Toner Cartridge Contact Structure for Stable Electrical Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of maintaining a stable electrical connection between a toner cartridge and a printing apparatus is exacerbated by the positional changes induced by rotation forces and elastic sealing member forces during the mounting and removal of the toner cartridge, leading to potential damage and misalignment of electric contact portions.
Innovation Solution
The toner cartridge is designed with an electric contact portion arrangement that accounts for these forces, positioning it between the directions of the rotation and elastic sealing member forces, and incorporating a recess to protect the contact portion from external shocks, along with a handle and positioning mechanism to ensure stable alignment and connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric contact portion is positioned on the toner cartridge, then electrical connection with the printing apparatus is enabled, but the contact portion is susceptible to damage and misalignment due to rotation forces and elastic sealing member forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning the electric contact portion in a location that is inherently protected from the harmful forces. The contact portion is placed on the side surface of the toner cartridge body at a specific height range, creating a spatial buffer zone that cushions it against the rotation forces and elastic sealing member forces that act on other parts of the cartridge during mounting and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the spatial position and geometric configuration of the toner cartridge body as an intermediary element. By positioning the electric contact portion on the side surface at a specific height, the cartridge body itself acts as a mediator that shields the contact portion from direct exposure to harmful forces, allowing electrical connection to be maintained without direct involvement in the forceful mounting and removal operations.
2Ease of operation
If the electric contact portion is exposed on the toner cartridge, then electrical connection is established, but the contact portion is vulnerable to external shocks during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a protective spatial configuration for the electric contact portion. The contact portion is positioned on the side surface of the toner cartridge body at a specific height range, creating a buffered zone that cushions it against external shocks during handling and installation, while still maintaining accessibility for electrical connection purposes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the electric contact portion is positioned to avoid forces, then stability is improved, but alignment precision with the printing apparatus may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific localized configuration for the electric contact portion on the side surface of the toner cartridge body. The contact portion is positioned at a specific height range that provides different protective qualities at different locations - the vertical positioning protects against rotation forces and elastic sealing member forces, while the horizontal positioning on the side surface maintains alignment capability with the printing apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses another dimension (vertical height dimension) to resolve the contradiction. By positioning the electric contact portion at a specific height range on the side surface, the solution adds a vertical dimension to the positioning strategy, allowing the contact portion to be elevated to a safe zone that avoids harmful forces while maintaining horizontal alignment capability with the printing apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
A toner cartridge includes a body having a toner outlet therein, a coupler provided on the body, and an electric contact portion for electrical connection with a printing apparatus. Based on a force applied to the electric contact portion by an elastic sealing member between the printing apparatus and the toner outlet being referred to as a first force and a force applied to the electric contact portion by rotation of the coupler being referred to as a second force, a contact surface of the electric contact portion faces between a direction of the first force and a direction of the second force.