Developing box, processing box and electronic photographic imaging device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a developing box and a processing box and an electronic photographic imaging device having the developing box. The developing box includes a shell and a developing roller rotatably installed in the shell. The developing box has a driving end and a conductive end arranged opposite to each other at two longitudinal ends of the shell, wherein the driving end is provided with a power receiving member for receiving a driving force from the outside to drive the developing roller to rotate, and the conductive end is used to receive power from the outside to supply to the developing roller; the developing box also includes a separation force receiving member arranged at the driving end or the conductive end; when the developing box is working, the developing roller contacts a photosensitive drum located outside the developing box; when the developing box is not working, the separation force receiving member receives a separation force from the outside, and at the end where the separation force receiving member is located, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated from each other, and the control device in the imaging device no longer needs to control whether the driving force output component corresponding to the developing box is working according to the state of the developing box, thereby simplifying the control device in the imaging device.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] There is a processing box with a drum-powder separation structure, that is, the processing box is divided into two parts, a developing box and a drum frame, which are detachably combined. The developing box contains toner required for the operation of the processing box, and the toner is transported to the drum frame by a developing roller rotatably installed in the developing box. A photosensitive drum required for imaging is rotatably installed in the drum frame. When the developing box is installed on the drum frame, the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum and transports toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0003] When the processing cartridge does not need to work, it is necessary to separate the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to prevent the developing roller and the photosensitive drum from being in contact for a long time, causing the surface of the photosensitive drum to be "contaminated" by the developing roller and the surface of the developing roller to be compressed and deformed. Especially in a color imaging device equipped with four colors, sometimes the end user only needs to use one of the colors. If the developing cartridges of the other three colors do not work, it helps to reduce the consumption of toner of other colors.

[0004] Generally, one of the two longitudinal ends of the processing box is used to receive driving force and the other is used to receive electricity. Similarly, the two longitudinal ends of the developing box and the drum frame also have the same function. A separation mechanism has been developed to separate the developing roller and the photosensitive drum when the processing box is not working. The existing practice is to set the separation mechanism at both longitudinal ends of the processing box. When the processing box does not need to work, the separation mechanism located at the two longitudinal ends of the processing box forces the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to separate at the same time, and the photosensitive drum and the developing roller both stop rotating. When the processing box needs to work, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum contact again, and the photosensitive drum and the developing roller rotate again, and this is repeated.

[0005] It can be seen that the existing separation structure requires the electronic photographic imaging device to control the driving force output components in the device to continuously stop and start working according to the imaging situation, which makes the control device of the electronic photographic imaging device more complicated; from the perspective of the separation mechanism itself, in the process of multiple separations and return to contact between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller, the separation mechanism may be worn, especially the separation force receiving member provided on the developing box. Once it is worn, the component used to apply the separation force will need to travel a larger stroke before the two can contact. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention provides a developing box to solve the problem that the existing developing box has high requirements for the control device of the electronic photographic imaging device, wherein only one longitudinal end of the developing box can receive the separation force, for example, the conductive end of the developing box can receive the separation force, and the driving end does not receive the separation force, or the conductive end of the developing box does not receive the separation force, and the driving end receives the separation force. At this time, the developing box can always receive the driving force, so the control device in the electronic photographic imaging device no longer needs to control the driving force output member to constantly stop and start working.

[0007] The developing box includes a shell and a developing roller rotatably installed in the shell, and the developing box has a driving end and a conductive end arranged opposite to each other at two longitudinal ends of the shell, wherein the driving end is provided with a power receiving member for receiving a driving force from the outside to drive the developing roller to rotate, and the conductive end is used to receive electric power from the outside to supply to the developing roller; the developing box also includes a separation force receiving member arranged at the conductive end behind the driving end; when the developing box is working, the power receiving member receives a driving force from the outside, and the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum located outside the developing box; when the developing box is not working, the separation force receiving member receives a separation force from the outside, and the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated from each other at the end where the separation force receiving member is located.

[0008] Furthermore, when the developing box is not working, the developing roller maintains contact with the photosensitive drum at the end where the separation force receiving member is not provided; the developing box also includes end covers located at two longitudinal ends of the shell, and the separation force receiving member does not contact the end covers.

[0009] Along the installation direction of the developing box, the separation force receiving member is located between the rotation axis of the power receiving member and the rotation axis of the developing roller; when observed along the rotation axis of the developing roller, at least a portion of the separation force receiving member overlaps with the projection of the power receiving member at the conductive end or the developing roller.

[0010] Furthermore, when the developing box is not working, an angle is formed between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum; or, when the developing box is not working, the distance between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum is different along the longitudinal direction of the developing box from the driving end to the conductive end.

