Developing Device Side Seal Toner Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developing devices face challenges in ensuring accurate positioning of upstream and downstream seal members, leading to toner leakage due to mounting errors and increased rotational speeds, especially when toner particle sizes are reduced for low-temperature fixing.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a frame, a developer carrying member, and side seals, where the side seal includes a contact member, a support member, and double-sided tape, with first and second seal members positioned accurately using a flocked fabric and nonwoven fabric configurations to prevent toner leakage, and a third seal member to restrict movement and enhance sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upstream seal member is affixed to the outer case and the downstream seal member is affixed to the thickness-regulating blade, then the seal members can be positioned to restrict toner leakage, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to mounting errors and fixing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the upstream seal member and downstream seal member into a single integrated seal member. This unified structure eliminates the positioning errors that occur when two separate members are assembled from different components, thereby resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated seal member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the upstream seal member (restricting toner leakage between the outer case and developing roller) and the downstream seal member (restricting toner leakage through the thickness-regulating blade). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and their associated positioning tolerances.
2Productivity
If the rotational speed of the developing roller is increased to improve image formation speeds, then productivity improves, but toner leakage increases due to insufficient sealing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the upstream and downstream seal members into one unified component, the patent achieves superior sealing accuracy that can withstand higher rotational speeds without toner leakage, thereby enabling increased productivity while maintaining reliability.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If toner particle sizes are reduced for low-temperature fixing, then energy consumption decreases, but toner leakage increases due to smaller particles passing through seal gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated seal member provides enhanced sealing precision that prevents even reduced-size toner particles from leaking through gaps, allowing the system to maintain effective sealing while operating with smaller, energy-efficient toner particles.
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 suppresses toner leakage by ensuring precise positioning of seal members and exerting forces to return toner inward, even at high speeds and reduced toner particle sizes, enhancing the service life of the developing cartridge.
Implementation Method 1
a double-sided tape interposed between the contact member and the supporting member and adhering the contact member and the supporting member to each other
Implementation Method 2
The second seal member is configured to exert a force on toner particles entering the second seal member by rotation of the developing roller to move the toner particles inward in the axial direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A developing device includes: a frame; a developer carrying member rotatably supported to the frame; and a side seal. The developer carrying member is rotatable about its axis in a rotating direction and has an axial end portion and a remaining portion inward of the axial end portion in an axial direction. The side seal is disposed between the frame and a peripheral surface of the axial end portion and includes: a contact member that can contact the peripheral surface; a support member disposed between the contact member and the frame; and a double-sided tape for adhering the contact member to the supporting member. The contact member includes: a first seal member; and a second seal member disposed adjacent to and upstream of the first seal member in the rotating direction. The first seal member and the second seal member are affixed to one adhesive surface of the double-sided tape.