Developing Cartridge Frame Welding for Leakage Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developing cartridges for image forming apparatuses are large and have a high number of parts, making them inefficient in sealing spaces and prone to developer leakage.
Innovation Solution
A developing cartridge design featuring a first frame with a developer accommodating part and a roller support part, overlapped and welded with a second frame, which includes a layer thickness regulating member extending in the axial direction of the developing roller, with welding surfaces that are orthogonal and inclined to reduce part count and prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal member is provided between the beam part of the upper frame and the left-side and right-side wall parts of the lower frame, then the space is sealed, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function with the welding structure by forming welding ribs that extend along the welding lines. The welding ribs serve dual purposes: they provide structural support for welding and simultaneously act as seal members to prevent developer leakage, thereby eliminating the need for separate seal members and reducing part count.
Solution Approach 2:
The welding ribs are designed to perform multiple functions: structural reinforcement for welding, sealing to prevent developer leakage, and positioning during assembly. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated seal members while maintaining reliable sealing performance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the developing cartridge is designed with separate upper frame and lower frame connected by welding, then the structure is stable, but the size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sealing function into the welding structure itself through welding ribs, eliminating the need for additional seal members and reducing overall cartridge volume while maintaining structural stability and sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The welding ribs extend in multiple dimensions along the welding lines, creating a three-dimensional sealing structure that provides reliable sealing within a compact volume, thereby reducing the overall cartridge size while maintaining stability.
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 design reduces the size and part count of the developing cartridge, effectively seals spaces between frames, and prevents developer leakage, while maintaining the functionality of the layer thickness regulation.
Implementation Method 1
a second frame overlapped and welded with the first frame to cover the developer accommodating part and the roller support part
Data Source
AI summary
A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes a first frame and a second frame and a layer thickness regulating member. The first frame and the second frame include a first welding surface formed at a periphery of the developer accommodating part correspondingly to a developer accommodating part; and a second welding surface extending continuously from the first welding surface correspondingly to a roller support part. The first welding surface extends in a direction orthogonal to an overlapping direction of the first frame and the second frame. The second welding surface extends to be inclined toward a side of the first frame in the overlapping direction as extending toward the developing roller. The layer thickness regulating member is provided to cover the second welding surface from a side of the second frame in the overlapping direction.