Processing box

Abstract

The present invention relates to a processing box, comprising a powder bin and a waste powder bin combined with each other, a developing part rotatably installed in the powder bin and a photosensitive part rotatably installed in the waste powder bin, and a separation component for receiving an external force to force the developing part and the photosensitive part to separate from each other. When the processing box is working, the developing part and the photosensitive part keep in contact, and the separation component comprises a separation component and a reset component combined with each other. The separation component is used to receive an external force to force the developing part and the photosensitive part to separate from each other, and the reset component is used to provide a reset force for resetting the separation component. The separation component is installed on the waste powder bin, and along the Y direction of the processing box, a part of the separation component is located between the developing part and the photosensitive part, and the part extends along the Z direction. When the separation component receives an external force to move, the rod body of the separation component will not move outside the powder bin shell or the waste powder bin shell, and will not interfere with external components.

Description

[0001] The present invention claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed by the applicant on November 15, 2020, with application number 202022537315.3 and application name “Processing Box”, and the Chinese patent application filed on September 3, 2020, with application number 202021905650.8 and application name “Processing Box”, the entire contents of which are incorporated into this application by cross-reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of electronic photographic imaging, and in particular to a processing box detachably installed in an electronic photographic imaging device. Background Art

[0003] The processing box generally includes a shell and a developing part and a photosensitive part rotatably installed in the shell. When the processing box is working, the developing part contacts the photosensitive part to supply the toner required for development to the photosensitive part, so that the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive part is developed. In order to prevent the developing part and the photosensitive part from being in contact with each other for a long time, resulting in deformation of the surface of the developing part or contamination of the surface of the photosensitive part by toner, when the processing box is not working, the developing part and the photosensitive part need to be separated from each other.

[0004] Chinese utility model patent CN201920512250.1 authorized on November 29, 2019 discloses a separator installed in a processing box, which includes a powder bin 1 and a waste powder bin 2 that can rotate relative to each other, the developing part is installed in the powder bin 1, the photosensitive part is installed in the waste powder bin 2, and the separator is installed in the powder bin 1.

[0005] In the first embodiment, the separator 5 is configured so that when the force-applying member 6 applies a force to the separator 5, the separator 5 can rotate around the rotating portion 53. In order to obtain a greater separation force, the separator 5 is a force-saving lever. However, when the separator 5 rotates around the rotating portion 53, the long arm (force-bearing rod) 51 of the separator 5 will have a larger rotation angle, causing the long arm 51 to extend out of the powder bin shell 10, thereby causing the separator 5 to interfere with external components.

[0006] In the second embodiment, the ring 73 in the separator 7 can rotate around the cylindrical outer periphery 131 of the protective cover 13. When the force-bearing rod 71 is subjected to an action force, the action rod 72 forces the powder bin 1 and the waste powder bin 2 to separate from each other. However, the drive end cover 4 needs to be installed on the outside of the protective cover 13. The cylindrical outer periphery 131 enters the opening 42 of the drive end cover 4. Once the separator 7 is installed between the protective cover 13 and the end cover 4, the separator 7 will hinder the combination of the drive end cover 4 and the protective cover 13, thereby reducing the assembly efficiency of the process cartridge. For this reason, it is necessary to further improve the separator. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention provides a processing box including a redesigned separation component, wherein the separation component is installed between a powder bin and a waste powder bin, and the separation component is not installed in the powder bin. While improving the assembly efficiency of the processing box, the separation component can be effectively prevented from interfering with external components during operation.

[0008] To this end, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0009] A processing box includes a powder bin and a waste powder bin combined with each other, a developing member rotatably mounted in the powder bin and a photosensitive member rotatably mounted in the waste powder bin, and a separation assembly for receiving an external force to force the developing member and the photosensitive member to separate from each other. When the processing box is working, the developing member and the photosensitive member remain in contact, and the separation assembly includes a separation member and a reset member combined with each other. The separation member is used to receive an external force to force the developing member and the photosensitive member to separate from each other, and the reset member is used to provide a reset force for resetting the separation member; wherein the separation assembly is mounted on the waste powder bin, and along the Y direction of the processing box, a portion of the separation member is located between the developing member and the photosensitive member, and the portion extends along the Z direction.

[0010] Before receiving an external force, the separation member is not in contact with the powder bin. When the external force is applied to the separation member, the separation member is in contact with the powder bin, and the reset member is elastically deformed.

[0011] A power receiving part and a developing part gear meshing with the power receiving part are provided at the end of the powder bin. The power receiving part is used to receive driving force from the outside. The processing box also includes a cutting device. As the separating part separates the developing part and the photosensitive part, the cutting device is driven to cut off the transmission of driving force between the power receiving part and the developing part gear.

[0012] The cutting device is a toggle member arranged on the rod body. As the separating member moves under the action of external force, the toggle member cuts off the transmission of driving force between the power receiving part and the developing member gear. On the other hand, the cutting device can also be an interacting rod and a pushing member. The rod is connected to the rod body, and the pushing member is arranged in the powder bin. As the separating member moves under the action of external force, the rod drives the transmission of driving force between the power receiving part of the pushing member and the developing member gear.

