Processing cartridge and method for installing the processing cartridge

Abstract

This application relates to the field of electrophotographic imaging technology, and particularly to a processing cartridge and an installation method thereof. The processing cartridge includes a toner cartridge part and a waste toner cartridge part. The processing cartridge is detachably installed in an electrophotographic imaging device. There is a protrusion that can be telescoped in the vertical direction in the electrophotographic imaging device. The processing cartridge further includes a movable part, which is movably arranged in the processing cartridge. During the installation of the processing cartridge, the movable part can move relative to the protrusion. The processing cartridge provided by this application replaces the fixed part with a movable part. During the installation of the processing cartridge, the movable part can move relative to the protrusion, so that the protrusion inside the electrophotographic imaging device will no longer be indented downward in the vertical direction due to the installation of the processing cartridge.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Applications filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on March 22, 2019, with the application number 201920379083.8 and the title of the application "Moving Component and Processing Cartridge", Chinese Patent Applications filed on March 26, 2019, with the application number 201920396676.5 and the title of the application "Moving Component and Processing Cartridge", and Chinese Patent Applications filed on August 13, 2019, with the application number 201921313025.1 and the title of the application "Moving Component and Processing Cartridge". The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by cross-reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of electrophotographic technology, and particularly to a processing cartridge and an installation method thereof. Background Art

[0003] A processing cartridge is a detachable part widely used in electrophotographic devices.

[0004] In the prior art, a fixing component is provided at the bottom of the processing cartridge. During the installation of the processing cartridge onto the electrophotographic device, the fixing component continuously collides with the protrusions inside the electrophotographic device. Although the protrusions inside the electrophotographic device are connected to elastic members, the protrusions can thus be telescoped in the vertical direction.

[0005] However, with the increase in the number of times of loading and unloading the processing cartridge onto the electrophotographic device, such a design causes great wear to both the protrusions and the elastic members at the bottom of the protrusions. Therefore, a component needs to be designed to prevent the protrusions inside the electrophotographic device from retracting in the vertical direction (i.e., retracting downward in the vertical direction) due to the installation of the processing cartridge. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a processing cartridge and an installation method thereof, so that the protrusions inside the electrophotographic device do not retract in the vertical direction due to the installation of the processing cartridge.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a processing cartridge, including a toner cartridge part and a waste toner cartridge part. The processing cartridge is detachably installed in an electrophotographic device. Protrusions that can be telescoped in the vertical direction are provided inside the electrophotographic device. The processing cartridge further includes a moving component, which is movably disposed in the processing cartridge. During the installation of the processing cartridge, the moving component can move relative to the protrusions.

[0008] In a possible design, the moving component has a first position and a second position. During the installation of the processing cartridge, the moving component is subjected to a force from the electrophotographic device, causing the moving component to retract into the processing cartridge to the first position;

[0009] After the processing cartridge is installed, the movable member can move from the first position to the second position, and when it is in the second position, the movable member can receive a pushing force from the electrophotographic device to cause relative movement between the toner cartridge portion and the waste toner cartridge portion.

[0010] In a possible design, when the movable member is in the second position, it is closer to the lower part of the processing cartridge than when it is in the first position. After the processing cartridge is installed, the movable member moves from the first position to the lower part of the processing cartridge to the second position at least by gravity.

[0011] In a possible design, the processing cartridge is provided with a receiving chamber, the receiving chamber is provided with an anti - detachment portion, the movable member is provided with a resisting portion, the movable member can move relative to the receiving chamber, and the resisting portion can abut against the anti - detachment portion to prevent the movable member from detaching from the receiving chamber.

[0012] In a possible design, an elastic member is provided in the receiving chamber, and the movable member moves from the first position to the lower part of the processing cartridge to the second position by gravity and the elastic force of the elastic member.

[0013] In a possible design, the processing cartridge is provided with a rotating portion, one end of the movable member is rotatably connected to the rotating portion, and the other end makes the resisting portion abut against the anti - detachment portion by gravity and the elastic force of the elastic member.

[0014] In a possible design, the movable member is provided with a groove, and one end of the elastic member abuts in the groove.

[0015] In a possible design, the movable member has a pushing surface, and the pushing surface can receive the pushing force of the protrusion from the electrophotographic device.

[0016] In a possible design, the pushing surface is perpendicular to the horizontal plane; and / or the pushing surface is provided with a engaging portion that cooperates with the protrusion.

[0017] In a possible design, the processing cartridge further includes a first pushing member and a second pushing member. The first pushing member can receive a force from the movable member in the vertical direction, and the second pushing member can receive a force from the movable member in the horizontal direction;

[0018] When the movable member is in the first position, the first pushing member receives a force from the movable member in the vertical direction;

[0019] When the movable member is in the second position, the first pushing member is subjected to a force from the movable member in the vertical direction, and the second pushing member is subjected to a force from the movable member in the horizontal direction.

