Process Cartridge Assembly via Intersecting Mounting Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly efficiency of process cartridges is hindered by the interference between the developing unit and the drum unit, particularly due to the developing roller connecting portion needing to pass through a cover, and the complex assembly process which reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The process cartridge design includes a frame with a developing frame and a drum frame, a developing roller and photosensitive drum, and couplings for rotation, along with a chip and driving side cover featuring through holes and avoidance openings to facilitate assembly and reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the developing roller connecting portion passes through the cover to be supported and exposed, then the coupling can receive driving force from the image forming device, but the developing unit interferes with the cover in the length direction, making assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the assembly approach from linear (along the length direction) to multi-dimensional by allowing the developing unit to be mounted along a direction intersecting with the length direction of the process cartridge. This dimensional change enables the coupling to pass through the cover without interference, resolving the contradiction between driving force transmission and assembly complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the developing unit and drum unit are assembled separately and then connected, then each unit can be prepared independently, but the interference between units reduces overall assembly efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the developing unit and drum unit separately with their respective components (developing roller, photosensitive drum, couplings) before final integration. This preliminary preparation allows independent optimization of each unit while maintaining efficient final assembly through the intersecting mounting direction.
3Ease of operation
If the first coupling and second coupling are exposed through the cover, then they can receive driving force, but the cover material and mold requirements increase production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coupling components from the cover structure, allowing them to be separate elements that pass through the cover rather than being integrated into it. This extraction reduces the complexity of the cover, decreases material requirements, and simplifies molding processes while maintaining the ability to receive driving force.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in the present disclosure is a process cartridge, comprising: a frame comprising a developing frame and a drum frame; a developing roller supported on the developing frame; a photosensitive drum supported on the drum frame; and a first coupling provided at a first end of the frame in a first direction, and being capable of receiving a driving force from the outside of the process cartridge to transmit the driving force to the developing roller, wherein a driving side cover is provided at one end of the drum frame in the first direction, a first avoidance opening is provided in the driving side cover to expose the first coupling to the outside of the process cartridge, and the first avoidance opening is communicated with the outside of the process cartridge in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.