Toner Cartridge Tray Lever Mechanism for Cover Hinge Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses concentrate a large load on the cover hinge during opening and closing operations, leading to potential breakage and difficulty in opening the cover.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a tray that is slidably coupled to the main body, featuring a lever and link member system that distributes the load by interlocking operations such as CRUM contact unit elevation and pressure application/release with the push-in/pull-out tray operation, using a push rib and auxiliary push rib mechanism to manage the CRUM contact unit's electrical connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If various operations are performed in conjunction with the cover opening/closing operation, then the functionality and automation of the image forming apparatus is improved, but the load on the cover hinge increases and may cause breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cover opening/closing operation from the tray push-in/pull-out operation. Instead of performing all operations (tray movement, CRUM contact unit elevation, electrical connection/release, coupling/separation) simultaneously with cover opening/closing, the patent separates these functions so that tray-related operations are performed during tray push-in/pull-out, while cover opening/closing performs only essential functions. This segmentation reduces the concentrated load on the cover hinge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (link member coupled to the tray) that transfers the tray push-in/pull-out motion to perform multiple operations. The link member acts as a mediator that coordinates tray movement with CRUM contact unit elevation and electrical connection/release, allowing these operations to be decoupled from the cover opening/closing action and reducing the burden on the cover hinge.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operations are interlocked with the cover opening/closing operation, then the operational integration is improved, but the complexity of the structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality to the tray push-in/pull-out operation. The tray movement serves multiple purposes: it moves the toner cartridge, elevates the CRUM contact unit, establishes electrical connections, and engages/disengages coupling mechanisms. By making the tray operation universal and multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function, thereby managing structural complexity while maintaining operational integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple operations into the tray push-in/pull-out sequence. Instead of having separate mechanisms for tray movement, CRUM contact unit elevation, electrical connection, and coupling operations, the patent combines these functions into a single integrated tray movement sequence coordinated by the link member, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining functional integration.
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
Effectively disperses the load on the cover, making the opening and closing operations easier and reducing the risk of hinge failure, while maintaining the necessary electrical connections and disconnections for the toner cartridge.
Implementation Method 1
a lever hinge-coupled to the tray and configured to rotate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction according to the push-in operation of the tray and the pull-out operation of the tray respectively
Implementation Method 2
a support frame configured to elastically support a customer replacement unit memory (CRUM) contact unit
Implementation Method 3
a link member hinge-coupled to the lever and configured to move in a direction of the push-in operation of the tray and in a direction of the pull-out operation of the tray according to the rotation of the lever to apply and release pressure on the CRUM contact unit supported by the support frame
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main body; a tray for a toner cartridge slidably coupled to the main body and configured to be pushed into and pulled out from the main body; a lever hinge-coupled to a portion of the tray for the toner cartridge and configured to rotate through a push-in/pull-out operation of the tray; a link member hinge-coupled to a portion of the lever and configured to move to a push-in/pull-out direction of the tray through rotation of the lever and simultaneously to perform pressure and pressure release on at least one customer replacement unit memory (CRUM) contact unit located in an inside of the main body; and a support frame configured to elastically support the CRUM contact unit to a direction that a photosensitive drum provided in the toner cartridge is spaced from an image transfer unit located in the main body.