Developing Roller Sealing Sheet for Developer Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developing devices in image forming apparatuses face issues with developer leakage during transportation and installation, leading to potential contamination and damage to internal components.
Innovation Solution
A developing device design featuring a removable sheet-shaped member that seals the developer storage space, comprising a developing roller, developer supply rotator, and a divided lower developing case, ensuring the developer remains enclosed during transport and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the developing device is designed with a removable sheet-shaped member to seal the developer storage space, then developer leakage is prevented and component integrity is maintained, but device complexity increases due to additional sealing components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a sheet-shaped member (sealing member) made of flexible material that can be removably attached to seal the developer storage space. This thin film approach provides effective sealing without requiring complex rigid structures, thus preventing developer leakage while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The lower developing case is divided into a first lower developing case and a second lower developing case, with the sheet-shaped member attached to straddle both parts. This segmentation allows the sealing member to be properly positioned and secured while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly, balancing reliability with manageable complexity
2Reliability
If the sheet-shaped member is removably attached to straddle the first and second lower developing cases, then developer leakage is prevented during transportation, but ease of operation decreases due to additional attachment and detachment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet-shaped member is pre-attached to the first lower developing case before assembly, so that when the first and second lower developing cases are combined, the sealing is automatically established. This preliminary action ensures developer leakage prevention is built into the assembly process itself, reducing the need for additional separate sealing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet-shaped member acts as an intermediary element that connects and seals between the first and second lower developing cases. By attaching this member to straddle both cases, it serves as a mediator that provides sealing functionality while maintaining a relatively simple attachment mechanism that does not require complex fastening operations
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device includes a developing roller, a developer supply rotator, a removable sheet-shaped member, an upper developing case, and a lower developing case. The developer supply rotator is opposite the developing roller to supply developer to the developing roller. The removable sheet-shaped member separates the developing roller and the developer supply rotator to form a developer pre-storage portion storing the developer in an inner space in which the developer supply rotator is disposed in the developing device. The upper developing case is above the sheet-shaped member to cover the developing roller. The lower developing case is below the sheet-shaped member to form a developing case together with the upper developing case and is divided into a first lower developing case and a second lower developing case. The sheet-shaped member is removably attached directly or indirectly to the first lower developing case and the second lower developing case.