Powder bin, toner cartridge and printer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a powder hopper that can be detachably connected to the toner hopper of a toner cartridge body, comprising a box body, a powder outlet that can be connected to the powder inlet of the toner hopper, a conveying mechanism for conveying toner to the powder outlet, and a seal that can movably open and close the powder outlet. The present invention also relates to a toner cartridge, comprising a toner cartridge body and the aforementioned powder hopper, the toner cartridge body having a toner hopper for receiving toner in the box body, and a powder inlet that can be connected to the powder outlet. The present invention also relates to a printer, comprising a housing with a mounting port, and a cover connected to the housing so as to open and close the mounting port, and the aforementioned toner cartridge, which is installed in the housing. The powder hopper, toner cartridge, and printer are convenient for users to refill powder by themselves, have low toner replacement costs, and good developing effects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of printers, and in particular to a powder bin for storing toner, a toner cartridge using the powder bin, and a printer using the powder bin and the toner cartridge. Background Art

[0002] The toner cartridge mechanisms used in existing laser printers are mainly divided into integrated toner cartridge structures and split toner cartridge structures. The integrated toner cartridge structure integrates both the imaging unit and the developing unit into the toner cartridge. After the user has used up the toner in the toner cartridge, the user needs to replace the toner cartridge as a whole or refill it by themselves. Since there are many internal components in the toner cartridge, the replacement cost is high. If the user refills the toner cartridge by themselves, it is easy for the toner to jam or leak during printing due to improper operation, which in turn affects the printing effect or contaminates the printed image. The existing split toner cartridge structure usually separates the powder bin and the developing roller into one component. When the toner in the powder bin is used up, the powder bin and the developing roller need to be replaced at the same time, which has a high replacement cost. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a toner bin with which users can easily fill toner by themselves and the toner replacement cost is low, with respect to the above-mentioned prior art.

[0004] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge that can reduce the cost of replacing toner for users and improve the development effect during use, in view of the above-mentioned prior art.

[0005] The third technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a printer with convenient toner replacement, low user cost and better development effect during printing, based on the above-mentioned prior art.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the first technical problem mentioned above is: a powder hopper that can be detachably connected to the toner hopper of the toner cartridge body, characterized in that it includes a box body, the box body is provided with a powder outlet that can be connected to the powder inlet on the toner hopper, the box body is provided with a conveying mechanism for conveying toner to the powder outlet, and the box body is provided with a seal for opening and closing the powder outlet.

[0007] The cost is low and the operation is reliable. The box body is provided with a transmission member that can be transmission-connected with the power mechanism in the toner cartridge body, and the transmission member is connected to the conveying mechanism.

[0008] In order to realize continuous conveying of toner from the cartridge to the toner bin, the conveying mechanism includes a screw rod and a lever for shifting the toner toward the screw rod. The screw rod and the lever are in transmission connection, and the screw rod or the lever is connected to the transmission member.

[0009] Preferably, the box body is provided with a driving assembly for driving the sealing member to open and close.

[0010] In order to avoid contamination of the toner when the box body and the toner bin are not connected, the powder inlet is provided with a powder inlet cover that can be opened and closed, and the powder outlet is provided with a powder outlet cover that can be opened and closed.

[0011] In order to achieve communication between the powder outlet and the powder inlet during the assembly of the box body and further reduce the possibility of toner contamination, the box body is provided with a first pushing member, and the powder inlet cover is provided with a first member that can be pushed by the first pushing member to open the powder inlet;

[0012] The toner bin is provided with a second pushing member, and the powder outlet cover is provided with a second component which can be pushed by the second pushing member to open the powder outlet.

[0013] In order to enable the powder inlet cover to automatically cover the powder inlet and the powder outlet cover to automatically cover the powder outlet after the cartridge body is removed, thereby preventing impurities from entering the toner bin and the cartridge body, the powder inlet cover is connected to the toner bin via a first reset assembly with a tendency to close the powder inlet;

[0014] The powder outlet cover is connected to the box body through a first elastic member with a tendency to close the powder outlet.

[0015] The structure is simple. The first reset assembly includes a shaft, a swing arm and a reset spring. The shaft is fixedly connected to the toner bin near the powder feed cover. The swing arm is rotatably connected to the shaft, and the first end of the swing arm is connected to the powder feed cover. The reset spring is sleeved on the shaft, one end of the reset spring is connected to the powder feed cover, and the other end of the reset spring is connected to the second end of the swing arm.

[0016] In order to allow the toner to fall from the box body into the toner bin by its own weight, the box body is arranged above the toner bin, the powder inlet on the toner bin is arranged on the upper surface of the toner bin, and the powder outlet of the box body is arranged on the lower surface of the box body.

[0017] In order to facilitate accurate installation of the box body in the toner bin, a guide groove and a guide piece that can be placed in the guide groove are matched on the docking surface of the box body and the toner bin, and the guide groove extends along the assembly direction of the box body.

[0018] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned second technical problem is: a toner cartridge, including a toner cartridge body, characterized in that it also includes the aforementioned powder bin, the toner cartridge body has a toner bin for receiving the toner in the box body, and the toner bin is provided with a powder inlet corresponding to the powder outlet.

[0019] In order to effectively drive and transport toner into a toner cartridge body, a toner cartridge is provided, comprising a toner cartridge body, characterized in that: it also includes the aforementioned powder hopper, the toner cartridge body having a toner hopper for receiving toner in the cartridge body, the toner hopper being provided with a powder inlet connected to a powder outlet;

[0020] The toner cartridge body is provided with a transmission mechanism which is transmission-connected with the action parts in the toner cartridge body, and the toner bin is elastically connected with a linkage assembly which can mesh with the transmission parts and the transmission mechanism as the box body is assembled.

