Developer Box

Abstract

The present invention relates to a developing cartridge that can be detachably installed in a laser printer having a shift lever. The developing cartridge includes a shell, a power receiving member and a counting device located at the longitudinal end of the shell, and an end cover arranged on the same side as the counting device. The power receiving member is used to receive a driving force and drive the counting device to operate. The counting device includes a driven member for receiving the driving force and a shift block connected to the driven member. As the driven member rotates, the shift block interacts with the shift lever. The counting device also includes a retaining member combined with the shift block. During the operation of the counting device, the shift block is retained by the retaining member in a protruding position protruding from the outer surface of the end cover. Even if the developing cartridge is used multiple times, the counting device can still operate stably.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a developing box for a laser printer. Background Art

[0002] As is well known, the developer cartridge includes a counting device for contacting and disengaging with a lever provided in a laser printer. During installation of the developer cartridge to the laser printer, the laser printer obtains relevant information of the developer cartridge through the interaction between the counting device and the lever.

[0003] An existing counting device includes a counting gear, a shift block and a guide block respectively located on both sides of the counting gear, and an elastic member combined with the counting gear. Accordingly, a track for guiding the guide block is provided on the developing box shell. The guide track is a non-closed shape along the circumferential direction of the counting gear, and the guide track includes an ascending section and a retaining section connected to the ascending section.

[0004] During the counting process, the guide block is guided by the rising section, so that the counting gear gradually rises until the guide block reaches the holding section. At the same time, the elastic member undergoes elastic deformation. As the counting gear rotates, the shift block contacts the shift rod. When the counting gear rotates until the guide block is out of contact with the holding section, under the action of the elastic reset force of the elastic member, the counting gear moves downward as a whole, the shift block is out of contact with the shift rod, and the counting is completed.

[0005] As mentioned above, during the counting process, the guide block needs to precisely match the guide rail. At the same time, after the counting is completed, the guide block and the guide rail need to be exactly out of contact. For the developing box after multiple uses, the shift block and the guide rail may be worn, which may cause the counting function of the counting gear to be unable to be realized. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a developer cartridge, wherein a counting device thereof does not need to be provided with a guide block and a guide rail, so as to ensure that the counting function will not fail to be realized even if the developer cartridge is used multiple times. The technical solution adopted is as follows:

[0007] A developing cartridge is detachably mounted in a laser printer having a shift lever. The developing cartridge includes a housing, a power receiving member and a counting device located at the longitudinal end of the housing, and an end cover arranged on the same side as the counting device. The power receiving member is used to receive a driving force and drive the counting device to operate. The counting device includes a driven member for receiving the driving force and a shift block connected to the driven member. As the driven member rotates, the shift block interacts with the shift lever. The counting device also includes a retaining member combined with the shift block. During operation of the counting device, the shift block is retained by the retaining member in a protruding position protruding from the outer surface of the end cover.

[0008] During the process of installing the developer cartridge into the laser printer, the shift block interferes with the inner wall of the laser printer. When the developer cartridge is installed to a predetermined position, the shift block does not interfere with the inner wall of the laser printer. When the shift block does not interfere with the inner wall of the laser printer, a first distance is provided between the end of the shift block and the shell. When the shift block interferes with the inner wall of the laser printer, a second distance is provided between the end of the shift block and the shell, and the first distance is greater than the second distance.

[0009] As an embodiment, the shifting block is movably connected to the driven member, one end of the retaining member abuts against the driven member, and the other end abuts against the shifting block.

[0010] The shift block is installed in a rotatable manner relative to the driven member, and when the counting device starts counting and when the counting device completes counting, the rotation axis of the shift block is perpendicular to the installation direction and disassembly direction of the developing box.

[0011] During the installation of the developing cartridge, the shift block rotates about its rotation axis in a first direction, and during the removal of the developing cartridge, the shift block rotates about its rotation axis in a second direction, the first direction being opposite to the second direction.

