Drum Cartridge Memory Relay Structure With Fewer Connection Terminals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses with both toner and drum memories require multiple terminals for electrical connections, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A drum cartridge design that integrates a frame with a toner cartridge holder, photosensitive drum, and a drum memory, using a single body terminal to relay information between the toner and drum memories, reducing the number of terminals needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If both toner memory and drum memory are included with separate terminals, then information storage and communication capabilities are improved, but device complexity and number of terminals increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the terminal functions for both toner memory and drum memory into a single shared terminal structure. The drum cartridge includes a drum memory and uses the same terminal interface that connects the toner cartridge to the image forming apparatus, eliminating the need for separate dedicated terminals for drum memory communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it simultaneously handles electrical connection for power supply, data communication for toner memory, and data communication for drum memory. This multi-functional terminal reduces the overall number of terminals required in the system.
2Reliability
If multiple separate terminals are used for toner and drum memories, then communication reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple terminal functions into a single terminal structure, reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers production costs while maintaining reliable communication through the integrated terminal design.
3Loss of information
If a drum memory is added to the drum cartridge, then information management capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drum memory is integrated into the drum cartridge structure and shares the terminal interface with the toner cartridge connection. This integration approach adds information management capability while minimizing structural complexity by reusing existing terminal infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal structure is designed to universally handle multiple types of data communication including toner cartridge information and drum cartridge information, making the system more versatile without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A drum cartridge includes a frame on which a toner cartridge is attachable, a photosensitive drum, and a drum memory. The drum cartridge relays information stored in the toner memory to the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is attached to the frame.