[0013] Specifically, the separation member includes a rod body and a separation portion connected to the rod body, the rod body is located between the developing member and the photosensitive member, and under the action of an external force, the separation portion forces the developing member and the photosensitive member to separate from each other.

[0014] As a first embodiment, the separation member also includes a rotating part connected to the rod body, the rotating part divides the rod body into a first part and a second part that are connected to each other. Along the Z direction, the first part is located in the +Z direction of the rotating part, and the second part is located in the -Z direction of the rotating part. When the separation part receives an external force, the first part gradually approaches the powder bin, and the second part gradually moves away from the powder bin.

[0015] As a second embodiment, the processing box further includes a lifting member disposed therein, and when an external force is applied to the separating member, the lifting member forces the separating member to move in a direction away from the powder bin along the Z direction.

[0016] Among them, the lifting member can be a sliding part connected to the rod body. When the separation part receives external force, the sliding part can slide along the Z direction. At this time, the reset member is installed in the sliding part, wherein one end of the reset member abuts against the sliding part, and the other end abuts against the protrusion in the waste toner bin.

[0017] The lifting member can also be a lifting block arranged on at least one of the powder bin and the separating member. As the separating member receives an external force to force the powder bin to rotate around the rotation axis, the lifting block forces the separating part to move away from the powder bin along the Z direction. Before the separating part starts to receive the external force, the powder bin is not in contact with the separating member at the position where the lifting member is arranged.

[0018] The lifting block may be disposed on the powder bin and opposite to the bottom surface of the bottom plate of the separation portion. When the separation member receives an external force, the lifting block pushes the separation portion away from the powder bin as the powder bin rotates.

[0019] Optionally, the lifting block may also be disposed on the bottom surface of the bottom plate of the separation portion. When the separation member receives an external force, as the powder bin rotates, the lifting block is squeezed by the force and pushes the separation portion away from the powder bin.

[0020] As described above, the separation assembly is installed on the waste powder bin, and a part of the separation member in the separation assembly is located between the photosensitive member and the developing member. When the separation member receives external force to move, the rod body of the separation member will not move outside the powder bin shell or the waste powder bin shell, and will not interfere with external components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 2 is a three-dimensional diagram of a processing box according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the processing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention cut along a direction perpendicular to its length direction.

[0023] Figure 3 It is a stereoscopic view of the processing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention observed from the driving end after the waste toner bin shell is hidden.

[0024] Figure 4A It is a stereoscopic view of the processing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention after the separation components are disassembled after the waste toner bin shell is hidden.

[0025] Figure 4BIt is a three-dimensional diagram of the process box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention after the driving end of the waste powder bin is disassembled after the waste powder bin shell is hidden.

[0026] Figure 5A It is a side view of the powder bin and the waste powder bin in the processing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention before separation.

[0027] Figure 5B It is a side view of the powder bin and the waste powder bin in the processing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention after being separated.

[0028] Figure 6 It is a side view of a further improved separation member in the separation assembly involved in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a waste toner bin in a processing box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 8 1 is a schematic diagram of the partial components of the waste toner bin driving end of the processing box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B It is a three-dimensional diagram of the separation member involved in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig. 10A It is a side view of the powder bin and the waste powder bin in the processing box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention before separation.

[0033] Fig. 10B It is a side view of the toner bin and the waste toner bin in the processing box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention after being separated.

[0034] Fig.11 It is a simplified comparison diagram of the movement distances of the separation parts in the separation members along the width direction before and after the separation members involved in the second embodiment of the present invention move along the height direction of the processing box, respectively.

[0035] Fig. 12A It is a side view of the powder bin and the waste powder bin in the processing box involved in the third embodiment of the present invention before separation.

[0036] Fig. 12B It is a side view of the toner bin and the waste toner bin in the processing box involved in the third embodiment of the present invention after being separated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] [Example 1]

[0038] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention cut along a direction perpendicular to its length direction; Figure 3It is a stereoscopic view of the processing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention observed from the driving end after the waste toner bin shell is hidden.

[0039] The processing box 100 includes a powder bin 10 and a waste powder bin 20 which are combined with each other, a developing member 12 rotatably installed in the powder bin 10, and a photosensitive member 22 rotatably installed in the waste powder bin 20; for the convenience of description, the processing box 100 is first defined as follows: the length direction of the processing box 100 is the X-axis direction, the width direction is the Y-axis direction, and the height direction is the Z-axis direction, wherein the non-driving end of the processing box 100 points to the driving end in the +X direction, and the opposite is the -X direction, the powder bin 10 points to the waste powder bin 20 in the +Y direction, and the opposite is the -Y direction, the side where the developing member 12 and the photosensitive member 22 are installed points to the side where the developing member 12 and the photosensitive member 22 are not installed in the -Z direction, and the opposite is the +Z direction.

