Replaceable Compliant Sealing Member with Latch for Ink Developer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sealing devices in ink developer units for image forming apparatuses suffer from compression set issues, low durability, and stringent manufacturing tolerances, leading to premature wear, ink splatter, and product failure, which complicates the replacement of developer rollers and affects the sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
The sealing device incorporates a first replaceable compliant sealing member with multiple exterior surfaces and a latch member, along with a second compliant sealing member, allowing for a wider seal and reduced sealing temperature, enabling easier replacement and higher durability, and requiring less stringent manufacturing tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing device is used in ink developer units, then ink leakage is prevented, but compression set occurs leading to premature wear and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is divided into a reusable body and replaceable sealing members. The sealing members can be independently replaced when they show signs of wear or compression set, while the main sealing device body remains in use. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be renewed without replacing the entire device, thereby improving durability while maintaining reliable sealing performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If stringent manufacturing tolerances are applied to the sealing device, then sealing precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing members are made from compliant or elastic materials that can deform to accommodate variations in manufacturing tolerances of the sealing device body and developer rollers. This flexibility allows the sealing members to conform to the mating surfaces even when dimensional variations exist, achieving reliable sealing without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the rigid components.
3Ease of operation
If the sealing device is designed for easy replacement of developer rollers, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing members are designed as consumable components that can be quickly replaced along with or independently from the developer rollers. The replaceable design allows users to discard worn sealing members and install new ones without complex tools or procedures. The sealing device body incorporates features like latch members that facilitate easy access and replacement, ensuring both ease of operation and maintained sealing reliability through regular renewal of the sealing members.
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
This configuration provides a sufficient seal during roller replacement, reduces wear and failure conditions, and minimizes the need for frequent replacement of the ink developer unit, thereby enhancing the reliability and longevity of the sealing device.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing device may incur compression set based on its contact, for example, with a developer roller of an ink developer unit
Implementation Method 2
a first replaceable compliant sealing member having a plurality of replaceable seal exterior surfaces to form a seal
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing device usable with an ink developer unit including a plurality of rollers and a plurality of end cap members includes a first replaceable compliant sealing member and a latch member. The first replaceable compliant sealing member has a plurality of replaceable seal exterior surfaces to form a seal between a first set of rollers of the plurality of rollers and one of the end cap members. The latch member has a closed state to maintain a sealing force on the first replaceable compliant sealing member and an open state to remove the sealing force on the first replaceable complaint sealing member.