Developing cartridge and imaging device

Abstract

The present invention provides a developing box and an imaging device. The developing box includes a box body, a developing roller, a driving force receiving head, a detection mechanism and a transmission member. The box body has a carbon powder containing part and a powder outlet. The developing roller is rotatably supported at the powder outlet. The driving force receiving head is arranged on the first end wall of the box body for receiving a rotational driving force. A tooth portion is arranged on the peripheral wall of the driving force receiving head. The detection mechanism is arranged on the second end wall of the box body. The transmission member is rotatably supported in the carbon powder containing part. A first driving wheel is arranged at the first end of the transmission member, and the first driving wheel is connected to the driving force receiving head through an intermediate transmission gear. The detection mechanism includes a rotating member, and an elastic friction layer is arranged on the peripheral wall of the rotating member. A second driving wheel is arranged at the second end of the transmission member, and a friction layer is arranged on the peripheral wall of the second driving wheel. The second driving wheel transmits the rotational driving force to the rotating member through the interference fit between the friction layer and the elastic friction layer. The developing box can prevent the elastic friction layer of the detection wheel from being worn.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The applicant disclosed a developer box in the patent document with publication number CN103399475B. The elastic friction layer on the detection wheel of the developer box forms a friction fit with the transmission gear, thereby driving the detection wheel to rotate.

[0003] When the transmission gear contacts the elastic friction layer made of sponge material, the teeth may easily scrape the elastic friction layer, thereby making the detection wheel unable to rotate and the imaging device unable to effectively identify the powder box. Summary of the invention

[0004] A first object of the present invention is to provide a developing box capable of preventing the elastic friction layer of a detection wheel from being worn.

[0005] A second object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having the above-mentioned developing box.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned first purpose, the developer box provided by the present invention includes a box body, a developing roller, a driving force receiving head, a detection mechanism and a transmission member, the box body has a carbon powder storage portion and a powder outlet, the developing roller is rotatably supported at the powder outlet, the driving force receiving head is arranged on the first end wall of the box body, and is used to receive the rotational driving force, and a tooth portion is arranged on the peripheral wall of the driving force receiving head, the detection mechanism is arranged on the second end wall of the box body, and the transmission member is rotatably supported in the carbon powder storage portion. A first driving wheel is arranged at the first end of the transmission member, and the first driving wheel is connected to the driving force receiving head through an intermediate transmission gear. The detection mechanism includes a rotating member, and an elastic friction layer is arranged on the peripheral wall of the rotating member, and a second driving wheel is arranged at the second end of the transmission member, and a friction layer is arranged on the peripheral wall of the second driving wheel, and the second driving wheel transmits the rotational driving force to the rotating member through the interference fit between the friction layer and the elastic friction layer.

[0007] It can be seen from the above scheme that the friction layer and the elastic friction layer on the rotating part are interference-fitted, and the rotating part is driven to rotate by the friction between the friction layer and the elastic friction layer, so as to avoid slipping during the rotation of the teeth and the elastic friction layer, and effectively ensure the normal rotation of the rotating part, thereby realizing the detection of the developing box by the imaging device. In addition, the driving force receiving head and the detection mechanism are respectively arranged at both ends of the length direction of the box body, which can reduce the size of the developing box in the width direction, thereby realizing the miniaturization of the developing box.

[0008] A preferred solution is that a clutch wheel is provided on the first side of the rotating member, at least one convex portion is provided on the second side of the rotating member, the second side is arranged opposite to the first side in the axial direction of the rotating member, the convex portion protrudes from the second side of the rotating member along the axial direction of the rotating member, the clutch wheel has a small diameter portion that is clearance-matched with the second driving wheel and a large diameter portion that is interference-matched with the second driving wheel, and the elastic friction layer is arranged along the circumference of the large diameter portion. The developing box includes an end cover, which is mounted on the second end wall, and the detection mechanism is located between the second end wall and the end cover. The detection mechanism also includes a contact member and an elastic member, the contact member is movably arranged on the end cover, the contact member is located between the end cover and the rotating member, and the contact member includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion and a trigger portion. The elastic member is arranged between the end cover and the contact member, and a limiting wall is arranged on the end cover, and the elastic member forces the second contact portion to contact the limiting wall. The convex portion can push the first contact portion and force the second contact portion to move in a direction away from the limiting wall.

