Developer cartridge with resettable counting assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a developing box with a resettable counting component, which can be detachably installed in a device provided with a counted piece, and comprises a developing box shell, a power receiving piece installed on the shell, and a counting component, wherein the power receiving piece receives a driving force from the device and transmits the driving force to the counting component; the counting component rotates around a rotation axis, comprises a counting piece and a reset device combined with the counting piece, when the counting component is working, the counting piece receives the driving force transmitted by the power receiving piece and rotates, and the counting piece is combined with and disengaged from the counted piece; before the developing box is installed in the device, the reset device limits the rotation of the counting piece; after the developing box is installed in a predetermined position of the device, the reset device releases the restriction on the rotation of the counting piece; when the developing box is taken out of the device, the counting piece returns to the initial state before counting under the action of the reset device, and the counting piece is again restricted from rotating by the reset device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic photographic imaging, and in particular to a developing box detachably mounted to an electronic photographic imaging device and a counting assembly located in the developing box. Background Art

[0002] A developer cartridge is a consumable part that can be detachably installed in an electronic photographic imaging device. The electronic photographic imaging device (hereinafter referred to as the "device") uses the principle of photoelectric imaging to form a desired image on an imaging medium. When the developer contained in the developer cartridge is exhausted, the device will prompt the end user to replace the developer cartridge.

[0003] In order to accurately understand the amount of developer in the developer cartridge, one of the existing methods is to install a storage device that stores the developer cartridge information on the developer cartridge, and establish a communication connection between the storage device and the device; another method is to provide a counting component on the developer cartridge, and at the same time provide a counted piece that is combined with and disengaged from the counting component in the device, and the device memorizes the amount of developer in the developer cartridge by memorizing the number of times the counting component moves the counted piece.

[0004] The above-mentioned second method is completely implemented by mechanical means, and its cost is lower than that of the first method. However, the existing counting component structure includes a plurality of gears that mesh with each other. Before the counting component starts counting, the gears used for counting and the gears used for transmitting driving force remain in a meshing state with each other. During the transportation of the developing box, if the developing box is squeezed or collided by external force, the meshing gears are very easy to break, which leads to the final counting failure of the developing box. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides a developing box, wherein a counting component of the developing box is no longer provided with a gear, and even if the developing box is subjected to an external force during transportation, the counting component will remain intact and will not affect the counting.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A developing box with a resettable counting assembly, which can be detachably installed in a device provided with a counted piece, comprises a developing box shell, a power receiving piece installed on the shell, and a counting assembly, wherein the power receiving piece receives a driving force from the device and transmits the driving force to the counting assembly; the counting assembly rotates around a rotation axis, comprises a counting piece and a reset device combined with the counting piece, when the counting assembly is working, the counting piece receives the driving force transmitted by the power receiving piece and rotates, and the counting piece is combined with and disengaged from the counted piece; before the developing box is installed in the device, the reset device limits the rotation of the counting piece; after the developing box is installed in a predetermined position of the device, the reset device releases the restriction on the rotation of the counting piece; when the developing box is taken out of the device, the counting piece returns to the initial state before counting under the action of the reset device, and the counting piece is again restricted from rotating by the reset device.

[0008] When the developing cartridge is taken out of the device, the resetting device causes the counting member to disconnect the power input.

[0009] The developing box also includes a driving member installed on the shell. When the counting member counts, the driving member is used to transmit the driving force of the power receiving member to the counting member. When the developing box is taken out of the device, the counting member is disengaged from the driving member.

[0010] When the developing box is taken out from the device, the counting member rotates to the initial state in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis under the action of the resetting device.

[0011] The reset device includes a telescopic member, a first elastic member, a second elastic member and a third elastic member; the first elastic member is located between the shell and the telescopic member so that the telescopic member can be telescoped along the rotation axis of the counting component; the second elastic member is combined with the counting member, forcing the counting member to move in the rotation direction to an initial state before counting; the third elastic member is also combined with the counting member, forcing the counting member to return to the initial state before counting along the rotation axis.

[0012] When the developing box is taken out from the device, the telescopic member extends out under the elastic restoring force of the first elastic member, and the counting member extends out along with the extension of the telescopic member.

[0013] The first elastic member and the third elastic member are both springs, the second elastic member is a torsion spring, and the elastic force of the first elastic member is greater than the elastic force of the third elastic member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the developing box involved in the present invention when viewed from the rear.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the developing box involved in the present invention when viewed from the front.

[0016] Figure 3It is a partial structural exploded schematic diagram of the left side of the developing box involved in the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4A It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the end cover of the developer box involved in the present invention when viewed from the outside.

[0018] Figure 4B It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the end cover of the developer box involved in the present invention when viewed from the inside.

[0019] Figure 5A-5C It is a three-dimensional diagram of a counting member in a counting assembly involved in the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5D The present invention is a bottom view of a counting member in a counting assembly.

[0021] Figure 6A-6B It is a stereoscopic diagram of a telescopic member in a counting assembly according to the present invention.

[0022] Fig. 7A The present invention is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a driving member in a developing box.

[0023] Figure 7B It is a top view of a driving member in a developing box according to the present invention.

[0024] Fig. 8A It is a three-dimensional view of the developer box according to the present invention, when the end of the developer box housing is viewed from the left.

[0025] Figure 8B The present invention is a side view of the developing box according to the present invention, when the end of the developing box shell is viewed from below.

[0026] Figure 8C The present invention is a top view of the developer box according to the present invention, when the end of the developer box housing is viewed from the left.

[0027] Fig. 9A The present invention is a schematic diagram of the states of various components in a counting assembly observed from below the developing box before the developing box is installed on the device.

[0028] Fig. 9B It is a side view of the counting assembly when the developing box involved in the present invention is viewed from above the developing box in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly before being installed in the device.

[0029] Fig. 9C It is a schematic diagram of the position of the reset member after the developing box involved in the present invention is installed in the device.

[0030] Fig.9D It is a side view of the counting assembly when the developing box involved in the present invention is observed from above the developing box in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly after being installed in the device.

[0031] Fig.9E It is a cross-sectional view cut along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly when the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box involved in the present invention is in an initial counting state.

[0032] Fig. 10A The present invention is a schematic diagram of the states of various components in the counting assembly observed from the bottom of the developing box after the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box rotates to a first angle.

[0033] Fig. 10B It is a schematic diagram of the states of the counting component and the driving component when viewed from above after the counting component of the counting component in the developing box involved in the present invention rotates to a first angle.

[0034] Fig. 10C It is a cross-sectional view cut along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly after the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box involved in the present invention rotates to a first angle.

[0035] Fig.11A It is a schematic diagram of the states of various components in the counting assembly observed from the bottom of the developing box after the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box involved in the present invention rotates to the second angle.

[0036] Fig. 11B It is a schematic diagram of the states of the counting component and the driving component when viewed from above after the counting component of the counting component in the developing box involved in the present invention rotates to a second angle.

