Processing box and counting mechanism

Abstract

The present invention relates to a processing box and a counting mechanism, wherein the processing box comprises a shell and an end cover, and the counting mechanism is assembled on the end cover; the counting mechanism comprises a gear part and a detection part, the gear part comprises a limiting part and a guiding part, the first end and the second end of the guiding part are respectively arranged with the limiting part along the circumferential direction of the tooth top circle of the external gear, the height of the first part of the guiding part extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear part gradually increases, and the height of the second part of the guiding part extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear part remains unchanged, and the detection part comprises a positioning part located on its inner side wall, the positioning part protrudes toward the axis of the external gear relative to the outer side wall of the limiting part and the guiding part, and the positioning part and the limiting part at least partially overlap. The detection part is directly pushed to move by the first part and the second part, and the detection part is indirectly pushed by the meshing of the gears, thereby eliminating the prior art of directly pushing the detection part by the meshing of the gears, reducing the assembly accuracy requirements between the stirring frame and the counting mechanism, facilitating assembly, and improving production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of imaging equipment, and in particular relates to a processing box and a counting mechanism. Background Art

[0002] In commercially available imaging devices (printers, copiers, fax machines, etc.), a processing box with a counting mechanism that can be detachably mounted on an image forming device is widely used. The information detection mechanism on the image forming device and the counting mechanism on the processing box are used to detect whether the processing box mounted thereon is a new processing box. However, the existing counting mechanism is mostly initially dialed by meshing with the gear of the stirring frame. The detection part and the gear part of the counting mechanism are integrally formed in the counting mechanism. In order to ensure reliable contact between the detection rod and the information detection mechanism, the assembly accuracy between the stirring frame and the counting mechanism is required to be high, which in turn causes assembly inconvenience and reduces production efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0003] A first object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge which can be easily assembled.

[0004] A second object of the present invention is to provide a counting mechanism which can be easily assembled.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned first purpose, the processing box provided by the present invention includes a shell and an end cover, the end cover is detachably assembled on the shell, the processing box also includes a counting mechanism, and the counting mechanism is assembled on the end cover; the counting mechanism includes a gear part and a detection part, the gear part is inserted into the detection part, the outer wall of the gear part is provided with an external gear, the gear part includes a limiting part and a guiding part, the first end and the second end of the guide part are respectively arranged with the limiting part along the circumferential direction of the tooth top circle of the external gear, along the axial direction of the external gear, the height of the first part of the guide part extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear part gradually increases, the height of the second part of the guide part extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear part remains unchanged, and the height of the limiting part is lower than the height of the second part; the detection part includes a positioning part located on its inner side wall, along the radial direction of the tooth top circle of the external gear, the positioning part protrudes toward the axis of the external gear relative to the outer side wall of the limiting part and the guide part, and along the axial direction of the external gear, the positioning part and the limiting part at least partially overlap.

[0006] It can be seen from the above scheme that after the processing box is installed, the gear part is driven to rotate through the gear of the stirring frame meshing with the external gear. As the gear part rotates, the interval between the first end and the limiting part moves away from the positioning part along the circumferential direction of the external gear, and the first part first abuts against the positioning part, and the first part pushes the positioning part outward along the axis of the external gear as the gear part rotates; the gear part rotates further, the first part disengages from the positioning part and the second part subsequently abuts against the positioning part, and the detection part of the detection part pushes the information detection mechanism of the imaging device and maintains abutment with it, thereby triggering a detection signal to be sent to the imaging device to indicate that the loading of the processing box is detected; the gear part keeps rotating, the positioning part disengages from the second part and moves along the axis of the external gear. The axis is retracted to the interval between the second end and the limiting portion, and the positioning portion no longer moves outward along the axis of the external gear. The detection portion of the detection member is separated from the information detection mechanism of the imaging device, and the detection portion can no longer trigger the information detection mechanism to send a detection signal, thereby being able to detect whether the processing box is brand new. Therefore, the counting mechanism is set to a split structure, and the counting mechanism includes a gear member and a detection member. The gear member is inserted into the detection member, and the detection member is directly pushed to move by the first part and the second part, and the gear meshing indirectly pushes the detection member, thereby eliminating the existing technology of directly pushing the detection member through gear meshing, reducing the assembly accuracy requirements between the stirring frame and the counting mechanism, facilitating assembly, and improving production efficiency.

