Toner Cartridge Memory Holder Cover With Pawl-Hook Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of the memory holder in conventional toner cartridges is a troublesome task due to the need for multiple screws to be inserted from the inner surface of the gear cover, making the replacement of the toner memory labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

The memory holder cover is fixed to the gear cover using a pawl engaged with a hook, allowing for easy assembly and replacement of the memory holder by a single screw inserted from the outer surface, reducing labor and facilitating the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two screws are used to fix the memory holder cover to the gear cover from the inner surface, then the fixation is secure, but the assembly process becomes troublesome and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation securityVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional screw insertion direction by having the single screw extend from the outer surface of the gear cover into the memory holder cover, rather than from the inner surface. This inversion allows the screw to serve both as a fixation element and as an accessible assembly interface, resolving the contradiction between secure fixation and ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If multiple screws are used to attach the memory holder cover, then the connection is strong, but the replacement of toner memory becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidreplacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fixation system into a single primary screw for main structural attachment and a pawl-hook engagement mechanism for positional constraint. This segmentation allows the memory holder cover to be securely attached with minimal fastening elements, enabling quick replacement while maintaining connection strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the complex multi-screw assembly process and replaces it with a simplified single-screw mechanism combined with a pawl-hook engagement. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the essential fixation function, thereby reducing replacement time without compromising connection strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the memory holder cover is fixed with multiple screws from the inner surface, then the structure is stable, but the assembly work is troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the pawl as an intermediary element that works in conjunction with the single screw to provide both stability and ease of operation. The pawl engages with the gear cover to prevent rotational movement, while the single screw provides axial fixation. This intermediary mechanism achieves structural stability without requiring multiple screws, thereby simplifying assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12607959B2Toner cartridge including memory holder cover having pawl engaged with hook of gear cover

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A toner cartridge includes: a toner casing configured to accommodate toner therein; a toner memory; a memory holder holding the toner memory; a memory holder cover, a gear positioned at an outer surface of the toner casing; and a gear cover. The memory holder cover movably holds the memory holder. The memory holder cover has a pawl. The gear cover is positioned at one end portion of the toner casing at one side in a first direction. The gear cover covers at least a part of the gear and has a hook in which the pawl is inserted.