Toner Case Connector Contact Reliability via Movable Development Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining cost-effective communication between the main body and toner case connectors, particularly in avoiding communication failures during the attachment and detachment of the toner case, while ensuring proper toner supply to the image carrier.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with a movable development device that allows for secure contact between the main body and case side terminals, utilizing a fitting mechanism that ensures reliable contact and avoids communication failures, and includes a biasing mechanism to optimize the toner supply position relative to the image carrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If contact communication is used between main body side connector and case side connector, then communication cost is reduced compared to wireless communication, but communication failure may occur if terminals do not securely contact during toner case attachment/detachment
Solution Approach 1:
A biasing member (spring) is introduced as an intermediary element between the case side terminal and main body side terminal. The spring applies continuous contact force to ensure reliable electrical connection during attachment and detachment operations, eliminating communication failures while maintaining cost-effective contact communication without wireless boards
2Device complexity
If development device is fixed in position, then structure is simplified, but toner supply amount to image carrier cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The development device is designed with movable capability in the toner supply direction, allowing dynamic position adjustment relative to the image carrier. This enables optimization of toner supply amount by adjusting the distance and contact pressure between the development device and image carrier, while the overall structure remains relatively simple through guided linear movement
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a development device, and a toner case. The apparatus main body includes an image carrier and a main body side connecting part including a main body side connector and a main body side housing. The toner case includes a case side connecting part including a case side connector and a case side housing. The development device is movable in a first direction as an approach/separation direction to the image carrier in a situation in which the development device is installed to the apparatus main body. The case side housing fits to the main body side housing and a case side terminal comes into contact with a main body side terminal in a situation in which the development device is installed to the apparatus main body and the toner case is installed to the development device.