[0021] The structure is simple. The linkage assembly includes a second elastic member, a linkage block and an engaging member. The engaging member is movably arranged on the linkage block. The second elastic member is arranged on the toner bin and one end is connected to the linkage block. The deformation direction of the second elastic member is the movement direction of the linkage block to engage with the transmission mechanism and the transmission member. A driving block is provided on the box body to push the linkage block to move in one direction of the transmission mechanism and the transmission member.

[0022] For easy installation, at least one end of the toner bin is provided with a mounting plate, the mounting plate extends to the location of the box body, and the linkage block is connected to the mounting plate via a second elastic member;

[0023] In order to ensure the stability of the moving direction of the linkage block and to ensure the reliable connection between the engaging part and the transmission mechanism and the transmission part, a guide groove consistent with the deformation direction of the second elastic part is provided on the inner surface of the mounting plate. The linkage block is placed in the guide groove and has a contact portion exposed outside the guide groove for being pushed by the driving block.

[0024] In order to facilitate the engagement of the transmission member and the engagement member, the transmission member is rotatably connected to the end of the box body, and the transmission member has a groove opening outward;

[0025] The transmission mechanism is a transmission gear set, and the meshing member is a linkage gear, which can mesh with the output gear in the transmission gear set, and the linkage gear extends toward the transmission member to form a connecting portion that can be matched and placed in the groove, and the connecting portion can be limited in the groove;

[0026] A first protruding tooth is provided on the peripheral wall of the groove, and a second protruding tooth that can mesh with the first protruding tooth is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the connecting portion.

[0027] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned third technical problem is: a printer, including a housing with an installation opening, and a cover connected to the housing so as to open and close the installation opening, characterized in that it also includes the aforementioned toner cartridge, which is installed in the housing.

[0028] The structure is simple, and the sealing cover is provided with a triggering member which can drive and push the sealing member to move and open the powder outlet.

[0029] In order to facilitate the linkage with the sealing cover, a cylindrical installation cavity is provided in the box body, the sealing member is rotatably provided in the installation cavity, the powder outlet is provided on the cavity wall of the installation cavity, and the sealing member is provided with a first opening that can be rotated to the powder outlet position.

[0030] Preferably, a driving assembly (5) connected to the sealing member is provided on the box body, and the driving assembly (5) includes a first linkage member, a second linkage member and a third elastic member, the first linkage member is sleeved and connected to the sealing member, and the first linkage member is rotatably connected to the second linkage member, the second linkage member is arranged corresponding to the trigger position, and the second linkage member is elastically connected to the box body through the third elastic member and has a tendency to move toward the trigger member.

[0031] The structure is simple. A connecting column extends from the first linking member toward the second linking member, and a limiting groove for the connecting column to be placed is provided on the second linking member.

[0032] Compared with the existing technology, the advantages of the present invention are: the powder hopper in the present invention is provided independently of the toner cartridge body and is additionally provided to supply toner to the toner hopper. During use, it only needs to be connected to the toner hopper of the toner cartridge body to obtain the toner required for the toner cartridge body to operate. The cartridge body has low requirements for powder filling, which is convenient for users to fill powder independently. The conveying mechanism inside the cartridge body will automatically complete the toner conveying work. Even if the cartridge body is directly replaced, the cost is low. In addition, the user can adjust the amount of toner added according to their printing needs, avoiding the problem of toner deterioration caused by long-term non-use.

[0033] On this basis, a seal is installed inside the cartridge body, corresponding to the powder outlet, and can move with the cover on the housing. This seal ensures the tightness of the cartridge body before installation on the toner hopper, preventing the toner inside the cartridge body from being contaminated, deteriorated, or falling, thus facilitating the storage and transportation of the cartridge body. Furthermore, during use, the cartridge body can be opened along with the cover, ensuring that the toner inside the toner hopper is replenished by the cartridge body without the user having to perform additional operations, making it very convenient to use and also preventing toner contamination and falling that may occur when the user operates the seal.

[0034] On this basis, during the assembly process, the powder bin box can realize the transmission connection between the conveying mechanism in the powder bin box and the moving parts in the toner cartridge body, so that the powder bin box can transfer toner into the toner bin during the operation of the toner cartridge body, which is simple to operate and convenient to work.

[0035] The toner cartridge and printer using this toner bin are easy to replace, have low user costs, and have better developing effects during printing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the installation of the toner hopper and toner cartridge in the printer housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 3D is a perspective view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 3 2 is a perspective exploded view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Another perspective picture.

[0040] Figure 5 2 is a cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 6 FIG. 2 is another cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A partial enlarged view of . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0044] The powder hopper in this embodiment can be applied to the toner cartridges of various existing laser printers. This embodiment takes the printer as an example to describe in detail the powder hopper, toner cartridge and the printer using the powder hopper and toner cartridge in the present invention.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the printer includes a housing 200 and a toner cartridge disposed within the housing 200. The toner cartridge comprises a toner cartridge body 100 and a toner hopper removably mounted on the toner cartridge body 100. The printer housing 200 has an installation opening for mounting the toner hopper and the toner cartridge body 100. A cover 300 is also rotatably mounted on the housing 200 to cover the installation opening.

