Drum Unit Frame Electrical Contact Surface Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drum units in image forming apparatuses lack a suitable mechanism for mounting a storage medium with an electrical contact surface that can effectively contact external electrical contacts when the drum unit is attached to the main casing.
Innovation Solution
The drum unit is designed with a frame that includes a first and second photosensitive drum, a charger, and a storage medium with an electrical contact surface positioned on the outer surface of the frame. This configuration allows the electrical contact surface of the storage medium to contact external electrical contacts when the drum unit is attached to the image forming apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a storage medium is mounted on a drum unit, then information handling capability is improved, but the complexity of the drum unit structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drum unit is divided into functional modules: the storage medium (IC chip) is separated as an independent component mounted on the drum unit, while the electrical contact surface is integrated into the frame structure. This segmentation allows the storage function to be added without complicating the overall drum unit design.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the photosensitive drums, positions the charger, and integrates the electrical contact surface for the storage medium. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby limiting complexity increase.
2Reliability
If the electrical contact surface is positioned on the outer surface of the frame, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but the design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact surface is pre-positioned on the outer surface of the frame at a location that ensures contact with the image forming apparatus when assembled. This preliminary positioning guarantees reliable electrical connection without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, thereby maintaining design flexibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple frame plates are used to support photosensitive drums, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into multiple frame plates (first, second, third, and fourth frame plates), each serving specific structural functions. This segmentation provides structural stability for supporting multiple photosensitive drums while keeping each individual plate simple to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple frame plates are combined to form a unified frame structure that provides both stability and ease of manufacture. The frame plates work together to support the photosensitive drums and position the charger, distributing the structural requirements across multiple simple components rather than requiring one complex component.
Data Source
AI summary
A drum unit includes: a frame; a first photosensitive drum; a second photosensitive drum; a charger; and a storage medium. The frame includes: a first frame plate; a second frame plate spaced apart from the first frame plate in a first direction; a third frame plate connecting one end of the first frame plate to one end of the second frame plate; and a fourth frame plate connecting another end of the first frame plate to another end of the second frame plate. The first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are rotatably supported by the frame. The second photosensitive drum is spaced apart from the first photosensitive drum and positioned closer to the third frame plate than the first photosensitive drum to the third frame plate in a second direction. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface positioned at an outer surface of the third frame plate.