[0040] The powder bin 10 includes a powder bin housing 11, a developing member 12 rotatably mounted in the powder bin housing 11, and a supply member 13, wherein the supply member 13 is used to supply toner to the developing member 12. Meanwhile, in order to prevent the toner from agglomerating in the powder bin housing 11, a stirring member 14 is rotatably mounted in the powder bin housing 11. As the stirring member 14 rotates, the toner contained in the powder bin housing 11 is scattered. The waste powder bin 20 includes a waste powder bin housing 21, a photosensitive member 22 rotatably mounted in the waste powder bin housing 21, and a charging member 23, wherein the charging member 23 is used to charge the surface of the photosensitive member 22 before development. When the laser beam loaded with imaging information scans the surface of the charged photosensitive member, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive member. Meanwhile, the charging member 23 is located in the -Z direction of the photosensitive member 22, and the charging member 23 is mounted to the waste powder bin housing 21 through a bracket 26.

[0041] As shown in the figure, the powder bin 10 and the waste powder bin 20 are combined by a drive end cover 24 and a non-drive end cover 25 respectively located at the end in the +X direction and the end in the -X direction. In order to reduce the assembly process, at least one of the drive end cover 24 and the non-drive end cover 25 can be formed integrally with the waste powder bin shell 21, especially when the drive end cover 24 and the non-drive end cover 25 are both formed integrally with the waste powder bin shell 21. At this time, the drive end cover 24 and the non-drive end cover 25 can be considered as part of the waste powder bin 20. When the processing box 100 is assembled, the powder bin 10 only needs to be buckled into the space between the drive end cover 24 and the non-drive end cover 25. Therefore, the following description takes the drive end cover 24 and the non-drive end cover 25 as part of the waste powder bin 20 as an example.

[0042] Furthermore, the processing box 100 also includes a first power receiving member 51 located at the +X direction end of the photosensitive member 22, and a second power receiving member 52 located at the +X direction end of the powder bin 10. When the processing box 100 is working, the first power receiving member 51 and the second power receiving member 52 respectively receive driving force from the electronic photographic imaging device (such as a laser printer, a copier), and then respectively drive the photosensitive member 22 and the developing member 12 to rotate, wherein the first power receiving member 51 and the photosensitive member 22 both rotate around the first rotation axis L1, and the second power receiving member 52 and the powder bin housing 11 both rotate around the second rotation axis L2.

[0043] As described above, when the processing box 100 is not working, it is necessary to separate the developing member 12 and the photosensitive member 22 from each other. Therefore, the processing box 100 also includes a separation assembly 6 installed in the waste powder bin 20. The separation assembly 6 receives an external force to force the powder bin 10 and the waste powder bin 20 to separate. At the same time, the developing member 12 and the photosensitive member 22 are also separated from each other. When the external force is removed, the separation assembly 6 is reset. At the same time, the developing member 12 and the photosensitive member 22 return to a state of contact with each other again. In the following, in order to facilitate the observation of the movement process of the separation assembly 6, the waste powder bin housing 21, the driving end cover 24 and the non-driving end cover 25 are not shown.

[0044] Figure 4A is a three-dimensional diagram of the process box according to the first embodiment of the present invention after the separation components are disassembled after the waste toner bin housing is hidden; Figure 4B It is a three-dimensional diagram of the process box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention after the driving end of the waste powder bin is disassembled after the waste powder bin shell is hidden.

[0045] The separation component 6 includes a separation member 61 and a reset member 62 which are combined with each other. Before the external force is applied to the separation member 61, the separation member 61 remains out of contact with the powder bin 10 under the action of the reset member 62; when the external force is applied to the separation member 61, the separation member 61 contacts the powder bin 10, and at the same time, the reset member 62 undergoes elastic deformation. As the external force continues to act, the separation member 61 forces the developing member 12 and the photosensitive member 22 to separate from each other; when the external force is removed, the separation member 61 returns to a state of not contacting the powder bin 10 under the action of the elastic reset force of the reset member 62.

[0046] Preferably, the separator 61 is a rod-shaped member, the reset member 62 is a compression spring, and the separator 61 includes a rod body 612, a separation portion 611 and a rotation portion 613 connected to the rod body 612. When the separation portion 611 receives an external force, the separator 61 rotates around the rotation portion 613 as a whole. After the separator 61 is installed, a portion of the rod body 612 is located between the photosensitive member 22 and the developer 12 and extends along the Z-axis direction, that is, a portion of the rod body 612 is opposite to the photosensitive member 22 and the developer 12 at the same time. Even if a force is applied to the separator 61 to cause it to rotate, the separator 61 will not extend out of the powder bin housing 11 or the waste powder bin housing 21, thereby avoiding interference between the separator 61 and external components.

[0047] like Figure 4A As shown, the separation portion 611 is located at one end of the rod body 612, the rotating portion 613 is located on the rod body 612, and the rotating portion 613 divides the rod body 612 into a first part 612a and a second part 612b that are connected to each other. Along the Z-axis direction, the first part 612a is located in the +Z direction of the rotating portion 613, and the second part 612b is located in the -Z direction of the rotating portion 613.