[0046] The toner cartridge body 100 can be any of the types of toner cartridge bodies 100 known in the art. For example, the toner cartridge body 100 includes a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a transfer roller, a charging roller, and a toner hopper 1 disposed above the developing roller. The toner hopper 1 is connected to the developing roller, and the toner in the toner hopper 1 is evenly distributed on the developing roller under the action of a scraper disposed therein. The toner cartridge body 100 in this embodiment extends in a long strip shape in the left-right direction. The power mechanism in the toner cartridge body 100 is a photosensitive drum driven by a driver.

[0047] The powder hopper includes a box body 2, which matches the length of the toner cartridge body 100 and extends in a long strip in the left-right direction. The box body 2 has a chamber for storing toner and is detachably connected to the toner hopper 1. To facilitate assembly and opening for toner replenishment, the box body 2 includes an upwardly opening main body and a lid covering the opening. Toner can be added and replenished into the box body by opening the lid. The box body 2 in this embodiment can be assembled to the toner hopper 1 of the toner cartridge body 100 outside the housing 200 and then installed in the housing 200 together with the toner cartridge body 100. Alternatively, the toner cartridge body 100 can be installed in the housing 200 first, and then the box body 2 can be docked to the toner hopper 1 to achieve installation of the box body 2 in the housing 200.

[0048] The toner in the cartridge 2 can be transported to the toner hopper 1 for printing. To facilitate this, a powder inlet 11 is provided on the docking surface of the toner hopper 1, while a powder outlet 21 is provided on the docking surface of the cartridge 2, opposite to the powder inlet 11 on the toner hopper 1. When the cartridge 2 is docked and mounted on the toner hopper 1, the powder outlet 21 on the cartridge 2 mates with the powder inlet 11 on the toner hopper 1, thereby achieving communication. To ensure sealing during toner transport, a sealing gasket is provided around the powder outlet 21 on the docking surface of the cartridge 2, and similarly, a sealing gasket is provided around the powder inlet 11 on the docking surface of the toner hopper 1. The sealing gaskets on the docking surface of the cartridge 2 and the docking surface of the toner hopper 1 are tightly matched and fitted.

[0049] Furthermore, to allow the toner to fall by gravity into the toner hopper 1, in this embodiment, the cartridge body 2 is mounted above the toner hopper 1. Thus, the upper surface of the toner hopper 1 and the lower surface of the cartridge body 2 form a mating surface. In this embodiment, the cartridge body 2 is assembled onto the toner hopper 1 in the front-to-back direction.

[0050] To accurately position and install the cartridge body 2 on the toner hopper 1, the mating surfaces of the cartridge body 2 and the toner hopper 1 are matched with guide grooves 13 and guide members 24 that fit within the grooves 13. The guide grooves 13 extend along the assembly direction of the cartridge body 2. The positions of the guide grooves 13 and guide members 24 can be determined based on specific needs. In this embodiment, the guide grooves 13 are provided in the middle of the mating surface of the toner hopper 1 along the front-to-back direction, and the guide members 24 are provided on the mating surface of the cartridge body 2.

[0051] To further ensure the secure connection and accurate relative positioning of the cartridge body 2 to the toner, limit plates 140 extend upward from each end of the toner hopper 1. The cartridge body 2 is mounted between the two limit plates 140. Positioning slots 26, opening upward and facing backward, are provided on the outer surfaces of both ends of the cartridge body 2. The inner surfaces of the limit plates 140 are provided with third members 16 that fit within the positioning slots 26. During assembly, after the guide members 24 on the cartridge body 2 are positioned within the guide slots 13 of the toner hopper 1, the third members 16 on the limit plates 140 on either side are positioned within the positioning slots 26 on the outer surfaces of the cartridge body 2. The cartridge body 2 is then pushed forward. When the third members 16 reach the bottom of the positioning slots 26, the cartridge body 2 is securely mounted on the toner hopper 1. If desired, a snap-fit ​​mechanism can be provided on the cartridge body 2 and toner hopper 1 to secure the relative positions of the cartridge body 2 and toner hopper 1. The cover body can also be fastened to the housing 200 to fix the relative positions of the box body 2 and the toner bin 1 under the pressure of the cover body on the box body 2 .

[0052] In order to prevent the toner in the box body 2 from being contaminated, deteriorating, or leaking when not installed, it is also necessary to prevent the space in the toner bin 1 from being contaminated, or the toner in the toner bin 1 from being contaminated or deteriorating when the box body 2 is removed. In the present embodiment, a powder inlet cover 111 is provided on the powder inlet 11, and a powder outlet cover 211 is provided on the powder outlet 21. The movable structure of the powder inlet cover 111 and the powder outlet cover 211 can be an opening and closing mechanism in various ways in the prior art, such as a flip cover, a sliding cover, a buckle cover, etc. For ease of operation, the powder inlet cover 111 and the powder outlet cover 211 adopt a sliding cover structure in the present embodiment. In order to ensure the moving direction of the powder inlet cover 111 and the powder outlet cover 211, a first guide rail 15 is provided on both sides of the powder inlet 11 of the toner bin 1, and the powder inlet cover 111 is slidably connected to the first guide rail 15. Second guide rails 27 are provided on either side of the powder outlet 21 of the cartridge body 2, and the powder outlet cover 211 is slidably connected to the second guide rails 27. For ease of operation, the first and second guide rails 15, 27 extend in the same direction as the cartridge body 2 is installed on the toner hopper 1. Because the cartridge body 2 is assembled on the toner hopper 1 in the front-to-back direction, the first and second guide rails 15, 27 extend in the same direction.