[0020] In a possible design, the processing cartridge further includes a locking member. When the movable member is in the second position, the movable member is fixed to the processing cartridge in the horizontal direction through the locking member.

[0021] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an installation method for a processing cartridge. The processing cartridge is used to be installed in an electrophotographic apparatus, and a protrusion that can be telescoped in the vertical direction is provided inside the electrophotographic apparatus. The installation method includes:

[0022] Install the processing cartridge into the electrophotographic apparatus along the installation direction;

[0023] The movable member of the processing cartridge moves relative to the protrusion and retracts into the processing cartridge.

[0024] In a possible design, the movable member has a first position and a second position. During the installation of the processing cartridge, the movable member is subjected to a force from the electrophotographic apparatus, causing the movable member to retract into the processing cartridge to the first position; the installation method further includes:

[0025] When the installation of the processing cartridge is completed, the movable member can move from the first position to the second position, and when located in the second position, the movable member can receive a pressing force from the electrophotographic apparatus to cause relative movement between the toner cartridge portion and the waste toner cartridge portion of the processing cartridge.

[0026] Beneficial effects:

[0027] By providing a movable member instead of a fixed member in the processing cartridge provided in the present application, during the installation of the processing cartridge, the movable member can move relative to the protrusion, so that the protrusion inside the electrophotographic apparatus no longer retracts downward in the vertical direction due to the installation of the processing cartridge. Description of the drawings

[0028] Figure 1 It is a structural view from above when the processing cartridge is installed inside the electrophotographic apparatus;

[0029] Figure 2 It is a structural view from below when the processing cartridge is installed inside the electrophotographic apparatus;

[0030] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the processing cartridge;

[0031] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Schematic cross-sectional view of two different positions of the movable component on the process cartridge;

[0032] Figure 4a and Figure 5a yes Figure 4 and Figure 5 Enlarged view of the moving parts in the corresponding state;

[0033] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of an optimized structure of a movable component taken along a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the process cartridge;

[0034] Figures 7 to 10 Schematic diagram of the working principle of the process cartridge in different states in this embodiment;

[0035] Figure 11 This is a structural view of the movable component in the second embodiment;

[0036] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the process cartridge in Example 3;

[0037] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge in Example 3;

[0038] Figure 14 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the movable component in Example 3;

[0039] Figure 15 and Figure 16 Schematic cross-sectional view of the movable component in the third embodiment being located at two different positions on the process cartridge;

[0040] Figure 15a and Figure 16a They are Figure 15 and Figure 16 Enlarged view of the moving parts in the corresponding state;

[0041] Figure 17 It is a partial exploded schematic diagram of the process cartridge in the fourth embodiment;

[0042] Figure 18 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the end cover of the process cartridge in the fourth embodiment;

[0043] Figure 19 It is a cross-sectional view of the end cover of the process cartridge in the fourth embodiment, taken along a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the process cartridge;

[0044] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge in Example 5 taken along a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the process cartridge;

[0045] Figure 21A sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the movable part in the fifth embodiment. Detailed implementation manners

[0046] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more clear and understandable, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0047] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for the purpose of description and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance; unless otherwise specified or stated, the term "plural" means two or more; the terms "connection", "fixation", etc. should all be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, an integral connection, or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific situations.

[0048] In the description of this specification, it should be understood that the orientation terms such as "upper" and "lower" described in the embodiments of the present application are described from the perspective shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In addition, in the context, it should also be understood that when it is mentioned that an element is connected "above" or "below" another element, it can not only be directly connected "above" or "below" another element, but also be indirectly connected "above" or "below" another element through an intermediate element.

[0049] Embodiment 1

[0050] This embodiment discloses a processing cartridge in which the movable part does not squeeze the protrusion of the electrophotographic device and does not cause the protrusion to sink during the installation process. The upper, lower, left, and right sides of the processing cartridge in this application refer to the orientations when the processing cartridge is installed inside the electrophotographic device, and the front and rear refer to the front and rear in the installation direction during the installation of the processing cartridge into the electrophotographic device. During the installation of the processing cartridge, for example, it can be specified that the toner cartridge part is in the front and the waste toner cartridge part is in the rear.

[0051] Figure 1 A structural view of the upper part when the processing cartridge is installed inside the electrophotographic device. As Figure 1 shown, the processing cartridge includes a waste toner cartridge part 100 and a toner cartridge part 200. The waste toner cartridge part 100 includes a waste toner cartridge upper surface 110 above the processing cartridge; similarly, the upper part of the toner cartridge part 200 includes a toner cartridge upper surface 210.

