Developing cartridge

Abstract

The present invention discloses a developing cartridge, which includes a cartridge body and a developing roller. A detection component and an end cap are provided at one end of the cartridge body. The detection component includes: a detected member configured to move between an initial position and a detected position; a first rotating member whose rotation axis is parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller; a second rotating member coaxially provided with the first rotating member and movable between a first position engaged with the first rotating member and a second position separated from the first rotating member. Among them, the second rotating member is provided with a拨动部 (a part for拨动), and the detected member is provided with a part to be拨动 (a part to be拨动). When the second rotating member rotates until the拨动部 (the part for拨动) abuts against the part to be拨动, the detected member rotates and moves in a direction intersecting with its rotation axis, so as to move from the initial position to the detected position. After the detection of the detected member is completed, the second rotating member moves from the first position to the second position. The developing cartridge of the embodiment has the advantage that the detection component does not affect the disassembly and assembly operations of the developing cartridge. It should be noted that the term "拨动部" in Chinese needs to be further clarified in the context to accurately translate it into a more appropriate English term. Here a more literal translation is used for the time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a developing cartridge for mounting to an electrophotographic imaging device. Background Technology

[0002] Developing cartridges are widely used in electrophotographic imaging equipment such as laser printers, copiers, and fax machines. Generally, a developing cartridge includes a developing roller and a drive force receiver. During the imaging process, the drive force receiver receives rotational drive force from the electrophotographic imaging equipment to drive the developing roller to rotate and supply developing agent for imaging to the photosensitive drum.

[0003] Some existing electrophotographic imaging devices include a detection component. The developing cartridge has a test component that pushes the detection component. After the developing cartridge is installed in the electrophotographic imaging device, the test component pushes the detection component to move during the detection operation. The electrophotographic imaging device can determine the model, developer capacity, specifications, and age of the developing cartridge based on the movement of the detection component.

[0004] A developing cartridge is provided. Before testing, the object to be tested is in an initial position retracted longitudinally inwards within the developing cartridge. During testing, the object extends outwards from the developing cartridge and moves to a position where it is in contact with the object being tested, allowing the developing cartridge to be detected by an electrophotographic imaging device. After testing, the object retracts back to its initial position and ceases to move.

[0005] Due to the limited space between the developing chamber and the imaging device, if the part being tested cannot be accurately retracted to its initial position after testing in the aforementioned developing chamber, it is easy for the part being tested to interfere with the imaging device during installation and removal (removal from the electrophotographic imaging device), making it difficult to install and remove the developing chamber. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The main objective of this invention is to provide a developing cartridge that allows for smooth disassembly and assembly operations while the developing cartridge is being inspected.

[0007] To achieve the aforementioned main objectives, embodiments of the present invention disclose a developing cartridge, comprising a cartridge body and a developing roller, wherein a detection component and an end cap are provided at one end of the cartridge body; the detection component includes:

[0008] The object being inspected is set to move between an initial position and a position to be inspected;

[0009] The first rotating component has its rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller.

[0010] The second rotating member is coaxially arranged with the first rotating member and can move between a first position engaged with the first rotating member and a second position separated from the first rotating member;

[0011] The second rotating member is provided with a toggle part, and the detected member is provided with a toggle part. When the second rotating member rotates to the point where the toggle part abuts the toggle part, the detected member rotates and moves in a direction intersecting its rotation axis to move from the initial position to the detected position.

[0012] After the inspection of the inspected part is completed, the second rotating part moves from the first position to the second position.

[0013] In the above technical solution, the tested component is configured to rotate and move in a direction intersecting its rotation axis, which has the advantage of facilitating the operation of the developing cartridge disassembly and assembly machine.

[0014] According to one specific embodiment of the present invention, the rotation axis of the tested component coincides with or is parallel to the rotation axis of the second rotating component.

[0015] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the test piece has a strip-shaped hole, and the end cap is provided with a support shaft that mates with the strip-shaped hole; when the second rotating member rotates to the point where the actuating part abuts the actuated part, the test piece rotates around the support shaft and moves along the length direction of the strip-shaped hole to move from the initial position to the test position.

[0016] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the second rotating member is provided with a contact portion, and the end cap is provided with a contact portion; after the detection of the tested member is completed, the second rotating member rotates until the contact portion contacts the contact portion, thereby forcing the second rotating member to be pushed to the second position.

[0017] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the developing cartridge further includes a driving force receiving member for receiving external rotational driving force, the driving force receiving member transmitting the rotational driving force to the first rotating member through a transmission mechanism.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, the driving force receiver and the detection component are located at the same end of the housing, and the transmission mechanism is a gear transmission mechanism.

[0019] According to one specific embodiment of the present invention, the detection assembly further includes an elastic reset member, which is used to hold the object to be detected in its initial position before and after the detection begins.

[0020] Furthermore, the radially inner side of the actuating part has an arc-shaped surface that mates with the actuated part. During the detection process, the actuated part contacts the arc-shaped surface of the actuating part, thereby holding the object under test in the detection position. In this way, the contact time (i.e., the length of the detection time) between the object under test and the detection element in the electrophotographic imaging device can be controlled by the length of the arc-shaped surface.

