Developing Blade Rigidity via Covering Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 'with-type' thickness regulation blade in developing devices experiences difficulty in achieving consistent contact pressure with the developing roller, leading to non-uniform toner layer formation due to reduced rigidity from through-holes used for material injection, which affects the uniformity of the toner layer on the developing roller.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a resiliently deformable blade featuring a through-hole at one axial end and a covering portion on the opposite surface to maintain rigidity and ensure uniform contact pressure, integrating a rubber-like regulating portion and a metal reinforcing plate to support the blade and prevent toner leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a through-hole is formed in the blade for material injection, then the regulating portion can be provided on the blade, but the rigidity of the blade is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A covering portion made of flexible rubber material is provided on the blade to cover the through-hole. This flexible covering restores the blade's rigidity in the vicinity of the through-hole while allowing the through-hole to remain functional for material injection and regulation portion formation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a through-hole is formed in the blade, then the regulating portion can be formed, but uniform toner layer formation is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible covering portion made of rubber material compensates for the rigidity reduction caused by the through-hole, enabling the blade to maintain sufficient rigidity for uniform toner layer formation while still allowing the regulating portion to be formed through the through-hole.
3Ease of manufacture
If the blade rigidity is reduced, then material can be injected through the through-hole, but contact pressure consistency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible rubber covering portion restores the structural integrity and rigidity of the blade around the through-hole, ensuring that the blade can maintain consistent contact pressure with the developing roller while still allowing material injection through the through-hole.
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
The solution enables the formation of a uniformly thick toner layer on the developing roller by maintaining consistent contact pressure and rigidity, enhancing the sealing performance and preventing toner leakage, thus improving the overall image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently deformable blade supported to the casing; The blade extends in the axial direction, the blade having a first surface facing the developing roller
Implementation Method 2
The covering portion is provided on the second surface and positioned to cover the through-hole
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes: a casing; a developing roller rotatably supported to the casing; a resiliently deformable blade supported to the casing; a regulation portion; and a covering portion. The developing roller is rotatable in a rotational direction and carries a layer of developer thereon. The blade extends in an axial direction of the developing roller and has one axial end portion formed with a through-hole, the blade having a first surface facing the developing roller and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The regulation portion is configured to be in contact with the developing roller to regulate a thickness of the layer of the developer carried on the developing roller. The covering portion is provided on the second surface and positioned to cover the through-hole.