Printer Development Device Frame Gap Sealing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing development devices for printers have gaps between frames that are difficult to seal properly, leading to reduced recycling efficiency and potential issues with adhesive materials sticking to components, making reassembly challenging.
Innovation Solution
A development device with a casing formed by a first and second frame, where the second frame is connected to seal the first side face of the first frame, and a seal member is used between the regulating member and a predetermined plane to seal gaps, allowing for easy sealing and improved recycling efficiency without the need for adhesive materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive material is used to seal the gap between frames, then the gap sealing is achieved, but the recycling efficiency is reduced and reassembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful adhesive material from the sealing process and replaces it with a mechanical sealing structure. The seal member is positioned between the first and second frames to seal the gap without requiring adhesive materials, enabling easy disassembly and recycling while maintaining reliable gap sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a seal member as an intermediary element between the first and second frames. This seal member specifically seals the gap formed by the unadequate welding joint without requiring adhesive materials, solving the contradiction between reliable sealing and recyclability.
2Reliability
If adhesive material is used to seal the gap, then sealing is achieved, but adhesive protrusion sticks to the blade making disassembly impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes adhesive material from the sealing process entirely, replacing it with a mechanical seal member structure that eliminates the problem of adhesive protrusion sticking to the blade, thereby enabling easy disassembly and recycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is designed as a simple, replaceable component that can be easily removed and replaced during recycling operations, eliminating the permanent bonding effect of adhesive materials and enabling straightforward disassembly of the blade from the casing.
3Strength
If welding method is used to join frames, then structural strength is achieved, but inadequate joining creates gaps requiring additional sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines welding and mechanical sealing approaches: the first and second frames are joined by welding to provide structural strength, while a seal member is simultaneously installed to seal the gap created by the welding joint, achieving both strength and reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sealing function from the joining function: welding handles the structural joining of frames while the separate seal member handles the gap sealing, allowing each component to optimize its specific function without compromise.
Data Source
AI summary
A development device has a casing configured with a first frame and a second frame. The first frame includes attachment surfaces to which a regulating member is attached. A facing surface of the second frame is disposed between the attachment surfaces, in a predetermined plane including the attachment surfaces, and configured to face a portion of the regulating member between the attachment surfaces. A seal member is disposed between the regulating member and opposite surfaces including the attachment surfaces and the facing surface, and configured to seal first gaps each of which is formed between the facing surface and one of the attachment surfaces, in a first direction parallel to a rotational axis of a developing member rotatably supported by the casing.