[0011] The housing has a terminal face at the conductive end, and the developing box further includes a conductive bracket mounted on the terminal face, the conductive bracket supports the terminal of the developing roller and supplies power to the developing roller, and the separation force receiving member protrudes from the conductive bracket along the longitudinal direction of the developing box.

[0012] The separation force receiving member is fixedly mounted on the end surface, and the conductive bracket is provided with a through hole for allowing the separation force receiving member to pass through; alternatively, the separation force receiving member is fixedly mounted on the conductive bracket.

[0013] As a second embodiment, the developing box also includes an extension body arranged on the shell or the conductive bracket, and the separation force receiving member can be detachably installed in the extension body, and the extension body is provided with a notch on the circumferential surface adjacent to its free end, and a part of the separation force receiving member is accommodated by the notch; the separation member is a bent body, including a coupling portion for coupling with the extension body, a force receiving portion for receiving the separation force, and a bent portion located between the coupling portion and the force receiving portion, and the bent portion is accommodated by the notch.

[0014] As a third embodiment, the developing box also includes a powder outlet knife, which includes a knife holder and a blade installed on the knife holder, wherein the knife holder is fixedly mounted on the shell, the blade is in contact with the outer surface of the developing roller, and the separation force receiving member is connected to the knife holder through a connecting member; along the installation direction, the separation force receiving member is closer to the rotation axis of the developing roller than the knife holder; or, the connecting member includes at least one of a first connecting member connected to the knife holder and a second connecting member connected to the separation force receiving member, wherein the second connecting member is bent relative to the knife holder or the first connecting member.

[0015] The present invention also provides a processing box, which includes a drum frame and a developing box as described above that are detachably combined with each other, the photosensitive drum is rotatably installed in the drum frame, and the drum frame also includes a force applying member for applying a separation force to the separation force receiving member.

[0016] The present invention also provides an electronic photographic imaging device, which includes a force applying member for applying a separation force to the above-mentioned developing box.

[0017] The developing box involved in the present invention sets a separation force receiving member only at the conductive end, so that the control device in the imaging device no longer needs to control whether the driving force output component corresponding to the developing box is working according to the state of the developing box. Therefore, the control device in the imaging device is simplified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional view of the developing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the driving end.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the developer box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the conductive end.

[0020] Figure 3A It is a schematic diagram of the exploded components of the conductive end portion of the first developing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3B It is a schematic diagram of the exploded view of the conductive end parts of the second developing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4It is a side view of the developing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention when observed from the conductive end.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the relative position of the developing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention and the photosensitive drum after receiving the separation force.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional view of the developer box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the second end cover is hidden and observed from the conductive end.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded view of the conductive end parts of the developing box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a side view of the developer box according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the second end cover is hidden and observed from the conductive end.

[0027] Fig. 9 It is a side view of the developing box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the conductive end.

[0028] Fig.10 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the developing box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the conductive end.

[0029] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the partial component decomposition of the developing box involved in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Fig. 12A It is a three-dimensional diagram of the powder discharge knife involved in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Fig. 12B It is a top view of the powder discharge knife involved in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the location of the separation force receiving member in the conductive end of the developer box involved in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Fig.14 It is a side view of the developer box involved in the third embodiment of the present invention when observed from the conductive end. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] [Example 1]

[0036] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the driving end; Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the developer box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the conductive end.

[0037] The developing cartridge 10 can be detachably mounted to a drum frame (not shown) along a mounting direction A to form a process cartridge, and then the process cartridge is mounted to an electrophotographic imaging device in a direction substantially in the same direction as A. The developing cartridge 10 includes a housing 20 and a developing roller 21 rotatably mounted in the housing 20, and the developing roller 21 is located at one end of the housing 20 along the mounting direction A. As shown in the figure, one of the longitudinal ends 20a of the developing cartridge 10 is used to receive a driving force from the electrophotographic imaging device, and thus can be referred to as a driving end, and the other longitudinal end 20b is used to receive power from the electrophotographic imaging device, and thus can be referred to as a conductive end, and the driving end and the conductive end are arranged oppositely in the longitudinal direction of the developing cartridge 10 / housing 20.

[0038] The developing box 10 also includes a first end cover 22 installed on the driving end 20a, a power receiving member 31 installed on the same side as the first end cover 22, a second end cover 23 installed on the conductive end 20b, a counting assembly 25 and a conductive bracket 24 installed on the same side as the second end cover 23, and a driving bracket 29 installed on the same side as the first end cover 22, wherein a portion of the power receiving member 31 is covered by the first end cover 22, and another portion is exposed from the first end cover 22 to receive a driving force from the electronic photographic imaging device to rotate around the rotation axis L2, and drive the developing roller 21 to rotate around the rotation axis L1, and the rotation axis L1 and the rotation axis L2 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the installation direction A; the conductive bracket 24 and the driving bracket 29 respectively support the two ends of the developing roller 21, and the conductive bracket 24 is electrically connected to the developing roller 21 to supply power to the developing roller 21; the counting assembly 25 works by receiving the driving force of the power receiving member 31, and therefore, the conductive end can also be called the counting end.