[0053] The powder inlet cover 111 and the powder outlet cover 211 can be opened and closed manually, but this increases the number of steps required by the user and reduces the ease of installation of the cartridge body 2. In this embodiment, the cartridge body 2 is provided with a first pusher 23, and the powder inlet cover 111 is provided with a first member 1111 that is pushed by the first pusher 23 to open the powder inlet 11. The toner hopper 1 is provided with a second pusher 12, and the powder outlet cover 211 is provided with a second member 2111 that is pushed by the second pusher 12 to open the powder outlet 21. In this manner, the powder outlet cover 211 and the powder inlet cover 111 can be automatically opened during assembly of the cartridge body 2 onto the toner hopper 1.

[0054] In this embodiment, the first pusher 23, the second pusher 12, the first component 1111, and the second component 2111 are all plate bodies. The powder inlet cover 111 and the powder outlet cover 211 move in a direction of relative separation to open the powder inlet 11 and the powder outlet 21. Specifically, an upper concave area is formed on the front portion of the lower surface of the box body 2, corresponding to the area after the powder inlet cover 111 is opened. The first pusher 23 is provided downwardly extending from the upper surface of the upper concave area, and the first component 1111 is provided on the upper surface of the powder inlet cover 111. The second pusher 12 extends upward from the upper surface of the front portion of the toner hopper 1, which the first pusher 23 does not contact. The second component 2111 extends downward from the powder outlet cover 211, and is capable of matching and contacting with the second pusher 12. As the cartridge body 2 is pushed from front to back onto the toner hopper 1, the first pusher 23 opens the powder inlet 11 by pushing the first member 1111 backward, while the second pusher 12 opens the powder outlet 21 by blocking the second member 2111 forward. During this process, the powder inlet cover 111 moves backward, while the powder outlet cover 211 moves forward. When the cartridge body 2 is properly assembled on the toner hopper 1, both the powder inlet 11 and the powder outlet 21 are open and connected.

[0055] To ensure that the powder feed cover 111 automatically covers the powder feed port 11 after the cartridge body 2 is removed, thereby preventing impurities from entering the toner hopper 1 and toner from the cartridge body 2 from falling out, the powder feed cover 111 is connected to the toner hopper 1 via a first reset assembly 6, with a tendency to close the powder feed port 11. The first reset assembly 6 includes a shaft 61, a swing arm 62, and a reset spring 63. The shaft 61 is fixedly connected to the toner hopper 1 near the powder feed cover 111. The swing arm 62 is rotatably connected to the shaft 61, with a first end of the swing arm 62 connected to the powder feed cover 111. The reset spring 63 is sleeved on the shaft 61, with one end of the reset spring 63 connected to the powder feed cover 111 and the other end of the reset spring 63 connected to the second end of the swing arm 62. Because the powder inlet cover 111 moves linearly in the front-to-back direction, the structure allows a certain range of relative motion between the powder inlet cover 111 and the swing arm 62 in the left-right direction when the swing arm 62 is connected to the powder inlet cover 111. In this embodiment, a connecting rod is provided on the powder inlet cover 111, and the first end of the swing arm 62 is provided with a strip-shaped opening that is sleeved onto the connecting rod. This provides the relative motion space between the powder inlet cover 111 and the swing arm 62 in the left-right direction. When the box body 2 is removed, the first pusher 23 loses the pushing force on the first member 1111 of the powder inlet cover 111. Under the action of the return spring 63, the swing arm 62 drives the powder inlet cover 111 back to its original position, closing the powder inlet port 11. Similarly, the powder outlet cover 211 is connected to the box body 2 by the first elastic member 2112, which tends to close the powder outlet port 21. The first elastic member 2112 can adopt various structures that can realize the return of the powder outlet cover 211. In this embodiment, the first elastic member 2112 also utilizes a torsion spring structure, mounted within the cartridge body 2 and connected to the cartridge body 2 at one end. The other end of the torsion spring forms a hook that hooks onto a dedicated hook portion of the powder discharge cover 211. When the cartridge body 2 is removed, the second pusher 12 loses its ability to push the second member 2111 of the powder discharge cover 211, and the powder discharge cover 211, under the action of the first elastic member 2112, returns to its original position, covering the powder discharge port 21.

[0056] In this embodiment, a conveying mechanism 3 is further provided in the cavity of the box body 2, and the conveying mechanism 3 includes a lever 32 and a spiral rod 31 extending along the length direction of the box body 2. The lever 32 and the spiral rod 31 are parallel. A first toner groove and a second toner groove are respectively provided in the box body 2 corresponding to the lever 32 and the spiral rod 31. The height of the first toner groove is higher than the second toner groove, and the cross-section of the second toner groove is an inverted cone. This can improve the toner conveying capacity of the spiral rod 31. The lever 32 can transfer the toner in the first toner groove to the second toner groove, thereby realizing the toner conveying in the direction of the spiral rod 31, prompting the spiral rod 31 to work and convey the toner to the powder outlet 21.

[0057] In this embodiment, the powder outlet 21 of the box body 2 is disposed on the bottom surface of one end of the box body 2, and the screw rod 31 can transport toner to the powder outlet 21 by rotating. The lever 32 can stir the toner in the box body 2 and transfer the toner to the second toner tank, thereby preventing toner from solidifying and ensuring uniformity in the amount of toner transported. A paddle is provided on the lever 32, and under the action of the lever 32, the lever 32 transfers the toner in the second toner tank to the second toner tank where the screw rod 31 is located. In addition, to facilitate transmission, meshing gears are provided at the same end of the lever 32 and the screw rod 31, thereby achieving transmission between the lever 32 and the screw rod 31. The rotational speed of the lever 32 and the screw rod 31 is adjusted by adjusting the gear ratio.

