Electrode Guide Path for Reliable Cartridge Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing color image forming apparatuses face complications in securely connecting unit-side electrode members with apparatus-body-side electrode members due to interference during attachment and detachment of the photosensitive member cartridge, leading to potential damages and connection failures.

Innovation Solution

The design includes apparatus-body-side electrode members that are urged inward and protrude outward, with a guide path featuring flat surfaces to maintain constant positions during attachment and detachment, preventing interference and ensuring secure connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the electrodes do not protrude from one side surface of the frame, then the apparatus configuration can be simpler, but the apparatus body side electrodes need to be retreatable, making the configuration complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode configuration complexityVSAvoidattachment and detachment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the apparatus body side electrodes retreatable (complex mechanism), the patent makes the photosensitive member cartridge side electrodes protrude outward. This reverses the approach: rather than moving the fixed side electrodes, the removable cartridge electrodes extend outward to ensure reliable connection without requiring complex retreatable mechanisms on the apparatus body side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If the electrodes protrude from the side surface of the frame, then the apparatus body side electrodes do not need to be retreatable, but the electrodes on the photosensitive member cartridge side interfere with the other electrodes on the apparatus body side, causing damages and connection failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode configuration complexityVSAvoidelectrode connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guide path with a flat surface that extends in the attachment/detachment direction. The apparatus body side electrodes are urged inward by springs and slide along this flat surface during attachment and detachment. This adds a dimensional element (the guide path surface) that allows the electrodes to move in a controlled manner, maintaining constant inward and outward positions while preventing interference with other electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus body side electrodes are designed to be movable rather than fixed, urged inward by springs. During attachment and detachment, these electrodes dynamically adjust their positions by sliding along the guide path's flat surface. This dynamic design allows the electrodes to maintain optimal connection positions while avoiding interference with other electrodes during the attachment/detachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the apparatus body side electrodes are made retreatable, then the electrode connection can be maintained during detachment, but the apparatus configuration becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode connection reliabilityVSAvoidapparatus configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The photosensitive member cartridge side electrodes protrude outward and actively seek connection with the apparatus body side electrodes. The springs on the apparatus body side automatically urge the electrodes inward to maintain contact. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable connection without requiring complex external control systems or retreatable mechanisms, as the system automatically maintains electrode contact through the protruding design and spring urging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for a simple construction that securely connects the electrode members, preventing damages and ensuring reliable operation during the attachment and detachment of the photosensitive member cartridge.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of apparatus-body-side electrode members provided on the side wall portions, corresponding to the plurality of photosensitive members, and each urged inward in an opposing direction of the side wall portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8175486B2Image forming apparatus having body-side contacts and unit-side contacts

Publication Date: 2012.05.08 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus may include an apparatus body, and a photosensitive-member unit slidably attached to the apparatus body and retaining a plurality of photosensitive members. The apparatus body includes side wall portions opposing each other with a unit receiving section sandwiched therebetween, and a plurality of apparatus-body-side electrode members provided on the side wall portions, and each urged inward in an opposing direction of the side wall portions. The photosensitive-member unit includes a plurality of unit-side electrode members each protruding outward in the opposite direction and a guide path comprising a flat surface formed in a flat shape so that each of the apparatus-body-side electrode members slidably contacts to the flat surface during attachment of the photosensitive-member unit with respect to the unit receiving section, and that each of the apparatus-body-side electrode members slidably contacted maintains a constant inward and outward position in the opposite direction.