[0039] In the present embodiment, one of the conductive end 20b and the driving end 20a of the developing box 10 is provided with a separation force receiving member 32 for receiving the separation force, and the other end is no longer provided with a member for receiving the separation force. The following mainly uses the example that the driving end 20a is not provided with a separation force receiving member, and the conductive end 20b is provided with a separation force receiving member 32.

[0040] The separation force receiving member 32 extends along the longitudinal direction of the developing box. Preferably, along the longitudinal direction of the developing box 10, the separation force receiving member 32 extends beyond the conductive bracket 24 but does not exceed the second end cover 23. On the one hand, it can ensure that the separation force receiving member 32 can stably receive the separation force. On the other hand, in the direction parallel to the installation direction A, the second end cover 23 can protect the separation force receiving member 32 to prevent the separation force receiving member 32 from being broken.

[0041] Figure 3A It is a schematic diagram of the exploded components of the conductive end portion of the first developing cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3BIt is a schematic diagram of the exploded components of the conductive end portion of the second developing cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 It is a side view of the developing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention when observed from the conductive end.

[0042] The shell 20 has an end surface 201 at the conductive end, and a driving gear 26 is installed on the end surface 201. The driving gear 26 is used to receive the driving force of the power receiving member 31 and drive the counting gear 251 in the counting assembly 25 to rotate. The second end cover 23 covers at least a portion of the driving gear 26 and the counting gear 251; further, the conductive bracket 24 is fixedly installed on the end surface 201, and has a supporting portion 241 for supporting the developing roller 21 and an extension body 242 extending along the longitudinal direction of the developing box 10 and having a through hole 243. The supporting portion 241 and the extension body 242 are both extended from the main body of the conductive bracket 24 along the longitudinal direction of the developing box 10.

[0043] like Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the developing box 10 also includes a separation force receiving member 32 which is arranged at the conductive end and is formed separately from the second end cover 23, that is, the separation force receiving member 32 is not arranged on the second end cover 23, and along the installation direction A, the separation force receiving member 32 is located closer to the developing roller 21 than the second end cover 23, and a gap g is formed between the separation force receiving member 32 and the second end cover 23 (such as Figure 4 The enlarged schematic diagram of the local R1 in the figure) shortens the movement stroke of the component (force applying member 9) that applies the separation force to the separation force receiving member 32, ensuring that the separation force received by the separation force receiving member 32 is large enough.

[0044] like Figure 4 As shown by the middle dashed line, the projection of the power receiving member 31 at the conductive end is a circle S. Along the installation direction A, the separation force receiving member 32 is located between the rotation axis L1 and the rotation axis L2, and at least a portion of the separation force receiving member 32 overlaps with the circle S or the developing roller 21, respectively, which is conducive to reducing the size of the developing box 10 in the installation direction A, making the developing box 10 more compact. Along the installation direction A, the separation force receiving member 32 is closer to the rotation axis L1 than the rotation axis L2, and the distance between the rotation axis L1 and the separation force receiving member 32 is smaller than the distance between the separation force receiving member 32 and the driving gear 26 or the counting gear 251.

[0045] Optionally, the separation force receiving member 32 may be fixed to the conductive support 24 (eg, Figure 3A As shown), it can also be fixed on the shell end surface 201 (as shown Figure 3BAs shown), the applicant of the present invention believes that the separation force receiving member 32 is preferably arranged on the end surface 201 of the shell body, which is more conducive to the transmission of the separation force. When the separation force receiving member 32 receives the separation force, the separation force can be directly transmitted to the shell body 20, thereby causing the developing roller 21 located in the shell body 20 to separate from the photosensitive drum. If the separation force receiving member 32 is arranged on the second end cover 23 or the conductive bracket 24, then when the separation force is applied to the separation force receiving member 32, the separation force also needs to be transmitted to the shell body 21 through the second end cover 23 or the conductive bracket 24. On the one hand, the transmission path of the separation force is increased, thereby increasing the loss of the separation force. On the other hand, it is necessary to strengthen the combination of the second end cover 23 or the conductive bracket 24 and the shell body 20 to offset the effect of the separation force on the second end cover 23 or the conductive bracket 24, so as to prevent the separation force from being too large and causing the second end cover 23 or the conductive bracket 24 to loosen the combination with the shell body 20.

