Movable Connector Holder for Drawer Electrical Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing drawer designs for image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining electrical connection between the connector of the drawer and the main body of the image forming apparatus due to positional displacement, which can lead to connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a drawer design that includes a photosensitive drum, a drawer frame, a connector, and a holder. The holder is movable relative to the drawer frame in various directions to ensure electrical connection even if positional displacement occurs between the connector of the drawer and the main body, utilizing a movable holder and coil springs to facilitate alignment and reduce operational loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connector is fixed rigidly to the drawer frame, then the electrical connection is stable, but the connector cannot accommodate positional displacement with the main body connector
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to be movable relative to the drawer frame in the arraying direction of the terminals. This dynamic structure allows the holder to adjust its position to accommodate misalignment between the drawer connector and main body connector, while still maintaining stable electrical connection when properly aligned.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder's position parameter is made variable rather than fixed. By allowing the holder to move in the arraying direction of the terminals, the system can adapt to changes in positional parameters during assembly or operation, ensuring reliable electrical connection despite manufacturing tolerances or assembly variations.
2Reliability
If the holder is made movable to accommodate positional displacement, then the electrical connection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is segmented into two independent parts: the holder that can move relative to the drawer frame, and the drawer frame itself. This segmentation allows the holder to independently adjust its position to accommodate misalignment without affecting the overall drawer structure, simplifying the solution while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection support, allows positional adjustment to accommodate misalignment, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the reliability goal.
Data Source
AI summary
A drawer includes: a photosensitive drum; a drawer frame; a connector; a drawer memory; and a holder. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction. The drawer frame holds the photosensitive drum. The drawer frame has an outer surface. The connector has a plurality of terminals arrayed in an arraying direction. The drawer memory stores information on the photosensitive drum. The drawer memory is electrically connectable to at least one of the plurality of terminals. The holder is positioned at the outer surface of the drawer frame and holds the connector. The holder is movable relative to the drawer frame in the arraying direction of the plurality of terminals.