Developer Replenishment Container Seal Structure for Reuse

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing developer replenishment containers in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with damage and reduced sealability when reused due to the rubbing of the developer accommodation portion against the seal member, leading to increased risk of component breakage and developer leakage.

Innovation Solution

The developer replenishment container is designed with an annular seal member and a projecting portion to prevent rotation, ensuring the developer accommodation portion remains stationary, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the abutment portion and maintaining seal integrity during reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the developer accommodation portion is made relatively rotatable with respect to the flange portion to enable developer replenishment, then the replenishment function is achieved, but the abutment portion rubs against the seal member causing damage and reduced sealability upon reuse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeveloper replenishment functionVSAvoidseal integrity and component durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the sealing function from the rotation function by introducing a dedicated seal member as a separate component. The seal member is positioned between the flange portion and the developer accommodation portion, allowing the latter to rotate for replenishment while the seal member absorbs the rubbing wear, protecting the abutment portion from direct contact damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal member acts as an intermediary element between the rotating developer accommodation portion and the stationary flange portion. This intermediary component enables the rotation necessary for replenishment while protecting the critical abutment portion from wear and damage, maintaining seal integrity even after multiple replenishment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the developer accommodation portion rotates relative to the flange portion during replenishment, then developer can be replenished through the discharge port, but the abutment portion suffers from repeated rubbing against the seal member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeveloper replenishment efficiencyVSAvoidabutment portion durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member is pre-installed between the flange portion and the developer accommodation portion to cushion and absorb the rubbing forces before they can reach the abutment portion. This protective arrangement is in place before any replenishment operation begins, ensuring that the abutment portion is shielded from wear during all subsequent rotation and replenishment cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the developer accommodation portion is designed to be reusable, then environmental protection goals are met, but damage to components during reuse becomes more likely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer reusabilityVSAvoidcomponent damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful rubbing action into a beneficial protective mechanism. The seal member is designed to be the sacrificial element that absorbs wear from repeated replenishment operations, thereby protecting the more critical abutment portion. This allows the container to be reused multiple times while preventing damage to essential components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS12498651B2Developer replenishment container with annular seal member

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 CANON KK

AI summary

A developer replenishment container configured to be detachably attachable to a developer replenishment device and replenish via the developer replenishment device is disclosed. The developer replenishment container including: a developer replenishment portion with a replenishment port; a developer accommodation portion having accommodate a developer; and an annular seal member for sealing a gap between the developer replenishment portion and the developer accommodation portion. The developer accommodation portion has an annular abutment portion provided at an end portion on a developer replenishment portion side in a direction of an axis which is a rotation center of the developer accommodation portion and provided to be in contact with the seal member in the direction of the axis; and a projecting portion provided near the abutment portion and provided to project toward the developer replenishment portion further than the abutment portion in the direction of the axis.