[0009] It can be seen that, through the interference fit between the elastic friction layer provided on the rotating member and the second driving wheel, the rotational driving force of the second driving wheel is transmitted to the rotating member through friction, driving the rotating member to rotate. The convex part of the rotating member pushes the contact member to move, and the triggering part of the contact member triggers the contacted member of the imaging device, and the developer cartridge is new and the capacity information of the developer cartridge is transmitted to the imaging device. When the small diameter part of the clutch wheel of the rotating member rotates to the second driving wheel with clearance fit, that is, the rotating member is no longer in contact with the second driving wheel, the rotating member stops rotating. When the used developing cartridge is installed on the imaging device, the rotating member is no longer in contact with the second driving wheel and no longer rotates, and the contact member no longer triggers the contacted member of the imaging device, so that the developing cartridge is detected as not new.

[0010] A further solution is that a first support shaft and a second support shaft are provided on the end cover, the rotating member is rotatably mounted on the first support shaft, and the contact member and the elastic member are both sleeved on the second support shaft.

[0011] A preferred solution is that a driving protrusion protruding in the radial direction of the rotating member is further provided on the peripheral wall of the rotating member, and a receiving groove is provided on the second driving wheel, and the driving protrusion is located in the receiving groove.

[0012] It can be seen that the driving protrusion and the receiving groove cooperate to achieve the phase positioning of the rotating part, and at the same time facilitate the rotating part to rotate from the starting position to avoid slipping.

[0013] A preferred solution is that the detection mechanism also includes a forced pushing component, a mounting column is provided on the end cover, the forced pushing component is sleeved on the mounting column, the forced pushing component is located between the rotating member and the box body, and the forced pushing component forces the rotating member along the rotation direction of the rotating member.

[0014] It can be seen from this that the forced pushing component forces the rotating member along the rotating direction of the rotating member, which can prevent the rotating member from slipping and rotating toward the small diameter part when it rotates at the starting position.

[0015] A further solution is that both the elastic member and the forced pushing member are torsion springs.

[0016] It can be seen that the rotation of the rotating member causes the contact member to swing, the torsion spring keeps the first contact portion of the contact member in contact with the convex portion of the rotating member, and the triggering portion triggers the contacted member in the imaging device during the rotation process.

[0017] A preferred solution is that the friction layer is made of an elastic material, and the elastic material is sponge or rubber.

[0018] A further solution is that a mounting groove is provided on the peripheral wall of the second driving wheel, and the friction layer is installed in the mounting groove with interference fit.

[0019] It can be seen that the friction layer is installed in the installation groove with an interference fit, which can achieve the positioning of the friction layer and prevent the friction layer from moving during the rotation process.

[0020] A preferred solution is that the friction layer is made of plastic material, and friction protrusions are arranged on the surface of the friction layer that contacts the elastic friction layer.

[0021] To achieve the above second objective, the imaging device provided by the present invention includes a cartridge compartment and the above developing cartridge detachably mounted in the cartridge compartment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a structural exploded view of an embodiment of a developer box of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a developer box of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the transmission shaft, gear train and detection mechanism in the developing box embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 1 is a structural diagram of the gear train in the developing box embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 It is a partial view behind the hidden parts of the developing box in the developing box embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 6 It is an assembly diagram of the end cover and the detection mechanism in the developing box embodiment of the present invention from a first viewing angle.

[0028] Figure 7 It is an assembly diagram of the end cover and the detection mechanism from a second viewing angle in the developing box embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 8 It is a structural exploded view of the end cover and the detection mechanism from a first perspective in an embodiment of the developer box of the present invention.

