Pivoting Process Cartridge for Unobstructed Developing Unit Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the waste developing agent storage container often obstructs the attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge due to limited space, forcing it to be positioned above the developing cartridge.
Innovation Solution
The process cartridge is designed to pivot between two positions, allowing the waste developing agent storage container to be positioned outside the attachment space when not in use, enabling unobstructed attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the waste developing agent storage container is disposed above and adjacent to the developing cartridge, then the container can be placed within the limited space of the photosensitive body cartridge, but the container obstructs attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge
Solution Approach 1:
The photosensitive body cartridge is designed to pivot between a first position (during attachment/detachment) and a second position (during operation). This dynamic repositioning allows the waste developing agent storage container to move out of the way during cartridge replacement, eliminating obstruction while maintaining compact space utilization during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces a temporal dimension to the spatial arrangement by changing the position of the photosensitive body cartridge across different time states. During attachment/detachment operations, the cartridge pivots to a first position that clears the path for the developing cartridge. During normal operation, it returns to a second position that optimizes space utilization and positioning of the waste developing agent storage container
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image forming apparatus including a main body and a process cartridge including a photosensitive body cartridge and a developing cartridge. The photosensitive body cartridge includes a photosensitive body and a waste developing agent storage container. The developing cartridge includes a developing agent carrier. The photosensitive body cartridge is configured to receive the developing cartridge such that the developing cartridge is attached to and detached from the photosensitive body cartridge through a particular space defined in the main body. The process cartridge is configured to pivot, with respect to the main body, between a first position, in which the waste developing agent storage container is positioned outside the particular space entirely, and a second position, in which the waste developing agent storage container at least partially occupies the particular space.