Developing Cartridge Sealing Member for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developing cartridges experience developer leakage during distribution due to weak seals, leading to contamination and increased manufacturing costs, as well as reduced volume efficiency and layout limitations in image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A developing cartridge with a sealing member that includes an elastic film and a friction triggering member, which is mounted between the image carrier and developing roller, sealing the opening of the developing housing and preventing leakage through friction forces, and can be easily detached and cleaned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional developer sealing process is implemented after test print, then developer leakage is prevented, but manufacturing process complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is pre-installed on the developing roller before the test print process, creating a sealed state before developer is added. This preliminary sealing action prevents leakage during distribution without requiring post-test-print sealing processes, thereby maintaining reliability while simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted as a separate, removable sealing member that can be independently installed and removed. This allows the sealing capability to be added without permanently complicating the manufacturing process, and the sealing member can be removed after use to avoid interference with normal operation
2Reliability
If a separate hopper housing is provided for storing developer, then developer leakage is prevented, but volume efficiency and layout configuration are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member integrates the sealing function directly into the developing roller assembly, merging the sealing capability with the existing structure. This eliminates the need for a separate hopper housing while still preventing developer leakage, thereby improving volume efficiency and layout flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member uses a flexible sealing structure that can conform to the developing roller surface, creating an effective seal without requiring a rigid separate housing. This flexible approach saves space and allows better layout configuration while maintaining leakage prevention
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 effectively seals the developing cartridge, preventing developer leakage, simplifying the manufacturing process, reducing costs, and maintaining compactness while ensuring efficient developer filling and layout configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a friction triggering member which is formed in at least one side of the elastic film and provided between the developing roller and the image carrier, and triggers a friction force to mount the sealing member by a friction force with at least one of the developing roller and the image carrier when the sealing member is mounted
Implementation Method 2
The sealing member may include an elastic film which has a front end contacting an internal wall of the developing housing and seals the developing housing by an elastic force
Data Source
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AI summary
A developing cartridge and an image forming apparatus employing the same which include a developer sealing configuration to prevent a developer in a developing chamber of the developing cartridge from leaking during a distribution process are disclosed. The developing cartridge of an image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge including: a developing housing which accommodates therein a developer and includes an opening through which the developer is supplied to the outside; an image carrier which is mounted in the developing housing; a developing roller which is mounted in the opening of the developing housing to face the image carrier and develops an image on the image carrier; and a sealing member which includes a sealing part partially provided between the image carrier and the developing roller in a sealing location and sealing the opening and a grip part extended from the sealing part to an outside of the developing housing.