Foamed Silicone Developer Supply Member Wear Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developing devices in electro-photography image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining good image quality over an extended period due to wear and tear of the developer supplying member, leading to inconsistent print density and after image levels.
Innovation Solution
A developer supplying member with a foamed structure made of silicone rubber, featuring a discrete foam cell structure and specific surface roughness and stress relaxation properties, is used to supply developer to the developing device, ensuring consistent and durable performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional developer supplying member is used, then the device can operate initially, but image quality deteriorates over time due to wear and modulus decline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the surface roughness (Rz: 45.2-65.3 μm) and stress relaxation ratio (23.7%-30.8%) of the foamed member. These parameter optimizations ensure that the developer supplying member maintains consistent performance characteristics throughout its service life, preventing image quality deterioration while extending reliable operation duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a foamed member (with discrete foam cell structure) made of silicone rubber as the main component. This composite material design provides both the necessary mechanical properties for durability and the surface characteristics for consistent developer supply, resolving the contradiction between reliability and service life.
2Productivity
If the surface roughness is increased to improve developer supply, then developer transfer is enhanced, but wear increases leading to faster modulus decline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the surface roughness parameter to a specific range (Rz: 45.2-65.3 μm) that balances developer supply efficiency with wear resistance. This precise parameter control allows the surface to effectively transfer developer while minimizing material loss through wear, thus maintaining productivity without accelerating substance loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The foamed member with discrete foam cell structure provides a porous surface that enhances developer supply efficiency through capillary action and surface area increase, while the controlled pore structure and material composition reduce wear compared to solid surfaces, addressing both productivity and material loss concerns.
3Strength
If a harder material is used to reduce wear, then durability improves, but stress relaxation capability decreases affecting image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the stress relaxation ratio within 23.7%-30.8% by optimizing the foam cell structure and silicone rubber composition. This parameter optimization ensures the material has sufficient elasticity for stress relaxation while maintaining adequate hardness for wear resistance, thereby preserving image quality consistency without sacrificing durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The foamed silicone rubber composite provides a unique combination of properties: the foam structure contributes to stress relaxation and elasticity, while the silicone rubber base material provides wear resistance. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between strength and reliability by integrating both functions at the material level.
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 foamed developer supplying member maintains good image quality by controlling wear and modulus decline, achieving optimal print density and after image levels for an extended period through precise surface roughness and stress relaxation management.
Implementation Method 1
The foam cell wall has a ten-point average surface roughness Rz between 45.2 μm and 65.3 μm
Implementation Method 2
The foamed member has a stress relaxation ratio between 23.7% and 30.8% upon being compressed
Data Source
AI summary
A developer supplying member is provided for supplying developer to a developer supporting member. The developer supplying member includes a foamed member having a discrete foam cell structure and being formed of a silicone rubber as a main component thereof. The foamed member constitutes a surface of the developer supplying member. The foamed member includes a foam cell wall dividing foam cells thereof and being exposed on the surface of the developer supplying member. The foam cell wall has a ten-point average surface roughness between 45.2 μm and 65.3 μm.