Movable Electrical Connector for Image Forming Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately and easily establishing electrical connections between the storage medium on the drawer-side and the controller of the image forming apparatus main body due to potential errors in the positional relation between the electrical contact parts.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a drawer with a frame holding photosensitive drums and a connector system that includes a drawer-side electrical contact part and a socket, along with a main body-side connector featuring a movable electrical contact part and an elastic member, allowing for accurate and easy electrical connection even when there are errors in positional alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid electrical contact parts are used for connection, then connection stability is improved, but alignment error tolerance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to be movable in the third direction (insertion direction) and in a direction intersecting with the third direction, allowing the main body-side electrical contact part to dynamically adjust its position to compensate for alignment errors while maintaining reliable electrical connection
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member changes the positional parameters of the main body-side electrical contact part by providing elastic deformation, enabling the contact part to adapt to positional deviations while maintaining stable electrical contact
2Adaptability or versatility
If movable electrical contact part with elastic member is used, then alignment error tolerance is improved, but connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to be movable in the third direction (insertion direction) and in a direction intersecting with the third direction, allowing the main body-side electrical contact part to dynamically adjust its position to compensate for alignment errors while maintaining reliable electrical connection
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member changes the positional parameters of the main body-side electrical contact part by providing elastic deformation, enabling the contact part to adapt to positional deviations while maintaining stable electrical contact
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 configuration ensures reliable and precise electrical connection between the storage medium and the controller, preventing misalignment issues and ensuring smooth operation of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member interposed between the base and the panel, the holder being configured to hold the main body-side electrical contact part to be movable in an intersection direction intersecting with an extension and contraction direction of the elastic member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a drawer and a main body. The drawer includes a drawer-side electrical contact part and a socket. The main body includes a main body-side connector including: a main body-side electrical contact part; and a holder including a base, a panel, and an elastic member interposed between the base and the panel. The holder holds the main body-side electrical contact part to be movable in an intersection direction intersecting with an extension and contraction direction of the elastic member. When the holder contacts the socket, the panel moves relative to the base in the intersection direction together with the main body side-electrical contact part, and the main body side-electrical contact part and drawer-side electrical contact part are in contact with each other.