[0037] Fig. 11C It is a cross-sectional view cut along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly after the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box involved in the present invention rotates to a second angle.

[0038] Fig. 12A It is a schematic diagram of the states of various components in the counting assembly observed from the bottom of the developing box after the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box involved in the present invention rotates to a third angle.

[0039] Fig. 12B It is a schematic diagram of the states of the counting component and the driving component when viewed from above after the counting component of the counting component in the developing box involved in the present invention rotates to a third angle.

[0040] Fig. 12C It is a cross-sectional view cut along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly after the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box involved in the present invention rotates to a third angle.

[0041] Fig.13A The present invention is a schematic diagram of the states of the components in the counting assembly observed from the bottom of the developing box after the counting of the counting pieces of the counting assembly in the developing box is completed.

[0042] Fig. 13B The present invention is a schematic diagram of the status of the counting component, the driving component and the developing box housing when viewed from above the developing box after the counting component of the counting component in the developing box has completed counting.

[0043] Fig. 13C It is a side view of the counting assembly when viewed from above in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly after the counting piece of the counting assembly in the developing box of the present invention has completed counting.

[0044] Fig.13D It is a cross-sectional view cut in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly after the counting piece of the counting assembly in the developing box of the present invention has completed counting.

[0045] Fig.14A It is a side view of the counting assembly in the developing box involved in the present invention when the counting member of the counting assembly starts to reset and is observed from above in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly.

[0046] Fig. 14B The present invention is a schematic diagram of the states of various components in the counting assembly when the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box involved in the present invention is about to complete resetting, when observing from the bottom of the developing box.

[0047] Fig. 14C The present invention is a side view of the counting assembly when the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box is about to be reset and the counting assembly is viewed from above in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In order to make the following description clearer, the developer box is first defined as follows: the direction in the same direction as the installation direction of the developer box is defined as the front of the developer box, the direction opposite to the installation direction is defined as the rear of the developer box, the left side of the installation direction is defined as the left side of the developer box, and the right side of the installation direction is defined as the right side of the developer box, and when the developer box is installed and removed, in the direction perpendicular to the installation direction, the side facing the operator is defined as the top of the developer box, and the side facing away from the operator is defined as the bottom of the developer box.

[0049] Embodiment 1

[0050] [Overall structure of the developer cartridge]

[0051] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the developing box according to the present invention when viewed from the rear; Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the developing box involved in the present invention when viewed from the front.

[0052] As shown in the figure, the developing box C can be installed to the device in a detachable manner along the installation direction A. Taking the installation direction A as a reference, the developing box C has the above-mentioned front, rear, left, right, top and bottom; combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 The developing box C includes a shell 21, a rotating member 22 rotatably mounted on the shell 21, and an end cover 10 mounted on one side of the shell 21; when the developing box C is installed to the device, the developing box C needs to receive driving force and electricity from the device. Generally, the left and right sides of the developing box C are used to receive driving force and electricity respectively. As shown in the figure, the left side of the developing box C is the driving end F, which is used to receive driving force from the device, and the right side of the developing box C is the conductive end E, which is used to receive electricity from the device. Therefore, the developing box C also includes a power receiving member 23 located at the driving end F and a conductive member 25 located at the conductive end E, and the power receiving member 23 and the conductive member 25 receive driving force and electricity from the device respectively.

[0053] Furthermore, the developing box C further includes a counting assembly 30 mounted on the housing 21, and the counting assembly 30 receives the driving force of the power receiving member 23 and rotates. Figure 2 As shown, the rotating member 22 has a rotation axis L1, the power receiving member 23 has a rotation axis L2, and the counting component 30 has a rotation axis L3. Along the installation direction A, the rotation axis L2 is located between the rotation axis L1 and the rotation axis L3, and the rotation axis L1 is located at the downstream and the rotation axis L3 is located at the upstream.

[0054] In actual products, the counting component 30 can be on the same side as the power receiving component 23, and the two can also be located on both sides of the shell 21 respectively. However, no matter how the two are arranged, the counting component 30 can receive the driving force from the power receiving component 23. When the counting component 30 and the power receiving component 23 are located at the driving end F at the same time, the counting component 30 and the power receiving component 23 are both exposed to the outside through the end cover 10.

[0055] It should be noted that the housing 21 is formed by ultrasonic welding of the upper housing 212 and the lower housing 211, and a cavity for containing the developer is formed between the two. The device knows the amount of developer contained in the cavity of the developer box C by sensing the number of times the counting component 30 is coupled and disengaged with the counted part in the device, and then sets the working life of the developer box C. When the developer in the cavity is consumed, the service life of the components in the developer box C has not yet ended, and only the amount of developer contained in the developer box C recorded in the device has been consumed. Therefore, if the end user refills the cavity with new developer, the components in the developer box C can still work. Figure 1As shown, the developer box C also includes a developer replenishing port 24 arranged on the shell 21, and the end user can replenish new developer into the cavity through the developer replenishing port 24, so the end user's usage cost is greatly reduced.

[0056] [Counting component structure]

[0057] Figure 3 It is a partial structural exploded schematic diagram of the left side of the developing box involved in the present invention; Figure 4A It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the end cover of the developing box according to the present invention when viewed from the outside; Figure 4B It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the end cover of the developer box involved in the present invention when viewed from the inside.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, in order to make the structure of the counting assembly 30 clearer, only the counting assembly 30 and its related parts are shown in the figure. To cooperate with the work of the counting assembly 30, the developing box C also includes a guide track 40 arranged on the shell 21. During the operation of the counting assembly 30, at least a part of the counting assembly 30 is guided by the guide track 40; further, the developing box C also includes a driving member 26 for transmitting a driving force to the counting assembly 30, and the driving member 26 is installed on the shell 21, and is used to transmit the driving force received by the power receiving member 23 to the counting assembly 30, so that the counting assembly 30 can rotate around the rotation axis L3, that is, the counting assembly 30 receives the driving force of the power receiving member 23 through the driving member 26. Further, the developing box C also includes a first mounting post 27 and a second mounting post 28 arranged on the shell 21, and the counting assembly 30 is rotatably mounted on the first mounting post 27, and the power receiving member 23 is rotatably mounted on the second mounting post 28.

[0059] Continue as Figure 3 As shown, the counting assembly 30 includes a counting member 31 and a reset device combined with the counting member 31. During operation of the counting assembly 30, the counting member 31 gradually moves away from the housing 21 under the guidance of the guide track 40. After counting is completed, the counting member 31 disengages from the guide track 40 and retracts.

[0060] The reset device is used to restore the counting member 31 to its initial state before counting after the counting member 31 completes counting, and includes a telescopic member 34, a first elastic member 33 and a second elastic member 35. The first elastic member 33 is located between the shell 21 and the telescopic member 34, so that the telescopic member 34 can be telescoped along the rotation axis L3 of the counting component 30. The second elastic member 35 is combined with the counting member 31 to force the counting member 31 to move in the rotation direction toward the initial state before counting. Preferably, the first elastic member 33 is a spring, one end of the spring 33 abuts against the telescopic member 34, and the other end abuts against the shell 21 or the first mounting column 27.

