Dual-Path Conductive Connections for Stable Cartridge Grounding

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Solution Overview

Problem

In image-forming apparatuses, unstable electrical connections between conductive terminals and data boards result in indirect or abnormal grounding of process cartridges, affecting communication between the process cartridge chip and the image-forming apparatus.

Innovation Solution

A conductive connection structure with two distinct connection portions, each connected to a reference-ground supply part through different connection parts, ensuring stable grounding even if one connection is unstable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single electrical connection path is used between the conductive terminal and data board, then the structure is simple, but the grounding stability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrounding stabilityVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single connection path is segmented into multiple independent connection paths (first connection path and second connection path). Each path provides a separate route for electrical connection between the conductive terminal and data board, ensuring that if one path fails, the other can maintain the electrical connection and grounding stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares redundant connection paths in advance to cushion against potential connection failures. By having multiple pre-established paths, the system is protected against grounding instability before it occurs, rather than reacting after a failure happens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If multiple connection paths are implemented, then the grounding stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrounding stabilityVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple connection paths are merged into a unified conductive terminal structure. The first and second connection paths share common elements (such as the conductive terminal and data board interfaces) while providing independent routing, thus achieving redundancy without proportionally increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4369107B1Conductive connection structure and image-forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 ZHUHAI PANTUM ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4369107B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4369107B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4369107B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a conductive connection structure and an image-forming apparatus. The conductive connection structure includes a conductive part where the conductive part includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion. The first connection portion is electrically connected to a reference-ground supply part disposed in a main body of an image-forming apparatus through a first connection part, in order to be connected to a potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part; and the second connection portion is electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part through a second connection part, where the first connection part is different from the second connection part, the first connection part is not included in the second connection part, and the second connection part is not included in the first connection part.