[0030] Fig. 9 It is a structural exploded view of the end cover and the detection mechanism from a second viewing angle in the developing box embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Fig.10 It is a structural diagram of the detection mechanism in the developing box embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig.11 1 is a structural diagram of a rotating member in an embodiment of a developing box of the present invention.

[0033] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of the detection mechanism in the developing box embodiment of the present invention being in an initial state.

[0034] Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the detection mechanism in the developing box embodiment of the present invention being in a triggering state.

[0035] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The image forming apparatus of this embodiment includes a cartridge compartment and a developing cartridge detachably mounted in the cartridge compartment.

[0037] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The developing box includes a box body 1, an end cover 15, an end cover 16, a developing roller 2, a powder feeding roller 6, a driving force receiving head 3, a detection mechanism 4 and a transmission shaft 5 as a transmission member.

[0038] The box body 1 has a toner holding portion 11 and a powder outlet 12, the developing roller 2 is rotatably supported at the powder outlet 12, a developing roller gear 21 is provided at the axial end of the developing roller 2, a powder feeding roller 6 is rotatably supported in the toner holding portion 11 and is adjacent to the developing roller 2, the powder feeding roller 6 is used to transfer the toner in the toner holding portion 11 to the developing roller 2, and a powder feeding roller gear 61 is provided at the axial end of the powder feeding roller 6.

[0039] The end cover 16 is mounted on the first end wall 13 , the driving force receiving head 3 is disposed on the first end wall 13 of the box body 1 and located between the end cover 16 and the first end wall 13 , and the driving force receiving head 3 is used to receive the rotational driving force transmitted by the transmission head of the imaging device.

[0040] The end cover 15 is mounted on the second end wall 14 . The detection mechanism 4 is located between the second end wall 14 and the end cover 15 . The transmission shaft 5 is cylindrical and extends along the length direction of the box body 1 . The transmission shaft 5 is rotatably supported in the toner containing portion 11 .

[0041] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 , a first driving wheel 51 is provided at the first end of the transmission shaft 5, a tooth portion 31 is provided on the peripheral wall of the driving force receiving head 3, the developing roller gear 21, the powder feeding roller gear 61 and the intermediate transmission gear 53 are all meshed with the tooth portion 31, and the first driving wheel 51 is connected to the driving force receiving head 3 through the intermediate transmission gear 53. The driving force receiving head 3, the developing roller gear 21, the powder feeding roller gear 61, the intermediate transmission gear 53 and the first driving wheel 51 form a gear train for transmitting driving force, and the gear train is installed on the first end wall 13. Optionally, the shape of the cross section of the transmission shaft can also be a rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, elliptical or the like, or an irregular shape, or the transmission shaft can also be a screw.

[0042] See also Figure 5 The detection mechanism 4 includes a rotating member 41, a contact member 42, an elastic member 43 and a forced pushing member 44. The elastic member 43 and the forced pushing member 44 are both torsion springs.

[0043] The rotating member 41 is rotatably disposed on the second end wall 14 . The second end of the transmission shaft 5 is provided with a second driving wheel 52 . The second driving wheel 52 cooperates with the rotating member 41 and transmits driving force to the rotating member 41 .

[0044] See also Figures 6 to 9 A clutch wheel 411 is provided on the first side of the rotating member 41, and three protrusions 412 are provided on the second side of the rotating member 41. The three protrusions 412 are arranged at a distance along the circumference of the rotating member 41. The second side is arranged opposite to the first side in the axial direction of the rotating member 41. Along the axial direction of the rotating member 41, the protrusion 412 protrudes from the second side of the rotating member 41, and the protrusion 412 extends along the circumference of the rotating member 41. The three protrusions 412 extend along the circumference of the rotating member 41 at different lengths. The clutch wheel 411 has a small diameter portion 413 that is clearance-fitted with the second driving wheel 52 and a large diameter portion 414 that is interference-fitted with the second driving wheel 52. The large diameter portion 414 is provided with an elastic friction layer 415 along the circumference. Optionally, the elastic friction layer 415 can be a sponge layer or a rubber layer.

