Remanufacturing Developing Device Toner Cap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remanufacturing methods for image forming cartridges face issues with toner leakage due to roughened adhesive surfaces after removing the toner cap, leading to inadequate sealing and potential toner loss during refilling.
Innovation Solution
A remanufacturing method that involves using a new toner cap with an adhesive member to bond to a region on the developing frame closer to the toner filling port, eliminating the need for a hole in the frame and preventing toner leakage by ensuring secure adhesion even on rough surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the toner cap is removed from the adhesive surface to expose the toner filling port, then the toner filling port becomes accessible for refilling, but the adhesive surface becomes roughened by adhesion marks which causes toner leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new toner cap with an adhesive member as an intermediary component that bonds to the roughened adhesive surface. This new toner cap serves as a mediator that can accommodate the surface roughness while still providing effective sealing, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and sealing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the adhesive member by specifying its thickness (0.01mm to 0.1mm) and material properties to make it flexible enough to conform to the roughened surface. This parameter adjustment allows the adhesive member to maintain effective bonding despite surface irregularities, solving the sealing problem
2Reliability
If a new toner cap is bonded to the rough portion of the adhesive surface, then the toner filling port can be sealed, but toner may leak because the new toner cap cannot sufficiently adhere to the rough portion
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive member acts as an intermediary layer between the new toner cap and the rough adhesive surface. This intermediary layer compensates for the surface roughness by providing a bonding interface that maintains sufficient adhesion strength, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing function and adhesion strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of the new toner cap and the adhesive member with specific thickness and material properties. This composite approach combines the sealing function of the toner cap with the adhesive properties of the member, creating a system that can handle surface roughness while maintaining strong bonding
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 method effectively seals the toner filling port, preventing toner leakage and maintaining the quality of the process cartridge during the remanufacturing process, reducing the number of man-hours required and minimizing damage to internal components.
Implementation Method 1
a new toner cap with an adhesive member to bond to a region on the developing frame closer to the toner filling port
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A remanufacturing method for remanufacturing a second developing device from a first developing device, the first developing device including a frame provided with a developer accommodating chamber for accommodating a developer, the frame having an opening for communicating the developer accommodating chamber with the outside of the frame; and a first cap member configured to seal the opening, the first cap member being adhesively bonded to a first region of the frame with a first adhesive capable of dissolving the frame, and the remanufacturing method including: removing the first cap member from the first region such that a rough surface is formed in the first region; filling the developer accommodating chamber with the developer; and bonding a second cap member different from the first cap member to a second region of the frame different from the first region to seal the opening with the second cap member.