Cartridge for electrophotographic imaging device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a box for an electronic photographic imaging device, comprising a driving assembly and a driving end cover located at a driving end thereof; wherein the driving assembly comprises: a power receiving member having a power receiving portion and a connecting rod portion, a first clutch portion being slidably sleeved on the connecting rod portion, and the first clutch portion being arranged to rotate synchronously with the power receiving member; a power transmission member being rotationally connected to the connecting rod portion, and a second clutch portion being arranged on the power transmission member; an elastic element being arranged between the first clutch portion and the second clutch portion, and applying an elastic force to the first clutch portion to separate the first clutch portion from the second clutch portion; and a pressing member being rotatably arranged at the driving end portion, and being used to apply a pressing force to the first clutch portion to engage the first clutch portion with the second clutch portion. The box of the present invention can be smoothly installed in and removed from the electronic photographic imaging device, and can stably receive and transmit the rotational driving force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge for an electrophotographic imaging device. Background Art

[0002] An electronic photographic imaging device such as a printer, a copier, a multifunction printer, etc. is usually equipped with a box, which is usually provided with at least a driving component, a developing roller and / or a photosensitive drum. The driving component includes a power receiving member, which can receive a rotational driving force from a driving head of the electronic photographic imaging device to drive the developing roller and / or the photosensitive drum to rotate.

[0003] The cartridge is usually installed in an electrophotographic imaging device in a detachable manner. To facilitate the removal and installation of the cartridge, it is required that the power receiving member can be smoothly separated and engaged with the drive head of the electrophotographic imaging device during the operation. In the prior art, to facilitate the separation and engagement of the power receiving member and the drive head, the power receiving member is usually arranged to be able to deflect or retract relative to the drive head during the separation and engagement process, but both structures have certain defects.

[0004] When the deflection structure (such as a universal wheel structure) runs from an angled direction to a non-angled direction, its relative distance in the axial direction will be extended, causing the power receiving component and the drive head to be pressed tightly against each other, which will increase the friction between the two, and correspondingly increase the torque and wear.

[0005] The telescopic structure controls the telescopic movement of the power receiving member through an elastic member, but has strict requirements on the control of the elastic force. A small elastic force may easily cause unstable engagement between the power receiving member and the drive head during operation, while a large elastic force may easily cause difficulty in installing and removing the box. Summary of the invention

[0006] A main object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which can be smoothly mounted to and removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and can stably receive a rotational driving force from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0007] In order to achieve the above main purpose, the present invention provides a box for an electrophotographic imaging device, including a drive assembly and a drive end cover located at a drive end thereof; wherein the drive assembly includes:

[0008] The power receiving member comprises a power receiving portion and a connecting rod portion, wherein a first clutch portion is slidably sleeved on the connecting rod portion, and the first clutch portion is configured to rotate synchronously with the power receiving member;

[0009] A power transmission component is rotatably connected to the connecting rod portion; a second clutch portion is provided on the power transmission component;

[0010] an elastic element, disposed between the first clutch portion and the second clutch portion, and used for applying an elastic force to the first clutch portion to separate the first clutch portion from the second clutch portion;

[0011] The pressing member is rotatably arranged at the driving end portion around the first pivot axis, and is used for applying a pressing force to the first clutch portion to make the first clutch portion mesh with the second clutch portion.

[0012] In the present invention, a clutch structure including a first clutch part and a second clutch part is formed between the power receiving component and the power transmission component. During the installation and removal process of the box, the first clutch part and the second clutch part are kept separated under the action of the elastic element, and the power receiving component can rotate freely in the circumferential direction without interfering with the driving head of the imaging device, so that the box can be smoothly installed in and removed from the imaging device. During the imaging operation, the force from the electronic photographic imaging device is transmitted to the pressing component, and the pressing component applies a pressing force to the first clutch part, so that the first clutch part overcomes the elastic force of the elastic element and meshes with the second clutch part, and the power transmission component rotates synchronously with the power receiving component, and the box can stably receive the rotational driving force from the driving head of the imaging device.

[0013] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, in the length direction of the connecting rod portion, the first clutch portion is arranged outside the second clutch portion.

[0014] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the first pivot is arranged on the driving end cover and is arranged to be perpendicular to the connecting rod portion.

[0015] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the driving assembly further includes a pressure plate component, which is at least translationally sleeved on the connecting rod portion; the pressing member abuts against the pressure plate component, and applies a pressing force to the first clutch portion through the pressure plate component to engage the first clutch portion with the second clutch portion. The pressure plate component is provided so that the pressing member can apply a pressing force to the first clutch portion more stably and evenly.