[0058] If a dedicated driver were provided for the conveying mechanism 3, the cost of the split-type toner cartridge would be excessively high. Therefore, in this embodiment, the conveying mechanism 3 is transmission-connected to the operating components within the toner cartridge body 100. Specifically, the conveying mechanism 3 is transmission-connected to the photosensitive drum within the toner cartridge body 100. Specifically, a transmission member 22 connected to the conveying mechanism 3 is provided at the end of the cartridge body 2. The toner cartridge body 100 is provided with a transmission mechanism 7 connected to the photosensitive drum within the toner cartridge body 100. A linkage assembly 8 is elastically connected to the toner hopper 1 and engages with the transmission member 22 and the transmission mechanism 7 as the cartridge body 2 is assembled.

[0059] The transmission member 22 is rotatably connected to the end of the box body 2. The transmission member 22 is connected to the screw rod 31 or the shift rod 32 in the conveying mechanism 3. In this embodiment, the transmission member 22 is connected to the screw rod 31 in the conveying mechanism 3 to achieve rotation. The transmission member 22 has a groove 221 opening outward.

[0060] The linkage assembly 8 includes a second elastic member 81 , a linkage block 82 and an engaging member 83 . The engaging member 83 is movably arranged on the linkage block 82 .

[0061] A mounting plate 14 is provided at at least one end of the toner hopper 1. The mounting plate 14 extends to the position where the cartridge body 2 is mounted. In this embodiment, one of the stop plates 140 extending upward from the toner hopper 1 serves as the mounting plate 14. A linkage block 82 is connected to the mounting plate 14 via a second elastic member 81. The second elastic member 81 is mounted on the toner hopper 1 and connected to the linkage block 82 at one end. In this embodiment, the second elastic member 81 is a torsion spring. The mounting plate 14 is provided with a connecting shaft for the second elastic member 81 to attach to. The deformation direction of the second elastic member 81 corresponds to the movement direction of the linkage block 82 toward engagement with the transmission mechanism 7 and the transmission member 22. In this embodiment, the cartridge body 2 is mounted above the toner hopper 1 from front to back. Since the screw rod 31 extends along the length of the cartridge body 2, i.e., in the left-right direction, the groove 221 on the transmission member 22 opens toward the mounting plate 14. In this embodiment, the linkage assembly 8 is positioned on the left side of the housing 2, and the transmission mechanism 7 is positioned near the rear of the housing 2. This causes the second elastic member 81 to deform in a direction that is tilted rearward and to the right. The housing 2 is provided with a drive block 25 that propels the linkage block 82 toward one of the transmission mechanism 7 and the transmission member 22. In this embodiment, the drive block 25 on the housing 2 propels the linkage block 82 toward the transmission mechanism 7, i.e., toward the rear.

[0062] The inner surface of the mounting plate 14 is provided with a guide groove 141 aligned with the deformation direction of the second elastic member 81. The linkage block 82 is positioned within the guide groove 141 and has a contact portion 821 exposed outside the guide groove 141 for push by the driving block 25. In this embodiment, the guide groove 141 is serrated, and the linkage block 82 also has a serrated portion that fits within the serrated guide groove 141. This allows the linkage block 82 to move rearward while the driving block 25 pushes the linkage block 82 to the right, driven by the guide groove 141.

[0063] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 7 is a transmission gear set, and the meshing member 83 is a linkage gear that meshes with the output gear of the transmission gear set. The linkage gear also extends toward the transmission member 22 and has a connecting portion 831 that fits into the groove 221. The connecting portion 831 is retained within the groove 221. Specifically, a first protruding tooth 222 is provided on the inner circumferential wall of the groove 221 of the transmission member 22, and a second protruding tooth 8311 is provided on the outer circumferential wall of the connecting portion 831 that meshes with the first protruding tooth 222. The meshing of the first protruding tooth 222 and the second protruding tooth 8311 thus achieves a meshing connection between the transmission member 22 and the meshing member 83.

[0064] During assembly, when the cartridge body 2 is first placed on the toner hopper 1, the drive block 25 on the cartridge body 2 abuts against the front sidewall of the linkage block 82. At this point, the meshing member 83 connected to the linkage block 82 is aligned with the opening of the groove 221 on the transmission member 22. As the cartridge body 2 is pushed backward, the linkage block 82 also moves backward. Guided by the guide groove 141, the linkage block 82 simultaneously moves rightward, causing the connecting portion 831 on the meshing member 83 to gradually penetrate deeper into the groove 221 of the transmission member 22. When the cartridge body 2 is fully assembled on the toner hopper 1, the connecting portion 831 on the meshing member 83 is fully seated in the groove 221 and meshes with the transmission member 22. Simultaneously, the teeth on the meshing member 83 mesh with the output gear of the transmission gear train, thereby establishing a transmission connection between the transmission mechanism 7 and the conveying mechanism 3 in the cartridge body 2. When the box body 2 is removed from the toner bin 1, the driving block 25 on the box body 2 gradually releases the backward thrust on the linkage block 82, and the engaging member 83 is gradually separated from the output gear in the transmission gear group. At the same time, the linkage block 82 is also reset to the guide groove 141 in the direction away from the box body 2 under the action of the second elastic member 81, and the connecting portion 831 in the corresponding engaging member 83 gradually disengages from the groove 221 of the transmission member 22, thereby realizing the work of removing the box body 2 from the toner bin 1.

