Movable Holder for Developing Cartridge Electrical Contact

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional developing cartridges experience rubbing of their electrical contact surfaces during attachment and detachment from image-forming apparatuses, leading to potential damage and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A developing cartridge design featuring a housing with a movable holder and a relay component that electrically connects the memory to the electrical contact surface, allowing the holder to move in specific directions to reduce friction and prevent rubbing, while a coil spring mechanism stabilizes the electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electrical contact surface is fixed in position, then the electrical connection is stable, but the contact surface is rubbed against parts of the image-forming apparatus during attachment and detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidrubbing damage to contact surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is designed to be movable relative to the housing in the third direction (crossing the electrical contact surface), allowing the electrical contact surface to dynamically adjust its position. This dynamic configuration enables the contact surface to avoid rubbing against image-forming apparatus parts during attachment/detachment while maintaining stable electrical connection when engaged

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the holder is made movable to reduce rubbing, then wear on the contact surface is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact surface lifespanVSAvoidholder mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is designed to be movable relative to the housing in the third direction (crossing the electrical contact surface), allowing the electrical contact surface to dynamically adjust its position. This dynamic configuration enables the contact surface to avoid rubbing against image-forming apparatus parts during attachment/detachment while maintaining stable electrical connection when engaged

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The design minimizes rubbing of the electrical contact surfaces during attachment and detachment, ensuring stable electrical connections and reducing wear, thereby enhancing the reliability and longevity of the developing cartridges.

Implementation Method 1

a coil spring mechanism stabilizes the electrical connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11385591B2Developing cartridge including holder movably supporting electrical contact surface

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A developing cartridge includes: a housing extending in a first direction; a developing roller; a memory held at the housing; a holder holding an electrical contact surface; and a relay component electrically connecting the memory to the electrical contact surface. The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction. The developing roller is positioned at one end portion of the housing in a second direction. The holder is movable relative to the housing in at least one of the second direction and a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction. The third direction also crosses the electrical contact surface.