Developing Device Seal Member for Toner Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developing devices require multiple seal members to prevent toner leakage, increasing manufacturing costs and risking gaps that allow toner to leak.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a single seal member positioned between the thickness regulating blade and the casing, and in contact with the press member's concave portion, ensuring continuous contact and preventing toner leakage even if gaps form between the press member, seal member, and developing roller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple seal members are used to prevent toner leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple seal members into a single integrated seal member that contacts both the thickness regulating blade and the developing roller. This single seal member includes a first sealing portion for the thickness regulating blade and a second sealing portion for the developing roller, eliminating the need for separate seal members and reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single seal member performs multiple sealing functions simultaneously - it seals the gap between the thickness regulating blade and the developing roller, and also seals the gap between the press member and the developing roller. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of seal members needed while ensuring comprehensive sealing coverage.
2Reliability
If multiple seal members are used to prevent toner leakage, then sealing coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated seal member structure. The seal member includes a first sealing portion that contacts the thickness regulating blade and a second sealing portion that contacts the developing roller, providing comprehensive sealing coverage while reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single seal member is used to reduce manufacturing cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but risk of gaps and toner leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single seal member is segmented into multiple functional portions - a first sealing portion for contacting the thickness regulating blade and a second sealing portion for contacting the developing roller. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific sealing function while maintaining them as a single integrated component, ensuring comprehensive sealing coverage without gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the seal member have different local properties optimized for their specific sealing locations. The first sealing portion is designed to contact the thickness regulating blade with appropriate sealing characteristics, while the second sealing portion is designed to contact the developing roller with different sealing characteristics, ensuring effective sealing at each location.
Data Source
AI summary
The developing device includes a casing, a developing roller, a thickness regulating blade, and a seal member. The developing roller has an outer peripheral surface carrying developer. The thickness regulating blade is configured to regulate a thickness of the developer carried on the outer peripheral surface and has an opposed surface confronting the casing. The thickness regulating blade further has one end part supported on the casing and another end part provided with a press member in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface. The press member is located on the opposed surface and protrudes toward the developing roller. The press member is formed with a receiving portion depressed inward at its widthwise ends in an axial direction of the developing roller. The seal member is disposed between the thickness regulating blade and the casing and contacting at least a part of the receiving portion.