[0048] like Figure 4B As shown, a developing member gear 121, a supply member gear 131 and a stirring member gear 141 which are simultaneously engaged with the second power receiving member 52 are provided at the driving end of the powder bin 10, that is, the second power receiving member 52 can simultaneously drive the developing member 12, the supply member 13 and the stirring member 14 to rotate. Furthermore, the powder bin 10 also includes an intermediate piece 10a and a protective cover 10b installed at the driving end, wherein the intermediate piece 10a is located between the powder bin housing 11 and the protective cover 10b, and a contact portion 10a1 for contacting the separating piece 61 is provided on the intermediate piece 10a, and the separating piece 611 forces the powder bin housing 11 to rotate around the rotation axis L2 by pushing the contact portion 10a1, thereby causing the powder bin housing 11 to separate from the waste powder bin housing 21, and at the same time, the developing piece 12 and the photosensitive piece 22 are separated from each other; the second power receiving piece 52 includes a power receiving part 521 and a transmission part 522 connected to each other, the power receiving part 521 passes through the protective cover 10b for receiving an external driving force, and the transmission part 522 is rotatably installed on the intermediate piece 10a; it can be understood that the contact portion 10a1 can also be provided on the protective cover 10b, that is, the contact portion 10a1 can be provided on at least one of the intermediate piece 10a and the protective cover 10b.

[0049] Figure 5A is a side view of a toner bin and a waste toner bin in a process box according to the first embodiment of the present invention before separation; Figure 5B It is a side view of the powder bin and the waste powder bin in the processing box involved in the first embodiment of the present invention after being separated.

[0050] The processing box 100 is installed in an inverted state to the electronic photographic imaging device, that is, when the processing box 100 is installed, the -Z direction is upward, or in other words, the side of the processing box 100 on which the photosensitive member 22 and the developing member 12 are installed is at the bottom. The force-applying member 9 located in the electronic photographic imaging device moves toward the separation portion 611 along the -Y direction and contacts the separation surface 611a on the separation portion 611. The separation member 61 begins to rotate around the rotating portion 613, and the first portion 612a of the rod body gradually approaches the powder bin 10, and the second portion 612b of the rod body gradually moves away from the powder bin 10. The return spring 62 is compressed. As the force-applying member 9 continues to apply force to the separation surface 611a, the separation portion 611 causes the powder bin 10 to rotate around the second rotation axis L2 by compressing the contact portion 10a1 until a gap g is formed between the developing member 12 and the photosensitive member 22; preferably, the separation surface 611a is a straight surface, that is, when the processing box 100 is in Figure 5A When the developing member 12 and the photosensitive member 22 are in contact with each other, the separation surface 611a is parallel to the Z-axis direction, so the force of the force applying member 9 can be fully applied to the separation surface 611a.

[0051] Figure 6 It is a side view of a further improved separation member in the separation assembly involved in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] As described above, the second power receiving member 52 drives the developing member gear 121, the supply member gear 131 and the stirring member gear 141 to rotate at the same time. In order to improve the imaging accuracy of the process cartridge, the existing electronic photographic imaging device will detect the process cartridge and the device during the imaging interval, especially the color electronic photographic imaging device. This detection step is more important, such as calibrating the electronic photographic imaging device and the process cartridge. During the detection process, the first power receiving member 51 and the second power receiving member 52 are still driven. At this time, the developing member 12 and the photosensitive member 22 will also be driven to rotate. However, for the developing member 12, when imaging is not required, the continuously rotating developing member 12 will continue to supply carbon powder to the surface of the photosensitive member 22, thereby affecting the next imaging of the photosensitive member 12. For this reason, the preferred solution is to disconnect the driving force transmission of the second power receiving member 52 during the detection process of the process cartridge 100, for example, the power receiving part 521 and the transmission part 522 can be disconnected, or the transmission part 522 can be disconnected from at least the developing member gear 121.

[0053] The separating member 61 involved in the embodiment of the present invention can also play the role of disconnecting the driving force transmission of the second power receiving member 52. Along the Y direction, the rod portion 612 of the separating member is opposite to the second power receiving member 52. Therefore, there is no need to separately set a component in the processing box 100 for disconnecting the driving force transmission of the power receiving member 52.

[0054] like Figure 6As shown, the separator 61 also includes a toggle member (cutting device) 614 arranged on the rod portion 612. Preferably, the toggle member 614 is arranged on the first part 612a. As the separator 61 rotates around the rotating portion 613 along the direction shown by r, the first part 612a gradually approaches the powder bin 10, and the toggle member 614 is inserted between the power receiving portion 521 and the transmission portion 522, or the toggle member 614 is inserted between the transmission portion 522 and the developer gear 121. Therefore, even if the power receiving portion 521 continues to receive the driving force, the developer gear 121 will not be driven.

