Process Cartridge with Elastic Contact Support for Lower Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of IC chips on both developing and drum cartridges requires a structure for movable electrical contact surfaces, leading to an increase in the number of components.
Innovation Solution
A process cartridge design with a drum cartridge and developing cartridge that includes a movable electrical contact surface facilitated by an elastic member, allowing the developing holder to move relative to the drum frame, reducing the need for additional components in the developing cartridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If an IC chip is installed on both the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge, then information storage capability is improved, but the number of components increases due to requiring movable structures on both cartridges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the movable structure function into a single location (drum cartridge) rather than duplicating it on both cartridges. The developing cartridge's electrical contact surface is made movable by connecting it to the elastic member in the drum cartridge, allowing both IC chips to be mounted while only one movable structure is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary that enables the developing holder to move relative to the drum frame. This mediator component allows the electrical contact surface to accommodate relative movement without requiring complex movable structures on both cartridges.
2Reliability
If the electrical contact surface is made movable to prevent wear, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional movable structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electrical contact surface dynamic by connecting the developing holder to the elastic member, allowing it to move relative to the drum frame. This dynamic structure prevents wear by accommodating relative movement during attachment and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member changes the positional parameter of the electrical contact surface, allowing it to move in the second direction relative to the drum frame. This parameter change enables wear prevention through controlled movement.
3Reliability
If a movable structure is provided on both developing cartridge and drum cartridge, then electrical contact durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the movable structure into a single location (drum cartridge) rather than manufacturing separate movable structures for both cartridges. This reduces manufacturing complexity while still achieving electrical contact durability through the elastic member mechanism.
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 design reduces wear on the electrical contact surfaces and minimizes the number of components by utilizing an elastic member in the drum cartridge to support the developing holder's movement, thereby maintaining effective electrical contact without additional components in the developing cartridge.
Implementation Method 1
The drum cartridge includes an elastic member that can expand and contract in a second direction crossing the first direction
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a technique installing a memory on a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge, and capable of reducing the number of components in the developing cartridge. A drum cartridge 2 includes a first memory 71 having a first electrical contact surface, and an elastic member 300 that can expand and contract in a second direction. A developing cartridge 1 includes a second memory 81 having a second electrical contact surface, and a developing holder 82 holding the second electrical contact surface such that the second electrical contact surface is movable relative to a casing 10. The developing holder 82 is connected to the elastic member 300 and is movable in the second direction in a state where the developing cartridge 1 is attached to a drum frame 40. Accordingly, wear of the second electrical contact surface is restrained. Also, since an elastic member need not be provided in the developing holder 82, the number of components in the developing cartridge 1 can be reduced.