Process Cartridge Developer Refill Sealing via Plate Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the commercial value of process cartridges due to developer consumption, as the developer leaks during transportation, impacting the remanufacturing and re-commercialization of these cartridges.
Innovation Solution
A remanufacturing method involving a developer accommodating portion partitioned by a partitioning portion with a first opening sealed by a seal member, which is replaced with a plate-like member having a second opening, allowing for easy refilling and hermetic sealing, ensuring the developer does not leak during vibration or impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal member is welded on the partitioning portion to seal the first opening, then the developer is sealed in the developer accommodating portion, but the welding trace creates a weak point that allows developer leakage during transportation vibration or impact
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is divided into two functional parts: a welded seal member for initial sealing and a separate plate-like member with a reseal member for reinforcement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the welded seal provides initial sealing while the plate-like member with reseal member provides impact resistance and prevents leakage during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate-like member with the detachably bonded reseal member is prepared in advance and positioned to cover the welding trace area. This preliminary preparation ensures that the weak welding trace is protected before transportation occurs, preventing developer leakage during vibration or impact without requiring complex post-transportation repairs.
2Ease of operation
If the seal member is removed to refill the developer, then the developer accommodating portion can be replenished, but the first opening becomes exposed and requires complex re-sealing procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The reseal member is detachably bonded to the plate-like member, creating a dynamic sealing system that can be easily opened for refilling and quickly closed for re-sealing. This dynamic design allows the sealing structure to transition between open and closed states without complex tools or procedures, maintaining both ease of refilling and simple re-sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate-like member acts as an intermediary component between the welded seal member and the reseal member. It provides a stable mounting surface for the detachably bonded reseal member and ensures proper positioning during the refilling process, simplifying both the refilling operation and the subsequent re-sealing procedure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a plate-like member with a reseal member is bonded to cover the welding trace, then developer leakage during transportation is prevented, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into modular components (welded seal member, plate-like member, and reseal member) that can be manufactured separately and assembled through simple bonding operations. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall manufacturing process relatively simple through standardized assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate-like member functions as a thin film or plate structure that can be easily bonded to the partitioning portion using conventional bonding methods. This thin film approach provides effective leakage prevention without requiring complex thick structures or specialized manufacturing equipment, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving reliable sealing.
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
This method effectively prevents developer leakage during transportation and facilitates easy remanufacturing and re-commercialization of process cartridges, maintaining their commercial value by ensuring reliable sealing and easy refilling.
Implementation Method 1
hermetically sealing the first opening by bonding
Data Source
AI summary
A remanufacturing method of a developing device that includes a developer accommodating portion partitioned by a partitioning portion, a first opening provided in the partitioning portion and a seal member welded on the partitioning portion, surrounding the first opening, wherein the first opening is opened by removing the seal member to supply a developer to the outside. The method includes hermetically sealing, before or after re-filling the developer in the developer accommodating portion for reuse, the first opening by bonding, on the partitioning portion, a plate-like member, which is provided with a second opening corresponding to the first opening, and on which a reseal member for sealing the second opening is detachably bonded, at a region outside of a welding trace, a region inside of the trace, or a region ranging from an inside to an outside of the trace, so as to cover the welding trace.