[0007] Preferably, the guide portion is arranged along a circumferential arc of the tooth addendum circle of the external gear.

[0008] Furthermore, the central angle of the first portion is smaller than the central angle of the second portion.

[0009] Furthermore, the limiting portion and the positioning portion are both semi-waist-shaped plate structures.

[0010] Furthermore, a first opening is provided between the first end and the limiting portion, a second opening is provided between the second end and the limiting portion, and a central angle of the first opening is greater than a central angle of the second opening.

[0011] To achieve the above-mentioned second purpose, the counting mechanism provided by the present invention includes a gear part and a detection part, the gear part is inserted into the detection part, an external gear is arranged on the outer wall of the gear part, the gear part includes a limiting part and a guiding part, the first end and the second end of the guiding part are respectively arranged with the limiting part along the circumferential direction of the tooth top circle of the external gear, along the axial direction of the external gear, the height of the first part of the guiding part extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear part gradually increases, the height of the second part of the guiding part extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear part remains unchanged, and the height of the limiting part is lower than the height of the second part; the detection part includes a positioning part located on its inner side wall, along the radial direction of the tooth top circle of the external gear, the positioning part protrudes toward the axis of the external gear relative to the outer side wall of the limiting part and the guiding part, and along the axial direction of the external gear, the positioning part and the limiting part at least partially overlap.

[0012] It can be seen from the above scheme that after the processing box is installed, the gear part is driven to rotate through the gear of the stirring frame meshing with the external gear. As the gear part rotates, the interval between the first end and the limiting part moves away from the positioning part along the circumferential direction of the external gear, and the first part first abuts against the positioning part, and the first part pushes the positioning part outward along the axis of the external gear as the gear part rotates; the gear part rotates further, the first part disengages from the positioning part and the second part subsequently abuts against the positioning part, and the detection part of the detection part pushes the information detection mechanism of the imaging device and maintains abutment with it, thereby triggering a detection signal to be sent to the imaging device to indicate that the loading of the processing box is detected; the gear part keeps rotating, the positioning part disengages from the second part and moves along the axis of the external gear. The axis is retracted to the interval between the second end and the limiting portion, and the positioning portion no longer moves outward along the axis of the external gear. The detection portion of the detection member is separated from the information detection mechanism of the imaging device, and the detection portion can no longer trigger the information detection mechanism to send a detection signal, thereby being able to detect whether the processing box is brand new. Therefore, the counting mechanism is set to a split structure, and the counting mechanism includes a gear member and a detection member. The gear member is inserted into the detection member, and the detection member is directly pushed to move by the first part and the second part, and the gear meshing indirectly pushes the detection member, thereby eliminating the existing technology of directly pushing the detection member through gear meshing, reducing the assembly accuracy requirements between the stirring frame and the counting mechanism, facilitating assembly, and improving production efficiency.

[0013] Preferably, the guide portion is arranged along a circumferential arc of the tooth addendum circle of the external gear.

[0014] Furthermore, the central angle of the first portion is smaller than the central angle of the second portion.

[0015] Furthermore, the limiting portion and the positioning portion are both semi-waist-shaped plate structures.

[0016] Furthermore, a first opening is provided between the first end and the limiting portion, a second opening is provided between the second end and the limiting portion, and a central angle of the first opening is greater than that of the second opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention is further described using the accompanying drawings, but the embodiments in the accompanying drawings do not constitute any limitation to the present invention. Those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on the following drawings without creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a partial structural diagram of a processing box embodiment described in the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a structural exploded view of an embodiment of a counting mechanism described in the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of a detection component of a counting mechanism embodiment described in the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4It is a schematic structural cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a counting mechanism described in the present invention in a first state.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a structural diagram of a counting mechanism embodiment of the present invention in a first state.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a counting mechanism described in the present invention in a second state.

[0024] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a counting mechanism described in the present invention in a third state.

[0025] Figure 8 It is a structural diagram of a counting mechanism embodiment of the present invention in the third state.

