridge includes a frame to which a toner cartridge is attachable, a photosensitive drum, and a drum circuit board 15. In a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the frame, the drum circuit board 15 relays information stored in a toner memory included in the toner cartridge to an image forming apparatus.