Compact Photosensitive Cartridge with Nested Developing Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with multiple photosensitive cartridges are large in size due to the space requirements for developing units, making it difficult to reduce the size of both the cartridges and the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a photosensitive cartridge with a developing cartridge that includes a toner hopper, supply roller, and developing roller, with specific wall openings and projections to allow the developing cartridge to be removably mounted, enabling a compact arrangement of multiple photosensitive cartridges in parallel within the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a developing unit is mounted to and removed from the cartridge frame body, then the developing unit can be serviced separately, but a space for housing the developing unit must be provided while having spatial allowance according to the shape of the developing unit, increasing the cartridge size
Solution Approach 1:
The developing unit is nested within a recess in the cartridge frame body, allowing the developing unit to be removed for servicing while minimizing the overall cartridge size. The recess accommodates the developing unit's shape, enabling tight integration without requiring excessive external space.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is divided into separate functional modules: the cartridge frame body housing the photosensitive drum and charger, and the removable developing unit. This segmentation allows the developing unit to be serviced independently while maintaining a compact overall structure through precise spatial integration.
2Productivity
If multiple photosensitive cartridges are arranged in parallel inside the image forming apparatus, then the apparatus can perform multiple functions simultaneously, but the apparatus size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple photosensitive cartridges are arranged in parallel within a compact apparatus housing, merging multiple imaging functions into a single device. The cartridges are positioned to share common structural elements and access paths, enabling multi-functionality without proportionally increasing apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The photosensitive cartridges are arranged in a parallel configuration that utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently, transitioning from a single-cartridge design to a multi-cartridge parallel arrangement that maintains compact footprint while increasing functionality.
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 reduces the size of both the photosensitive cartridges and the image forming apparatus while maintaining efficient operation, allowing for tighter packing of cartridges and improved usability.
Implementation Method 1
a charger that is provided at a position adjacent to the photosensitive drum and that charges the photosensitive drum
Implementation Method 2
a developing roller that develops the electrostatic latent image
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a first developing cartridge and a first photosensitive cartridge. The first developing cartridge is removably mounted in the first photosensitive cartridge and includes a toner hopper, a supply roller and a developing roller. The first photosensitive cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a charger provided at a position adjacent to the photosensitive drum, a first wall provided adjacent to the supply roller, the toner hopper, and the developing roller when the first developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge, the first wall including a first opening, and a second wall which faces the first wall and is provided adjacent to the charger, the second wall including a second opening on an opposite side of the charger from the photosensitive drum. A portion of a wall of the first developing cartridge projects through the first opening in the first wall of the first photosensitive cartridge.