[0061] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the counting member 31 can be retracted after the counting assembly 30 completes counting, that is, to ensure that the counting member 31 can return to its initial state before counting along the rotation axis L3, the reset device also includes a third elastic member 32 that applies a force to the counting member 31 along the rotation axis L3. Preferably, the third elastic member 32 is a spring and is installed between the counting member 31 and the end cover 10. When the counting member 31 gradually moves away from the shell 21 under the guidance of the guide rail 40, the spring 32 is compressed. After counting is completed, the counting member 31 retracts under the elastic reset force of the spring 32.

[0062] like Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the end cover 10 includes an end cover body 11, a first through hole 12 and a second through hole 13 provided on the end cover body 11, and a baffle 14 connected to the end cover body 11 and provided in the second through hole 13, wherein the baffle 14 is used to prevent the telescopic member 34 from falling off from the developing box C, the power receiving member 23 is exposed from the first through hole 12, and the power receiving member 30 is exposed from the second through hole 13; further, the end cover 10 also includes a first sliding rod 143 provided on the end cover body 11, and preferably, the second elastic member 35 is a torsion spring, such as Figure 3 As shown, one end 352 of the torsion spring 35 is combined with the first sliding rod 143, and the other end 351 is combined with the counting member 31. When the telescopic member 34 is in the extended state, the telescopic member 34 will pass through the end cover 10. As shown in the figure, the end cover 10 also includes a third through hole 141 provided on the baffle 14 for allowing the telescopic member 34 to pass through. The third through hole 141 is located within the range of the second through hole 13, and the rotation axis L3 passes through the center of the second through hole 13 and the third through hole 141.

[0063] [Count pieces]

[0064] Figure 5A-5C It is a three-dimensional diagram of a counting member in a counting assembly according to the present invention; Figure 5D The present invention is a bottom view of a counting member in a counting assembly.

[0065] As shown in the figure, the counting member 31 can rotate around the rotation axis L3 in the direction indicated by r, and includes a cylinder 31a, a fourth through hole 31b penetrating the cylinder 31a along the rotation axis L3, a groove 31c formed along the rotation direction r for accommodating the spring 32, a toggle portion 31e, a positioning portion 31h and a plurality of force-bearing portions 31j; wherein the toggle portion 31e extends in a direction parallel to the rotation axis L3, the positioning portion 31h and the force-bearing portion 31j both extend in the radial direction of the cylinder 31a, and along the rotation direction r, the positioning portion 31h and the plurality of force-bearing portions 31j are spaced from each other; the groove 31c is formed along the circumference of the cylinder 31a, and can be directly formed on the cylinder 31a, or can be formed as shown in FIG. Figure 5AAs shown, by setting an arc plate 31d on the circumferential outer side of the cylinder 31a, a groove 31c is formed in the space between the arc plate 31d and the circumferential outer side of the cylinder 31a. When the latter method is adopted, the arc plate 31d and the cylinder 31a are combined with each other to form a whole, and the outer surface of the cylinder 31a can extend to the outer surface of the arc plate 31d, and the positioning part 31h and multiple force-bearing parts 31j extend radially outward from the outer surface of the arc plate 31d (cylinder 31a).

[0066] In the embodiment of the present invention, the positioning portion 31h and the plurality of force-bearing portions 31j are used to be combined with the power transmission portion provided on the driving member 26, and are used to receive the driving force transmitted by the driving member 26. Therefore, the positioning portion 31h and the plurality of force-bearing portions 31j can be collectively referred to as a power receiving portion; the plurality of force-bearing portions 31j include a first force-bearing portion 31j1, a second force-bearing portion 31j2 and a third force-bearing portion 31j3, wherein along the rotation direction r, the first force-bearing portion 31j1 is adjacent to the positioning portion 31h, and a first interval 31j4 is formed therebetween, the second force-bearing portion 31j2 is located between the first force-bearing portion 31j1 and the third force-bearing portion 31j3, a second interval 31j5 is formed between the second force-bearing portion 31j2 and the first force-bearing portion 31j1, and a third interval 31j6 is formed between the second force-bearing portion 31j2 and the third force-bearing portion 31j3; further, a side of each interval located downstream in the rotation direction r is a force-bearing surface, and the force-bearing surface can be understood as: the counting member 31 The surface on the counting member 31 is used to receive the driving force to rotate the counting member 31; for example, along the rotation direction r, the side of the first interval 31j4 close to the positioning portion 31h is the force-bearing surface, the side of the second interval 31j5 close to the first force-bearing portion 31j1 is the force-bearing surface, and the side of the third interval 31j6 close to the second force-bearing portion 31j2 is the force-bearing surface; among all the force-bearing portions, the third force-bearing portion 31j3 is located at the upstreammost position, so the side of the third force-bearing portion 31j3 away from the second force-bearing portion 31j2 is the terminal force-bearing surface 31j7, and thus, the counting member 31 has a total of four force-bearing surfaces; further, along the rotation direction r, the angles corresponding to the arcs formed by the first force-bearing portion 31j1 and the second force-bearing portion 31j2 are both β, and the angle corresponding to the arc formed by the third force-bearing portion 31j3 is θ1, satisfying β>θ1, that is, along the rotation direction r, the arc lengths corresponding to the first force-bearing portion 31j1 and the second force-bearing portion 31j2 are equal and greater than the arc length corresponding to the third force-bearing portion 31j3.

[0067] like Figure 5B , Figure 5C and Figure 5DAs shown, the fourth through hole 31b penetrates the cylinder 31a along the rotation axis L3, that is, from the top end close to the toggle portion 31e to the bottom end 31n away from the toggle portion 31e. The counting member 31 also includes a release port 31m formed on the circumference of the cylinder 31a. The release port 31m is formed by cutting off a portion in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 31a. Specifically, the release port 31m is formed on a side close to the bottom end 31n and extends from the bottom end 31n to the top end on the outer surface of the cylinder 31a, but the extension does not exceed the force-bearing portion 31j. When observed from the bottom end 31n to the top end along the rotation axis L3, in the radial direction, the fourth through hole 31b is connected to the outside through the release port 31m. In the rotation direction r, the angle corresponding to the release port 31m is α.

[0068] Continue as Figure 5C As shown, the release port 31m has a first side 31m1, a second side 31m2 and a bottom 31m3. Along the rotation direction r, the first side 31m1 is located upstream of the second side 31m2, and the bottom 31m3 is located between the first side 31m1 and the second side 31m2.