[0016] More specifically, the pressing member has a pressing end partially surrounding the connecting rod, and the pressing end abuts against the pressure plate member. The pressing end is arranged to partially surround the connecting rod, which can also make the pressing member apply pressing force to the first clutch part more stably and evenly.

[0017] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, a movable component is also provided at the driving end, and the movable component is driven by the electronic photographic imaging device to move between a first position and a second position; wherein, when the movable component moves from the first position to the second position, the movable component drives the pressing component to rotate around the first pivot, and the pressing component applies a pressing force to the first clutch part to engage the first clutch part with the second clutch part.

[0018] More specifically, the movable member is arranged to rotate around a second pivot, the second pivot is perpendicular to the first pivot; an abutment slope is formed between the movable member and the pressing member, and the abutment slope is arranged obliquely relative to the first pivot and the second pivot.

[0019] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the connecting rod portion has an annular groove, and the power receiving component is provided with a clamping protrusion; the clamping protrusion is inserted into the annular groove and can rotate along the annular groove.

[0020] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, a guide groove is provided on the first clutch portion, a guide protrusion is provided on the connecting rod portion, and the guide protrusion and the guide groove are slidably matched in the length direction of the connecting rod portion.

[0021] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the power transmission member includes a gear portion, which drives the developing roller or photosensitive drum in the box to rotate through the gear transmission mechanism. In addition, the power transmission member can also be installed at the end of the developing roller or photosensitive drum to directly drive the developing roller or photosensitive drum to rotate.

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of an embodiment of a developing cartridge of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The structure diagram of the developer box after removing the driving end cover;

[0025] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the driving component part of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 It is a structural exploded view of the driving component part of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 a projection view of one side of the driving end with the movable member in a first position;

[0028] Figure 6 shows the state of the drive assembly when the movable member is in the first position;

[0029] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 a projection view of one side of the driving end with the movable member in the second position;

[0030] Figure 8 The state of the drive assembly is shown when the movable member is in the second position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In the present invention, the cartridge for the electrophotographic imaging device may be a developing cartridge including a developing roller, a photosensitive drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, or a processing cartridge including a developing roller and a photosensitive drum, and these cartridges need to be provided with a driving assembly that receives a rotational driving force from a driving head of the electrophotographic imaging device to drive the developing roller or the photosensitive drum therein to rotate. The developing cartridge is taken as an example for explanation below.

[0032] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the developing box of the embodiment includes a frame 1, a developing roller 2, a driving assembly 3, a gear transmission mechanism 4 and a driving end cover 5. Among them, the developing roller 2 is rotatably supported on the frame 1, and the driving assembly 3, the gear transmission mechanism 4 and the driving end cover 5 are arranged at the driving end of the developing box. The driving assembly 3 can receive a rotational driving force from a driving head of an electronic photographic imaging device, and drive the developing roller 2 to rotate through the gear transmission mechanism 4.

[0033] like Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the driving assembly 3 includes a power receiving member 31 and a power transmission member 32. The power receiving member 31 has a power receiving portion 311 and a connecting rod portion 312, and the power receiving portion 311 is engaged with the driving head of the electronic photographic imaging device to receive the rotational driving force. The power transmission member 32 includes a gear portion 321, which also constitutes a driving gear of the gear transmission mechanism 4.

[0034] The power transmission member 32 is rotatably connected to the connecting rod portion 312. Specifically, the connecting rod portion 312 has an annular groove 313, and the power receiving member 32 is provided with one or more (for example, two) clamping protrusions 322, which are inserted into the annular groove 313 and can rotate along the annular groove 413. The clamping protrusion 322 is preferably capable of elastic deformation so that it can be easily inserted into the annular groove 413. The clamping protrusion 322 and the gear portion 321 can be integrally formed or can be a separate assembly structure.

[0035] The first clutch portion 35 is slidably sleeved on the connecting rod portion 312, and the first clutch portion 35 is configured to rotate synchronously with the power receiving member 31. Specifically, the first clutch portion 35 is provided with one or more (for example, two) guide grooves 351, and the connecting rod portion 312 is correspondingly provided with one or more guide protrusions 314, and the guide protrusions 314 and the guide grooves 315 are slidably matched in the length direction of the connecting rod portion 312. In this way, the first clutch portion 35 can move in the length direction of the connecting rod portion 312 and keep synchronous rotation with the power receiving member 31.