[0052] Figure 2Structural view of the underside when the processing cartridge is installed inside the electrophotographic apparatus. As Figure 2 shown, below the waste toner bin portion 100 includes a photosensitive drum 120; below the toner cartridge portion 200 includes a lower surface 220 of the toner cartridge. The processing cartridge further includes a movable member 230, which is movably mounted on the lower surface 220 of the toner cartridge.

[0053] Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of the processing cartridge cut along a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the processing cartridge. As Figure 3 shown, the movable member 230 is movably connected to the toner cartridge portion 200. In some implementations, the position of the movable member 230 on the processing cartridge is closer to the bottom than the bottom surface 220, that is, at least a part of the movable member 230 protrudes relative to the bottom surface 220. Thus, when the processing cartridge is installed in the electrophotographic apparatus in the direction of arrow E, the movable member 230 will first touch or abut against the protrusion installed inside the electrophotographic apparatus. By providing the movable member 230 to replace the fixed member in the background art, during the installation of the processing cartridge, the movable member 230 can move relative to the protrusion, so that the protrusion inside the electrophotographic apparatus will no longer be indented downward in the vertical direction due to the installation of the processing cartridge. In the present embodiment, the movable member 230 will move under the action of the protrusion. Of course, the movable member 230 can also move under the action of other parts inside the electrophotographic apparatus.

[0054] Figure 4 and Figure 5 are schematic cross-sectional views of two different position states of the movable member on the processing cartridge, Figure 4a and Figure 5a are Figure 4 and Figure 5 corresponding enlarged views of the movable member 230 in the corresponding states. The mating relationship between the toner cartridge portion 200 and the movable member 230 is a clearance fit, so the movable member 230 can move relatively freely with respect to the toner cartridge portion 200. To prevent the movable member 230 from detaching from the toner cartridge portion 200, as Figure 4 and Figure 4a shown, the toner cartridge portion 200 further includes a receiving chamber 240 inside, and a part of the movable member 230 is located in the receiving chamber 240. In the present embodiment, the movable member 230 includes a resisting portion 233, and the receiving chamber 240 includes an anti-detachment portion 241. Through the interference between the resisting portion 233 and the anti-detachment portion 241, the movable member 230 will not detach from the toner cartridge portion 200.

[0055] The movable member 230 has a contact surface 231 that can contact the electrophotographic device. When the processing cartridge is installed in the electrophotographic device, under the drive of some mechanisms in the electrophotographic device (for example, a link mechanism is triggered when the electrophotographic device door is closed or opened, and the above mechanisms are not shown in the figure), the processing cartridge will descend along the direction of arrow F, so that the contact surface 231 contacts the protrusion of the electrophotographic device. At this time, the movable member 230 will retract into the interior of the processing cartridge along the direction of arrow P, that is Figure 4 and Figure 4a the state described in, and this is called the first position at this time. In addition, since there is a clearance fit between the movable member 230 and the powder hopper portion 200, the resistance generated by relative movement is small. Therefore, at this time, the movable member 230 will not squeeze the protrusion downward. When the processing cartridge is installed in place, the internal movement of the electrophotographic device causes the protrusion to move in the direction opposite to the installation direction of the processing cartridge. The protrusion moves away from the position where it contacts the contact surface 231 and moves to the side close to the pushing surface 232. At this time, since there is a clearance fit between the movable member 230 and the powder hopper portion 200 and the protrusion no longer contacts the contact surface 231, the movable member 230 extends downward relative to the processing cartridge under the action of gravity along the direction of arrow Q. At this time (after the movable member 230 extends), the pushing surface 232 can contact the protrusion. At this time ( Figure 5 and Figure 5a ) the state is called the second position. Of course, when in the second position, it may be that due to other components in the electrophotographic device contacting the movable member 230, or other components inside the processing cartridge exerting an effect on the movable member 230, the blocking portion 233 on the movable member 230 does not contact the anti-disengagement portion 241. However, as long as the second position is closer to the lower part of the processing cartridge than the first position, and at least a part of the projection of the pushing surface 232 in the front or rear coincides with the projection of the protrusion in the front or rear (coincidence in either the front or the rear can be regarded as projection coincidence), it can be regarded as the second position.

[0056] When the movable member is in the second position and the electrophotographic device drives the protrusion to move in the installation direction of the processing cartridge (the direction of arrow E), the protrusion can exert a force on the pushing surface 232 and push the powder hopper portion 200 to move relative to the waste powder hopper portion 100 and separate the roller drum.

