Elastically Deformable Intermediary Contact for Cartridge Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in minimizing the impact imparted to process cartridges during their movement between the outside and inside of the main assembly, which can lead to shocks and vibrations, affecting the usability and reliability of the cartridges.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a movable member with an intermediary electrical contact that is elastically flexed in the moving direction, providing a bias voltage to the process cartridge, and a cartridge side contact portion that is elastically urged by the intermediary contact, helps to absorb and distribute the impact, reducing the shock experienced by the cartridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the process cartridge is moved between outside and inside of the main assembly, then the cartridge can be installed and removed, but impact and vibrations are imparted to the cartridge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a movable member with elastic flexibility that is positioned to absorb impact before it reaches the cartridge. The movable member acts as a shock-absorbing element that deforms elastically during cartridge insertion, reducing the transmission of impact and vibrations to the cartridge while still allowing smooth installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable member serves as an intermediary between the main assembly and the cartridge. It mediates the interaction by providing elastic deformation that absorbs impact energy, thereby protecting the cartridge from direct exposure to shock and vibrations during the insertion and removal process.
2Ease of operation
If a movable member is used to support the process cartridge, then the cartridge can be moved smoothly, but the impact imparted to the cartridge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the elastic flexibility parameter of the movable member. By changing the physical state of the movable member from rigid to elastically deformable, it can absorb impact energy while still providing smooth movement support. The elastic deformation allows the member to adapt to impact forces without transmitting them to the cartridge.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the intermediary electrical contact is elastically flexed, then the impact is absorbed, but the electrical connection may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The movable member with elastic flexibility serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an impact-absorbing cushion, maintains electrical connection through elastic deformation, and provides mechanical support for the cartridge. The same component that absorbs shock also ensures reliable electrical contact by deforming elastically to maintain connection pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic flexibility of the movable member is designed to absorb impact before it can affect the electrical connection. The cushioning action occurs in advance, protecting both the cartridge and the electrical connection from shock while maintaining reliable contact through controlled elastic deformation.
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 effectively reduces the impact and vibrations imparted to the cartridges during movement, enhancing their stability and usability, and allows for easier replacement and integration with the apparatus, thereby improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediary electrical contact for supplying a bias voltage received by the output contact to the process cartridge, the intermediary electrical contact being disposed at a downstream side of the movable member with respect to a moving direction of the movable member from the outside toward the inside and being elastically flexed in the moving direction
Implementation Method 2
a cartridge side contact portion which is provided at an upstream side with respect to the moving direction and which is contactable to the movable member when the input electrical contact is contacted by the intermediary electrical contact and is elastically urged by the intermediary electrical contact
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a movable member including a mounting portion for detachably mounting a cartridge, with the movable member being movable from an outside toward an inside of a main assembly of the apparatus while supporting the cartridge. The apparatus further comprises an output contact and an intermediary electrical contact configured and positioned to supply a bias voltage received by the output contact to the cartridge, with intermediary electrical contact being disposed on the mounting portion and being elastically deformable in a moving direction in which the movable member is movable between the outside and the inside. The cartridge includes an input electrical contact and a cartridge side contact portion.