Printer Cartridge Drum Cover Mechanism for Detachment Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses do not adequately protect the photosensitive drum when the cartridge is detached, leaving it exposed and vulnerable.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus includes a cartridge with a rotatable photosensitive drum and a movable drum cover that can be positioned to cover the drum when detached, utilizing a guide, stopper, and contacting portion to ensure the drum cover moves from a protective position to an exposed position during attachment, thereby protecting the drum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cartridge is made detachable for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the photosensitive drum becomes exposed and vulnerable when detached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge detachabilityVSAvoidphotosensitive drum exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drum cover is designed to automatically move to the protective position (first position) when the cartridge is detached from the drawer, before any harmful exposure can occur. This preliminary protective action ensures the photosensitive drum is covered immediately upon detachment, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the detachment action itself to trigger the protective covering. When the cartridge is removed from the drawer, the drum cover automatically moves to cover the photosensitive drum without requiring separate user action. The detachment mechanism self-triggers the protection, making the system both easy to operate and protective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a drum cover is added to protect the photosensitive drum, then the protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotosensitive drum protectionVSAvoidcartridge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drum cover is merged with the cartridge structure as an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. The cover moves relative to the photosensitive drum but is part of the cartridge assembly, combining protection functionality with the existing cartridge design to minimize additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drum cover serves multiple functions: it protects the photosensitive drum from exposure when detached, and its movement mechanism is integrated with the cartridge attachment/detachment process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protection mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the drum cover is made movable to cover the drum when detached, then the protection is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotosensitive drum coverageVSAvoidattachment process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drum cover automatically moves to the protective position during the detachment process itself, before the user needs to handle the cartridge. This preliminary protective action occurs as part of the natural detachment sequence, so it does not add separate operational steps for the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The drum cover's movement is self-triggered by the detachment action. When the cartridge is removed from the drawer, the relative motion between the cartridge and drawer automatically causes the drum cover to move to the protective position without requiring the user to manually operate the cover or additional mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively protects the photosensitive drum when the cartridge is detached and ensures smooth attachment by using a torsion spring to move the drum cover, preventing exposure and maintaining a compact apparatus design.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11467530B2Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus, having a housing, a drawer, and a cartridge, is provided. The drawer is movable between an inner position and an outer position. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a drum cover. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. The drum cover is movable with respect to the photosensitive drum between a first position and a second position. The drawer includes a guide, a stopper, and a contacting portion. The guide guides the cartridge in a second direction, when the cartridge is being attached to the drawer. The stopper stops the cartridge from separating from the guide in a third direction. The contacting portion contacts the drum cover and move the drum cover from the first position to the second position in a state where the cartridge is being guided by the guide.