[0069] Further, the counting member 31 further includes an extension portion 31k extending radially outward from the outer surface of the cylinder 31a and a guided portion 31i, the toggle portion 31e extends from the extension portion 31k in a direction parallel to the rotation axis L3, and the guided portion 31i is used to combine with the guide track 40, so that the counting member 31 is guided by the guide track 40 during the counting process of the counting assembly 30; preferably, the extension portion 31k also extends along the circumferential direction of the cylinder 31a and finally forms a disc, and the guided portion 31i is a disc extending from the cylinder 31 a is a guided block protruding from the outer surface of the cylinder 31a; of course, the toggle portion 31e can also extend directly from the cylinder 31a, and the position of the toggle portion 31e can be determined according to the position of the counted piece set in the equipment; at the same time, the positioning portion 31h can also contact the extension portion 31k, so as to enhance the strength of the extension portion 31k. As shown in the figure, the positioning portion 31h and the toggle portion 31e are respectively formed on both sides of the extension portion 31k, and relative to the toggle portion 31e, the force-bearing portion 31j and the positioning portion 31h are formed on the same side of the extension portion 31k.

[0070] Furthermore, the counting member 31 further includes a second sliding rod 31f formed on the extension portion 31k, and the other end 351 of the torsion spring 35 is combined with the second sliding rod 31f. As described above, one end 352 of the torsion spring 35 is combined with the first sliding rod 143. Since the end cover 10 formed with the first sliding rod 143 is fixed to the housing 21, and the counting member 31 formed with the second sliding rod 31f can rotate around the rotation axis L3, when the counting assembly 30 is working, the torsion spring 35 will form a state in which one end 352 does not rotate, and the other end 351 can rotate with the rotation of the counting member 31, thereby causing the torsion spring 35 to be elastically deformed and accumulate elastic force. In order to prevent the torsion spring 35 from escaping from the first sliding rod 143 and the second sliding rod 31f, the first sliding rod 143 and the second sliding rod 31f are respectively provided with a first anti-slip portion 144 and a second anti-slip portion 31g; Figure 3 As shown, the torsion spring 35 will be sleeved on the telescopic member 34. Therefore, as the telescopic member 34 is extended and retracted, the torsion spring 35 can slide on the first sliding rod 143 and the second sliding rod 31f, or at least one end of the torsion spring 35 does not slide and the other end slides, or both ends of the torsion spring 35 do not slide, and only the part between the two ends of the torsion spring 35 undergoes elastic deformation. In short, along the rotation axis L3, the torsion spring 35 can adapt to the extension and retraction of the telescopic member 34. In other words, at least a part of the torsion spring 35 can move along the rotation axis L3 with the telescopic member 34.

[0071] [Retractable parts]

[0072] Figure 6A-6B It is a stereoscopic diagram of a telescopic member in a counting assembly according to the present invention.

[0073] As shown in the figure, the telescopic member 34 includes a main body 34a having a first end face 34b and a second end face 34c and a separation action portion 34i connected to the main body 34a. When the telescopic member 34 is extended along the rotation axis L3 under the elastic restoring force of the spring 33, the separation action portion 34i contacts the counting member 31 and applies a force to the counting member 31 in the same direction as the extending direction of the telescopic member 34, thereby driving the counting member 31 to move together and disconnecting the power input of the counting member 31.

[0074] Continue as Fig. 6A and Figure 6BAs shown, the main body 34a is cylindrical as a whole, and the telescopic member 34 also includes a transition portion 34g extending from the main body 34a, and the transition portion 34g is arranged adjacent to the first end surface 34b. When the developing cartridge C is installed in the device, the transition portion 34g contacts the inner wall of the device to ensure that the first end surface 34b of the main body 34a smoothly abuts against the inner wall of the device; when the telescopic member 34 is extended and retracted along the rotation axis L3, the transition portion 34g moves with the main body 34a, and therefore, the end cover 10 also includes a matching hole 142 that matches the transition portion 34g, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B As shown, the matching hole 142 is connected to the third through hole 141. When the transition portion 34g enters the matching hole 142, the telescopic member 34 is positioned in the circumferential direction. That is to say, the telescopic member 34 cannot rotate along the direction shown by r, but can only perform telescopic movement along the rotation axis L3.

[0075] Furthermore, the telescopic member 34 also includes an abutment portion 34f connected to the main body portion 34a, and the abutment portion 34f is used to abut against one end of the spring 32, so that the spring 32 is installed between the telescopic member 34 and the counting member 31; as shown in the figure, the abutment portion 34f has a relative upper surface 34f1 and a lower surface 34f2, the upper surface 34f1 is opposite to the transition portion 34g, and one end of the spring 32 abuts against the lower surface 34f2.

[0076] Furthermore, Figure 6B As shown, the telescopic member 34 also includes a mounting hole 34h extending from the second end face 34c to the first end face 34b, and the spring 33 is accommodated in the mounting hole 34h. When the developer box C is taken out of the device, the spring 33 provides a force for extending the telescopic member 34; preferably, the separation action portion 34 extends from the second end face 34c in a direction away from the first end face 34b, and includes a connecting rod 34d and a retaining portion 34e connected to each other, the connecting rod 34d is also connected to the main body 34a, and the retaining portion 34e is a protrusion protruding from the connecting rod 34d, and when the telescopic member 34 is extended along the rotation axis L3, the retaining portion 34e is combined with the counting member 31, so that the counting member 31 moves away from the shell 21 as the telescopic member 34 is extended.

[0077] Of course, the connecting rod 34d is not necessary, that is, the protrusion 34e serving as the retaining portion can also be directly connected to the main body 34a, as long as the retaining portion 34e is combined with the counting member 31 and ensures that the counting member 31 can be moved away from the shell 21 as the telescopic member 34 is extended; preferably, the mounting hole 34h is a blind hole, that is, the mounting hole 34h extends from the second end face 34c in the direction of the first end face 34b, but does not pass through the main body 34a along the rotation axis L3.

[0078] [Driver]

[0079] Fig. 7A It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a driving member in a developing box according to the present invention; Figure 7B It is a top view of a driving member in a developing box according to the present invention.

[0080] The driving member 26 includes a gear portion 260 and a plurality of power transmission portions arranged on one side of the gear portion 260. The plurality of power transmission portions are protruding from the gear portion 260 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the driving member 26. Preferably, the number of the plurality of power transmission portions is at least the same as the number of all the force-bearing surfaces, such as Fig. 7A and Figure 7B As shown, four protrusions are formed on the driving member 26, namely a first protrusion 261, a second protrusion 262, a third protrusion 263 and a fourth protrusion 264. The four protrusions are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the driving member 26, the protruding height of each protrusion is h1, and the angle between two adjacent protrusions is 90°.

[0081] [Guide Track]

[0082] Fig. 8A is a three-dimensional view of the end of the developing cartridge housing observed from the left side of the developing cartridge involved in the present invention; Figure 8B is a side view of the developing cartridge according to the present invention, when the end of the developing cartridge housing is observed from below; Figure 8C The present invention is a top view of the developer box according to the present invention, when the end of the developer box housing is viewed from the left.

