Developer Container Sealing Mechanism for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developer storage systems are prone to accidental opening of sealing members due to charging pressure and vibrations during the manufacturing and transportation of process cartridges, leading to unintended rotation of unsealing members and potential developer leakage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a regulating portion that contacts a stirring member attached to the unsealing member to prevent unintended rotation, ensuring the sealing member remains closed unless driven by a specific power source, thereby maintaining the developer containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the unsealing member is made rotatable inside the developer storage container, then the sealing member can be peeled away automatically during operation, but the unsealing member may rotate unintentionally due to charging pressure or vibration, causing accidental opening
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating portion is configured to prevent rotation of the unsealing member before intended operation. It applies a restraining force that counteracts any rotational movement caused by charging pressure or vibration, while allowing rotation only when the stirring member actively engages it during proper operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the unsealing member and the stirring member. It controls the interaction by allowing the stirring member to drive the unsealing member when needed, while blocking unintended rotation from other sources like vibration or pressure.
2Productivity
If the unsealing member rotates freely to open the opening, then developer can be supplied easily, but the sealing member may be opened by mistake due to vibration during manufacturing or transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating portion预先 applies a restraining force to prevent vibration-induced rotation. It counteracts the harmful effect of vibration before it can cause accidental opening, while still permitting rotation when the stirring member provides the intended driving force.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamic open state only when properly actuated. The regulating portion creates a dynamic control mechanism that allows rotation under controlled conditions (when stirred) while maintaining stability under external disturbances (vibration).
Data Source
AI summary
A developer container includes a developer storage chamber that stores developer and includes an opening, a sealing member that seals the opening, an unsealing member that opens the opening by rotating such that the sealing member, a part of which is attached to the unsealing member, is peeled away, a stirring member that is attached to the unsealing member; and a regulating portion that regulates rotation of the unsealing member by contacting the stirring member. The regulating portion is provided to regulate the rotation of the unsealing member when the developer container receives an external force, and allow the unsealing member to rotate such that the opening is opened when the unsealing member receives driving power.