[0012] The shift block can also move in the direction close to and away from the shell, and the movement direction of the shift block is parallel to the rotation axis of the driven part. At this time, the shift block is provided with one of the elongated hole and the protrusion, and the driven part is provided with one of the protrusion and the elongated hole, and the protrusion is combined with the elongated hole.

[0013] As another embodiment, the shift block is fixedly connected to the driven member, one end of the retaining member abuts against the bottom shell, and the other end abuts against the driven member.

[0014] The end cover further includes a through hole provided therein and an intermediate plate provided in the through hole, a portion of the counting device is exposed through the through hole, and before the developing cartridge is mounted to the laser printer, at least a portion of the shifting block abuts against the intermediate plate.

[0015] Preferably, the retaining member is a compression spring, the driven member is a counting gear, the developing box also includes a driving gear arranged adjacent to the counting gear, the counting gear includes a tooth portion and a toothless portion, when the tooth portion is opposite to the driving gear, the counting gear can be driven by the driving gear, and when the toothless portion is opposite to the driving gear, the counting gear remains stationary.

[0016] The counting device no longer has mutually coupled guide blocks and guide rails, and during operation, the counting gear does not need to be guided to rise and fall. Even after the developing cartridge has been used multiple times, the counting device can still operate normally. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 2 is a three-dimensional diagram of a developing box according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 1 is an exploded schematic diagram of a counting device in a developing box according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a counting gear in a counting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4A It is a three-dimensional diagram of the counting device in the developing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention when counting starts.

[0021] Figure 4B It is a side view of the counting device in the developing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention when counting starts.

[0022] Figure 4C It is a simplified schematic diagram of the force acting on the shift block during the installation process of the developer cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5A 1 is a schematic diagram of the state of the counting device in the developing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention when counting is completed.

[0023] Figure 5B It is a side view of the counting device in the developing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention when counting starts.

[0024] Figure 6 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of a counting device in a developing box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a counting gear in a counting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8A 1 is a schematic diagram of the position state of the shift block in the counting device when the counting device in the developing box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention starts counting.

[0027] Figure 8B yes Figure 8A Schematic diagram after the middle cover is hidden.

[0028] Figure 9A 1 is a schematic diagram of the position state of the shift block in the counting device when the counting device in the developing box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention finishes counting.

[0029] Figure 9B yes Figure 9A Schematic diagram after the middle cover is hidden. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a developing cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 1 is an exploded schematic diagram of a counting device in a developing cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a counting gear in a counting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The developing box 1 can be installed along the installation direction A toward a laser printer provided with a lever, and can be taken out along the direction opposite to the installation direction A. The developing box 1 includes a shell 2, a developing roller 3 located in the shell 2, an end cover 6 installed on the shell 2, and a power receiving member 5 and a counting device 4 located at the longitudinal end of the shell. The shell 2 is used to contain toner, the developing roller 3 can be rotatably installed, and can supply toner to an external photosensitive drum (not shown). The power receiving member 5 and the counting device 4 can be located at the same longitudinal end of the shell 2 or at the two longitudinal ends of the shell 2 respectively. The power receiving member 5 is used to receive driving force from the laser printer and drive the counting device 4 to rotate and work, and a portion of the power receiving member 5 and the counting device 4 are exposed through the end cover 6. When the counting device 4 receives the driving force of the power receiving member 5, the counting device 4 starts to rotate and interacts with the lever in the laser printer.

[0034] In the embodiment of the present invention, the counting device 4 and the power receiving member 5 are located at the same longitudinal end of the housing 2. Figure 2 As shown, the end cover 6 has a first through hole 62 and a second through hole 63 arranged therein and an outer surface 61 facing outward, a portion of the power receiving member 5 is exposed through the second through hole 63, and a portion of the counting device 4 is exposed through the first through hole 62; further, the end cover 6 also includes a first protruding plate 62a and a second protruding plate 63a respectively arranged along the circumferential direction of the first through hole 62 and along the circumferential direction of the second through hole 63, and the first protruding plate 62a and the second protruding plate 63a respectively protect the counting device 4 and the power receiving member 5 in the circumferential direction.