[0065] In addition, although the powder outlet cover 211 can effectively prevent toner from falling out, the powder outlet cover 211 is gradually opened during the assembly process of the box body 2. In order to prevent toner from falling when the powder cover is in a semi-open state when the box body 2 is not fully assembled or during the disassembly process, a seal 4 that can move with the cover 300 on the housing 200 is provided in the box body 2, corresponding to the powder outlet 21. The seal 4 is arranged in a transmission manner with the cover 300 on the housing 200 and can close and open the powder outlet 21 as the cover 300 is opened and closed. The box body 2 is provided with a drive assembly 5 for driving the seal 4 to open and close. The drive assembly 5 can be an independently provided drive structure or a structure driven by other components.

[0066] In this embodiment, the cover 300 on the housing 200 is provided with a trigger member 301 that can trigger the operation of the drive assembly 5. The drive assembly 5 is disposed at one end of the box body 2, and the trigger member 301 is also disposed on the side of the cover 300. This prevents the drive assembly 5 and the trigger member 301 from affecting the powder outlet 21.

[0067] The sealing member 4 can be a sealing disc structure capable of moving back and forth relative to the cartridge body 2. A guide structure can also be provided within the cartridge body 2 to direct the movement of the sealing disc. The drive assembly 5 can correspondingly be a rod structure connected to the disc. This rod is elastically connected to the end wall of the cartridge body 2 and has a tendency to press against the trigger member 301, which is a push rod connected to the inner side of the cover 300. When the cartridge body 2 is not installed, or when it is installed on the toner hopper 1 and the cover 300 is not closed, the sealing member 4 covers the powder outlet 21. When the cover 300 is closed, the push rod on the cover 300 pushes the connecting rod of the driving member 5 backward, thereby driving the sealing disc backward relative to the cartridge body 2, opening the powder outlet 21. When the cover 300 is opened, the rod structure moves forward under the elastic force, covering the powder outlet 21. At this time, whether checking the situation inside the printer housing 200 or removing the cartridge 2, the toner inside the cartridge 2 will not be contaminated or fall out, effectively ensuring the storage environment of the toner inside the cartridge 2 and extending the shelf life of the toner inside the cartridge 2. The seal 4 and drive assembly 5 structures are not shown in the figure.

[0068] To further ensure the tightness between the seal 4 and the wall of the box body 2 and improve the sealing effect, in this embodiment, the seal 4 is rotatably mounted within the box body 2. A cylindrical mounting cavity 20 is provided within the box body 2, with the axis of the mounting cavity 20 arranged horizontally. A powder outlet 21 is disposed at the bottom of the cavity wall of the mounting cavity 20. The seal 4 is cylindrical and rotatably mounted within the mounting cavity 20, with the axis of the seal 4 also arranged horizontally. A first opening 41 is provided on the side wall of the seal 4, which can be rotated to the position of the powder outlet 21. In this way, when the seal 4 rotates within the mounting cavity 20, the sealing between the outer wall of the seal 4 and the inner wall of the mounting cavity 20 can be maintained.

[0069] The mounting cavity 20 is disposed at the end of the box body 2, and the corresponding seal 4 is disposed at the end of a partial bin. Both ends of the mounting cavity 20 are open, and one end of the seal 4 extends out of the box body 2. The protruding end of the seal 4 is sealed with a sealing cap 300. This ensures that toner that can enter the seal 4 can only enter through the opening at the inner end of the seal 4, limiting the amount of toner that enters. In this embodiment, a through hole 201 is provided in the top wall of the mounting cavity 20 to increase the inlet area for toner to enter the seal 4. The corresponding seal 4 also has a second opening 42 that mates with the through hole 201. When the first opening 41 of the seal 4 is rotated to the position of the powder outlet 21, the second opening 42 of the seal 4 is rotated to the position of the through hole 201.

[0070] The conveying mechanism 3 in the box body 2 can convey the toner to the sealing member 4 of the installation cavity 20 , and under the action of the lever 32 , can also directly convey the toner from the through hole 201 and the second opening 42 to the sealing member 4 .

[0071] Corresponding to the end installation position of the seal 4 in the box body 2, the drive assembly 5 is arranged outside the end of the box body 2 corresponding to the position where the seal 4 is arranged. In order to facilitate the installation of the drive assembly 5, a mounting bracket 50 is provided outside the end of the box body 2, and the drive assembly 5 is mounted on the mounting bracket 50.

[0072] The drive assembly 5 in this embodiment includes a first linkage member 51, a second linkage member 52, and a third elastic member 53. The first linkage member 51 is sleeved and connected to the sealing member 4, and the first linkage member 51 is rotatably connected to the second linkage member 52. The second linkage member 52 is arranged corresponding to the trigger position, and the second linkage member 52 is elastically connected to the box body 2 via the third elastic member 53 and has a tendency to move toward the trigger member 301. If necessary, the first linkage member 51 can be integrally connected to the sealing member 4. The mounting frame 50 is provided with a guide cavity for guiding the movement of the second linkage member 52, and the third elastic member 53 is also disposed in the guide cavity. The mounting frame 50 also has a space adapted for the movement of the trigger member 301. The aforementioned drive block 25 is also mounted on the mounting frame.

[0073] A connecting column 511 extends from the first linkage member 51 toward the second linkage member 52. Since the first linkage member 51 needs to rotate, the connecting column 511 needs to move forward and backward as well as in the up and down directions. The second linkage member 52 is provided with a limiting groove 521 for the connecting column 511 to be placed therein. The limiting groove 521 can limit the connecting column 511 to be synchronized with the second linkage member 52 in the front and back directions. At the same time, the limiting groove 521 extends in the up and down directions, giving the connecting column 511 a certain room for movement in the up and down directions.