[0046] More preferably, the separation force receiving member 32 is fixed on the end surface 201 and passes through the conductive bracket 24, which is more conducive to reducing the self-strength requirement of the separation force receiving member 32 and the bonding strength requirement of the conductive bracket 24 and the shell 20. At this time, the separation force receiving member 32 transmits a part of the received separation force to the shell 20 through the conductive bracket 24, and the other part is directly transmitted to the shell 20, thereby preventing the entire separation force from being applied to the separation force receiving member 32, resulting in an increase in the strength requirement of the separation force receiving member 32, and at the same time, preventing the entire separation force from being applied to the conductive bracket 24, resulting in an increase in the bonding strength requirement of the conductive bracket 24 and the shell 20.

[0047] For this reason, Figure 3A As shown, the conductive bracket 24 is provided with the extension body 242 having the through hole 243, and the separation force receiving member 32 passes through the through hole 243 and protrudes from the conductive bracket 24. Therefore, the extension body 242 also has a limiting effect on the separation force receiving member 32, preventing the separation force receiving member 32 from shaking in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the developing box 10. At the same time, the extension body 242 also has the function of dispersing the separation force transmitted to the conductive bracket 24 by the separation force receiving member 32, so that the separation force transmitted to the conductive bracket 24 is more stable.

[0048] As another implementation method, Figure 3BAs shown, the separation force receiving member 32 can also be fixed on the conductive bracket 24. In this case, the separation force receiving member 32 can still be regarded as protruding from the conductive bracket 24; for example, the separation force receiving member 32 is formed integrally with the conductive bracket 24, and extends from the main body of the conductive bracket 24 in the direction opposite to the support portion 241. At this time, only a through hole 243 is provided on the conductive bracket 24 for the separation force receiving member 32 to pass through, and no extension body 242 is provided; in order to enhance the strength of the separation force receiving member 32, a reinforcing component 32a is provided downstream of the separation force receiving member 32 along the direction in which the separation force is applied by the force applying member 9 (as described below) to prevent the separation force receiving member 32 from breaking when receiving the separation force; for another example, the separation force receiving member 32 is formed separately from the conductive bracket 24. In this case, the separation force receiving member 32 is fixed to the main body of the conductive bracket 24 by means of screws, welding, etc. Similarly, a reinforcing component can also be provided around the separation force receiving member 32 to enhance its strength.

[0049] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the relative position of the developing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention and the photosensitive drum after receiving the separation force.

[0050] For a clearer observation, Figure 5 Only the photosensitive drum 40 combined with the developing cartridge 10 is shown, and the photosensitive drum 40 is rotatably mounted in the drum frame around a rotation axis L4 perpendicular to the mounting direction A. The other parts of the drum frame are not shown, and the developing roller 21 is arranged opposite to the photosensitive drum 40. The force applying member 9 for applying the separation force to the separation force receiving member 32 is located inside the drum frame or the electrophotographic imaging device, and the force applying member 9 applies the separation force to the separation force receiving member 32 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction A. Since only the conductive end 20b is provided with the separation force receiving member 32, even if the force applying member 9 corresponding to the driving end 20a also moves in the direction opposite to the mounting direction A, the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 still maintain contact at the driving end 20a, but the two are separated from each other at the conductive end 20b.

[0051] As shown in the figure, the force-applying member 9 corresponding to the conductive end 20b applies a separation force to the separation force receiving member 32, and the developing box 10 or the developing roller 21 basically rotates clockwise around the contact point between the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 at the driving end 20a as the origin, thereby causing the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 to form a state in which the driving end is in contact and the conductive end is separated. At this time, an angle α is formed between the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40, and the rotation axis L1 of the developing roller 21 and the rotation axis L4 of the photosensitive drum 40 also have an angle α. The rotation axis L1 is no longer perpendicular to the installation direction A. Along the longitudinal direction of the developing box 10, from the driving end 20a to the conductive end 20b, the distance between the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 is different. At a specific position, the distance gradually increases.

[0052] exist Figure 5In the state shown, whether it is the developing roller 21 in the developing box 10 or the photosensitive drum 40 in the drum frame, at the driving end 20a thereof, the driving force can be transmitted from the electronic photographic imaging device all the time, even if the processing box does not need to work at this time, the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 can still keep rotating, and when the processing box needs to work again, the rotating photosensitive drum 40 and the developing roller 21 can enter the working state faster than the photosensitive drum 40 and the developing roller 21 of the stationary device, so that the control device in the electronic photographic imaging device does not need to control the driving force output component in the device to stop working, that is, the control device does not need to control whether the driving force output component in the device works according to the state of the processing box, thereby simplifying the control device; further, the driving end 20a of the developing box 10 is no longer provided with a separation force receiving member, and the force applying member 9 originally used to combine with the separation force receiving member of the driving end 20a and apply the separation force may also not be provided, which saves the material cost of the drum frame or the electronic photographic imaging device and simplifies the structure of the drum frame or the electronic photographic imaging device.

[0053] [Example 2]

[0054] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the developing box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the conductive end.