[0026] Fig. 9 It is a schematic structural cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a counting mechanism described in the present invention in a fourth state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0028] See also Figures 1 to 3 The processing box provided in this embodiment includes a shell and an end cover 18. The end cover 18 is detachably assembled to the shell by means of known threaded connection, snap-fit ​​or buckling. The processing box also includes a counting mechanism 1. The counting mechanism 1 is assembled to the end cover 18. The cover body 19 of the processing box is threadedly connected to the end cover 18 to cover the counting mechanism 1. The counting mechanism 1 includes a gear member 2 and a detection member 3. The cylindrical wall 4 of the gear member 2 is inserted into the accommodating cavity 5 of the detection member 3. The accommodating cavity 5 is located between the inner wall of the detection member 3 and the guide portion. In this embodiment, the processing box can be an imaging consumable including a developing roller and a photosensitive roller, or an imaging consumable not including a photosensitive roller, or an imaging consumable not including a developing roller. The counting mechanism 1 provided in this embodiment is used for the processing box.

[0029] The outer wall of the gear member 2 is provided with an external gear 6. The gear member 2 includes a limiting portion 7 and a guiding portion 8. The first end 9 and the second end 10 of the guiding portion 8 are arranged with the limiting portion 7 at intervals along the circumferential direction of the tooth top circle of the external gear 6. Along the axial direction of the external gear 6, the height of the first portion 11 of the guiding portion 8 extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear member 2 gradually increases, and the height of the second portion 12 of the guiding portion 8 extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear member 2 remains unchanged. The height of the limiting portion 7 is lower than the height of the second portion 12. The guiding portion 8 is arranged along the circumferential arc of the tooth top circle of the external gear 6, and the center angle of the first portion 11 is smaller than the center angle of the second portion 12.

[0030] The detection member 3 includes a positioning portion 13 located on its inner side wall. Along the radial direction of the tooth top circle of the external gear 6, the positioning portion 13 protrudes toward the axis of the external gear 6 relative to the outer side wall of the limiting portion 7 and the guide portion 8. Along the axis direction of the external gear 6, the positioning portion 13 at least partially overlaps with the limiting portion 7. Both the limiting portion 7 and the positioning portion 13 are semi-waist plate structures.

[0031] A first opening 15 is provided between the first end 9 and the limiting portion 7. The first end 9 is an end of the first portion 11. The first opening 15 forms a gap between the first end 9 and the limiting portion 7 arranged along the circumferential direction of the tooth tip circle of the external gear 6. A second opening 16 is provided between the second end 10 and the limiting portion 7. The second end 10 is an end of the second portion 12. The second opening 16 forms a gap between the second end 10 and the limiting portion 7 arranged along the circumferential direction of the tooth tip circle of the external gear 6. The center angle of the first opening 15 is greater than the center angle of the second opening 16.

[0032] See also Figures 1 to 5 After the processing box is installed, the gear member 2 is driven to rotate through the stirring frame gear meshing with the external gear 6. As the gear member 2 rotates, the interval between the first end 9 and the limiting portion 7 moves away from the positioning portion 13 along the circumferential direction of the external gear 6. At this time, the detection member 3 is stationary along the axial direction of the external gear 3, and the counting mechanism 1 is in the first state.

[0033] See also Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 6 The first portion 11 first abuts against the positioning portion 13. As the height of the first portion 11 extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear member 2 gradually increases, the first portion 11 pushes the positioning portion 13 outward along the axis of the external gear 6 as the gear member 2 rotates, and the counting mechanism 1 is in the second state.

[0034] See also Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 7 and Figure 8, the gear member 2 rotates further, the first portion 11 disengages from the positioning portion 13 and the second portion 12 subsequently abuts against the positioning portion 13. Since the height of the second portion 12 extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear member 2 remains unchanged, at this time, the detection member 3 no longer moves outward along the axial direction of the external gear 3, and the detection portion 17 of the detection member 3 protrudes from the cover body 19 and pushes the information detection mechanism of the imaging device and maintains abutment therewith, thereby triggering a detection signal to be sent to the imaging device to indicate that the loading of the processing cartridge is detected, and the counting mechanism 1 is in the third state.

