Process Cartridge Height Reduction via Axial Toner Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing process cartridges for image forming apparatuses are not effectively downsized, particularly in height, which can lead to space and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A process cartridge configuration that includes a drum cartridge with a photosensitive drum, a cleaner, a conveyer tube, and a toner cartridge with a toner container and waste toner container, where the toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge along an attaching direction, allowing the conveyer tube to extend and overlap the photosensitive drum, toner container, and waste toner container, thereby reducing the overall height by restraining the conveyer tube from protruding outward.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the conveyer tube is arranged to extend in the attaching direction and overlap the photosensitive drum, toner container, and waste toner container, then the height of the process cartridge is reduced, but the conveyer tube may protrude outward which could interfere with other components
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyer tube is arranged to extend in the attaching direction (axial direction of the photosensitive drum) rather than radially outward, and is positioned to overlap the photosensitive drum, toner container, and waste toner container in the axial view. This dimensional reorganization allows the conveyer tube to convey waste toner while maintaining a compact height profile without protruding outward to interfere with other components.
2Volume of moving object
If the toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge along an attaching direction with the toner container located between the waste toner container and developing chamber, then the overall structure is compacted, but the arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge along an attaching direction, with the toner container positioned between the waste toner container and the developing chamber. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional containers to be integrated in a compact sequence along the attaching direction, achieving space efficiency while maintaining clear functional separation through the attachable module design.
Data Source
AI summary
A process cartridge having a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a cleaner, a conveyer tube, a developing roller, and a developing device. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge and is located on a side of the developing roller opposite to the photosensitive drum in an attaching direction. The toner cartridge includes a waste toner container to store the toner conveyed through the conveyer tube and a toner container to store the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum. The toner container communicates with a developing chamber in the developing device and is located at least partly between the waste toner container and the developing chamber. The conveyer tube extends in the attaching direction and is arranged to overlap the photosensitive drum, the toner container, and the waste toner container in a view along an axial direction.