[0055] As another way, the cutting device can also be an interacting rod 615 and a pushing member (not shown), the rod 615 is connected to the second part 612b, and the pushing member is arranged in the powder bin; when the separation member 61 rotates around the rotating part 613 along the direction indicated by r, the rod 615 gradually moves away from the powder bin 10 along with the second part 612b, and the pushing member cuts off the driving force transmission of the second power receiving member 52 under the drive of the rod 615; of course, the rod 615 can also be connected to the first part 612a, and as the first part 612 gradually approaches the powder bin 10, it drives the pushing member to cut off the driving force transmission of the second power receiving member 52.

[0056] [Example 2]

[0057] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional diagram of a waste toner bin in a processing box according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded view of some components of the waste toner bin driving end of the processing box involved in the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B It is a three-dimensional diagram of the separation member involved in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] The processing box in this embodiment is different from the processing box involved in the above-mentioned embodiment in the structure of the separation component. Therefore, except for the separation component, the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are numbered the same.

[0059] As shown in the figure, the separation component 6A in this embodiment is also installed in the waste powder bin 20. Along the X direction, the separation component 6A is located between the bracket 26 and the drive end cover 24 and is limited. Along the Y direction, the separation component 6A is located between the photosensitive member 22 and the developing member 12. When an external force is applied to the separation component 6A, the separation component 6A can also move in the Z direction to increase the distance that the separation component 6A moves along the Y direction under the action of the external force.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the separator 61 rotates around the rotating portion 613, and when the first portion 612a of the rod body 612 moves toward the powder bin 10, the force-applying member 9 applies a separation force to the powder bin 10 through the separation surface 611a. To ensure that the powder bin 10 and the waste powder bin 20 (the photosensitive member 22 and the developing member 12) are separated more thoroughly, the force-applying member 9 may be configured to move a longer distance, and accordingly, the first portion 612a of the rod body also needs to move the same distance as the force-applying member 9. Existing implementation methods include using elastic material to manufacture the first portion 612a of the rod body, or setting the first portion 612a of the rod body to be variable in length. The above methods have the problems of high cost or complex structure. It should be pointed out that when the rod body is made of elastic material, the reset member used to reset the separator 61 is the rod body itself, that is, the reset member 62 can be a part of the rod body 612.

[0061] The separation component 6A in this embodiment includes a separation member 6A1 and a reset member 6A2 which are combined with each other. Before the external force is applied to the separation member 6A1, the separation member 6A1 remains out of contact with the powder bin 10 under the action of the reset member 6A2; when the external force is applied to the separation member 6A1, the separation member 6A1 contacts the powder bin 10, and at the same time, the reset member 6A2 undergoes elastic deformation. As the external force continues to act, the separation member 6A1 forces the developing member 12 and the photosensitive member 22 to separate from each other; when the external force is removed, the separation member 6A1 returns to a state of not contacting the powder bin 10 under the action of the elastic reset force of the reset member 6A2.

[0062] The separating member 6A1 is a rod-shaped member, and the resetting member 6A2 is a compression spring. Figure 8 , Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B As shown, the separator 6A1 includes a rod body 6A12 and a separator 6A11 and a sliding part 6A13 connected to the rod body 6A12. The reset member 6A2 is combined with the sliding part 6A13. When an external force is applied to the separator 6A11, the sliding part 6A13 slides along the Z direction, and the separator 6A11 moves in the +Z direction and the -Y direction at the same time. The reset member 6A2 is elastically deformed. When the external force is removed, the separator 6A1 slides in the opposite direction along the Z direction and resets under the elastic reset force of the reset member 6A2. The separator 6A11 includes a bottom plate 6A11b, and a separator surface 6A11a is provided on the bottom plate 6A11b. At the same time, a notch 6A11c having a transmission surface 6A11d is also provided on the bottom plate 6A11b. The transmission surface 6A11d is used to transmit the driving force to the contact part 10a1.

[0063] The sliding portion 6A13 is elliptical as a whole, and divides the rod body 6A12 into a first part 6A12a close to the separation portion 6A11 and a second part 6A12b away from the separation portion 6A11. The reset member 6A2 is installed in the elliptical space of the sliding portion 6A13 along the Z direction. The second part 6A12b can be configured to have a certain elasticity so that the separation portion 6A11 has a longer stroke in the Y direction, but the elastic second part 6A12b only plays an auxiliary role.

[0064] The bracket 26 is provided with a protrusion 261 for fixing one end of the reset member 6A2. That is, when the processing box 100 is assembled, the protrusion 261 is inserted into the elliptical space of the sliding part 6A13, so that one end of the reset member 6A2 abuts against the rod body 612 and the other end abuts against the protrusion 261.

[0065] Fig. 10A is a side view of a toner bin and a waste toner bin in a process box according to a second embodiment of the present invention before separation; Fig. 10B is a side view of a toner bin and a waste toner bin in a process box according to a second embodiment of the present invention after being separated; Fig.11 It is a simplified comparison diagram of the movement distances of the separation parts in the separation members along the width direction before and after the separation members involved in the second embodiment of the present invention move along the height direction of the processing box, respectively.