[0045] The end cover 15 is provided with a first support shaft 151, a second support shaft 152, a mounting post 153 and a limiting wall 154, the rotating member 41 is rotatably mounted on the first support shaft 151, the contact member 42 is swingably mounted on the second support shaft 152 and exposed from the opening 10 of the end cover 15, the elastic member 43 is sleeved on the second support shaft 152 and located between the end cover 15 and the contact member 42, and the forced pushing member 44 is sleeved on the mounting post 153. The contact member 42 is located between the end cover 15 and the rotating member 41, and the forced pushing member 44 is located between the rotating member 41 and the box body 1.

[0046] The contact member 42 includes a first contact portion 421, a second contact portion 423 and a trigger portion 422, wherein the trigger portion 422 is used to trigger the contacted member 100 in the imaging device. The elastic member 43 forces the second contact portion 423 to contact the limiting wall 154, so that the contact member 42 is kept in the starting position. As the rotating member 41 rotates, the convex portion 412 contacts the first contact portion 421 and applies a force to the first contact portion 421, pushing the first contact portion 421, so that the second contact portion 423 moves away from the limiting wall.

[0047] A friction layer 522 is provided on the peripheral wall of the second driving wheel 52. In this embodiment, the friction layer is made of an elastic material, which may be sponge or rubber, etc. The friction layer 522 is interference-fitted with the elastic friction layer 415 on the rotating member 41, and the rotating member 41 is driven to rotate by the friction between the friction layer 522 and the elastic friction layer 415, thereby preventing the teeth from slipping during the rotation process with the elastic friction layer 415, effectively ensuring the normal rotation of the rotating member 41, thereby realizing the detection of the developing box by the imaging device.

[0048] See also Fig.10 and Fig.11 The peripheral wall of the rotating member 41 is also provided with a driving protrusion 416 protruding in the radial direction of the rotating member 41, and the second driving wheel 52 is provided with a receiving groove 521, and the driving protrusion 416 is located in the receiving groove 521. The length of the receiving groove 521 in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 41 is greater than the length of the driving protrusion 416 in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 41. The clutch wheel 411 also has a transition portion 417, which is connected between the large diameter portion 414 and the small diameter portion 413. The driving protrusion 416 and the transition portion 417 are located in the same phase of the rotating member 41 and are located at the connection between the transition portion 417 and the large diameter portion 414.

[0049] When the rotating member 41 is at the starting position, the second driving wheel 52 contacts the transition portion 417. When the second driving wheel 52 drives the transition portion 417 to rotate from a stationary state, the static friction between the second driving wheel 52 and the elastic friction layer 415 is converted into dynamic friction, and the friction force is reduced, so it may slip and the detection mechanism 4 cannot be normally detected by the imaging device. By arranging the driving protrusion 416 on the peripheral wall of the rotating member 41, at the moment when the second driving wheel 52 contacts the large diameter portion 414, the driving protrusion 416 contacts the side wall of the accommodating groove 521, and the side wall applies a force to the driving protrusion 416 to rotate the rotating member 41 and make the second driving wheel 52 smoothly contact the large diameter portion 414, thereby avoiding slipping between the second driving wheel 52 and the rotating member 41.

[0050] See also Fig.11 Combined with Figure 7The forced pushing member 44 is arranged on a side close to the small diameter portion 413 of the rotating member 41. A limiting groove 418 is provided on the side wall of the clutch wheel 411. The limiting groove 418 is surrounded by a protrusion 419 protruding from the axial end wall 410 of the clutch wheel 411 and the axial end wall 410. A torsion arm 441 of the forced pushing member 44 abuts against the limiting groove 418, and the forced pushing member 44 forces the rotating member 41 along the rotation direction of the rotating member 41. The arrangement of the forced pushing member 44 can prevent the rotating member 41 from rotating in the reverse direction when the rotating member 41 starts to rotate from the starting position. When the large diameter portion 414 of the rotating member 41 contacts the second driving wheel 52, the torsion arm 441 of the forced pushing member 44 disengages from the limiting groove 418.