[0083] As described above, the developing box C further includes a guide rail 40 disposed on the housing 21. Fig. 8A As shown, the guide rail 40 is arranged around the first mounting column 27, including a first blocking portion 41, a second blocking portion 42, a guide rail 43, and a first space S1 formed between the first blocking portion 41 and the guide rail 43 and a second space S2 formed between the second blocking portion 42 and the guide rail 43; the guide rail 43 includes an ascending section 431 and a retaining section 432 connected to each other, wherein the ascending section 431 is adjacent to the first space S1, and the retaining section 432 is adjacent to the second space S2.

[0084] The intersection point of the rising section 431 and the holding section 432 is Q. During the operation of the counting assembly 30, the counting member 31 is driven to rise from the first space S1 along the rising section 431 to the holding section 432, so that the counting member 31 gradually extends. After the counting is completed, the counting member 31 enters the second space S2 from the holding section 432, so that the counting member 31 retracts; Figure 8B As shown, along the rotation axis L3, the distance between the intersection point Q and the housing 21 is h2, that is, the distance between the retaining section 432 and the housing 21 is h2; Figure 8CAs shown, when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L3, the guide rail 43 is formed as an arc surrounding the first mounting column 27, and the angle corresponding to the rising section 431 is θ2.

[0085] [Counting process of counting component]

[0086] In order to more clearly describe the counting process of the counting component 30, the components irrelevant to the counting process of the counting component 30 are hidden in the following figure.

[0087] Fig. 9A It is a schematic diagram of the states of various components in the counting assembly observed from the bottom of the developing box before the developing box according to the present invention is installed in the device; Fig. 9B It is a side view of the counting assembly when the developing box according to the present invention is viewed from above the developing box in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly before the developing box is installed in the device; Fig. 9C It is a schematic diagram of the position of the reset member after the developing cartridge according to the present invention is installed in the device; Fig.9D It is a side view of the counting assembly when the developing box according to the present invention is viewed from above the developing box in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly after the developing box is installed in the device; Fig.9E It is a cross-sectional view cut along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly when the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box involved in the present invention is in an initial counting state.

[0088] Before the developing cartridge C is installed in the device, the components of the counting assembly 30 are in a reset state, such as Fig. 9A and Fig. 9BAs shown, the spring 32 and the spring 33 are not compressed, and the portion between the two ends of the torsion spring 35 is sleeved on the main body 34a of the telescopic member 34. Further, when the developer box C is assembled, the portion between the two ends of the torsion spring 35 is located between the transition portion 34g and the upper surface 34f1 of the abutment portion 34f, and the end 352 of the torsion spring 35 combined with the second sliding rod 31f is located on the side of the second sliding rod 31f away from the extension portion 31k. The telescopic member 34 is in an extended state, and the guided portion 31i in the counting member 31 is located in the first space S1 of the guide rail 40. Therefore, the counting member 31 is in a retracted state, the driving member 26 is combined with the counting member 31, and the separation action portion 34i At least a portion of the release port 31m is located in the release port 31m, specifically, the retaining portion 34e contacts the bottom edge 31m3 of the release port 31m, at this time, the separation action portion 34i (retaining portion 34e) cooperates with the release port 31m to limit the counting piece 31, so that the counting piece 31 cannot rotate, even if the counting piece 31 is driven in the circumferential direction, the first side 31m1 or the second side 31m2 of the release port 31m will contact the separation action portion 34i (retaining portion 34e), and the separation action portion 34i (retaining portion 34e) cannot rotate as the telescopic piece 34 is restricted by the end cover 10 (the transition portion 34g is combined with the matching hole 142), and thus, the rotation of the counting piece 31 is also restricted.

[0089] As the developing cartridge C is installed in the device, the transition portion 34g first contacts the inner wall of the device, and the telescopic member 34 begins to compress the spring 33 and the spring 32. Fig. 9A As shown in the direction d1, the torsion spring 35 moves toward the direction close to the housing 21, and at least a part of the torsion spring 35 also moves along the rotation axis L3. In the embodiment of the present invention, preferably, one end 351 of the torsion spring 35 respectively combined with the first sliding rod 143 and the other end 352 combined with the second sliding rod 31f both move with the movement of the telescopic member 34; as the developing cartridge C is installed deeper, the first end surface 34b of the telescopic member 34 abuts against the inner wall of the device, the telescopic member 34 no longer compresses the spring 33, and the movement of the telescopic member 34 toward the direction close to the housing 21 also stops; Fig.9D As shown, along the rotation axis L3, the distance that the retaining portion 34e moves along the direction indicated by d1 is at least the same as the length h3 of the release port 31m along the rotation axis L3, and when observed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L3, the retaining portion 34e and the release port 31m do not overlap, and thus, the retaining portion 34e no longer restricts the rotation of the counting member 31; in the embodiment of the present invention, the distance that the retaining portion 34e moves along the direction indicated by d1 is h3, and along the rotation axis L3, the retaining portion 34e is at the same height or flush with the bottom end 31n of the counting member 31.

[0090] The movement process of the above-mentioned telescopic member 34 occurs when the developing box C is installed from the outside to the predetermined position of the device. During this process, the position of the counting member 31 always remains stationary. Therefore, after the developing box C is installed to the predetermined position of the device, before the developing box C starts working, the counting member 31 is in the initial position before counting. At this time, the guided portion 31i of the counting member 31 is still located in the first space S1 of the guide rail 40, and the counting member 31 is in a retracted state.

[0091] like Fig.9E As shown, when the counting member 31 is located in the initial position, the driving member 26 is combined with the power receiving part provided on the counting member 31 through the power transmission part provided therein, specifically, the first protrusion 261 is located in the first interval 31j4, and the first protrusion 261 abuts against the positioning part 31h, and the contact point between the two is O; assuming that the rotation center point of the counting member 31 is N, the driving member 26 rotates in the direction indicated by r', and its rotation center point is M. The angle γ formed between the connecting line MO and the connecting line NO is ≥90°. When the driving member 26 receives the driving force from the power receiving member 23 and starts to rotate in the direction indicated by r', the first protrusion 261 transmits the driving force to the positioning part 31h, thereby driving the counting member 31 to rotate in the direction indicated by r.

[0092] In the embodiment of the present invention, there is no gear meshing between the driving member 26 and the counting member 31. Instead, a protruding column arranged on the driving member 26 serves as a power transmission part, and a positioning part 31h or a force-bearing part 31j is arranged on the counting member 31 as a power receiving part. The driving force transmission and disconnection between the driving member 26 and the counting member 31 are realized by the combination and disengagement of the power transmission part and the power receiving part. To ensure that the driving force can be smoothly transmitted from the driving member 26 to the counting member 31, when the power transmission part contacts the power receiving part and forms the angle γ, preferably, γ≥90°; in other words, the angle γ≥90° is not only applicable to the positional relationship between the first protruding column 261 and the positioning part 31h when they are in contact, but also to the positional relationship between the other protruding columns and the force-bearing part 31j when they are in contact.

