Seal Member Design for Developing Roller Blade Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
In process cartridges, a gap is created between the developing roller and the blade, leading to potential developer leakage due to the tip of the blade not coming into contact with the developing roller, which existing seal members fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A seal member with a second seal portion that deforms to fill the gap between the blade and the developing roller, including a base portion, an abutting portion, a connecting portion, and a wall portion, which encloses the abutting portion and connects to at least one of the base or abutting portions, ensuring sealing between the storage container, the rotating body, and the blade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the blade abuts the rotating body with a surface, then the blade restricts the developer layer thickness, but a tip gap is created at the blade tip where sealing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A seal member is introduced as an intermediary component between the blade and the storage container. The seal member includes a first seal portion that contacts the rotating body and a second seal portion that contacts the blade, with connecting portions that bridge the gap. This intermediary structure ensures reliable sealing at the blade tip region without requiring precise blade positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member extends in the axial direction of the rotating body, adding a dimensional element that bridges the radial gap between the blade and storage container. The connecting portions extend axially to connect the first and second seal portions, creating a three-dimensional sealing path that addresses the tip gap issue.
2Device complexity
If the seal member structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sealing effectiveness at the blade tip gap is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is segmented into distinct functional portions: a first seal portion for contacting the rotating body, a second seal portion for contacting the blade, and connecting portions for bridging between them. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific sealing function while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the seal member have different structural characteristics optimized for their local functions. The first seal portion has properties optimized for contacting the rotating body, the second seal portion has properties optimized for contacting the blade, and the connecting portions have properties optimized for bridging the gap. This local optimization ensures effective sealing throughout the entire structure.
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 seal member effectively prevents developer leakage by ensuring a continuous seal between the storage container, the rotating body, and the blade, even when the blade tip does not initially contact the developing roller, thereby enhancing the reliability of the sealing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the abutting portion deforms in a direction approaching the base portion when the seal member is fixed to the storage container, and the blade and the rotating body are attached
Data Source
AI summary
A seal member includes a first seal portion abutting an end portion of a rotating body to seal a gap between a storage container and the end portion, and a second seal portion abutting an end portion of a blade to seal a gap between the storage container and the end portion. The second seal portion has a tip contacting portion to contact a tip portion of the blade and a non-tip contacting portion to contact a portion of the blade except for the tip portion. The non-tip contacting portion is recessed to form a step between the non-tip contacting portion and the tip contacting portion. The tip contacting portion includes a base portion to contact with the storage container, an abutting portion configured to abut the blade, and a connecting portion which connects the base portion and the abutting portion to each other.