[0036] The power transmission member 32 is provided with a second clutch portion 323, and the second clutch portion 323 and the gear portion 321 can be integrally formed or can be a split assembly structure. The second clutch portion 323 has one or more second engagement claws 3234, and the first clutch portion 35 has one or more first engagement claws 352 correspondingly. When the first clutch portion 35 and the second clutch portion 323 are engaged, the first engagement claws 352 and the second engagement claws 3234 can cooperate with each other to transmit power. In the length direction of the connecting rod portion 312, the first clutch portion 35 is arranged on the outer side of the second clutch portion 323 (i.e., the side of the second clutch portion 323 away from the frame 1).

[0037] The driving assembly 3 further includes an elastic element 33 disposed between the first clutch portion 35 and the second clutch portion 323. The elastic element 33 is preferably a spring sleeved on the connecting rod portion 312. The elastic element 33 is used to apply an elastic force to the first clutch portion 35 to separate the first clutch portion 35 from the second clutch portion 323. When the first clutch portion 35 is separated from the second clutch portion 323, the power receiving member 31 can rotate freely.

[0038] The driving assembly 3 further comprises a pressing member 34 arranged at the driving end, and the pressing member 34 rotates around a first pivot 341. The first pivot 341 can be arranged on the driving end cover 5 and is arranged to be perpendicular to the connecting rod portion 312.

[0039] The pressing member 34 is used to apply a pressing force to the first clutch portion 35 so that the first clutch portion 35 overcomes the elastic force of the elastic element 33 and meshes with the second clutch portion 323. Specifically, the pressing member 34 includes a pressing end 342 and an abutted end 343 respectively arranged on both sides of the first pivot 341. When the pressing end 342 rotates toward the first clutch portion 35, the pressing end 342 applies a pressing force to the first clutch portion 35 so that the first clutch portion 35 meshes with the second clutch portion 323.

[0040] Further, the driving assembly 3 may also include a pressure plate member 36, which is at least translatably sleeved on the connecting rod portion 312 and is located on the outside of the first clutch portion 35. The pressure plate member 36 has a guide groove 361 that is slidably matched with the guide protrusion 314 of the connecting rod portion 312, so that it can translate along the connecting rod portion 312. The pressing end 342 of the pressing member 34 abuts against the pressure plate member 36, and applies a pressing force to the first clutch portion 35 through the pressure plate member 36 to engage the first clutch portion 35 with the second clutch portion 323. Preferably, the pressing end 342 is configured to partially surround the connecting rod portion 312, for example, in an approximately semicircular structure.

[0041] Furthermore, the driving end of the cartridge is also provided with a movable member 37, which is arranged to rotate around a second pivot 371, and the second pivot 371 is perpendicular to the first pivot 341. As described in detail later, the movable member 37 is driven by the force-applying portion of the electrophotographic imaging device to rotate between the first position and the second position, and when the movable member 37 rotates from the first position to the second position, the movable member 37 drives the pressing member 34 to rotate around the first pivot 341, and the pressing member 341 applies a pressing force to the first clutch portion 35 to engage the first clutch portion 35 with the second clutch portion 323.

[0042] Specifically, the movable member 37 has a force-bearing end 372 and an abutting end 373 arranged on both sides of the second pivot 371. The abutting end 373 has a first abutting inclined surface 3731 inclined relative to the first pivot 341 and the second pivot 371, and the abutted end 343 of the pressing member 34 has a second abutting inclined surface 3431 inclined relative to the first pivot 341 and the second pivot 371. When the movable member 37 rotates from the first position to the second position, the first abutting inclined surface 3731 abuts against the second abutting inclined surface 3431, so that the pressing member 34 rotates around the first pivot 341, and the pressing end 342 pushes the pressure plate member 36 to move during the rotation.