[0093] The above describes the reset state of the various components of the counting assembly 30 before the developer box C is installed in the device, and the movement of the relevant components during the installation of the developer box C to the predetermined position of the device. Next, when the developer box C starts to work, the power receiving member 23 will start to receive the driving force from the device, and the driving force will be transmitted to the counting member 31 through the driving member 26. As a result, the counting member 31 starts to rotate around the rotation axis L3 in the direction indicated by r, and the counting assembly 30 starts counting.

[0094] Fig. 10A It is a schematic diagram of the states of various components in the counting assembly observed from the bottom of the developing box after the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box according to the present invention rotates to a first angle; Fig. 10B It is a schematic diagram of the state of the counting component and the driving component when viewed from above after the counting component of the counting component in the developing box according to the present invention rotates to a first angle; Fig. 10C It is a cross-sectional view cut along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly after the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box involved in the present invention rotates to a first angle.

[0095] like Fig. 10A As shown, the guided portion 31i of the counting member 31 is driven to move from the first space S1 along the ascending section 431 of the guide track 40 to the retaining section 432. As the guided portion 31i moves along the ascending section 431, the counting member 31 gradually rises along the rotation axis L3, or gradually moves away from the shell 21. When the guided portion 31i reaches the retaining section 432, the counting member 31 no longer rises.

[0096] Since the telescopic member 34 is always abutted by the inner wall of the device and remains motionless along the rotation axis L3, along the rotation direction r, with the cooperation of the end cover 10, the telescopic member 34 also remains motionless. Therefore, during the counting process of the counting member 31, the telescopic member 34 will remain motionless. Fig. 10B As shown, as the counting member 31 gradually rises, the spring 32 is further compressed, and the bottom end 31n of the counting member 31 gradually moves away from the retaining portion 34e of the telescopic member 34. As the counting member 31 rotates, the retaining portion 34e will gradually be offset from the release port 31m in the circumferential direction, and the torsion spring 35 undergoes elastic deformation.

[0097] like Fig. 10C As shown, when the driving member 26 rotates 90° in the direction shown by r', the second protrusion 262 enters the second gap 31j5, and the first protrusion 261 is about to be disengaged from the positioning portion 31h. As the driving member 26 continues to rotate, the second protrusion 262 begins to transmit the driving force to the first force-bearing portion 31j1, so that the counting member 31 continues to rotate around the rotation axis L3.

[0098] Fig.11A It is a schematic diagram of the states of various components in the counting assembly observed from the bottom of the developing box after the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box according to the present invention rotates to a second angle; Fig. 11B It is a schematic diagram of the state of the counting component and the driving component when viewed from above after the counting component of the counting component in the developing box according to the present invention rotates to a second angle; Fig. 11C It is a cross-sectional view cut along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly after the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box involved in the present invention rotates to a second angle.

[0099] like Fig.11A and Fig. 11BAs shown, the guided portion 31i continues to move around the rotation axis L3 on the retaining section 432, the torsion spring 35 further undergoes elastic deformation, the spring 32 located between the counting member 31 and the telescopic member 34 still remains in a compressed state, and the bottom end 31n of the counting member 31 remains separated from the retaining portion 34e of the telescopic member 34. Therefore, when the counting member 31 rotates, no friction will be generated between the counting member 31 and the telescopic member 34, and the counting member 31 can rotate more smoothly.

[0100] As the driving member 26 continues to rotate, Fig. 11C As shown, the second protrusion 262 is about to be disengaged from the first force-bearing portion 31j1, and the third protrusion 263 enters the third interval 31j6. That is to say, the arc lengths corresponding to the multiple power transmission parts provided on the driving member 26 in the rotation direction correspond to the arc lengths corresponding to the first force-bearing portion 31j1 and the second force-bearing portion 31j2 provided on the counting member 31 in the rotation direction. Therefore, when the previous protrusion is about to be disengaged from the corresponding interval, the next protrusion just enters the next interval, and the driving member 26 can transmit the driving force to the second force-bearing portion 31j2 through the third protrusion 263, so that the counting member 31 can continue to rotate.

[0101] Fig. 12A It is a schematic diagram of the states of various components in the counting assembly observed from the bottom of the developing box after the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box according to the present invention rotates to a third angle; Fig. 12B It is a schematic diagram of the state of the counting component and the driving component when viewed from above after the counting component of the counting component in the developing box according to the present invention rotates to a third angle; Fig. 12C It is a cross-sectional view cut along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly after the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box involved in the present invention rotates to a third angle.

[0102] Similarly, if Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B As shown, the counting member 31 continues to rotate around the rotation axis L3 driven by the driving frame 26, and the guided portion 31i continues to move on the retaining section 432 until the third protrusion 263 is disengaged from the second force-bearing portion 31j2, and the torsion spring 35 is further elastically deformed.

[0103] As described above, along the rotation direction r, the angle β corresponding to the arc formed by the first force-bearing portion 31j1 and the second force-bearing portion 31j2 is greater than the angle θ1 corresponding to the arc formed by the third force-bearing portion 31j3. Therefore, when the third protruding column 263 is disengaged from the second force-bearing portion 31j2, Fig. 12CAs shown, the fourth protrusion 264 has not yet reached the position for engagement with the third force-bearing portion 31j3. At this time, there will be a certain delay in the rotation of the counting member 31. Accordingly, the contact between the moving portion 31e on the counting member 31 and the counted member in the device will remain stationary until the fourth protrusion 264 contacts the end force-bearing surface 31j7 of the third force-bearing portion 31j3.

[0104] Fig.13A It is a schematic diagram of the states of the components in the counting assembly observed from the bottom of the developing box after the counting of the counting pieces of the counting assembly in the developing box according to the present invention is completed; Fig. 13B It is a schematic diagram of the state of the counting component, the driving component and the developing box housing when viewed from above the developing box after the counting component of the counting component in the developing box according to the present invention has completed counting; Fig. 13C It is a side view of the counting assembly in the developing box of the present invention when the counting piece of the counting assembly is observed from above in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly after the counting is completed; Fig.13D It is a cross-sectional view cut in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly after the counting piece of the counting assembly in the developing box of the present invention has completed counting.

[0105] As the driving member 26 continues to rotate, the fourth protruding column 264 transmits the driving force to the end force-bearing surface 31j7 of the third force-bearing portion 31j3, and the counting member 31 is driven to rotate until the guided portion 31i is disengaged from the retaining section 432. Fig.13A and Fig. 13B As shown, the guided portion 31i enters the second space S2 and is blocked by the second blocking portion 42 and the retaining segment 432. Fig.13D As shown, the fourth protrusion 264 and the third force-bearing portion 31j3 are about to be disengaged. Since the second space S2 and the holding section 432 have a height difference along the rotation axis L3, after the guided portion 31i enters the second space S2, the spring 32 between the counting member 31 and the telescopic member 34 will restore part of the elastic force. When the telescopic member 34 is still in contact with the inner wall of the device, the counting member 31 will move along the rotation axis L3 under the action of the elastic force of the spring 32. Fig. 13B When the torsion spring 35 moves in the direction indicated by d1 (the direction close to the housing 21), the elastic deformation of the torsion spring 35 reaches the maximum.

