Developing Apparatus Recessed Support for Compact Toner Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rigidity of the blade support member in developing apparatuses is compromised due to the presence of multiple cutout portions, and the longitudinal width needs to be increased to accommodate these cutouts, which hinders size reduction.
Innovation Solution
A developing apparatus with a frame body having an opening portion, a developing roller, a regulating unit with a sliding member and support member, and a sealing member, where the support member features a recessed portion and protruding portions aligned to ensure rigidity and allow for size reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple cutout portions are provided to the blade support member for positioning and sealing, then the positioning accuracy and sealing effectiveness are improved, but the rigidity of the blade support member decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cutout portions into a single integrated recessed portion on the blade support member. This recessed portion accommodates multiple protruding portions from the frame body, thereby achieving both positioning accuracy and sealing effectiveness without compromising the rigidity of the blade support member by avoiding multiple separate cutouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from multiple planar cutout portions to a three-dimensional recessed portion that extends in the longitudinal direction. This dimensional change allows the single recessed portion to fulfill multiple functions (positioning and sealing) that previously required multiple separate cutout portions, thereby maintaining rigidity while achieving the desired precision and sealing.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple cutout portions are provided to the blade support member, then the positioning and sealing functions are achieved, but the longitudinal width of the blade support member needs to be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate cutout portions into a single recessed portion that extends in the longitudinal direction. This integration allows the blade support member to maintain a compact longitudinal width while still providing the necessary positioning and sealing functions through the multi-faceted recessed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the recessed portion to accommodate multiple protruding portions vertically aligned, rather than spreading multiple cutout portions horizontally across the blade support member. This dimensional reorganization reduces the required longitudinal width of the blade support member while maintaining positioning accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If the blade support member is made longer to accommodate multiple cutout portions, then the positioning and sealing functions are ensured, but the size reduction of the regulating member is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple positioning and sealing features into a single recessed portion structure, which allows the blade support member to maintain a compact size. This merging eliminates the need to increase the longitudinal width to accommodate separate cutout portions, thereby enabling size reduction of the overall regulating member while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges multiple protruding portions in vertical alignment within a single recessed portion, utilizing the depth dimension rather than increasing the longitudinal width. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the regulating member to maintain a compact overall size while achieving accurate positioning and effective sealing functions.
Data Source
AI summary
In a developing apparatus, a support member of a regulating member for regulating the thickness of a layer of developer has a recessed portion, on a side the same as a first end of a frame body, the recessed portion being recessed in an intersecting direction with respect to a rotation axis of a developing roller; the frame body has protruding portions including a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion, being aligned with respect to each other, with a gap therebetween, in the direction of the rotation axis, and protruding in the intersecting direction; and by an engagement between the protruding portion and the recessed portion, the support member is positioned with respect to the frame body; and the space in the first end and to be sealed by a sealing member communicates with outside of the frame body via the gap.