[0066] Before the force applying member 9 contacts the separation surface 6A11a provided on the separation portion 6A11, the separation portion 6A11 is not in contact with the powder bin 10. Fig. 10A As shown, along the Y direction, a gap s1 is formed between the contact block 10a11 in the contact portion 10a1 and the transmission surface 6A11d. When the force member 9 moves along the -Y direction and contacts the separation surface 6A11a, the separation portion 6A11 gradually approaches the powder bin 10. Under the guidance of the notch 6A11c, the contact block 10a11 and the transmission surface 6A11d gradually approach each other. During this process, the first part 6A12a of the rod body gradually approaches the powder bin 10 and pulls the sliding part 6A13 and the second part 6A12b of the rod body to start sliding in the +Z direction. The separation portion 6A11 moves in the +Z and -Y directions. Since the protrusion 261 remains stationary, the reset member 6A2 is compressed. In this embodiment, the separation surface 6A11a is also a straight surface.

[0067] like Fig. 10BAs shown, under the action of the force continuously applied by the force-applying member 9, the separation portion 6A11 begins to contact the contact portion 10a1, that is, the transfer surface 6A11d contacts the contact block 10a11, and the powder bin 10 is forced to rotate around the rotation axis L2. The developing member 12 is separated from the photosensitive member 22, and a gap g is formed therebetween. At this time, even if the force-applying member 9 continues to apply a force along the -Y direction, so that the separation portion 6A11 continues to force the powder bin 10 to rotate around the rotation axis L2, the sliding portion 6A13 moves a certain distance in the +Z direction. Therefore, the first part 6A12a of the rod body can ensure that the separation portion 6A11 obtains more travel in the -Y direction without elastic deformation itself.

[0068] Fig.11 In the figure, the sliding part 6A13 and the separating part 6A11 are simplified into dots, and the first part 6A12a of the rod body is replaced by a straight line. Point A in the figure is the position of the sliding part 6A13 before sliding, point B is the position of the sliding part 6A13 after sliding, point C is the farthest position that the separating part 6A11 can reach along the -Y direction before the sliding part 6A13 slides, point D is the farthest position that the separating part 6A11 can reach along the -Y direction after the sliding part 6A13 slides, the solid line AC represents the first part 6A12a of the rod body before sliding the sliding part 6A13, and the dotted line BD represents the first part 6A12a of the rod body after sliding the sliding part 6A13 slides.

[0069] like Fig.11 As shown, assuming that the sliding portion 6A13 cannot slide in the Z direction, that is, the separator 6A1 in this embodiment is the same as the separator 61 in the above embodiment and cannot slide in the Z direction, then when the separator 6A11 is subjected to the force applied by the force-applying member 9 in the -Y direction, based on the straight line d passing through point A and parallel to the Z direction, along the -Y direction, the separator 6A11 can reach the point C position which is the farthest distance m1 from the straight line d; when the sliding portion 6A13 can slide in the Z direction, as shown in the figure, the sliding portion 6A13 can slide from point A to point B in the Z direction. Point, or in other words, slides from point A in the +Z direction to point B, point A and point B are both on straight line d. When the sliding part 6A13 reaches point B and the length of the first part 6A12a of the rod body remains unchanged, along the -Y direction, the separating part 6A11 can reach point D, which is at a maximum distance m1+m2 from straight line d (as shown by the dotted line in the figure). Obviously, point D is farther away from straight line d than point C. That is to say, when the sliding part 6A13 can slide in the Z direction and the length of the first part 6A12a of the rod body remains unchanged, the separating part 6A11 can move to a position farther away from straight line d.

[0070] It can be seen from this that in this embodiment, a sliding portion 6A13 that can slide along the Z direction is provided on the separation member 6A1. Even if the first portion 6A12a of the rod body is not made of elastic material, it is not necessary to set the first portion of the rod body as a structure with variable length. The separation portion 6A11 can also obtain a larger stroke in the -Y direction.

[0071] In combination with the above-mentioned embodiment 1 and embodiment 2, the cutting device in embodiment 1 can also be applied to the separation member 6A1 in this embodiment, that is, when the separation member 6A1 moves due to the force applied by the force-applying member 9, the cutting device can also cut off the transmission of the driving force of the power receiving member 52 as the separation member 6A1 moves.

[0072] [Example 3]

[0073] Fig. 12A is a side view of a toner bin and a waste toner bin in a process box according to a third embodiment of the present invention before separation; Fig. 12B It is a side view of the toner bin and the waste toner bin in the processing box involved in the third embodiment of the present invention after being separated.

[0074] This embodiment is improved on the basis of the second embodiment, and the same components as those in the above embodiment will be numbered the same. As described above, in the process of the force member 9 applying the separation force to the separation member 6A1, the separation portion 6A11 moves in the +Z direction and the -Y direction at the same time. In order to ensure that the developing member 12 and the photosensitive member 22 are completely separated, the force member 9 will be set to have a larger stroke in the -Y direction. Although the separation member 6A1 can move a distance in the +Z direction, so that the separation member 6A1 can move in the -Y direction. The stroke is larger, but because the separation member 6A1 is combined with the fixed protrusion 261 through the reset member 6A2, the actual movement trajectory of the separation member 6A1 is close to a circle, that is, as the force member 9 pushes the separation portion 6A11 to move in the -Y direction, along the Z direction, the separation portion 6A11 gradually moves in the -Z direction, that is, the separation portion 6A11 is getting closer and closer to the powder bin 10 in the Z direction, which may cause the force member 9 to be out of contact with the separation member 6A1.