[0035] Continue as Figure 2 As shown, the developing box 1 also includes a driving gear 7 arranged adjacent to the counting device 4, the shell 2 has an end surface 21 and a first protrusion 22, a second protrusion 23 and a third protrusion 24 protruding from the end surface 21 in a direction away from the shell, and the counting device 4 is mounted on the end surface 21; the counting device 4 includes a counting gear 41, a shift block 42 combined with the counting gear 41, an elastic member 43 abutting the shift block 42 and a fixing member 44 for fixing the counting gear 41 to the shell, the counting gear 41 can rotate around the axis L1 of the first protrusion 22, the shift block 42 rotates with the counting gear 41, and the elastic member 43 serves as a retaining member for maintaining the shift block 42 in a protruding position protruding from the outer surface 61 of the end cover.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, the counting gear 41 includes a gear body having a tooth portion 41a and a toothless portion 41b, a support portion 41d and a limit portion 41e arranged on the gear body, wherein the support portion 41d protrudes from the upper surface 41c of the gear body in a direction away from the housing, and the shift block 42 is supported by the support portion 41d. When the tooth portion 41a is engaged with the drive gear 7, the counting gear 41 is driven to rotate. When the toothless portion 41b is engaged with the drive gear 7, the counting gear 41 cannot be driven to rotate and remains stationary. The shift block 42 is movably connected to the counting gear 41. Preferably, the shift block 42 can rotate around a rotation axis L3 that is perpendicular to the rotation axis L1. The rotation axis L3 is parallel to the upper surface 41c of the gear body but does not pass through the center C of the gear body. Therefore, the movable range of the shift block 42 is maximized. During the installation and removal of the developer cartridge 1, when the shift block 42 interferes with the inner wall of the laser printer, the shift block 42 rotates around the rotation axis L3. Even if the shift block 42 is subjected to a large force from the inner wall of the laser printer, the shift block 42 can still press the elastic member 43 along an axis L2 parallel to the rotation axis L1, ensuring that the developer cartridge can be smoothly installed and removed.

[0037] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the shift block 42 has a main body 420 and a coupling portion 421 and a shifting portion 422 provided on the main body 420. The coupling portion 421 is coupled to the coupled portion 41g provided on the support portion 41d. The shifting portion 422 protrudes from the main body 420 in a direction away from the shell 2 and is used to interact with the shift lever in the laser printer. The shifting portion 422 has an end 423. Preferably, the coupling portion 421 is a long hole, and the coupled portion 41g is a protruding column protruding from the support portion 41d. On the contrary, the coupling portion 421 can also be a protruding column protruding from the main body 420, and the coupled portion 41g is a long hole provided on the support portion 41d. The protruding column enters the long hole 421, and the shift block 42 can move along the extension direction of the long hole (the direction of the rotation axis L2).

[0038] The elastic member 43 is preferably a compression spring, one end of which abuts the gear body and the other end abuts the shift block 42. When the shift block 42 is engaged with the counting gear 41, the compression spring 43 pushes the shift block 42 in the direction away from the housing 2 and maintains it in this position. During the operation of the counting device 4, the shift block 42, which is maintained away from the housing 2, can make more complete contact with the shift lever in the laser printer.

[0039] Furthermore, the counting gear 41 also includes a force-bearing portion 41f arranged on the gear body. When the developing box 1 is installed on the laser printer and starts working, the driving gear 7 applies a driving force to the force-bearing portion 41f, forcing the counting gear 41 to rotate, so that the tooth portion 41a engages with the driving gear 7.