[0055] In this embodiment, the counting assembly 25 is redesigned. As shown in the figure, the counting assembly 25 includes a driving member 252, a transmission gear 253 and a toggle member 254. The developing box 10 also includes an intermediate gear 26a disposed at the conductive end 20b and meshing with the driving gear 26. The transmission gear 253 meshes with the intermediate gear 26a and the driving member 252 respectively. The driving member 252 is a rack as a whole, wherein at least one protrusion for triggering the toggle member 254 and a tooth 252 meshing with the transmission gear 253 are provided. 3, the protrusions are the first protrusion 2521 and the second protrusion 2522 arranged at intervals along the installation direction A, the driving force received by the power receiving member 31 is transmitted to the driving member 252 through the driving gear 26, the intermediate gear 26a and the transmission gear 253 in sequence, and the driving member 252 can reciprocate along the direction parallel to the installation direction A, and at the same time, the protrusion triggers the toggle member 254, so that the toggle member 254 rotates around the rotation axis L3 perpendicular to the rotation axis L1, that is, the rotation axis L3 is parallel to the installation direction A.

[0056] In this embodiment, the driving end 20a of the developing box 10 is not provided with a separation force receiving member, and only the conductive end 20b is provided with a separation force receiving member 32. Similarly, the separation force receiving member 32 does not contact the second end cover 23, and the separation force receiving member 32 does not contact the counting component 25.

[0057] Figure 7 1 is a schematic diagram of the exploded view of the conductive end of the developing box according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a side view of the developer cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the second end cover is hidden and viewed from the conductive end; Fig. 9 is a side view of the developing cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the conductive end; Fig.10 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the developing box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the conductive end.

[0058] In this embodiment, the separator 32 is an independent component and is installed on the conductive end 20b in a detachable manner. As in the first embodiment, the separator 32 can be installed on the shell 20 or on the conductive bracket 24. No matter where the separator 32 is installed, an extension body 27 in contact with the separator 32 will be provided on the shell 20 or the conductive bracket 24. It can be realized that the separator 32 can be detachably installed in the extension body 27.

[0059] The separation member 32 is a bent body, including a coupling portion 323 for coupling with the extension body 27, a force receiving portion 321 for receiving the separation force, and a bent portion 322 located between the coupling portion 323 and the force receiving portion 321; the extension body 27 extends in a direction parallel to the rotation axis L1, and can extend from the shell 20 or from the conductive bracket 24. In the following, the extension of the extension body 27 from the conductive bracket 24 is used as an example for explanation.

[0060] In a direction parallel to the rotation axis L1, the extension body 27 extends beyond the driving member 252 but does not extend beyond the second end cover 23, so that the extension body 27 is protected in a direction parallel to the installation direction A. Fig.10 As shown, the separating member 32 combined with the extending body 27 will not interfere with the driving member 252, and the size of the developing box 10 is not extended in the direction parallel to the rotation axis L1, or in the longitudinal direction of the developing box 10, and the overall structure is more compact. Figure 7 As shown, the extension body 27 is a columnar body having a housing cavity 271, and the coupling portion 323 is accommodated by the housing cavity 271. At the same time, the extension body 27 is provided with a notch 272 on the circumferential surface adjacent to its free end, and the bending portion 322 is accommodated by the notch 272. Therefore, in the circumferential direction of the extension body 27, the separator 32 is restricted by at least the first side wall 27a and the second side wall 27c of the notch 272 and cannot rotate freely; further, there is a third side wall 27b between the first side wall 27a and the second side wall 27c. Therefore, in a direction parallel to the rotation axis L1, the bending portion 322 is restricted by the third side wall 27b. Finally, the separator 32 is fixed in the extension body 27.

[0061] like Figure 8 As shown, the projection of the power receiving member 31 on the conductive end 20b is a circle S. Figure 8When observed from the perspective of , along the installation direction A, at least one of a portion of the extension body 27 and a portion of the force receiving portion 321 of the separation member 32 is located between the rotation axis L1 and the rotation axis L2, and at least one of a portion of the extension body 27 and a portion of the force receiving portion 321 of the separation member 32 is located within the range of the circle S. This design is beneficial to reducing the size of the developing box 10 in the installation direction A, making the developing box 10 more compact.

[0062] like Fig. 9 As shown, when the second end cover 23 is installed, Fig. 9 When observed from the perspective of , a portion of the extension body 27 overlaps with the second end cover 23, and a portion of the coupling portion 323 and a portion of the bending portion 322 of the separator 32 also overlap with the second end cover 23, but the force receiving portion 321 of the separator 32 is located outside the second end cover 23, and a gap g is formed between the force receiving portion 321 and the second end cover 23, and the stroke of the force-applying member 9 when applying the separation force is shortened, thereby reducing the size of the developer box 10 in the installation direction A while ensuring that the force receiving portion 321 can stably receive a larger separation force.