[0057] Figure 6 It is a sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the processing cartridge for an optimized structure of the movable member. In Figure 6 , the pushing surface is the new pushing surface 234 of the dotted part to replace the previous pushing surface 232. The new pushing surface 234 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane when the processing cartridge is installed in the electrophotographic device, so as to adapt to the situation of contacting a special-shaped protrusion. Through such a setting, the force between the special-shaped protrusion and the pushing surface is the same as that of other protrusions, and the pushing force points parallel to the horizontal direction, so as to perform roller drum separation more smoothly.

[0058] Example Two

[0059] This example discloses a processing cartridge in which, during the installation process, the movable part does not squeeze the protrusion of the electroimaging device and does not cause the protrusion to indent downward. In this application, the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the processing cartridge refer to the orientation when the processing cartridge is installed inside the electroimaging device, and the front and rear refer to the front and rear in the installation direction during the installation of the processing cartridge into the electroimaging device. During the installation of the processing cartridge, for example, it can be stipulated that the toner cartridge part is in the front and the waste toner cartridge part is in the rear.

[0060] Figures 7 to 10 For the schematic diagram of the working principle of the processing cartridge in different states in this example Figures 7 to 10 In, the waste toner cartridge part is omitted and not shown. The toner cartridge part 1200 includes a movable part 1230, a first pushing part, and a second pushing part. The first pushing part has a tendency to push the movable part 1230 downward, causing the movable part 1230 to extend downward in the vertical direction. For example, the first pushing part can include a first elastic member 1210 and a push plate 1240 connected to the first elastic member 1210; the second pushing part has a tendency to push or pull the movable part 1230 to move away from the waste toner cartridge part. For example, the second pushing part can include a second elastic member 1220, and the second elastic member 1220 is connected to the movable part 1230. That is to say, the first pushing part can receive the acting force of the movable part 1230 in the vertical direction, and the second pushing part can receive the acting force of the movable part 1230 in the horizontal direction. For example, when the movable part 1230 is in the first position, it can be considered that only the first pushing part receives the acting force of the movable part 1230 in the vertical direction, and when the movable part 1230 is in the second position, it can be considered that the first pushing part receives the acting force of the movable part 1230 in the vertical direction and the second pushing part receives the acting force of the movable part 1230 in the horizontal direction. The toner cartridge part 1200 further includes a locking part 1250, and the locking part 1250 does not interfere with the active first pushing part and / or second pushing part. The locking part 1250 can act on the movable part 1230 at a specific position, causing the movable part 1230 to no longer move relative to the toner cartridge part 1200. In some implementation solutions, the movable part 1230 fixed by the locking part 1250 at this specific position can be regarded as being rigidly connected between the movable part 1230 and the toner cartridge part 1200.

[0061] When the processing cartridge is installed into the electroimaging device and the door cover of the electroimaging device is not closed, the processing cartridge is installed from the right side to the left side in the figure along the arrow E direction to the position shown in Figure 7 In the figure, the toner cartridge part 1200 shown is the processing cartridge installed on the innermost side of the electroimaging device. When the processing cartridge is installed into the electroimaging device and the door cover of the electroimaging device is not closed, as shown inFigure 7 As shown, under the action of the first pushing member and the second pushing member, the movable member 1230 extends relative to the processing cartridge in the vertical direction and is also located on the side away from the waste powder bin part.

[0062] As Figure 8 shown, when the door cover of the electrophotographic apparatus is closed, under the action of the link mechanism (not shown in the figure) in the door cover, the processing cartridge descends in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow F). At this time, the movable member 1230 contacts the movable rod 70 provided with a protrusion 71 inside the electrophotographic apparatus. In some implementation solutions, the movable member 1230 is stuck at the groove 72 on the movable rod 70. At this time, the movable rod 70 presses the movable member 1230 to make the movable member 1230 rise a certain distance in the vertical direction. This is called the first position. That is, at the first position, the movable part will apply a force in the vertical direction to the first pushing member. The groove 72 in this figure is just a possible position, and the groove 72 can also be located relatively on the right side of the protrusion 71 in the figure. It can be understood that the protrusion 71 in this embodiment can also be telescopic in the vertical direction. However, only the protrusion 71 and the movable rod 70 having the protrusion 71 are shown in this embodiment.