[0040] It is feasible that the structure of the counting device 4 can be further optimized. For example, it is not necessary to provide a support portion on the gear body, but the shift block 42 can be directly combined with the gear body. During the installation of the developer cartridge, as long as the shift block 42 can avoid interference with the inner wall of the laser printer, when the developer cartridge is installed to the predetermined position of the laser printer, the interference between the shift block 42 and the inner wall of the laser printer disappears.

[0041] The following combination Figures 4A-4C and Figure 5A-5B The working process of the counting device 4 is described. Figure 4A This is a perspective view of the counting device in the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention when counting starts; Figure 4B 1 is a side view of the counting device in the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention when counting starts; Figure 4C 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of the force acting on the shift block during the installation process of the developer cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram of the state of the counting device in the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention when counting is completed; Figure 5B It is a side view of the counting device in the developing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention when counting starts.

[0042] like Figure 4A As shown, the counting device 4 is in the initial state of starting counting or in the reset state of being reset, the limit portion 41e is blocked by the second protrusion 23 and will not reverse, the driving portion 71 of the driving gear 7 is opposite to the force-bearing portion 41f of the counting gear, and as the power receiving member 5 begins to receive the driving force from the laser printer, the driving gear 7 begins to rotate, and the driving portion 71 shifts the force-bearing portion 41f so that the counting gear 41 rotates around the rotation axis L1 in the direction shown by r, the tooth portion 41a begins to engage with the driving gear 7, and the shift block 42 rotates with the counting gear 41. Since the shift block 42 is always kept outside the outer surface 61 of the end cover 6, the rotating shift block 42 can interact with the shift lever in the laser printer and complete the counting.

[0043] like Figure 4B As shown, in the initial state or reset state, the rotation axis L3 of the shift block 42 is inclined relative to the installation direction A. Since the shift block 42 is pushed by the elastic member 43 and is always kept on the outer surface 61 protruding from the end cover 6, during the installation of the developer cartridge 1 along the installation direction A, the inner wall of the laser printer will interfere with the shift block 42, as shown in FIG. Figure 4CAs shown, the force point E of the shift block 42 will receive a first force f1 in the opposite direction to the installation direction A. The first force f1 can be decomposed into a first component f11 and a second component f12 along the direction of the rotation axis L3 and the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L3, respectively. The angle between the straight line where the first force f1 is located and the rotation axis L3 is a1, and the angle between the straight line where the installation direction A is located and the rotation axis L3 is b1. The first component f12 has a tendency to force the shift block 42 to rotate around the rotation axis L3, and f12=f1*sina1. It can be seen that the larger the angle a1, the larger the second component f12, and the shift block 42 is more likely to flip in the direction opposite to the installation direction A, or in other words, the shift block 42 is more likely to rotate around the rotation axis L3. Preferably, the angle a1 is 90°, and at this time, the rotation axis L3 is perpendicular to the installation direction A. That is to say, during the installation of the developer cartridge 1, the shift block 42 can rotate around the rotation axis L3 in the direction opposite to the installation direction A, so that the developer cartridge 1 can be installed smoothly; at the same time, during the rotation of the shift block 42, the shift block 42 may also need to move in the direction close to the shell 2. At this time, the elastic member 43 is compressed, and the shift block 42 moves along the extension direction of the elongated hole 421. When the interference between the shift block 42 and the inner wall of the laser printer disappears, under the elastic force of the elastic member 43, the shift block 42 returns to the protruding position protruding from the outer surface 61 of the end cover; it is understandable that the shift block 42 in this embodiment is only configured to move along the axis L2 in the direction close to the shell 2 and away from the shell 2 to achieve the smooth installation and removal of the developer cartridge 1. That is to say, the shift block 42 can be connected to the counting gear 41 in a rotating manner, or it can be connected to the counting gear 41 in a manner of moving along the axis L2. As shown Figure 5A As shown, when the counting device completes counting, the toothed portion 41b is opposite to the driving gear 7. At this time, the driving force of the driving gear 7 cannot be transmitted to the counting gear 41, and the counting gear 41 stops rotating. The limiting portion 41e is blocked by the third protrusion 24 and remains in a stationary position. Even if the counting device 4 is subjected to other external forces, it still remains stationary, thereby preventing unnecessary rotation of the counting gear 41.

