Developing Unit Seal Member with Electrostatic Fiber Bundles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing developing units in image forming apparatuses face challenges in preventing toner leakage due to toner fusion on end seal members, especially when the cleaner-less system is used, leading to impaired sealing performance and increased toner leakage.
Innovation Solution
A developing unit with a seal member configuration featuring alternating first and second fiber bundles on the seal surface, where the first fiber bundles repel toner with normal polarity and the second fiber bundles attract it, ensuring effective toner sealing by preventing fusion and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the developing roller rotation speed is increased to achieve faster image forming and power saving, then productivity is improved, but toner leakage increases due to toner fusion on end seal members
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the seal member by incorporating fibers with specific charge properties (opposite to toner polarity) and controlling fiber content (5-50 wt%), fiber diameter (1-10 μm), and bundle arrangement. These parameter changes enable the seal member to repel toner through electrostatic forces, preventing toner fusion even at high developing roller speeds, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is constructed as a composite material combining fibers with charge properties opposite to toner polarity with a base material having toner repelling properties. This composite structure creates multiple mechanisms for toner repulsion and prevention, enhancing the overall sealing performance while allowing high-speed operation without toner leakage
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the toner melting point is lowered to enable power saving and faster processing, then energy consumption is reduced, but toner leakage increases due to easier toner fusion on seal members
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is designed with fibers having charge properties opposite to toner polarity, creating a preliminary repelling force that prevents toner from contacting and fusing on the seal member surface. This preliminary anti-action occurs before toner fusion can happen, allowing the use of lower melting point toners for energy saving without compromising sealing reliability
3Device complexity
If a cleaner-less system is adopted to reduce components and waste, then device complexity is reduced, but toner leakage increases due to scattered toner entering end seal members
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of scattered toner in the cleaner-less system into a beneficial demonstration of the seal member's repelling capability. By designing the seal member with fibers having charge properties opposite to toner polarity, the system naturally repels scattered toner without requiring additional cleaning components, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving sealing performance
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 proposed solution significantly enhances toner sealing performance by effectively preventing toner leakage and maintaining the integrity of the sealing mechanism, even at higher developing roller speeds and lower toner melting points, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
the first fiber bundles including a first fiber having a charge property that repels the developer charged with a normal polarity
Implementation Method 2
the second seal region includes a plurality of second fiber bundles including a second fiber having a charge property that attracts the developer charged with a normal polarity
Data Source
AI summary
A seal member includes a seal surface that comes into contact with and slides with an end portion of an outer circumferential surface of a developing roller. The seal surface includes a first seal region configured of a plurality of first fiber bundles including a first fiber having a charge property that repels a developer, and a second seal region configured of a plurality of second fiber bundles including a second fiber having a charge property that attracts the developer, both extending in an inclined direction such that a portion thereof closer to an opening portion of a frame body of a developing unit is located further downstream in a rotating direction of the developing roller, and being alternately disposed in the rotating direction, and a proportion of a portion occupied by the second fiber bundles on the seal surface is at least 5% and not more than 60%.