[0063] After that, the internal movement of the electrophotographic apparatus will drive the movable rod 70 to move a short distance in the direction opposite to the direction in which the processing cartridge is installed in the electrophotographic apparatus (the direction of arrow I), as Figure 9 shown. At this time, the movable rod 70 will drive the movable member 1230 to move in the direction of arrow I towards the waste powder bin (i.e., in the direction opposite to the direction in which the processing cartridge is installed in the electrophotographic apparatus). When the movement ends and reaches a specific position where the locking member 1250 and the movable member 1230 act, at this time, the movable member 1230 is fixed relative to the powder bin part 1200 under the action of the locking member 1250 and no longer moves. This is called the second position. That is, at the second position, the movable part will apply a force in the vertical direction to the first pushing member and a force in the horizontal direction to the second pushing member. In this embodiment, the movable member 1230 in the first position and the second position states are at the same height. However, it can still be understood that the movable member 1230 in the first position will retract into the processing cartridge, and the movable member 1230 in the second position can receive the pressing force provided by the electrophotographic apparatus. After that, whether the movable rod 70 moves in the direction in which the processing cartridge is installed in the electrophotographic apparatus or returns to this position, the movable member 1230 no longer moves relative to the powder bin part 1200. Therefore, subsequently, when the movable rod 70 moves in the direction in which the processing cartridge is installed in the electrophotographic apparatus (the direction of arrow I'), it can push the powder bin part 1200 to separate relative to the waste powder bin part, thereby completing the separation of the roller drum.

[0064] As Figure 10As shown, when printing is not in progress and the door of the electrophotographic apparatus is opened, the processing cartridge will rise in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow F'), and at this time, the movable rod 70 will no longer contact the movable member 1230. The first pushing member will push the movable member 1230 to extend downward in the vertical direction and make the movable member 1230 no longer in a specific position with the locking member 1250. Therefore, the locking member 1250 can no longer fix the movable member 1230 to the toner cartridge portion 1200. Then, the second movable member pulls the movable member 1230 to move away from the waste toner bin (the direction of arrow Z) and returns to Figure 7 the state when the door of the electrophotographic apparatus is not closed as shown in. That is to say, during the process of the movable member 1230 extending downward in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction of the movable member 1230 is limited by the locking member 1250; when the movable member 1230 is fully extended, the movable member 1230 will be subjected to the acting force of the second pushing member and return to the first position.

[0065] In some other implementation solutions, such as Figure 11 shown, it is not necessary to use the cooperation between the movable member 1230 and the groove 72, but a hook can be provided at the free end of the movable member 1230. In some implementation solutions, the hook includes claw teeth 1231 and a pressing portion 1232. As the pressing portion 1232 abuts and presses against the movable rod 70, the two claw teeth 1231 move towards each other, thereby tightly grasping the movable rod 70.

[0066] Of course, the movable member 1230 extending in the vertical direction in this embodiment can also be fixed to the movable rod 70 after extending in a direction with an acute angle to the vertical direction, which will not be elaborated here.

[0067] Embodiment 3

[0068] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment provides another structure and setting method for the movable member. During the installation process of the processing cartridge, the movable member will not squeeze the protrusion of the electrophotographic apparatus and will not cause the protrusion to indent downward. In this embodiment, the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the processing cartridge refer to the orientations when the processing cartridge is installed inside the electrophotographic apparatus, and the front and rear refer to the front and rear in the installation direction during the installation process of the processing cartridge into the electrophotographic apparatus. During the installation process of the processing cartridge, for example, it can be specified that the toner cartridge portion is in the front and the waste toner bin portion is in the rear.

[0069] Such as Figures 12 - 16aAs shown, the processing cartridge 20 includes a waste toner container portion 300 and a toner container portion 400. The waste toner container portion 300 includes a photosensitive drum 320. Below the toner container portion 400 includes a bottom part 420 of the toner container. The processing cartridge 20 further includes a movable member 430, and the movable member 430 is movably connected to the toner container portion 400. In some implementations, the position of the movable member 430 on the processing cartridge is closer to the bottom of the processing cartridge than the bottom surface 420, and at least a part of the movable member 430 protrudes relative to the bottom surface 420.

[0070] The toner container portion 400 further includes a receiving chamber 440, and a part of the movable member 430 is located in the receiving chamber 440. The toner container portion 400 further includes a rotating portion 450. In the present embodiment, the rotating portion 450 has an arc surface with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface. The movable member 430 includes a rotatable portion 434. In the present embodiment, the rotatable portion 434 has an arc surface with a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, so that the rotatable portion 434 wholly or partly surrounds the outer surface of the rotating portion 450, enabling the movable member 430 to rotate around the rotating portion 450, that is, the movable member 430 is rotatably movable in the receiving chamber 440. In addition, the structures of the rotatable portion 434 and the rotating portion 450 can be interchanged.

[0071] In some embodiments, in the present embodiment, a part of the rotating portion 450 is connected to the toner container portion 400, and the other part is a cylindrical surface for the rotatable portion 434 to rotate around it. The rotatable portion 434 of the movable member 430 has an opening 434a for sleeving on the cylindrical surface of the rotating portion 450 in a snap-fit manner to install and position the movable member 430.

