Drum Cartridge Outer Contact Surface for Attached Developing Cartridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drum cartridges in electro-photographic image-forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining electrical contact between a storage medium on the drum frame and the image-forming apparatus when a developing cartridge is attached, as the outer surface of the drum frame is often covered by the developing cartridge.
Innovation Solution
A drum cartridge design that includes a first storage medium with an electrical contact surface positioned on the outer surface of the drum frame, allowing contact with the image-forming apparatus terminals even when a developing cartridge is attached, and a developing cartridge with a second storage medium and a developing roller, both aligned to facilitate electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame, then the developing cartridge can perform its imaging function, but the outer surface of the drum frame is covered and electrical contact between the storage medium and the image-forming apparatus is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The storage medium is repositioned from the conventional location on the developing cartridge to the drum frame's outer surface. This spatial relocation in a different dimension allows the storage medium to maintain electrical contact with the image-forming apparatus through exposed contact portions of the drum frame, even when the developing cartridge is attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum frame is designed with segmented structures including exposed contact portions that are specifically positioned to maintain electrical connectivity. The drum frame is divided into functional regions: mounting portions for the photosensitive drum, exposed contact portions for electrical connection, and attachment portions for the developing cartridge. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of imaging function and electrical contact.
2Reliability
If the storage medium is mounted on the drum frame, then data exchange with the image-forming apparatus is enabled, but the outer surface of the drum frame must remain exposed which complicates the compact design
Solution Approach 1:
The drum frame exhibits local quality differentiation where specific regions have distinct functions. The exposed contact portions are localized areas designed specifically for electrical connection, while other regions accommodate the photosensitive drum and developing cartridge attachment. This localized functional differentiation enables reliable data exchange without requiring large exposed surface areas.
3Reliability
If the electrical contact surface is positioned on the drum frame outer surface, then contact is maintained during developing cartridge attachment, but the positioning precision and alignment become more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The drum frame is pre-configured with exposed contact portions positioned at predetermined locations before the developing cartridge is attached. The storage medium is mounted on the drum frame in advance with its contact surface aligned to these predetermined positions. This preliminary arrangement ensures that electrical contact is established before the developing cartridge installation, reducing the criticality of alignment precision during final assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable; a photosensitive drum; and a first storage medium. The drum frame has one end portion and another end portion spaced apart from the one end portion in a first direction. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a second direction and is positioned at the one end portion of the drum cartridge. The first storage medium includes a first electrical contact surface. The first storage medium is positioned at an outer surface of the drum frame, the outer surface being exposed in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame.