Seal Member Adhesion in Developing Apparatus Regulation Blade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing developing apparatuses for image forming devices face issues with developer leakage due to inadequate adhesion between the seal member and the regulation portion, leading to inefficiencies in maintaining developer containment.
Innovation Solution
The developing apparatus incorporates a support plate with a plate-shaped member and a regulation member, where the seal member is fixed to the plate-shaped member and arranged in contact with the regulation member, enhancing adhesion and preventing developer leakage by ensuring tight contact between the seal member and the regulation member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal member is placed in contact with the regulation portion to prevent developer leakage, then developer containment is improved, but adhesion between the seal member and regulation portion is insufficient causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The regulation blade is divided into a support plate and a separate plate-shaped member that is welded to it. The seal member is fixed to the plate-shaped member, creating a segmented structure that allows the seal member to be positioned and adhered more effectively to the regulation portion, thereby improving adhesion while maintaining developer containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member and plate-shaped member are combined into a single integrated unit by fixing the seal member to the plate-shaped member. This merging ensures that the seal member moves with the plate-shaped member and maintains consistent contact with the regulation portion, improving adhesion and preventing developer leakage.
2Reliability
If the seal member is positioned to contact the regulation portion, then developer leakage is prevented, but the seal member may detach or fail to maintain tight contact
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is preliminarily fixed to the plate-shaped member before the regulation blade is assembled and installed. This preliminary fixing ensures that the seal member is already in the correct position and orientation, allowing it to maintain stable contact with the regulation portion from the beginning of operation, thereby preventing detachment and ensuring seal integrity.
3Device complexity
If a simple contact structure is used between seal member and regulation portion, then device complexity is reduced, but adhesion is insufficient leading to developer leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The plate-shaped member acts as an intermediary between the seal member and the support plate. By fixing the seal member to the plate-shaped member and welding the plate-shaped member to the support plate, this intermediary structure provides a stable mounting surface for the seal member, enhancing adhesion without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A developing apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus includes a developing frame, a rotatable developing member, a regulation blade to regulate developer borne on a developing member surface, and a seal member to prevent developer from leaking outside the developing frame. The regulation blade includes a support plate, a plate-shaped member, and a regulation member. The seal member is fixed to a facing surface of the plate-shaped member, is arranged at a plate-shaped member end portion, is arranged side by side with the regulation member in a rotational axis direction, contacts an end surface of the regulation member, and is disposed between the plate-shaped member and the developing member in a direction intersecting with the rotational axis direction. The plate-shaped member is welded to a region of the support plate excluding a region outside the end surface of the regulation member in the rotational axis direction.