[0072] In some embodiments, the movable member 430 further includes a blocking portion 433, and the receiving chamber 440 includes an anti-disengagement portion 441. Through the interference between the blocking portion 433 and the anti-disengagement portion 441, the movable member 430 is prevented from disengaging from the toner container portion 400.

[0073] In some embodiments, the processing cartridge further includes an elastic member 460 to restrict the movement of the movable member 430. In this embodiment, the elastic member 460 is a torsion spring disposed in the toner cartridge portion 400, and provides a pushing restraint to the movable member 430 during the movement of the movable member 430 to assist the movable member 430 in resetting. In some embodiments, a positioning protrusion 470 is provided in the toner cartridge portion 440, and the elastic member 460 is mounted on the positioning protrusion 470. In this embodiment, the elastic member 460 is located between the frame of the toner cartridge portion 400 and the movable member 430, such that one end of the elastic member 460 abuts against the movable member 430 and the other end abuts against the frame of the processing cartridge. When the elastic member 460 is in its natural state, one end of the elastic member 460 may merely overlap with the movable member 430, exerting no force on the movable member 430 or exerting a force pointing outside the processing cartridge on the movable member 430. One end of the movable member 430 is sleeved on the rotating portion 450 through a rotatable portion 434, and the other end abuts against the anti-disengagement portion 441 under its own gravity or the action of the elastic member 460. One end of the elastic member 460 in this embodiment abuts against the groove 435 of the movable member 430. As the movable member 430 rotates, one end of the elastic member 460 and the movable member 430 can adaptively undergo relative displacement, and under the restricting action of the two inner walls of the groove 435, it is ensured that the elastic member 460 does not disengage from the movable member 430, so as to provide a stable restraint during the movement of the movable member 430.

[0074] The movable member 430 has a contact surface 431 that can contact the electrophotographic apparatus. When the processing cartridge is installed into the electrophotographic apparatus in the direction of arrow E and the processing cartridge descends in the direction of arrow F such that the contact surface 431 contacts the inside of the electrophotographic apparatus, especially when contacting a protrusion inside the electrophotographic apparatus, the movable member 430 will retract into the processing cartridge in the direction of arrow M, that is Figure 15 and Figure 15a the state described in Figure 15 and Figure 15a Since there is a clearance fit between the movable member 430 and the toner cartridge portion 400, the resistance generated by relative movement is small, and moreover, the gravity of the movable member 430 is small enough, or in the case where the elastic member 460 is provided, the pushing force exerted by the elastic member 460 on the movable member 430 is small enough, such that the movable member 430 does not squeeze the protrusion downward at this time, nor does it cause the protrusion to retract downward. At this time ( the state in and Figure 15a ) is referred to as the first position. In the first position, the movable member 430 rotates around the rotating portion 450 and retracts upward into the processing cartridge, and the interference between the blocking portion 433 and the anti-disengagement portion 441 is released. At this time, the elastic member 460 is subjected to the action of the movable member 430 and is in a deformed state, and the reaction force (elastic restoring force) exerted on the movable member 430 by it is the pushing force for resetting the movable member 430.

[0075] When the processing box is installed in place, the internal movement of the electronic imaging device causes the protrusion to move in the opposite direction of the processing box installation, and the protrusion leaves the position of abutting the abutting surface 431 and moves to the side close to the pushing surface 432. At this time, since there is a clearance fit between the movable part 430 and the powder bin part 400 and the protrusion no longer abuts the abutting surface 431, the movable part 430 is affected by gravity and the elastic restoring force of the elastic part 460 and extends downward along the arrow N relative to the processing box to achieve the reset action. At this time (after the movable part 430 is extended), the pushing surface 432 can contact the protrusion. At this time ( Figure 16 and Figure 16a ) is called the second position. Of course, when in the second position, the resisting portion 433 on the movable part 430 may not contact the anti-slip portion 441, possibly because other components in the electronic imaging device abut against the movable part 430, or other components inside the processing box exert an effect on the movable part 430. Therefore, in the second position, the force applied by the elastic member 460 to the movable part 430 is reduced or until the elastic member 460 returns to the above-mentioned natural state. Compared with the first position, the movable part 430 is closer to the bottom of the processing box in the second position, and at least a portion of the projection of the pushing surface 432 in the front or rear coincides with the projection of the protrusion in the front or rear (the overlap of one of the front or rear can be regarded as a projection overlap).

[0076] When the movable part is in the second position and the electronic imaging device drives the protrusion to move along the processing box installation direction (direction of arrow E), the protrusion can exert force on the pushing surface 432 and push the powder bin part 400 to move relative to the waste powder bin part 300 and separate the roller drum.

