Movable Electrical Contact for Developing Cartridge Insertion Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require adjustment of pressure forces applied by body-side and cartridge-side contacts, which can be challenging due to the need for precise alignment and contact stability during mounting and operation of developing cartridges.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a frame with movable electrical contact portions and a developing cartridge with a pressing portion that adjusts contact forces by using a coil spring mechanism, allowing for controlled contact between the cartridge's electrical contact surfaces and the frame's terminal portions, ensuring stable and consistent pressure application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring presses the cartridge-side contacts to maintain contact force, then contact stability is improved, but the insertion load increases and requires force adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the first electrical contact portion movable relative to the plate, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. This dynamic structure enables the contact portion to move during insertion to reduce load, while maintaining stable contact when mounted, thus resolving the contradiction between insertion load and contact stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable electrical contact portion whose position parameter can change during operation. This parameter change allows the system to adapt between two states: low-force during insertion and stable-contact during operation, effectively managing the force parameter to reduce insertion load while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If body-side contacts apply pressure to ensure contact, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but contact surface wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable first electrical contact portion can adapt its position to optimize contact conditions. This dynamic adjustment distributes contact stress more evenly and reduces concentrated wear on stationary contact surfaces, thereby extending their lifespan while maintaining reliable electrical connections
Solution Approach 2:
The movable electrical contact portion acts as an intermediary between the fixed plate and the cartridge-side contacts. It absorbs some of the mechanical stress and wear through its movement capability, protecting the stationary contact surfaces from excessive wear while ensuring continuous reliable 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 allows for reduced wear on contact surfaces, improved contact stability, and reduced insertion load during cartridge mounting, maintaining proper contact and enhancing the reliability of electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
a spring pressing the cartridge-side contacts becomes compressed. Consequently, after the developing cartridge is mounted to the apparatus body, a restoring force of the spring presses the cartridge-side contacts against the body-side contacts
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a frame; a plate including first and second electrical contact portions; and a developing cartridge detachably mountable to the frame. At least a portion of the first electrical contact portion is movable relative to the plate and separated farther from the plate than the second electrical contact portion The developing cartridge includes: a storage medium and a pressing portion. The storage medium includes first and second electrical contact surfaces. The pressing portion is configured to press the first electrical contact surface toward the first electrical contact portion to bring the first electrical contact surface into contact with the first electrical contact portion and to press the second electrical contact surface toward the second electrical contact portion to bring the second electrical contact surface into contact with the second electrical contact portion in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted to the frame.