[0106] Combination Fig. 13B and Fig. 13C When the counting member 31 moves along the Fig. 13BWhen the counting member 31 moves in the direction indicated by d1, the bottom end 31n of the counting member 31 contacts the holding portion 34e, and at the same time, the extending portion 31k contacts the top end of the protruding column. That is to say, the counting member 31 is held by the holding portion 34e and the protruding column at the same time, and does not continue to move in the direction indicated by d1 under the elastic force of the spring 32. The movement of the counting member 31 stops along the rotation axis L3. Of course, the state of the counting member 31 and the telescopic member 34 can also be that only the bottom end 31n of the counting member 31 contacts the holding portion 34e, or the extending portion 31k contacts the top end of the protruding column. Fig.13D As shown, all force-bearing parts of the counting member 31 are rotated to a position where they do not interfere with the protruding column. Even if the driving member 26 continues to receive the driving force from the driving member 23 and rotates in the direction shown by r', the protruding column provided on the driving member 26 as a power transmission part will not transmit the driving force to the counting member 31. Therefore, the rotational movement of the counting member 31 along the rotation direction r also stops, and the counting member 31 completes counting and remains stationary.

[0107] [Counting component reset process]

[0108] Fig.14A It is a side view of the counting assembly in the developing box according to the present invention when the counting member of the counting assembly starts to reset, when the counting assembly is viewed from above in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly; Fig. 14B It is a schematic diagram of the states of various components in the counting assembly observed from the bottom of the developing box when the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box according to the present invention is about to complete reset; Fig. 14C The present invention is a side view of the counting assembly when the counting member of the counting assembly in the developing box is about to be reset and the counting assembly is viewed from above in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the counting assembly.

[0109] After completing the counting, the counting member 31 in the counting assembly 30 will remain stationary, the springs 32 and 33 will remain in a compressed state, and the torsion spring 35 will remain in an elastically deformed state, and this state will continue until the developing box C is removed from the device.

[0110] In the embodiment of the present invention, the elastic force of the spring 32 is greater than the elastic force of the spring 33. When the developing cartridge C is taken out of the device, the first end surface 34b of the telescopic member 34 will no longer be compressed by the inner wall of the device, and the telescopic member 34 will move along the elastic restoring force of the spring 32. Fig. 13C The counting member 31 moves (extends) in the direction indicated by d2 (away from the housing 21), and when the telescopic member 34 extends, the retaining portion 34e of the telescopic member 34 drives the counting member 31 to move along the direction indicated by d2, that is, the counting member 31 can extend along with the extension of the telescopic member 34. After the counting member 31 extends, the force-bearing portion 31j is completely out of contact with the protruding column on the driving member 26, as shown in FIG. Fig.14AAs shown, along the rotation axis L3, a gap h4 is formed between the force-bearing portion 31j3 and the protruding column. At the same time, the guided portion 31i of the counting member 31 also moves away from the housing 21 from the second space S2 and reaches a position higher than the retaining section 432 (such as Fig. 14B As shown), therefore, the retaining section 432 of the guide rail 40 and the protruding column of the driving member 26 no longer restrict the counting member 31, that is, along the rotation direction r, the counting member 31 is no longer restricted, and the counting member 31 will rotate around the rotation axis L3 along the direction r0 opposite to the direction shown by r under the action of the elastic restoring force of the torsion spring 35. During this process, the bottom end 31n of the counting member maintains contact with the retaining portion 34e, which is equivalent to the bottom end 31n of the counting member 31 sliding and rotating relative to the retaining portion 34e.

[0111] like Fig. 14B and Fig. 14C As shown in FIG. 1 , when the counting member 31 rotates under the elastic restoring force of the torsion spring 35 until the guided portion 31i is located above the intersection Q of the rising section 431 and the retaining section 432, the retaining portion 34e just passes over the first side edge 31m1 of the release opening 31m, and the bottom end 31n of the counting member 31 no longer contacts the retaining portion 34e. The counting member 31 moves toward the direction close to the housing 21 (as shown in FIG. 1 ) under the elastic restoring force of the spring 32. Fig. 13B The counting member 31 moves in the direction indicated by d1 in the figure. At the same time, the counting member 31 continues to rotate in the direction indicated by r0 under the elastic restoring force of the torsion spring 35. Relative to the counting member 31, the retaining portion 34e of the telescopic member 34 moves toward the bottom edge 31m3 of the release port and also rotates in the release port 31m in the direction indicated by r toward the second side edge 31m2 of the release port 31m. The guided portion 31i of the counting member 31 also moves along the ascending section 431 from the intersection Q to the first space S1. Finally, the guided portion 31i of the counting member 31 reaches the first space S1 and is blocked by the first blocking portion 41. The counting member 31 returns to the initial position before counting, that is, the counting member 31 is in a retracted state. The rotation of the counting member 31 also causes the retaining portion 34e of the telescopic member 34 to reach a position that is in contact with the bottom edge 31m3 and the second side edge 31m2 of the release port 31m at the same time. Fig. 14C At the upper right corner of the middle release opening 31m, the entire counting assembly 30 is in a reset state.

[0112] As described above, during the resetting process of the counting member 31, when the counting member 31 rotates to the position where the guided portion 31i reaches the above-mentioned intersection Q under the elastic restoring force of the torsion spring 35, as the counting member 31 continues to rotate, the guided portion 31i gradually moves toward the first space S1 along the ascending section 431. At this time, the release port 31m of the counting member 31 also rotates in the direction indicated by r0 relative to the retaining portion 34e of the telescopic member 34, or the retaining portion 34e rotates in the direction indicated by r relative to the release port 31m. When the guided portion 31i reaches the first space S1, the retaining portion 34e also reaches Fig. 14C In the upper right corner position shown, the counting piece 31 is installed on the first mounting column 27 along with the counting assembly 31, and the rising section 431 is also arranged around the first mounting column 27. Therefore, in the circumferential direction of the first mounting column 27, the angle θ2 corresponding to the rising section 431 and the angle α corresponding to the release port 31m satisfy: θ2≤α.

[0113] Furthermore, in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis L3, the counting member 31 is driven by the driving member 26 to rotate a certain angle around the rotation axis L3 during the counting process, and the counting member 31 is driven by the torsion spring 35 to rotate a certain angle around the rotation axis L3 during the resetting process. During the counting process and the resetting process, the counting member 31 rotates at the same angle, but the rotation direction of the counting member 31 is opposite. Therefore, in the plane perpendicular to the rotation axis L3, the counting member 31 can be regarded as performing reciprocating rotational motion around the rotation axis L3.