[0077] In some embodiments, a locking portion 432a may be further provided on the pushing surface 432, and the locking portion 432a is positioned so as to be able to engage with the protrusion. The specific structure of the locking portion 432a is not limited. The locking portion 432a may be a groove structure or a protrusion structure, or may be a rough surface with a large friction coefficient, so as to limit the protrusion from slipping when applying force on the pushing surface 432 as much as possible, so that when the protrusion applies force to the pushing surface 432, it can push the powder bin part 400 to move relative to the waste powder bin part 300, and it is not easy to slip out of the pushing surface 432.

[0078] This embodiment ensures stable movement of the movable component 430 after each installation. During movement between the first and second positions, the movable component 430 is repositioned stably and the roller-drum separation is maintained. Furthermore, compared to the first embodiment, where the movable component's movement within the storage compartment was subject to friction on both sides, potentially causing the movable component to wobble, the rotating movement of the movable component within the storage compartment in this embodiment is more flexible and stable.

[0079] Embodiment 4

[0080] As shown Figures 17 - 19 in the figure, on the basis of Embodiment 3, this embodiment provides another setting method for the movable part. The ends of the powder bin part 400 and the waste powder bin part 300 of the processing cartridge are connected via a protective cover 500. Among them, an end cover 480 is provided on the end of the powder bin part 400. The movable part 430 and the elastic part 460 in this embodiment are provided on the end cover 480, and the protective cover 500 is provided outside the end cover 480.

[0081] As shown Figure 18 and Figure 19 in the figure, the end cover 480 includes an inner wall 482 facing the inside of the processing cartridge. An accommodation chamber 440, a rotating part 450, and an anti-disengagement part 441 are provided on the end cover 480, and all can extend from the inner wall 482. A part of the movable part 430 is located in the accommodation chamber 440. Through the cooperation of the rotatable part 434 and the rotating part 450, the movable part 430 can rotate in the accommodation chamber 440, and through the interference between the blocking part 433 and the anti-disengagement part 441, the movable part 430 will not disengage from the end cover 480. A positioning protrusion 470 is also provided on the end cover 480. The elastic part 460 is installed on the positioning protrusion 470. The first end 460a of the elastic part 460 abuts against the movable part 430, and the other second end 460b abuts against the frame 481.

[0082] In some embodiments, a first end wall 442 and a second end wall 443 are further provided on the end cover 480, so that the movable part 430 is located between the first end wall 442 and the inner wall 482, and the second end 460b of the elastic part 460 is located between the second end wall 443 and the inner wall 482, to prevent the movable part 430 and the elastic part 460 from falling off the end cover 480 during movement.

[0083] According to this embodiment, it can be imagined that the movable part 430 can not only be provided on the end cover 480, but also on the protective cover 500 or on the waste powder bin part 300, as long as the movable part 430 can transfer the pressing force provided by the electrophotographic device it receives to the powder bin part 400 of the processing cartridge, so that relative movement occurs between the powder bin part 400 and the waste powder bin part 300.

[0084] Embodiment 5

[0085] As shown Figure 20As shown, based on the first embodiment, this embodiment provides another setting method for the movable component. The processing cartridge further includes an elastic member 260, which is located between the frame of the powder cartridge portion 200 and the movable component 230, and provides a pushing constraint to the movable component 230 during the movement of the movable component 230 to help the movable component 230 reset. In this embodiment, the elastic member 260 is disposed in the receiving chamber 240. One end of the elastic member 260 abuts against the movable component 230, and the other end abuts against the frame of the processing cartridge. When the elastic member 260 is in its natural state, one end thereof can only touch the movable component 230, and does not apply a force to the movable component 230 or applies a force pointing to the outside of the processing cartridge to the movable component 230. In some embodiments, the elastic member 260 is a sponge and is respectively disposed to abut against two resisting portions 233 of the movable component 230.

[0086] When the processing cartridge is installed into the electrophotographic apparatus, when the abutting surface 231 of the movable component 230 abuts against the inside of the electrophotographic apparatus, especially against the protrusion inside the electrophotographic apparatus, the movable component 230 retracts into the inside of the processing cartridge. Since there is a clearance fit between the movable component 230 and the powder cartridge portion 200, the resistance generated by the relative movement is small, and the gravity of the movable component 230 is small enough. In the case where the elastic member 260 is provided, and the pushing force applied by the elastic member 260 to the movable component 230 is small enough, the movable component 230 will not squeeze the protrusion downward at this time, nor will it cause the protrusion to retract downward. At this time, the movable component 230 is located at the first position.