[0035] See See Figures 1 to 3 , Fig. 9 , the gear member 2 keeps rotating, the positioning portion 13 is separated from the second portion 12 and retracts along the axis of the external gear 6 to the interval between the second end 10 and the limiting portion 7, the detection portion 17 of the detection member 3 is separated from the information detection mechanism of the imaging device, and the detection portion 17 can no longer trigger the information detection mechanism to send a detection signal, thereby being able to detect whether the processing cartridge is brand new.

[0036] Therefore, the counting mechanism 1 is set as a split structure, and the counting mechanism 1 includes a gear part 2 and a detection part 3. The gear part 2 is inserted into the detection part 3, and the detection part 3 is directly pushed to move by the first part 11 and the second part 12, and the gear meshing indirectly pushes the detection part 3. Compared with the counting mechanism of the integrated structure in the prior art, the prior art of directly pushing the detection part 3 by gear meshing is eliminated, and the assembly accuracy requirements between the stirring frame and the counting mechanism 1 are reduced, which is convenient for assembly and improves production efficiency. Moreover, since the detection part 17 can no longer trigger the information detection mechanism to send a detection signal, the gear part 2 can maintain the meshing with the stirring frame gear, and there is no need to set a missing tooth part in the counting mechanism as in the prior art, which simplifies the structure.

[0037] Finally, it should be emphasized that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned implementation mode. The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A processing box, comprising a shell and an end cover, wherein the end cover is detachably assembled to the shell, characterized in that: The processing box further comprises a counting mechanism, and the counting mechanism is assembled on the end cover; The counting mechanism includes a gear and a detection The gear member is inserted into the detection member, an outer wall of the gear member is provided with an external gear, the gear member comprises a limiting portion and a guide portion, a first end and a second end of the guide portion are respectively arranged with the limiting portion along the circumferential direction of the tooth top circle of the external gear. Along the axis direction of the external gear, the height of the first portion of the guide portion extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear member gradually increases, the height of the second portion of the guide portion extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear member remains unchanged, and the height of the limiting portion is lower than the height of the second portion; The detection member includes a positioning portion located on its inner side wall, and along the radial direction of the tooth top circle of the external gear, the positioning portion protrudes toward the axis of the external gear relative to the outer side wall of the limiting portion and the guide portion. Along the axial direction of the external gear, the positioning portion and the limiting portion at least partially overlap.

2. A process cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide portion is arranged along a circumferential arc of a tooth addendum circle of the external gear.

3. A process cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that: A central angle of the first portion is smaller than a central angle of the second portion.

4. A process cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The limiting portion and the positioning portion are both semi-waist-shaped plate structures.

5. A process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A first opening is provided between the first end and the limiting portion, a second opening is provided between the second end and the limiting portion, and a central angle of the first opening is greater than a central angle of the second opening.

6. A counting mechanism, which is applied to a processing box, characterized in that: It comprises a gear part and a detection part, wherein the outer wall of the gear part is provided with an external gear, and the gear part comprises a limiting part and a guiding part, wherein the first end and the second end of the guiding part are respectively arranged with the limiting part in a circumferential direction of the tooth top circle of the external gear. Along the axis direction of the external gear, the height of the first portion of the guide portion extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear member gradually increases, the height of the second portion of the guide portion extending from the inner bottom wall of the gear member remains unchanged, and the height of the limiting portion is lower than the height of the second portion; The detection member includes a positioning portion located on its inner side wall, and along the radial direction of the tooth top circle of the external gear, the positioning portion protrudes toward the axis of the external gear relative to the outer side wall of the limiting portion and the guide portion. Along the axial direction of the external gear, the positioning portion and the limiting portion at least partially overlap.

7. A counting mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The guide portion is arranged along a circumferential arc of a tooth addendum circle of the external gear.

8. A counting mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that: A central angle of the first portion is smaller than a central angle of the second portion.

9. A counting mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: The limiting portion and the positioning portion are both semi-waist-shaped plate structures.

10. A counting mechanism according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that: A first opening is provided between the first end and the limiting portion, a second opening is provided between the second end and the limiting portion, and a central angle of the first opening is greater than a central angle of the second opening.

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