Layer Thickness Regulating Member Rib Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing layer thickness regulating members in developing devices suffer from partial thickness increases due to distortion when the opposing portion, layer thickness regulating portion, and rib portion are integrally molded, leading to increased component and assembly costs, and non-uniform developer coating.
Innovation Solution
A layer thickness regulating member is designed with an opposing portion, a layer thickness regulating portion, and rib portions that are integrally molded, with the rib portions positioned non-overlappingly with respect to the layer thickness regulating portion, ensuring uniform developer thickness and reduced distortion, using a resin material with reinforcing ribs to enhance rigidity and prevent thermal deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the layer thickness regulating portion and rib portion are integrally molded, then component cost and assembly cost are reduced, but distortion occurs causing partial increase in developer layer thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The rib portion is positioned in a direction crossing the layer thickness regulating portion (in the widthwise direction perpendicular to the rotational axis direction of the developing sleeve), rather than overlapping in the same dimension. This spatial arrangement in another dimension prevents the rib from causing distortion in the layer thickness regulating portion while maintaining integral molding benefits.
2Ease of manufacture
If the layer thickness regulating member is made from resin material with integral molding, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but thermal deformation and distortion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The rib is arranged in the widthwise direction crossing the layer thickness regulating portion, creating a spatial separation that prevents thermal deformation in the rib from transferring to the layer thickness regulating portion during integral molding, thus maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib portion and layer thickness regulating portion are functionally segmented in space by positioning them in different directions, allowing each to perform its function independently without interfering with the other's structural integrity.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate members are used for layer thickness regulating portion and beam member, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but component cost and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The layer thickness regulating portion and rib portion are merged into a single integrally molded resin member, reducing component count and assembly steps while maintaining precision through the innovative non-overlapping spatial arrangement that prevents distortion.
Data Source
AI summary
A layer thickness regulating member regulates an amount of developer carried on a surface of a developer carrying member and includes a base portion and a layer thickness regulating portion. The base portion includes an upstream base portion and a downstream base portion. A reinforcing rib portion projects from a rear side of the base portion and includes a first reinforcing rib and a second reinforcing rib disposed in a direction crossing the first reinforcing rib. The base portion, the layer thickness regulating portion, and the reinforcing rib portion are integrally molded. The layer thickness regulating portion and the first reinforcing rib are provided at positions spaced from each other with respect to a tangential direction of the developer carrying member.