[0087] After the processing cartridge is installed in place, the internal movement of the electrophotographic apparatus causes the protrusion to move in the direction opposite to the installation direction of the processing cartridge. The protrusion moves away from the position where it abuts against the abutting surface 231 and moves to the side close to the pushing surface 232. At this time, since there is a clearance fit between the movable component 230 and the powder cartridge portion 200 and the protrusion no longer abuts against the abutting surface 231, the movable component 230 extends downward relative to the processing cartridge under the action of gravity and the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 260 to achieve the reset action. At this time, the movable component 230 is located at the second position. At the second position, the acting force applied by the elastic member 260 to the movable component 230 decreases or until the elastic member 260 returns to the above natural state.

[0088] When the movable component is at the second position and the electrophotographic apparatus drives the protrusion to move in the installation direction of the processing cartridge, the protrusion can apply an acting force on the pushing surface 232 and push the powder cartridge portion to move relative to the waste powder cartridge portion and separate the roller drum.

[0089] In addition, as Figure 21 shown, an optimized structure of the elastic member 260 is provided. The elastic member 260 can be an integral sponge, which is located in the receiving chamber 240 and directly abuts against two resisting portions 233 of the movable component 230.

[0090] The remaining structures are the same as those in the first embodiment. This embodiment can ensure that the movable component 230 performs stable movement actions after each installation, and provides stable reset during the movement between the first position and the second position.

[0091] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A process cartridge comprising a toner bin portion and a waste toner bin portion, wherein the process cartridge is detachably mounted in an electronic imaging device, wherein a vertically retractable protrusion is provided in the electronic imaging device, wherein: The process cartridge further comprises a movable component, which is movably disposed on the process cartridge and is movable relative to the protrusion during installation of the process cartridge; The movable member has a first position and a second position; The process cartridge further comprises a first pushing member and a second pushing member, wherein the first pushing member can be subjected to a force applied by the movable member in a vertical direction, and the second pushing member can be subjected to a force applied by the movable member in a horizontal direction; When the movable component is in the first position, the first pushing component is subjected to a force applied by the movable component in a vertical direction; When the movable component is in the second position, the first pushing component is subjected to a force applied by the movable component in a vertical direction, and the second pushing component is subjected to a force applied by the movable component in a horizontal direction.

2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein During the installation of the process cartridge, the movable component receives a force from the electronic imaging device, causing the movable component to retract into the process cartridge to the first position; When the processing box is installed, the movable part can move from the first position to the second position, and when it is in the second position, the movable part can receive the pushing force from the electronic imaging device to make the powder bin part and the waste powder bin part move relative to each other.

3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: When the movable component is in the second position, it is closer to the bottom of the processing box than when it is in the first position. When the processing box is installed, the movable component moves from the first position to the bottom of the processing box to the second position at least by gravity.

4. The process cartridge according to claim 3, wherein: The processing box is provided with a accommodating bin, the accommodating bin is provided with an anti-slip portion, the movable component is provided with a resisting portion, the movable component can move relative to the accommodating bin, and the resisting portion can abut against the anti-slip portion to prevent the movable component from detaching from the accommodating bin.

5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein: An elastic member is provided in the accommodating chamber, and the movable component moves from the first position to the bottom of the processing box to the second position by relying on gravity and the elastic force of the elastic member.

6. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: The processing box is provided with a rotating part, one end of the movable component is rotatably connected to the rotating part, and the other end relies on gravity and the elastic force of the elastic member to make the blocking part abut against the anti-slip part.

7. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein: The movable component is provided with a groove, and one end of the elastic member abuts against the groove.

8. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein: The movable component has a pushing surface, and the pushing surface can receive the pushing force from the protrusion of the electronic imaging device.

9. The process cartridge according to claim 8, wherein: The pushing surface is perpendicular to the horizontal plane; and / or the pushing surface is provided with a snap-fitting portion that cooperates with the protrusion.

10. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The process cartridge further includes a locking component, and when the movable component is in the second position, the movable component is fixed to the process cartridge in a horizontal direction through the locking component.

11. A method for installing a process cartridge, for use with the process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the process cartridge is installed in an electronic imaging device, wherein a protrusion that can be extended and retracted in a vertical direction is provided in the electronic imaging device, wherein: The installation method includes: Installing the process cartridge into the electronic imaging device along an installation direction; The movable part of the processing box moves relative to the protrusion and retracts into the processing box.

12. The installation method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The movable component has a first position and a second position. During the installation of the process cartridge, the movable component is subjected to a force from the electronic imaging device, so that the movable component retracts into the process cartridge to the first position. The installation method further includes: When the processing box is installed, the movable part can move from the first position to the second position, and when it is in the second position, the movable part can receive the forced thrust from the electronic imaging device to make the powder bin part of the processing box and the waste powder bin part of the processing box move relative to each other.

Images