Retractable Handle Mechanism for Processing Cartridge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processing cartridges for electronic imaging devices face issues with size and stability due to protruding handles and unstable folding mechanisms, which affect cost efficiency and ease of assembly/disassembly.

Innovation Solution

A retractable handle mechanism with a handle slide part, support, torsion spring, and stopper, featuring bulges and block grooves, allows for compact storage and stable operation by utilizing a torsion spring for restoring force and a push pedal for switching between extending and shrinking states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a protruding handle is provided on the processing cartridge for easy assembly and disassembly, then ease of operation is improved, but the volume of the processing cartridge increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidvolume of processing cartridge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between extended (for operation) and retracted (for compact storage) states. The handle slide part moves along the handle support, enabling the handle to extend outward when needed and retract into the protective casing when not in use, thus reducing the overall volume of the processing cartridge while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If a folding handle is provided to reduce processing cartridge size, then volume is reduced, but stability deteriorates due to easy rotation around pivot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume of processing cartridgeVSAvoidstability of handle

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into multiple segments: the handle support (fixed to protective casing), the handle slide part (movable along the support), and the handle stopper (providing positioning). This segmentation allows the handle to be stable in the extended position while still being retractable, overcoming the instability issue of folding handles that rotate around a single pivot point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle stopper acts as an intermediary element between the handle slide part and the handle support. It provides positioning features (block tips engaging with block grooves) that stabilize the handle slide part at the extended position, preventing unwanted rotation or movement while allowing controlled retraction when force is applied to the push pedal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If a retractable handle mechanism is provided, then volume is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume of processing cartridgeVSAvoidcomplexity of handle mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complexity of the retractable handle mechanism is localized to specific components (handle slide part, handle support, handle stopper) rather than being distributed throughout the entire processing cartridge. The bulk of the cartridge structure remains simple and unchanged, with the complex mechanism confined to the handle assembly area, minimizing the overall impact on device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 packaging size, saves costs, enhances user convenience during assembly/disassembly, and provides a more stable and reliable handling mechanism compared to traditional folding handles.

Implementation Method 1

the handle comprises at least one handle slide part, at least one handle support, at least one handle torsion spring and at least one handle stopper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2230568B1Processing cartridge with a handle

Publication Date: 2012.03.14 ZHUHAI SEINE TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention provides a processing cartridge; the processing cartridge comprises at least a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a casing (1) containing the photosensitive drum and the developing roller; the photosensitive drum is fixed to the casing to form an electrostatic latent image, and the developing roller develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum; the processing cartridge also comprises a handle (2), and the handle (2) is retractably fixed to the protective casing (1), which has an extending status and a shrinking status opposite to the extending status.