[0044] like Figure 5B As shown, the rotation axis L3 of the shift block 42 is substantially perpendicular to the installation direction A. When the developer cartridge 1 is removed along a disassembly direction A' opposite to the installation direction A, interference occurs again between the inner wall of the laser printer and the shift block 42. The shift block 42 can tilt / flip around the rotation axis L3 toward the installation direction A and approach the housing 2. When the shift block 42 loses contact with the inner wall of the laser printer, the elastic member 43 straightens the shift block 42 and returns it to a position protruding from the outer surface 61 of the end cover.

[0045] When the counting device 4 needs to be reset, the fixing member 44 on the counting gear 41 must first be released, and then the operator lifts the counting gear 41 as a whole along the rotation axis L1 so that the limiting portion 41e passes over the third protrusion 24 and the second protrusion 23 in sequence and finally returns to the position of the counting gear 41. Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B The counting gear 41 is then fixed to the initial position shown in FIG.

[0046] Example 2

[0047] Figure 6 1 is an exploded schematic diagram of a counting device in a developing cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a counting gear in a counting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] In this embodiment, the counting device 4 includes a counting gear 41 having a tooth portion 41a and a toothless portion 41b, a shift block 42 extending from the upper surface 41c of the counting gear 41 in a direction away from the housing 2, and an elastic member 45 located between the gear body and the housing 2; similarly, the end cover 6 is also provided with the first through hole 62, the second through hole 63, the first protruding plate 62a and the second protruding plate 63a, and a portion of the counting device 4 and a portion of the power receiving member 5 are exposed through the first through hole 62 and the second through hole 63, respectively. Figure 6 As shown, the end cover 6 also includes an intermediate plate 65 extending from the first protruding plate 62a to the first through hole 62 and a limit plate 64 connected to the intermediate plate 65. Under the elastic action of the elastic member 45, the counting gear 41 abuts against the limit plate 64, and the shift block 42 protrudes from the outer surface 61 of the end cover through the first through hole 62; optionally, the first protruding plate 62a can be eliminated. In this case, the intermediate plate 65 extends directly from the main body of the end cover 6 to the first through hole 62, that is, the outer surface 61 of the end cover is flush with the first through hole 62, and the shift block 42 is held by the retaining member 45. It is maintained in a protruding position protruding from the first through hole 62. In this way, the size of the developer box 1 in the length direction can be reduced; alternatively, the first protruding plate 62a is not cancelled, but the connecting plate 65 does not extend from the first protruding plate 62a to the first through hole 62, but extends from the end cover body to the first through hole 62. At this time, the shift block 42 protrudes to the outside of the connecting plate 65. This structure can be applicable to a developer box having an internal structure basically the same as that of the developer box involved in the present invention, but having a larger size in the length direction than the developer box involved in the present invention.

[0049] Preferably, the shift block 42 is formed integrally with the counting gear 41. That is, in this embodiment, the shift block 42 itself can no longer rotate around the rotation axis, but rotates around the rotation axis L1 of the counting gear 41 as the counting gear 41 rotates. Under the elastic action of the elastic member 45, the counting gear 41 / shift block 42 no longer needs to be guided by the guide block and the guide track, but always maintains a protruding position protruding from the outer surface 61 of the end cover. Therefore, the shift block 42 can form a good contact with the shift lever in the laser printer. Figure 7 As shown, the counting gear 41 further includes a flange 41h protruding radially outward. Preferably, the flange 41h protrudes radially outward from the upper surface 41c.