[0074] When the cover 300 is not closed, the first opening 41 of the sealing member 4 and the powder outlet 21 of the cartridge body 2 are at an interlaced position, and the second opening 42 of the sealing member 4 and the through hole 201 of the cartridge body 2 are also at an interlaced position. Therefore, toner does not enter the sealing member 4 through the through hole 201, nor does toner in the sealing member 4 pass through the first opening 41 and out of the powder outlet 21. The cavity space within the cartridge body 2 is in a sealed state. At this time, the toner in the cartridge body 2 is not contaminated by foreign matter in the external environment, is not easily deteriorated, and does not fall out of the cartridge body 2.

[0075] When the cartridge body 2 is installed on the toner bin 1 and the cover 300 is closed, the trigger member 301 on the cover 300 pushes the second transmission member 22 backward. While the second transmission member 22 drives the first transmission member 22 to move backward, the first transmission member 22 rotates, and then the first transmission member 22 drives the seal 4 to rotate. After the cover 300 is rotated into place relative to the casing 200 and clamped on the casing 200, the seal 4 rotates into place. At this time, the first opening 41 on the seal 4 rotates to a position aligned with the powder outlet 21, and the second opening 42 on the seal 4 rotates to a position aligned with the through hole 201, so that more toner in the cartridge body 2 can enter the seal 4, and then be output from the first opening 41 and the powder outlet 21, and enter the toner bin 1 through the powder inlet 11 on the toner bin 1, thereby ensuring that the toner cartridge body 100 can perform printing.

[0076] The powder hopper in the present invention is independent of the toner cartridge body 100 and is additionally provided to supply toner to the toner hopper 1. During use, the toner hopper 1 only needs to be docked with the toner hopper 1 of the toner cartridge body 100 to obtain the toner required for operation of the toner cartridge body 100. The cartridge body 2 has low toner filling requirements, making it convenient for users to fill the toner independently. The conveying mechanism 3 within the cartridge body 2 automatically completes the toner delivery task. Even if the cartridge body 2 is directly replaced, the cost is low. In addition, users can adjust the amount of toner added according to their printing needs, avoiding the problem of toner deterioration due to long-term non-use.

[0077] On this basis, a seal 4 is provided within the cartridge body 2, corresponding to the powder outlet 21 and movable with the cover 300 on the housing 200. This seal 4 ensures the tightness of the cartridge body 2 before installation on the toner hopper 1, preventing the toner inside the cartridge body 2 from being contaminated, deteriorated, or dropped, thereby facilitating the storage and transportation of the cartridge body 2. Furthermore, during use, the cartridge body 2 can be opened along with the cover 300, thereby ensuring that the toner inside the toner hopper 1 is replenished by the cartridge body 2 without requiring additional user operation, making it extremely convenient to use and preventing toner contamination or dropout that may occur when the user operates the seal 4.

[0078] On this basis, during the assembly process, the powder bin box can realize the transmission connection between the conveying mechanism 3 in the powder bin box and the operating components in the toner cartridge body 100, so that the powder bin box can transfer toner into the toner bin 1 during the operation of the toner cartridge body 100, which is simple to operate and convenient to work.

[0079] The toner cartridge and printer using this toner bin are easy to replace, have low user costs, and have better developing effects during printing.

[0080] In the present specification and claims, directional terms such as "front," "back," "up," "down," "left," "right," "side," "top," and "bottom" are used to describe various exemplary structural parts and components of the present invention. However, these terms are used herein for convenience of description only and are based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Because the embodiments disclosed herein can be arranged in various orientations, these directional terms are intended for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. For example, "up" and "down" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

Claims

1. A powder silo, characterized by: A toner cartridge (1) is provided independently of a toner cartridge body (100) and is detachably connected to the toner cartridge body (100), comprising a box body (2), wherein a guide groove (13) and a guide member (24) capable of being placed in the guide groove (13) are matched and provided on the mating surfaces of the box body (2) and the toner cartridge (1), and the guide groove (13) extends along the assembly direction of the box body (2); The box body (2) is provided with a powder outlet (21) which can be connected to the powder inlet (11) on the toner bin (1); the powder outlet (21) is covered with a powder outlet cover (211) which can be opened and closed; the toner bin (1) is provided with a second pushing member (12); the powder outlet cover (211) is provided with a second member (2111) which can be pushed by the second pushing member (12) to open the powder outlet (21); A conveying mechanism (3) for conveying toner to a powder outlet (21) is provided in the box body (2). A sealing member (4) for opening and closing the powder outlet (21) is movably provided in the box body (2). The sealing member (4) is arranged in a transmission manner with a cover (300) on the housing (200) so as to close and open the powder outlet (21) as the cover (300) is opened and closed.

2. The powder bin according to claim 1, characterized in that: The box body (2) is provided with a transmission member (22) capable of being transmission-connected to a power mechanism in the toner cartridge body (100), and the transmission member (22) is connected to a conveying mechanism (3).

3. The powder bin according to claim 2, characterized in that: The conveying mechanism (3) comprises a screw rod (31) and a lever (32) for shifting toner toward the screw rod (31); the screw rod (31) and the lever (32) are connected in a transmission manner; and the screw rod (31) or the lever (32) is connected to a transmission member (22).

4. The powder silo according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The box body (2) is provided with a driving assembly (5) for driving the sealing member (4) to perform opening and closing actions.