[0063] like Figure 7 As shown, the second end cover 23 is also provided with an escape portion 231. When the developing box 10 is assembled, in a direction parallel to the rotation axis L1, both sides of the bending portion 322 are respectively restricted by the third side wall 27b of the notch and the escape portion 231, thereby further ensuring that the separation piece 32 will not fall off from the extension body 27.

[0064] When the force applying member 9 applies a separation force to the separation member 32, the force receiving portion 321 transmits the received separation force to the housing 20, and the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 are separated at the conductive end 20b. Since the separation member 32 is not provided at the driving end 20a, the driving end of the developing roller 21 and the driving end of the photosensitive drum 40 still maintain contact (such as Figure 5 As shown), on the one hand, the force-applying member 9 corresponding to the driving end 20a does not need to be provided, and on the other hand, the control device for controlling whether the force-applying member 9 corresponding to the conductive end 20b is working can also be simplified. In this case, the control device does not need to be provided to control the force-applying member 9 to start or stop working according to the state of the developing box 10 / processing box.

[0065] [Example 3]

[0066] Fig.11 is a partial exploded schematic diagram of the developing cartridge involved in the third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 12A is a three-dimensional diagram of a powder discharging knife involved in Embodiment 3 of the present invention; Fig. 12B is a top view of a powder discharge knife involved in Embodiment 3 of the present invention; Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of the position of the separation force receiving member in the conductive end of the developing cartridge involved in the third embodiment of the present invention; Fig.14It is a side view of the developer box involved in the third embodiment of the present invention when observed from the conductive end.

[0067] like Fig.11 As shown, the developing box 10 also includes a powder knife 28 installed in the shell 20 and in contact with the developing roller 21, and the powder knife 28 is used to adjust the thickness of the carbon powder layer on the surface of the developing roller 21. The separation force receiving member 32 in this embodiment is connected to the powder knife 28. Preferably, the two are formed in one piece.

[0068] Generally, the powder discharge knife 28 is made of metal material. When the separation force receiving component 32 is formed integrally with the powder discharge knife 28, it means that the separation force receiving component 32 can also be made of metal. In this case, the strength of the separation force receiving component 32 is higher. Of course, the separation force receiving component 32 can also be formed separately from the powder discharge knife 28, and the two are combined by means of clamping or welding. The following description takes the example of the two being formed integrally.

[0069] As shown in the figure, the powder outlet knife 28 includes a knife holder 281 and a blade 282 installed on the knife holder 281, wherein the knife holder 281 is fixedly installed on the shell 20, the blade 282 contacts the outer surface of the developing roller 21, and the separation force receiving member 32 is connected to one end of the knife holder 281. Based on the orientation of the powder outlet knife 28 installed to the shell 20, the separation force receiving member 32 is connected to the conductive end of the knife holder 281.

[0070] Furthermore, the powder discharge knife 28 also includes a connecting member connecting the knife holder 281 and the separation force receiving member 32 , and the connecting member includes at least one of a first connecting member 283 and a second connecting member 284 . In this embodiment, the connecting member includes a first connecting member 283 and a second connecting member 284, wherein the first connecting member 283 is connected to the tool holder 281, and the second connecting member 284 is connected to the separation force receiving member 32; further, along the length direction of the powder outlet knife 28, the first connecting member 283 extends from the tool holder 281 toward the direction away from the driving end, and the second connecting member 284 continues to extend from the first connecting member 283 toward the direction away from the driving end, and the second connecting member 284 is bent relative to the first connecting member 283 or the tool holder 281. Specifically, when the powder outlet knife 28 is installed to the developing box 10, the second connecting member 284 is closer to the rotation axis L1 than the first connecting member 283 or the tool holder 281, and the separation force receiving member 32 connected to the second connecting member 284 is also closer to the rotation axis L1 than the first connecting member 283 or the tool holder 281.

[0071] When the connecting member only includes the first connecting member 283, the separation force receiving member 32 is directly connected to the first connecting member 283. In order to enable the separation force receiving member 32 to smoothly receive the separation force and prevent the separation force receiving member 32 from possible deformation, the separation force receiving member 32 at this time extends obliquely from the first connecting member 283, and the separation force receiving member 32 is closer to the rotation axis L1 of the developing roller than the first connecting member 283; when the connecting member only includes the second connecting member 284, the tool holder 281 is directly connected to the second connecting member 284. Similarly, the second connecting member 284 at this time is still inclined relative to the tool holder 281, and makes the separation force receiving member 32 closer to the rotation axis L1 of the developing roller than the tool holder 281.