[0050] Figure 8A 1 is a schematic diagram of the position of the shift block in the counting device when the counting device in the developing cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention starts counting; Figure 8B yes Figure 8A Schematic diagram after the middle end cover is hidden; Figure 9A 2 is a schematic diagram of the position of the shift block in the counting device when the counting device in the developing cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention finishes counting; Figure 9B yes Figure 9A Schematic diagram after the middle cover is hidden.

[0051] like Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown, before the counting device 4 starts counting, or in other words, before the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the laser printer, the shift block 42 is pressed below the intermediate plate 65, and at least a portion of the shift block 42 abuts against the intermediate plate 65. At this time, the shift block 42 is pressed by the intermediate plate 65 and cannot extend out, the toothed portion 41a is engaged with the drive gear 7, and the flange 41h abuts against the top of the drive gear 7, thereby limiting the counting gear 41 from continuing to move toward the housing 2, so that the counting gear 41 and the shift block 42 are more accurately positioned along the rotation axis L1. When the power receiving member 5 receives the driving force and starts to rotate, the driving gear 7 drives the counting gear 41 to rotate around the rotation axis L1 in the direction indicated by r, and the shift block 42 rotates together with the counting gear 41. When the shift block 42 rotates and no longer abuts against the intermediate plate 65, under the elastic force of the elastic member 45, the counting gear 41 drives the shift block 42 to move along the rotation axis L1 in the direction away from the housing 2, and the shift block 42 returns to the protruding position protruding from the outer surface 61 of the end cover. During the rotation of the counting gear 4, the shift block 42 interacts with the shift lever in the laser printer.

[0052] like Figure 9A and Figure 9BAs shown, when the counting device 4 completes counting, the shift block 42 located in the protruding position contacts the intermediate plate 65, and the tooth-missing portion 41b of the counting gear 41 is opposite to the driving gear 7. At this time, the driving force of the driving gear 7 can no longer be transmitted to the counting gear 41, so the counting gear 41 remains stationary. At this time, since the intermediate plate 65 is in contact with the shift block 42, it is equivalent to that the counting gear 41 is also restricted. Even if the counting gear 41 is subjected to other external forces, the shift block 42 / counting gear 41 will no longer rotate.

[0053] In this embodiment, the shift block 42 for interacting with the shift lever in the laser printer is configured such that, during the counting process of the counting device 4, the shift block 42 is urged by the elastic member 45 to remain in a protruding position protruding from the outer surface 61 of the end cover. The shift block 42 is able to fully contact the shift lever. Even if the shift block 42 interferes with the inner wall of the laser printer, the shift block 42 can be pressed against the elastic member 45 by the counting gear 41 and moved closer to the housing 2. When the interference between the shift block 42 and the inner wall of the laser printer disappears, the elastic member 45 returns the shift block 42 to its protruding position protruding from the outer surface 61 of the end cover.

[0054] Alternatively, the drive gear 7 and the tooth portion 41a of the counting gear 41 may be combined with each other and transmit driving force in other ways. For example, at least one of the drive gear 7 and the tooth portion 41a may be replaced with rubber, or the drive gear 7 and the counting gear 41 may transmit driving force by a connecting rod. Therefore, the drive gear 7 may be referred to as a driving member, the counting gear 41 may be referred to as a driven member, and the driven member includes a portion that can receive driving force from the driving member and a portion that cannot receive driving force from the driving member.

[0055] As described above, the counting device 4 of the present invention no longer has mutually coupled guide blocks and guide rails. During operation, the counting gear 41 does not need to be guided to rise and fall. Even after the developer cartridge has been used multiple times, the counting device 4 can still operate normally. Furthermore, during the counting process, the shift block 42 in the counting device is held in a protruding position protruding from the outer surface 61 of the end cover by the elastic member (retaining member) 43 / 45. As long as the counting gear 41 rotates to a predetermined angle, the shift block 42 can interact with the shift rod. When measured along the direction of the rotation axis L1, when the shift block 42 does not interfere with the inner wall of the laser printer, the end 423 of the shift block 42 has a first distance from the housing 2. When the shift block 42 interferes with the inner wall of the laser printer, the end 423 of the shift block 42 has a second distance from the housing 2. The first distance is greater than the second distance.

