Developing Device Cover With Projecting Support To Maintain Gap

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Solution Overview

Problem

In certain developing devices, the gap between the developing roller and the cover can become too narrow, leading to developer overflow and leakage, as the developer may not be transported smoothly through this gap after the development process.

Innovation Solution

The developing device incorporates a filter covered by a pressing member and a projecting support on the cover to prevent the gap from narrowing excessively, ensuring smooth developer transport and preventing leakage by maintaining an appropriate gap size and facilitating ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the gap between the developing roller and the cover is made narrow to improve developer containment, then developer leakage is reduced, but the developer cannot be transported smoothly causing overflow and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeveloper containmentVSAvoiddeveloper transport smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing it to dynamically adjust the gap between the developing roller and cover. The cover body elastically deforms to maintain an appropriate gap that enables smooth developer transport while preventing leakage, resolving the contradiction between containment and transport smoothness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gap size is changed from a fixed narrow dimension to a dynamically adjustable parameter through elastic deformation of the cover. This parameter change allows the gap to adapt between maintaining developer containment and enabling smooth developer flow, solving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the cover is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the gap becomes difficult to control causing developer leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap dimension controlVSAvoiddeveloper containment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover transitions from a rigid structure to a semi-flexible structure with elastic deformation capability. This allows the cover to maintain manufacturing precision while dynamically adjusting the gap to prevent developer leakage, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and gap control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical properties of the cover are changed to include elastic deformation capability, transforming the gap from a fixed manufactured dimension to a controllable parameter that adapts to operational conditions, solving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the cover is made flexible to adjust the gap dynamically, then developer transport is improved, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeveloper transport smoothnessVSAvoidcover structural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cover employs controlled elastic deformation within specific material and structural parameters that maintain structural stability while enabling dynamic gap adjustment. This resolves the contradiction by achieving flexibility for smooth developer transport without compromising overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties and structural parameters of the cover are optimized to provide controlled flexibility. The cover exhibits elastic deformation in the gap region while maintaining sufficient structural stability, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration effectively prevents developer leakage and maintains efficient developer transport, reducing toner scattering and ensuring consistent image formation by maintaining an optimal gap between the developing roller and the cover.

Implementation Method 1

a filter (13t) covered by a pressing member (13s) to prevent the gap from becoming too narrow, wherein the filter (13t) covers a vent (13r2) of the cover (13r) to filter air and collect toner passing through the vent (13r2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3629093B1Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3629093B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3629093B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3(b)
  • EP3629093B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5B

AI summary

A developing device (13) includes a developing roller (13a), a cover (13r) to cover the developing roller (13a) from above the developing roller (13a), a filter (13t) to cover a vent (13r2) of the cover (13r) to filter air and collect toner passing through the vent (13r2), and a pressing member (13s) engaged with the cover (13r) in which the filter (13t) is installed. The cover (13r) includes a projecting support (13r4) to support the filter (13t). The pressing member (13s) holds the filter (13t) between the pressing member (13s) and the cover (13r). The projecting support (13r4) is projected from one end toward the other end of the vent (13r2) in a transverse direction of the vent (13r2) at a part of the cover (13r) in a longitudinal direction of the developing roller (13a) to block the vent (13r2), and cantilevered on the one end. A gap is provided between a tip of the projecting support (13r4) and an inner edge of the cover (13r) on the other end.