[0072] In practice, the connecting member includes a first connecting member 283 and a second connecting member 284. The first connecting member 283 is connected to the tool holder 281, which is equivalent to the tool holder 281 being extended in a direction farther away from the driving end 20a. Then the starting point P where the second connecting member 284 begins to tilt will also be farther away from the driving end 20a, or closer to the end of the conductive end 20b. This design makes the separation force closer to the conductive end 20b. When the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 rotate with the contact point between the two at the driving end as the origin, the separation force away from the driving end 20a or close to the conductive end 20b can more easily separate the conductive end of the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40.

[0073] Continue as Fig.13 As shown, assuming that the angle between the second connecting member 284 and the first connecting member 283 is a1, the force transmitted from the separation force receiving member 32 to the second connecting member 284 is f, and the force f can be decomposed into a separation force f2 in the opposite direction of the installation direction A. The angle between the separation force f2 and the force f is a2, which satisfies: a1=a2, f2=f*cosa2. It can be seen that the smaller a2 is, the larger f2 is, that is, the smaller the angle between the second connecting member 284 and the first connecting member 283 is, the better; however, from the separation force Considering the possible movement direction of the receiving member 32 after the separation force is applied, it is better to set an angle a1 between the second connecting member 284 and the first connecting member 283. If a1=0, that is, the second connecting member 284 and the first connecting member 283 are in the same plane, when the separation force receiving member 32 is subjected to the separation force, the separation force receiving member 32 may drive the second connecting member 284 to deform in the direction opposite to the installation direction A. Thereafter, the force applying member 9 may no longer be able to contact the separation force receiving member 32, resulting in failure to separate the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40.

[0074] It can be seen from this that when the second connecting member 284 or the separation force receiving member 32 is inclined relative to the tool holder 281, taking into account the position of the starting point P, the angle a1 is preferably 45°.

[0075] like Fig.13 In the enlarged schematic diagram of the middle part R2, along the rotation axis L1 of the developing roller 21 or the length direction of the developing box 10, the separation force receiving member 32 and the knife holder 281 are respectively located on both sides of the conductive bracket 24. At the same time, along the installation direction A, the connecting member is located between the conductive bracket 24 and the shell 20. The separation force receiving member 32 is not in contact with the second end cover 23, and a gap g is formed therebetween. The separation force receiving member 32 is closer to the rotation axis L1 of the developing roller 21 than the knife holder 281. Therefore, the stroke of the force applying member 9 when applying the separation force to the separation force receiving member 32 is shortened, and the separation force receiving member 32 can receive a larger separation force.

[0076] Similarly, the developing cartridge driving end 20a in this embodiment is not provided with a separation force receiving member, and only the conductive end 20b is provided with a separation force receiving member 32, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, after the separation force receiving member 32 receives the separation force, the developing box as a whole or the developing roller 21 rotates clockwise with the contact point between the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 at the driving end 20a as the origin, so that the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 are in a state where the driving ends are in contact and the conductive ends are separated from each other. In this case, the control device in the electronic photographic imaging device does not have to control whether the driving force output component in the device is working according to the state of the developing box 10 / processing box, thereby simplifying the control device. At the same time, it is also unnecessary to set the force applying member 9 at the driving end of the drum frame or the electronic photographic imaging device, thereby reducing the material cost of the drum frame or the electronic photographic imaging device and simplifying the structure of the drum frame or the electronic photographic imaging device.

[0077] like Fig.14 As shown, at least a portion of the separation force receiving member 32 is located within the projection S of the power receiving member 31 at the conductive end. At the same time, at least a portion of the separation force receiving member 32 is also located between the rotation axis L1 and the rotation axis L2, thereby reducing the size of the developing box 10 in the installation direction A; further, the separation force receiving member 32 in the present embodiment is a plate-like body, and along the installation direction A, the downstream end surface of the separation force receiving member 32 is a plane, so that the force applying member 9 is more likely to contact the separation force receiving member 32. In other words, the separation force receiving member 32 is more likely to receive the separation force, which can greatly reduce the installation accuracy requirements of the force applying member 9.

[0078] As a variation of the above embodiment, the separation force receiving member 32 provided at the conductive end 20b is symmetrically arranged, and the separation force receiving member 32 can also be provided at the driving end 20a. In this case, the separation force receiving member 32 is no longer provided at the conductive end 20b. Similarly, the separation force receiving member 32 provided at the driving end 20a does not contact the driving end cover 22, and protrudes from the driving bracket 29. When receiving the separation force applied by the force applying member 9, the developing roller 21 is separated from the photosensitive drum 40 at the driving end 20a, and the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 are still combined at the conductive end 20b. At this time, an angle is formed between the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40. Along the longitudinal direction of the developing box 10, from the driving end 20a to the conductive end 20b, the distance between the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 is different. Specifically, the distance gradually decreases.

[0079] By only setting the separation force receiving member 32 at the driving end 20a, the control device in the electronic photographic imaging device does not need to control whether the driving force output component in the device is working according to the state of the processing box, thereby simplifying the control device, and the force applying member 9 originally corresponding to the conductive end 20b may not need to be set.