5. The powder bin according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The powder inlet (11) is provided with a powder inlet cover (111) which can be opened and closed.

6. The powder bin according to claim 5, characterized in that: The box body (2) is provided with a first pushing member (23), and the powder inlet cover (111) is provided with a first component (1111) that can be pushed by the first pushing member (23) to open the powder inlet (11).

7. The powder bin according to claim 5, characterized in that: The powder feed cover (111) is connected to the toner bin (1) via a first reset assembly (6) with a tendency to close the powder feed opening (11); The powder outlet cover (211) is connected to the box body (2) via a first elastic member (2112) with a tendency to close the powder outlet (21).

8. The powder bin according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first reset assembly (6) comprises a shaft (61), a swing arm (62) and a reset spring (63); the shaft (61) is fixedly connected to the toner bin (1) near the powder feed cover (111); the swing arm (62) is rotatably connected to the shaft (61), and the first end of the swing arm (62) is connected to the powder feed cover (111); the reset spring (63) is sleeved on the shaft (61), one end of the reset spring (63) is connected to the powder feed cover (111), and the other end of the reset spring (63) is connected to the second end of the swing arm (62).

9. The powder silo according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The box body (2) is arranged above the toner bin (1), the powder inlet (11) on the toner bin (1) is arranged on the upper surface of the toner bin (1), and the powder outlet (21) of the box body (2) is arranged on the lower surface of the box body (2).

10. A toner cartridge, comprising a toner cartridge body (100), characterized in that: The toner cartridge further comprises a powder bin as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the toner cartridge body (100) comprises a toner bin (1) for receiving toner in the cartridge body (2), and the toner bin (1) is provided with a powder inlet (11) connected to a powder outlet (21).

11. A toner cartridge, comprising a toner cartridge body (100), characterized in that: The toner cartridge further comprises a powder hopper according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the toner cartridge body (100) comprises a toner hopper (1) for receiving toner in the cartridge body (2), and the toner hopper (1) is provided with a powder inlet (11) connected to the powder outlet (21); The toner cartridge body (100) is provided with a transmission mechanism (7) that is transmission-connected to an operating component in the toner cartridge body (100), and the toner bin (1) is elastically connected with a linkage assembly (8) that can engage with a transmission member (22) and the transmission mechanism (7) as the cartridge body (2) is assembled.

12. The toner cartridge according to claim 11, wherein: The linkage assembly (8) comprises a second elastic member (81), a linkage block (82) and an engaging member (83); the engaging member (83) is movably arranged on the linkage block (82); the second elastic member (81) is arranged on the toner bin (1) and one end is connected to the linkage block (82); the deformation direction of the second elastic member (81) is the movement direction of the linkage block (82) toward engaging with the transmission mechanism (7) and the transmission member (22); and the box body (2) is provided with a driving block (25) for pushing the linkage block (82) to move toward one of the transmission mechanism (7) and the transmission member (22).

13. The toner cartridge according to claim 12, wherein: At least one end of the toner bin (1) is provided with a mounting plate (14), the mounting plate (14) extends to a position where the box body (2) is provided, and the linkage block (82) is connected to the mounting plate (14) via a second elastic member (81); A guide groove (141) is provided on the inner surface of the mounting plate (14) in accordance with the deformation direction of the second elastic member (81); the linkage block (82) is placed in the guide groove (141) and has a contact portion (821) exposed outside the guide groove (141) for being pushed by the driving block (25).

14. The toner cartridge according to claim 12, wherein: The transmission member (22) is rotatably connected to the end of the box body (2), and the transmission member (22) has a groove (221) opening outward; The transmission mechanism (7) is a transmission gear set, the meshing member (83) is a linkage gear, the linkage gear can mesh with the output gear in the transmission gear set, and the linkage gear extends toward the transmission member (22) to form a connecting portion (831) that can be matched and placed in the groove (221), and the connecting portion (831) can be limited in the groove (221); A first convex tooth (222) is provided on the peripheral wall of the groove (221), and a second convex tooth (8311) capable of meshing with the first convex tooth (222) is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the connecting portion (831).

15. A printer comprising a housing (200) having a mounting opening, and a cover (300) connected to the housing (200) so as to open and close the mounting opening, wherein: It also includes a toner cartridge according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the toner cartridge is installed in the housing (200).

16. The printer according to claim 15, wherein: The sealing cover (300) is provided with a triggering member (301) capable of driving and pushing the sealing member (4) to move and open the powder outlet (21).

17. The printer according to claim 16, wherein: A cylindrical mounting cavity (20) is provided in the box body (2), the sealing member (4) is rotatably provided in the mounting cavity (20), the powder outlet (21) is provided on the cavity wall of the mounting cavity (20), and the sealing member (4) is provided with a first opening (41) that can be rotated to the position of the powder outlet (21).

18. The printer according to claim 17, wherein: The box body (2) is provided with a driving assembly (5) for driving the sealing member (4) to perform an opening and closing action. The driving assembly (5) comprises a first linkage member (51), a second linkage member (52) and a third elastic member (53). The first linkage member (51) is sleeved and connected to the sealing member (4), and the first linkage member (51) is rotatably connected to the second linkage member (52). The second linkage member (52) is arranged at a position corresponding to the triggering position, and the second linkage member (52) is elastically connected to the box body (2) through the third elastic member (53) and has a tendency to move toward the triggering member (301).

19. The printer according to claim 18, wherein: A connecting column (511) is extended on the first linking member (51) toward the second linking member (52), and a limiting groove (521) for the connecting column (511) to be placed is provided on the second linking member (52).

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