Process Cartridge Movable Frame Overlapping Electrical Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional process cartridges face challenges in reducing size while maintaining reliable power supply to developing devices, due to the need for space to accommodate electrical contacts and their movement, which complicates the integration of power supply mechanisms in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a movable frame system within the process cartridge that allows electrical contacts for the developing device, developer supply roller, and development blade to overlap in their movement paths, optimizing the use of space and ensuring reliable power supply while reducing the overall size of the cartridge and apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical contacts are provided at one end of the process cartridge to ensure reliable power supply, then power supply reliability is improved, but the cartridge size increases due to additional space requirements for contacts and their movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electrical contacts (developing device contact and process member contact) into a single shared movement path. This merging allows both contacts to move together along the same trajectory when the developing device is separated from or brought into contact with the photosensitive member, eliminating the need for separate movement spaces and reducing overall cartridge volume while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared movement path serves multiple functions: it accommodates both the developing device contact and the process member contact, allowing a single structural feature to support multiple electrical connections. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and spaces needed, thereby reducing cartridge size while ensuring reliable power supply to multiple components.
2Reliability
If space is allocated for electrical contacts and their movement to maintain power supply, then power supply reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the movement mechanisms for multiple electrical contacts into a single shared path. Instead of providing separate movement mechanisms for the developing device contact and process member contact, both contacts traverse the same movement path when the developing device is separated from or contacted with the photosensitive member. This merging simplifies the overall mechanism by reducing the number of independent components and movement paths required.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the developing device is moved to separate from the photosensitive member to prevent abrasion, then photosensitive member durability is improved, but the space required for electrical contact movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the movement paths of multiple electrical contacts into a single shared trajectory. When the developing device is moved to separate from or contact with the photosensitive member, both the developing device contact and process member contact follow the same movement path. This merging allows the cartridge to accommodate the necessary movement space for protecting the photosensitive member while minimizing the overall volume required for electrical contact accommodation.
Data Source
AI summary
A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a first frame supporting the photosensitive drum; a developing roller; a process member actable on the developing roller; a second frame supporting the developing roller and the process member, the second frame being movable between a contact position where the developing roller contacts the drum and a spacing position where the developing roller is spaced from the drum; a developing device contact; and a process member contact, wherein when the second frame is moved between the contact position and the spacing position, a movement path of the developing device contact overlaps a movement path of process member contact, as seen along the axial direction.