[0043] like Figures 5 to 8 As shown, during the imaging operation, the force applying part 100 of the electronic photographic imaging device moves along the M1 direction, and the force applying part 100 applies a thrust to the force receiving end 372, so that the movable member 37 rotates around the second pivot 371 along the R1 direction from the first position (see Figure 5 ) to the second position (see Figure 7 ), during which the first abutting inclined surface 3731 and the second abutting inclined surface 3431 abut against each other, causing the pressing member 34 to rotate along the R2 direction, and the pressing end 342 of the pressing member 34 rotates toward the pressure plate member 36 (see Figure 6 ), the pressing end 342 rotates and continuously pushes the pressure plate member 36 to move in the L direction, so that the pressure plate member 36 pushes the first clutch part 35 to slide in the direction of the second clutch part 323, and the elastic element 33 is gradually compressed until the first clutch part 35 slides to a position engaged with the second clutch part 323. At this time, the driving head of the imaging device can drive the power receiving member 31 and the power transmission member 32 to rotate together, and the box can stably receive the rotational driving force. Figure 8 As shown, when the movable member 37 rotates to the second position around the second pivot 371 , the first abutting slope 3731 and the second abutting slope 3431 are separated, but the abutting end 373 and the abutted end 343 still maintain abutment, and the pressing member 34 maintains pressure on the pressure plate member 36 .

[0044] It is easy to understand that when the force-applying part 100 of the electronic photographic imaging device moves in the M2 direction opposite to the M1 direction, so that the movable member 37 rotates from the second position to the first position around the second pivot 371, the movable member 37 no longer transmits the force to the pressing member 34, and the pressing member 34 no longer applies pressing force to the first clutch part 35. Under the action of the elastic element 33, the first clutch part 35 and the pressure plate member 36 slide to the initial position in the direction away from the second clutch part 323, and the first clutch part 35 is separated from the second clutch part 323. At this time, the power receiving member 31 can rotate freely in the circumferential direction.

[0045] Similarly, during the process of installing the developer box into and removing it from the electronic photographic imaging device, due to the elastic force applied by the elastic element 33, the first clutch portion 35 and the second clutch portion 323 are in a separated state, and the power receiving member 31 can rotate freely in the circumferential direction without interfering with the drive head of the electronic photographic imaging device, so that the installation and removal process of the developer box can be carried out smoothly.

[0046] Although the present invention is disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention, that is, all equivalent improvements made according to the present invention should be covered by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cartridge for an electrophotographic imaging device, comprising a drive assembly and a drive end cover at a drive end thereof; wherein: The drive assembly comprises: The power receiving member comprises a power receiving portion and a connecting rod portion; a first clutch portion is slidably sleeved on the connecting rod portion, and the first clutch portion is configured to be movable in the length direction of the connecting rod portion and to rotate synchronously with the power receiving member; A power transmission member is rotatably connected to the connecting rod portion; the power transmission member has a second clutch portion; an elastic element, disposed between the first clutch portion and the second clutch portion, for applying an elastic force to the first clutch portion to separate the first clutch portion from the second clutch portion; when the first clutch portion is separated from the second clutch portion, the power receiving member can rotate freely; A pressing member is rotatably arranged at the driving end around a first pivot, and is used to apply a pressing force to the first clutch part to make the first clutch part engage with the second clutch part; when the first clutch part engages with the second clutch part, the power transmission member can rotate synchronously with the power receiving member.

2. The cartridge for an electrophotographic imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: In the length direction of the connecting rod portion, the first clutch portion is arranged on the outer side of the second clutch portion.

3. The cartridge for an electrophotographic imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: The first pivot is arranged on the driving end cover and is arranged to be perpendicular to the connecting rod portion.

4. The cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The driving assembly also includes a pressure plate component, which is at least translationally sleeved on the connecting rod portion; the pressing member abuts against the pressure plate component, and applies a pressing force to the first clutch portion through the pressure plate component to engage the first clutch portion with the second clutch portion.

5. The cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The pressing member has a pressing end partially surrounding the connecting rod portion, and the pressing end abuts against the pressure plate member.

6. The cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The driving end is also provided with a movable component, which is driven by the electronic photographic imaging device to move between a first position and a second position; when the movable component moves from the first position to the second position, the movable component drives the pressing component to rotate around the first pivot, and the pressing component applies a pressing force to the first clutch part to engage the first clutch part with the second clutch part.

7. The cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The movable member is arranged to rotate around a second pivot, and the second pivot is perpendicular to the first pivot; an abutting inclined surface is formed between the movable member and the pressing member, and the abutting inclined surface is arranged obliquely relative to the first pivot and the second pivot.

8. The cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting rod portion has an annular groove, and the power receiving component is provided with a clamping protrusion; the clamping protrusion is inserted into the annular groove and can rotate along the annular groove.

9. The cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The first clutch portion is provided with a guide groove, the connecting rod portion is provided with a guide protrusion, and the guide protrusion and the guide groove are slidably matched in the length direction of the connecting rod portion.

10. The cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The power transmission member includes a gear portion.

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