Movable Drum Cartridge Holder for Fewer Electrical Contact Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-forming apparatuses require a holder in the developing cartridge for electrical contact, increasing the number of parts.
Innovation Solution
A drum cartridge design that includes a drum frame, photosensitive drum, drum electrical contact surface, relay electrode, and holder, allowing the developing cartridge to be attached without needing a separate holder for electrical contact, with the holder being movable relative to the drum frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a holder is provided in the developing cartridge to hold the electrical contact surface, then reliable electrical contact is established, but the number of parts and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is extracted from the developing cartridge and relocated to the drum cartridge. This removes the unnecessary component from the developing cartridge while maintaining the electrical contact function through the relay electrode mechanism in the drum cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay electrode acts as an intermediary component in the drum cartridge that enables electrical contact between the memory in the developing cartridge and the external system, eliminating the need for a holder in the developing cartridge.
2Ease of operation
If the holder is made movable relative to the drum frame, then ease of attachment and detachment is improved, but the structural complexity of the drum cartridge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to be movable relative to the drum frame, transitioning from a static to a dynamic structure. This enables the holder to automatically position itself during attachment and detachment operations, improving ease of use while the movable nature is managed through simple guiding structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A drum cartridge includes a drum frame, a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction, a drum electrical contact surface, a relay electrode, and a holder holding the drum electrical contact surface. A developing cartridge including a developing roller and a memory is attachable to the drum frame. The drum electrical contact surface is positioned at one end portion of the drum frame in the first direction. The relay electrode is electrically connected to the memory in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame. The holder is positioned at the one end portion of the drum frame in the first direction and is movable relative to the drum frame. The holder has a holder terminal electrically connected to the drum electrical contact surface and electrically connectable to the relay electrode.