[0075] Faced with this situation, the existing solution is to set the rod body 6A12 of the separation member 6A1 to be variable in length. However, the inventor of the present application believes that this solution will not only make the structure of the separation member 6A1 complicated, but also require a greater static friction force to be generated between the force-applying member 9 and the separation surface 6A11a in order to lengthen the rod body 6A12.

[0076] The method adopted in this embodiment is to set a lifting member 10a2 on at least one of the powder bin 10 and the separation member 6A1. As the force-applying member 9 applies a separation force to the separation member 6A1, the powder bin 10 rotates around the rotation axis L2 or the developing member 12 and the photosensitive member 22 are gradually separated. The lifting member 10a2 lifts the separation member 6A1 along the +Z direction, that is, along the Z direction. The lifting member 10a2 at least lifts / pushes the separation part 6A11 away from the powder bin 10, thereby ensuring that the force-applying member 9 maintains good contact with the separation surface 6A11a and does not detach.

[0077] like Fig. 10A and Fig. 12A As shown, before the force applying member 9 contacts the separating member 6A1, not only is a gap s1 formed between the contact block 10a11 in the contact portion 10a1 and the transmission surface 6A11d along the Y direction, but also a gap s2 is formed between the bottom surface 6A11e of the bottom plate 6A11b and the contact portion 10a1 along the Z direction; Fig. 10B As shown, in the process that the force member 9 applies the separation force to the separation member 6A1 along the -Y direction and after the developer 12 and the photosensitive member 22 are separated, the gap s2 between the bottom surface 6A11e of the bottom plate 6A11b and the contact portion 10a1 still exists along the Z direction. In this embodiment, the lifting member 10a2 is arranged on the powder bin 10. Specifically, the lifting member 10a2 is a convex block arranged on one of the powder bin housing 11, the middle member 10a and the protective cover 10b, and is opposite to the bottom surface 6A11e of the bottom plate of the separation portion 6A11, that is, the lifting member 10a2 is located in the gap s2. When the separation member 6A1 receives the separation force applied by the force member 9, as the powder bin 10 rotates, the lifting member 10a2 pushes the bottom surface 6A11e of the bottom plate, and the separation portion 6A11 moves toward the +Z direction. Even if the force member 9 continues to move toward the -Y direction, the force member 9 can maintain good contact with the separation surface 6A11a.

[0078] Of course, the lifting member 10a2 may also be a convex block provided on the bottom surface 6A11e of the bottom plate. As the powder bin 10 rotates, the lifting member 10a2 is squeezed by the powder bin 10 to lift / force the separation portion 6A11 along the +Z direction. Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B From the perspective of , before the separating member 6A1 receives the separating force applied by the force-applying member 9, the gap s2 is not filled by the lifting member 10a2, or in other words, along the Z direction, the powder bin 10 does not contact the bottom surface 6A11e of the base plate / separating member 6A1 through the lifting member 10a2. At this time, there is still a gap between the bottom surface 6A11e of the base plate and the lifting member 10a2 or between the powder bin 10 and the lifting member 10a2. The advantage of this arrangement is that when the force-applying member 9 starts to push the separating member 6A1, no large friction will be generated between the separating member 6A1 and the powder bin 10, thereby reducing the load on the force-applying member 9.

[0079] Therefore, the lifting member 10a2 can be described as follows: before the separation portion 6A11 starts to receive the separation force, at the position where the lifting member 10a2 is provided, the powder bin 10 is not in contact with the separation member 6A1. Specifically, when the lifting member 10a2 is provided on the powder bin 10, before the force member 9 starts to push the separation member 6A1, or before the separation surface 6A11a starts to receive the separation force applied by the force member 9, the lifting member 10a2 is not in contact with the separation portion 6A11. As the powder bin 10 starts to rotate around the rotation axis L2, the lifting member 10a2 starts to contact with the bottom surface 6A11e of the base plate; when the lifting member 10a2 is arranged on the separation member 6A1, before the force-applying member 6 starts to push the separation member 6A1, or before the separation surface 6A11a starts to receive the separation force applied by the force-applying member 9, the lifting member 10a2 is not in contact with the powder bin 10, and as the powder bin 10 starts to rotate around the rotation axis L2, the lifting member 10a2 starts to contact with the powder bin 10.