[0051] See also Figures 10 to 13 , an optical sensor 101 and a rod as a contacted member 100 are provided in the imaging device. The optical sensor 101 includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. Fig.12 When the new developing cartridge of this embodiment is installed in the imaging device, before the transmission head of the imaging device drives the driving force receiving head 3 of the developing cartridge to rotate, the contacted member 100 is not between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, so the contacted member 100 does not block the light emitted from the light emitting element. At this time, the contact member 42 abuts against the limiting wall 154 of the end cover 15 under the action of the elastic member 43.

[0052] The driving force receiving head 3 receives the driving force and rotates, driving the first driving wheel 51 to rotate, thereby driving the transmission shaft 5 and the second driving wheel 52 to rotate. The large diameter portion 414 of the clutch wheel 411 of the rotating member 41 is interference fit with the friction layer 522 of the second driving wheel 52, and the rotating member 41 is driven by the friction between the two, causing the rotating member 41 to rotate in the direction of arrow A.

[0053] As the rotating member 41 rotates further, the first contact portion 421 of the contact member 42 contacts the convex portion 412 of the rotating member 41 under the elastic force of the elastic member 43, and the convex portion 412 of the rotating member 41 contacts the first contact portion 421 and pushes the contact member 42 to rotate in the direction of arrow B to overcome the elastic force of the elastic member 43, and the trigger portion 422 contacts the contacted member 100 of the imaging device and keeps the contacted member 100 between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, so that the contacted member 100 blocks the light emitted from the light-emitting element.

[0054] As the rotating member 41 rotates further, when the first contact portion 421 separates from the protrusion 412, under the action of the restoring force of the elastic member 43, the contact member 42 rotates in the opposite direction of arrow B to recover to the position where the contact member 42 abuts against the limiting wall 154 of the end cover 15, causing the triggering portion 422 to disengage from the contacted member 100 in the imaging device, and the contacted member 100 moves away from the position between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. Therefore, the contacted member 100 does not block the light emitted from the light-emitting element.

[0055] When the first contact portion 421 of the contact member 42 passes through the three protrusions 412, the contacted member 100 is triggered, and the information that the developing cartridge is new and the capacity of the developing cartridge is transmitted to the image forming device.

[0056] As the rotating member 41 rotates further, when the small diameter portion 413 of the clutch wheel 411 rotates to face the second driving wheel 52, the rotating member 41 and the second driving wheel 52 are loosely matched, that is, the rotating member 41 is no longer in contact with the second driving wheel 52, the rotating member 41 stops rotating, and the trigger portion 422 is no longer in contact with the contacted component 100 of the imaging device.

[0057] When the used developing box is installed to the electronic photographic imaging device again, the rotating member 41 no longer rotates because it is not in contact with the second driving wheel 52, and the triggering part 422 of the contact member 42 is not in contact with the contacted member 100 of the imaging device, so that the developing box is detected as not new.

[0058] In addition, the number of convex parts may be one, two or more than three, and the plurality of convex parts may be arranged along the circumference of the rotating part. The second driving wheel may also be a gear. The friction layer provided on the second driving wheel may also be made of a hard material, such as plastic, and the surface where the friction layer contacts the elastic friction layer may have a pattern or friction protrusions that increase the friction force of the friction layer. An installation groove may also be provided on the peripheral wall of the second driving wheel, and the friction layer may be installed in the installation groove with an interference fit, thereby achieving the positioning of the friction layer. The developing box may also include a stirring frame, on which a stirring blade is provided, and the stirring frame is arranged parallel to the transmission shaft. The transmission member may also be a stirring frame. The above changes can also achieve the purpose of the present invention.