[0114] When the counting member 31 moves toward the housing 21, the power receiving portion on the counting member 31 gradually approaches the power transmission portion on the driving member 26. In the embodiment of the present invention, when the counting member 31 returns to the retracted state, in order to ensure that the power receiving portion can be smoothly combined with the power transmission portion, Figure 5A and Figure 5C As shown, the positioning portion 31h is also provided with a positioning inclined surface 31h1. When the counting member 31 is retracted toward the housing 21, even if the positioning portion 31h abuts against the protruding column as the power transmission portion, the positioning portion 31h can be smoothly combined with the protruding column under the action of the positioning inclined surface 31h1.

[0115] Embodiment 2

[0116] The basic structure of this embodiment is the same as that of the above embodiment, and only some components are reduced on the basis of the above embodiment. For ease of understanding, the same components of this embodiment and the above embodiment are numbered the same.

[0117] The above embodiment describes a developing box C having a guide rail 43 provided on the shell 21, wherein the guide rail 43 includes a rising section 431 and a retaining section 432. Therefore, during the counting process of the counting assembly 30, the counting member 31 will extend under the action of the rising section 431 and remain combined with the retaining section 432. After the counting is completed, the counting member 31 will disengage from the retaining section 432 and retract.

[0118] The guide rail 43 is no longer provided in the developer box housing involved in this embodiment, and the counting member 31 no longer needs to be extended during the counting process, and the counting member 31 no longer needs to be retracted after the counting is completed.

[0119] To cooperate with such a developing box, some components in the counting assembly 30 are no longer needed. In the embodiment of the present invention, the counting assembly 30 includes a counting member 31 and a reset device combined with the counting member 31, and the reset device is used to restore the counting member 31 to the initial state before counting after the counting member 31 completes counting, and includes a telescopic member 34, a first elastic member 33, a second elastic member 35 and a third elastic member 32. The first elastic member 33 is located between the housing 21 and the telescopic member 34, so that the telescopic member 34 can be telescoped along the rotation axis L3 of the counting assembly 30. The second elastic member 35 is combined with the counting member 31 to force the counting member 31 to move in the rotation direction to the initial state before counting. The third elastic member 32 is also combined with the counting member 31 to force the counting member 31 to return to the initial state before counting along the rotation axis L3. The counting member 31 is no longer provided with a guided portion 31i, and the counting member 31 rotates around the rotation axis L3 under the drive of the driving member 26.

[0120] Preferably, the first elastic member 33 is a spring, one end of the spring 33 abuts against the telescopic member 34, and the other end abuts against the shell 21 or the first mounting column 27; the second elastic member 35 is a torsion spring, one end of the torsion spring 35 is combined with the counting member 31, and the other end is combined with the end cover 10; the third elastic member 32 is a spring, and the spring 32 is located between the counting member 31 and the telescopic member 34.

[0121] Similarly, when the counting member 31 is counting, the power transmission part provided on the driving member 26 is combined with the power receiving part provided on the counting member 31. After the counting member 31 completes counting, the power transmission part is disengaged from the power receiving part. Even if the driving member 26 continues to rotate, the counting member 31 no longer rotates. When the developing box is taken out from the device, the telescopic member 34 extends out under the elastic restoring force of the spring 33, and the bottom end 31n of the counting member 31 is combined with the retaining part 34e of the telescopic member 34. The counting member 31 extends as the telescopic member 34 extends. Therefore, along the rotation axis L3, the power receiving part of the counting member 31 is disengaged from the power transmission part of the driving member 26, and the counting member 31 moves to the initial state before counting under the elastic restoring force of the torsion spring 35. The counting member 31 in the embodiment of the present invention is also provided with the above-mentioned release port 31m. When the retaining part 34e is opposite to the release port 31m, along the rotation axis L3, the counting member 31 returns to the initial state before counting under the elastic restoring force of the elastic 32.

[0122] As described above, gears are no longer provided in the counting assembly 30 in the developer box C, and the counting assembly 30 includes a counting member 31 and a reset device combined with the counting member 31. Before the developer box C is installed in the device, the reset device limits the rotation of the counting member 31. After the developer box C is installed in the predetermined position of the device, the reset device releases the restriction on the rotation of the counting member 31. The counting assembly 30 completes the counting by providing a non-gear-shaped power receiving part to be combined with the driving member 26 and receive the driving force of the driving member 26. When the developer box C is taken out of the device, the reset device disconnects the power input of the counting member 31, and the counting member 31 is disengaged from the driving member 26. At the same time, the counting member 31 rotates to the initial state in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis L3 under the action of the reset device. When the counting member 31 returns to the initial state before counting in the plane perpendicular to the rotation axis L3, the counting member 31 is again restricted from rotating by the reset device.

[0123] Since the counting assembly 30 in the embodiment of the present invention no longer has gears, even if the developing box C is subjected to external force during transportation, the counting assembly 30 will remain intact and will not affect the counting.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge with a resettable counting assembly, the developing cartridge being detachably mounted in a device provided with a counted member, comprising a developing cartridge housing, a power receiving member mounted on the housing, and a counting assembly, the power receiving member receiving a driving force from the device and transmitting the driving force to the counting assembly; The counting assembly rotates around a rotation axis, and includes a counting piece and a reset device combined with the counting piece. When the counting assembly is working, the counting piece receives the driving force transmitted by the power receiving piece and rotates, and the counting piece is combined with and disengaged from the counted piece. It is characterized in that Before the developing cartridge is installed in the device, the reset device restricts the rotation of the counting member; After the developing cartridge is installed in a predetermined position of the device, the resetting device releases the restriction on the rotation of the counting member; When the developing cartridge is taken out of the device, the counting member returns to the initial state before counting under the action of the reset device, and the counting member is again restricted from rotating by the reset device. When the developing cartridge is taken out of the device, the reset device disconnects the power input of the counting member. The developing box also includes a driving member installed on the housing. When the counting member counts, the driving member is used to transmit the driving force of the power receiving member to the counting member. When the developing box is taken out of the device, the counting member is disengaged from the driving member. The reset device comprises a telescopic member, a first elastic member, a second elastic member and a third elastic member; The first elastic member is located between the housing and the telescopic member so that the telescopic member can be telescoped along the rotation axis of the counting component; The second elastic member is combined with the counting member to force the counting member to move in the rotation direction to the initial state before counting; The third elastic member is also combined with the counting member, forcing the counting member to return to the initial state before counting along the rotation axis. When the developing cartridge is taken out of the device, the telescopic member extends under the elastic restoring force of the first elastic member, and the counting member extends along with the extension of the telescopic member. The first elastic member and the third elastic member are both springs, and the second elastic member is a torsion spring. The elastic force of the first elastic member is greater than the elastic force of the third elastic member. It also includes an end cover installed on one side of the shell, the end cover includes an end cover body, a first through hole and a second through hole arranged on the end cover body, and a baffle connected to the end cover body and arranged in the second through hole, wherein the baffle is used to prevent the telescopic member from falling off from the developing box.

Images