Wireless Tag Positioning in Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses experience communication failures between the wireless tags of the development unit and the antenna, leading to printing issues despite the development unit being properly attached, resulting in reduced availability.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is designed with the first wireless communication part closer to the antenna than the second, allowing for stable wireless communication between the antenna and the first wireless communication part, while the second wireless communication part is positioned to oppose the first, enhancing the reliability of wireless communication and reducing communication abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the wireless tag of the toner cartridge is disposed in a close position and the wireless tag of the development unit is disposed in a far position from the antenna, then the number of necessary antennas is suppressed to the minimum, but communication failures occur more easily in the development unit side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the wireless tags at different distances from the antenna in a non-symmetric arrangement. Specifically, the wireless tag of the development unit is positioned closer to the antenna than the wireless tag of the toner cartridge, creating an asymmetric configuration that optimizes communication reliability for the development unit while maintaining minimal antenna count
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different positional characteristics to different wireless tags based on their specific functional requirements. The development unit's wireless tag is positioned closer to the antenna to ensure reliable communication, while the toner cartridge's wireless tag is positioned farther away, allowing each component to have optimized local positioning for its communication needs
2Device complexity
If the wireless tag of the development unit is positioned far from the antenna, then the device complexity is reduced, but communication failures occur more easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing an asymmetric positioning scheme where the development unit's wireless tag is deliberately positioned closer to the antenna than the toner cartridge's wireless tag. This asymmetric arrangement prioritizes communication reliability for the development unit (which is critical for operation) while maintaining overall device simplicity through minimal antenna usage
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication is performed between the antenna and wireless tags, then information can be read and updated, but communication failures prevent printing even when the development unit is properly attached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry in positioning the development unit's wireless tag closer to the antenna to ensure reliable communication for critical operation verification. This asymmetric placement ensures that communication for detecting development unit attachment and functionality is more reliable than for toner cartridge detection, preventing false errors while maintaining information exchange capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the positioning of the development unit's wireless tag specifically for reliable communication, while the toner cartridge's wireless tag is positioned accordingly for its specific communication needs. This localized optimization ensures that critical communication functions (development unit detection) have higher reliability than non-critical functions
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a development unit having a first wireless communication part, a developer cartridge having a second wireless communication part and an antenna part that communicates with the first and second wireless communication parts. When the first and second wireless communication parts are respectively accommodated in holding parts, the first wireless communication part is closer to the antenna part than the second wireless communication part is, and the second wireless communication part and the first wireless communication part oppose each other.