Toner Sealing Elements for Developing Device Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with toner leakage due to separation of the developing roller and regulating blade from the sealing element during operation or external shocks, leading to contamination of the printer and surroundings.
Innovation Solution
A developing device with a housing that includes sealing elements fixed by supporting elements to prevent toner leakage, where the supporting elements expand the area of the fixing elements to securely contact the sealing elements with the developing roller and regulating blade, ensuring they remain in place even under external shocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sealing element is made elastically deformable to facilitate installation and contact, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the sealing element may separate from the developing roller or regulating blade during operation or external shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is divided into a main sealing element and an auxiliary sealing element. The main sealing element contacts the developing roller surface, while the auxiliary sealing element contacts the regulating blade. This segmentation ensures that even if one sealing element separates, the other maintains the seal, improving overall reliability while keeping the installation process simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary sealing element is pre-installed on the main sealing element before the developing roller is assembled. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the developing roller is installed, the sealing elements are already in the correct position to contact both the developing roller and regulating blade, preventing separation during operation.
2Reliability
If the sealing element contacts both the developing roller and regulating blade to prevent toner leakage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for precise positioning and multiple contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary sealing element acts as an intermediary between the main sealing element and the regulating blade. It transfers the contact force and maintains the sealing position without requiring direct complex positioning mechanisms. The auxiliary sealing element simplifies the overall positioning by providing a stable reference point for both the main sealing element and the regulating blade.
3Productivity
If the sealing element is pushed in a direction marked by 'B' during developing operation, then the regulating blade can regulate toner layer thickness, but an empty space is formed between the developing roller and sealing element causing toner discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented between the main sealing element (contacting developing roller) and auxiliary sealing element (contacting regulating blade). This segmentation ensures that when the regulating blade pushes the sealing element in direction B during toner regulation, the auxiliary sealing element maintains contact with the regulating blade while the main sealing element prevents toner discharge through any empty spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary sealing element is pre-positioned to contact the regulating blade before the developing operation begins. This preliminary contact ensures that when the regulating blade moves during toner layer thickness regulation, the auxiliary sealing element is already in position to prevent toner discharge, eliminating the need for additional positioning adjustments during operation.
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 solution effectively prevents toner leakage during operation and external shocks, maintaining a clean environment within the printer and preventing toner from reaching the sealing elements, thus ensuring reliable image formation.
Implementation Method 1
the supporting elements expand the area of a corresponding fixing element supporting a corresponding fixing element and supports the corresponding sealing element by pushing the corresponding sealing element toward the regulating blade and the developing roller so that the corresponding sealing element comes into contact with the regulating blade and the developing roller
Data Source
AI summary
A developing device and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. The developing device includes: a housing, which is formed by coupling an upper case and a lower case and in which a developing roller and a regulating blade are installed; sealing elements, which are respectively formed at both sides of the developing roller or the regulating blade and prevent toner from leaking out of the housing; and fixing elements, which fix the sealing elements in the housing so that the sealing elements cannot move. Each of the fixing elements includes a supporting element, which expands the area of a corresponding fixing element and supports the corresponding sealing element by pushing the corresponding sealing element toward the regulating blade and the developing roller so that the corresponding sealing element comes into contact with the regulating blade and the developing roller.