[0080] For the powder discharge knife 28, along the length direction of the powder discharge knife 28, the separation force receiving member 32 can also be simultaneously arranged at the driving end 20a and the conductive end 20b, that is, the two separation force receiving members 32 are respectively arranged at the two longitudinal ends of the knife holder 281, and along the installation direction A, the separation force receiving members 32 located at both ends of the powder discharge knife 28 are not in contact with the end caps at their respective ends, and are closer to the rotation axis L1 of the developing roller 21 than the knife holder 281, the stroke of the force applying member 9 when applying the separation force is shortened, and the separation force received by the separation force receiving member 32 is larger and more stable;

[0081] For color electronic photographic imaging devices, in order to separately control whether the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 in each processing box are working, the imaging device needs to configure a driving force output component for each developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 40 of each processing box, that is, each processing box corresponds to two driving force output components. This practice will not only increase the material cost of the imaging device, but also the mechanism in the imaging device for controlling the operation of each driving force output component will become very complicated, thereby further increasing the cost of the imaging device.

[0082] For the developing box 10 and the processing box having the developing box 10 in the present invention, the various driving force output components in the imaging device start working together, or stop working together, and it is no longer necessary for the control device in the imaging device to control whether the driving force output component corresponding to the processing box is working according to the state of the processing box. Therefore, the control device in the imaging device is simplified.

Claims

1. A developing box, comprising a housing and a developing roller rotatably mounted in the housing, the developing box having a driving end and a conductive end arranged opposite to each other at two longitudinal ends of the housing, wherein: The driving end is provided with a power receiving member for receiving a driving force from the outside to drive the developing roller to rotate, and the conductive end is used to receive electric power from the outside to supply to the developing roller; Characterized in that the developing box further comprises a separation force receiving member arranged at the driving end or the conductive end; When the developing cartridge is in operation, the power receiving member receives a driving force from the outside, and the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum located outside the developing cartridge; When the developing box is not working, the separation force receiving member receives the separation force from the outside, and the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated from each other at the end where the separation force receiving member is located. At the end where the separation force receiving member is not set, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum remain in contact.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The developing box also includes end covers located at both longitudinal ends of the shell, and the separation force receiving member does not contact the end covers.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: Along the mounting direction of the developing cartridge, the separation force receiving member is located between the rotation axis of the power receiving member and the rotation axis of the developing roller.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: At least a portion of the separation force receiving member overlaps with a projection of the power receiving member at the conductive end or the developing roller.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: When the developing box is not working, an angle is formed between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the developing cartridge is not in operation, the distance between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum is different from the driving end to the conductive end along the longitudinal direction of the developing cartridge.

7. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The housing has a terminal face at the conductive end, and the developing box further includes a conductive bracket mounted on the terminal face, the conductive bracket supports the terminal of the developing roller and supplies power to the developing roller, and the separation force receiving member protrudes from the conductive bracket along the longitudinal direction of the developing box.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: The separation force receiving member is fixedly mounted on the end surface, and the conductive bracket is provided with a through hole for allowing the separation force receiving member to pass through.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: The separation force receiving member is fixedly mounted on the conductive bracket.

10. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that: The developing box also includes an extension body arranged on the shell or the conductive bracket, and the separation force receiving member is detachably installed in the extension body. The extension body has a notch on the circumferential surface adjacent to its free end, and a part of the separation force receiving member is accommodated by the notch.

11. The developing cartridge according to claim 10, characterized in that: The separation piece is a bent body, comprising a coupling portion for coupling with the extension body, a force receiving portion for receiving the separation force, and a bent portion located between the coupling portion and the force receiving portion, wherein the bent portion is accommodated by the notch.

12. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The developing box also includes a powder outlet knife, which includes a knife frame and a blade installed on the knife frame, wherein the knife frame is fixedly installed on the shell, the blade contacts the outer surface of the developing roller, and the separation force receiving member is connected to the knife frame through a connecting member.

13. The developing cartridge according to claim 12, characterized in that: In the mounting direction, the separation force receiving member is closer to the rotation axis of the developing roller than the blade holder.

14. The developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein: The connecting member includes at least one of a first connecting member connected to the tool holder and a second connecting member connected to the separation force receiving member, wherein the second connecting member is bent relative to the tool holder or the first connecting member.

15. A process cartridge, characterized in that The processing box includes a drum frame that is detachably coupled to each other and a developing box as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, the photosensitive drum is rotatably mounted in the drum frame, and the drum frame also includes a force applying member for applying a separation force to a separation force receiving member.

16. An electrophotographic imaging device, characterized in that The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a force applying member for applying a separation force to the developing box according to any one of claims 1 to 14 above.

Images