[0056] The shift block in the existing counting device needs to be guided by the guide block and the guide rail together with the counting gear and gradually rise. Only when the guide block reaches the holding section of the guide rail can the shift block interact with the shift rod. In other words, the existing counting device also needs to accurately control the stroke of the guide block in the rising section of the guide rail to prevent the guide block from still being in the rising section when the shift block needs to contact the shift rod. Relatively speaking, the accuracy requirement of the counting device 4 in the present invention is greatly reduced. During the installation and removal of the developer cartridge 1, even if the shift block 42 interferes with the inner wall of the laser printer, the counting gear 41 can move toward the direction close to the shell 2 by rotating around the rotation axis L3 or compressing the elastic member 45, so that the developer cartridge 1 can be smoothly installed and removed.

Claims

1. A developer cartridge, removably mounted in a laser printer having a shift lever, the developer cartridge comprising a housing, a power receiving member and a counting device located at a longitudinal end of the housing, and an end cap disposed on the same side as the counting device, the power receiving member being configured to receive a driving force and drive the counting device; the counting device comprising a driven member for receiving the driving force and a shift block connected to the driven member, the shift block interacting with the shift lever as the driven member rotates, the driven member being a counting gear, and characterized in that: The counting device further comprises a retaining member coupled to the shifting block, wherein during operation of the counting device, the shifting block is retained by the retaining member in a protruding position protruding from the outer surface of the end cover; The shift block is mounted in a rotatable manner relative to the driven member, the rotation axis of the shift block does not pass through the center of the driven member, the rotation axis of the shift block is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the driven member, and the rotation axis of the shift block is parallel to the upper surface of the gear body of the driven member. When the counting member is in an initial state for starting counting or in a reset state, the rotation axis of the shift block is not parallel to the mounting direction. The shift block has a main body, a coupling portion and a shifting portion provided on the main body, wherein the shifting portion is used to interact with the shifting rod, and the shifting portion protrudes from the main body in a direction away from the housing; The driven member includes a supporting portion for supporting the shift block and a coupled portion arranged on the supporting portion. One of the coupling portion and the coupled portion is configured as a protruding column, and the other is configured as a long hole. The protruding column enters the long hole.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein During the process of installing the developer cartridge into the laser printer, the shift block interferes with the inner wall of the laser printer. When the developer cartridge is installed to a predetermined position, the shift block does not interfere with the inner wall of the laser printer. When the shift block does not interfere with the inner wall of the laser printer, a first distance is provided between the end of the shift block and the shell. When the shift block interferes with the inner wall of the laser printer, a second distance is provided between the end of the shift block and the shell, and the first distance is greater than the second distance.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: One end of the retaining member abuts against the driven member, and the other end abuts against the shifting block.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 3, wherein: When the counting device starts counting and when the counting device completes counting, the rotation axis of the shift block is perpendicular to the installation direction and the removal direction of the developing cartridge.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 4, wherein: During the installation of the developing cartridge, the shift block rotates about its rotation axis in a first direction, and during the removal of the developing cartridge, the shift block rotates about its rotation axis in a second direction, the first direction being opposite to the second direction.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein: The shift block can move in a direction close to the housing and away from the housing, and the moving direction of the shift block is parallel to the rotation axis of the driven member.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The retaining member is a compression spring.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The developing box also includes a driving gear arranged adjacent to the counting gear, and the counting gear includes a tooth portion and a toothless portion. When the tooth portion is opposite to the driving gear, the counting gear can be driven by the driving gear. When the toothless portion is opposite to the driving gear, the counting gear remains stationary.

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