[0059] The present invention transmits the rotational driving force by setting a transmission shaft, and the rotational driving force is no longer transmitted through a stirring frame with stirring blades, thereby effectively reducing the rotational torque, protecting the printer, and effectively ensuring the rotational movement of the rotating part, thereby achieving accurate detection with the printer detection part. The friction layer and the elastic friction layer on the rotating part are interference-fitted, and the rotating part is driven to rotate by the friction between the friction layer and the elastic friction layer, thereby avoiding slippage during the rotation of the teeth and the elastic friction layer, effectively ensuring the normal rotation of the rotating part, thereby achieving the detection of the developing box by the imaging device. In addition, the driving force receiving head and the detection mechanism are respectively arranged at both ends of the length direction of the box body, which can reduce the size of the developing box in the width direction, thereby achieving miniaturization of the developing box.

[0060] Finally, it should be emphasized that the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various changes and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. Developer box, include: A box body, wherein the box body has a carbon powder containing portion and a powder outlet; A developing roller, the developing roller being rotatably supported at the powder outlet; A driving force receiving head, the driving force receiving head is arranged on the first end wall of the box body, and is used to receive the rotational driving force, and a tooth portion is arranged on the peripheral wall of the driving force receiving head; A detection mechanism, the detection mechanism is arranged on the second end wall of the box body; Characterized in that the developing box also includes: a transmission member rotatably supported in the carbon powder containing portion; A first driving wheel is disposed at the first end of the transmission member, and the first driving wheel receives the driving force transmitted by the driving force receiving head; The detection mechanism comprises a rotating member, and an elastic friction layer is arranged on the peripheral wall of the rotating member; A second driving wheel is disposed at the second end of the transmission member, a friction layer is disposed on the peripheral wall of the second driving wheel, and the second driving wheel transmits the rotational driving force to the rotating member through the interference fit between the friction layer and the elastic friction layer; A clutch wheel is disposed on the first side of the rotating member, at least one convex portion is disposed on the second side of the rotating member, the second side and the first side are disposed opposite to each other in the axial direction of the rotating member, the convex portion protrudes from the second side of the rotating member along the axial direction of the rotating member, the clutch wheel has a small diameter portion that is clearance-fitted with the second driving wheel and a large diameter portion that is interference-fitted with the second driving wheel, and the elastic friction layer is disposed along the circumference of the large diameter portion; The developing box includes an end cover, the end cover is arranged on the second end wall, the detection mechanism is located between the second end wall and the end cover, the detection mechanism also includes a contact member and an elastic member, the contact member is movably arranged on the end cover, and the contact member is located between the end cover and the rotating member; The contact member includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion and a trigger portion; The elastic member is arranged between the end cover and the contact member, a limiting wall is arranged on the end cover, and the elastic member forces the second contact portion to contact the limiting wall; The convex portion can push the first contact portion and force the second contact portion to move in a direction away from the limiting wall.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, Features: The end cover is provided with a first support shaft and a second support shaft, the rotating member is rotatably mounted on the first support shaft, and the contact member and the elastic member are both sleeved on the second support shaft.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, Features: A driving protrusion protruding in the radial direction of the rotating member is also arranged on the peripheral wall of the rotating member, and a receiving groove is opened on the second driving wheel, and the driving protrusion is located in the receiving groove.

4. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Features: The detection mechanism also includes a forced pushing component. A mounting column is provided on the end cover. The forced pushing component is sleeved on the mounting column and is located between the rotating member and the box body. The forced pushing component forces the rotating member along the rotation direction of the rotating member.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 4, Features: The elastic member and the pushing member are both torsion springs.

6. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Features: The friction layer is made of an elastic material, and the elastic material is sponge or rubber.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, Features: A mounting groove is arranged on the peripheral wall of the second driving wheel, and the friction layer is installed in the mounting groove with interference fit.

8. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Features: The friction layer is made of plastic material, and friction protrusions are arranged on the surface of the friction layer that contacts the elastic friction layer.

9. An imaging device comprising a cartridge compartment and a developing cartridge detachably mounted in the cartridge compartment, It is characterized in that The developing box is the developing box according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images