[0080] As described above, since the sliding portion 6A13 can make the separator 6A1 move along the Z direction, the sliding portion 6A13 can also be considered as a type of lifting member 10a2. When the lifting member 10a2 is configured to reduce the load of the force-applying member 9, the difference between the sliding portion 6A13 and the lifting member 10a2 is that when the separator 6A1 begins to receive the separation force applied by the force-applying member 9, the sliding portion 6A13 can make the separator 6A1 slide along the Z direction, that is, along the Z direction, the separator 6A11 moves in the +Z direction away from the powder bin 10, but the protrusion 10a2 as a lifting member can only force the separator 6A11 to move in the +Z direction away from the powder bin 10 after the powder bin 10 begins to rotate around the rotation axis L2. When the lifting member 10a2 does not need to be configured to reduce the load of the force-applying member 9, the sliding portion 6A13 and the lifting member 10a2 both force the separation portion 6A11 to move in the +Z direction away from the powder bin 10 when the separation portion 6A1 begins to receive the separation force applied by the force-applying member 9. It can be seen that only one of the sliding portion 6A13 and the lifting member 10a2 can also force the separation portion 6A11 to move in the +Z direction away from the powder bin 10.

[0081] The separation component 6 / 6A involved in the present invention is installed on the waste powder bin 20, and the rod portion 612 / 6A12 is located between the photosensitive member 22 and the developing member 12. When the force-applying member 9 forces the separation member 61 / 6A1 to rotate, the rod portion 612 / 6A12 will not move outside the powder bin housing 11 or the waste powder bin housing 21, and will not interfere with external components.

Claims

1. A process cartridge, comprising a powder bin and a waste powder bin combined with each other, a developing member rotatably mounted in the powder bin and a photosensitive member rotatably mounted in the waste powder bin, and a separation assembly for receiving an external force to force the developing member and the photosensitive member to separate from each other, wherein when the process cartridge is in operation, the developing member and the photosensitive member are kept in contact with each other. It is characterized in that The separation component includes a separation member and a reset member which are combined with each other, the separation member is used to receive an external force to force the developing member and the photosensitive member to separate from each other, and the reset member is used to provide a reset force for resetting the separation member; Wherein, the separation component is installed on the waste toner bin, and along the Y direction of the process box, a part of the separation component is located between the developing component and the photosensitive component, and the part extends along the Z direction; A power receiving part and a developing part gear meshing with the power receiving part are provided at the end of the powder bin. The power receiving part is used to receive driving force from the outside. The processing box also includes a cutting device. As the separating part separates the developing part and the photosensitive part, the cutting device is driven to cut off the transmission of driving force between the power receiving part and the developing part gear.

2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, It is characterized in that Before receiving an external force, the separation member is not in contact with the powder bin. When the external force is applied to the separation member, the separation member is in contact with the powder bin, and the reset member is elastically deformed.

3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The cutting device is a toggle member arranged on the rod body in the separating member. As the separating member moves under the action of an external force, the toggle member cuts off the transmission of driving force between the power receiving part and the developing member gear.

4. The process cartridge according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The cutting device is an interacting rod and a pushing member, the rod is connected to the rod body, the pushing member is arranged in the powder bin, and as the separating member moves under the action of external force, the rod drives the driving force between the power receiving part of the pushing member and the gear of the developing member to be transmitted.

5. A process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that The separating member comprises a rod body and a separating portion connected to the rod body, the rod body is located between the developing member and the photosensitive member, and under the action of an external force, the separating portion forces the developing member and the photosensitive member to separate from each other.

6. A process cartridge according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The separator also includes a rotating part connected to the rod body, which divides the rod body into a first part and a second part that are connected to each other. Along the Z direction, the first part is located in the +Z direction of the rotating part, and the second part is located in the -Z direction of the rotating part. When the separator receives an external force, the first part gradually approaches the powder bin, and the second part gradually moves away from the powder bin.

7. A process cartridge according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The processing box also includes a lifting member arranged therein. When an external force is applied to the separation member, the lifting member forces the separation member to move in a direction away from the powder bin along the Z direction.

8. A process cartridge according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The lifting member is a sliding part connected to the rod body, and when the separation part receives an external force, the sliding part can slide along the Z direction.

9. A process cartridge according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The reset member is installed in the sliding portion, wherein one end of the reset member abuts against the sliding portion, and the other end of the reset member abuts against the protrusion in the waste toner bin.

10. The process cartridge according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The lifting member is a lifting block provided on at least one of the powder bin and the separator. As the separator receives an external force to force the powder bin to rotate around the rotation axis, the lifting block forces the separator to move away from the powder bin along the Z direction.

11. The process cartridge according to claim 10, It is characterized in that Before the separation part starts to receive the external force, at the position where the lifting member is provided, the powder bin is not in contact with the separation member.

12. A process cartridge according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The lifting block is arranged on the powder bin and is opposite to the bottom surface of the bottom plate of the separation part. When the separation part receives an external force, the lifting block pushes the separation part in a direction away from the powder bin as the powder bin rotates.

13. A process cartridge according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The lifting block is arranged on the bottom surface of the bottom plate of the separation part. When the separation part receives an external force, as the powder bin rotates, the lifting block is squeezed by the force and pushes the separation part away from the powder bin.

Images