[0021] Furthermore, the actuating part has a guide surface at its front end in the direction of rotation that is connected to the arc-shaped surface of the actuating part. When the guide surface abuts against the actuated part, the detected part rotates and moves in a direction intersecting its rotation axis.

[0022] In the above technical solution, the setting of the guide surface makes the movement of the tested part from the initial position to the tested position more stable, and avoids the tested part from jumping during the movement.

[0023] In an optional embodiment, the elastic reset element is a torsion spring, the main body of which is sleeved on the support shaft supporting the tested component, and the two ends of the torsion spring are respectively connected to the tested component and the end cap.

[0024] According to one specific embodiment of the present invention, the object to be tested includes a pushing part for pushing the object to be tested within an electrophotographic imaging device.

[0025] The number of pushing parts can be one or more. Preferably, the pushing parts include a first pushing part and a second pushing part. The first pushing part is located downstream of the second pushing part in the rotation direction of the detected object and is located inside the second pushing part on the rotation axis of the detected object.

[0026] In the above technical solution, the arrangement of the first and second pushing parts enables the tested component to more reliably push against the test component inside the electrophotographic imaging device, thereby improving the detection stability.

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and advantages of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the developing cartridge of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the structure at the end of the developing cartridge in the embodiment;

[0030] Figure 3 This is an overall structural diagram of the detection component in the embodiment;

[0031] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the detection component in the embodiment;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the component being tested in the embodiment;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the end cap in the embodiment;

[0034] Figure 7 This is an assembly structure diagram of the tested component and the elastic reset component in the embodiment;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a front view of the detection component in the embodiment, with the object being detected in its initial position;

[0036] Figure 9 This is a front view of the detection component in the embodiment, wherein the object to be detected is in the detection position;

[0037] Figure 10 This illustration shows the state in which the second rotating member is forced apart from the first rotating member by the abutment portion on the end cap in an embodiment;

[0038] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of the detection component inside an electrophotographic imaging device. Detailed Implementation

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the developing cartridge of the embodiment includes a cartridge body 10, a developing roller 20, a detection component 30, an end cap 40, and a driving force receiving component 51; wherein, the developing roller 20 is rotatably arranged along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body 10, and the detection component 30 and the end cap 40 are arranged at the longitudinal ends of the cartridge body 10.

[0040] The driving force receiving member 51 includes a driving gear section 512 and a driving force receiving section 511 for receiving rotational driving force from the electrophotographic imaging device. The driving gear section 512 meshes with the developing roller gear 21 to drive the developing roller 20 to rotate. In an alternative embodiment, such as Figure 1-2 As shown, the driving force receiver 51 and the detection component 30 are disposed at the same end of the cartridge 10. In other embodiments of the present invention, the driving force receiver 51 and the detection component 30 may also be disposed at two opposite ends of the developing cartridge.

[0041] like Figure 2-4 As shown, the detection assembly 30 includes a sample to be detected 31, a first rotating member 32, and a second rotating member 33. The rotation axis of the first rotating member 32 is parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 20, and the second rotating member 33 is coaxially arranged with the first rotating member 32. Specifically, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, a support shaft 11 is provided at the longitudinal end of the housing 10, and a first rotating member 32 and a second rotating member 33 are rotatably mounted on the support shaft 11; wherein, the second rotating member 33 is located axially outside the first rotating member 32 (i.e., on the side away from the housing 10). During the detection process, the driving force receiving member 51 transmits rotational driving force to the first rotating member 32 through the transmission mechanism, so that the first rotating member 32 drives the second rotating member 33 to rotate, and the second rotating member 33 drives the tested member 31 to move from the initial position to the tested position.

[0042] In an alternative implementation, such as Figure 2As shown, the first rotating member 32 is a gear, and the driving force receiving member 51 transmits rotational driving force to the first rotating member 32 through a gear transmission mechanism. The gear transmission mechanism may include a first intermediate gear 513 and a second intermediate gear 514 that mesh with each other. The first intermediate gear 513 meshes with the drive gear part 512, and the second intermediate gear 514 meshes with the first rotating member 32. The second intermediate gear 514 may be connected to a developer stirring member (not visible in the figure) that is rotatably disposed in the cartridge 10 to drive the developer stirring member to rotate.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 2-4 As shown, the detection assembly 30 also includes a torsion spring 34, exemplified as an elastic reset element, which is used to hold the tested component 31 in its initial position before and after detection. The body 341 of the torsion spring 34 is sleeved on the support shaft 42 supporting the tested component 31, and both ends of the torsion spring 34 are connected to the tested component 31 and the end cap 40, respectively. Specifically, as... Figure 7 As shown, the first end 342 of the torsion spring 34 is disposed in the connection hole 315 on the tested part 31, and the second end 343 of the torsion spring 34 is disposed in the connection groove 44 on the end cover 40.

[0044] The second rotating member 33 is configured to move between a first position engaged with the first rotating member 32 and a second position disengaged from the first rotating member 32. Initially (before the developer cartridge detection begins), the second rotating member 33 is in the first position engaged with the first rotating member 32. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the first rotating member 32 has a first transmission tooth 321 arranged along its circumference, and the second rotating member 33 has a second transmission tooth 332 arranged along its circumference; when the second rotating member 33 is in a first position engaged with the first rotating member 32, the first transmission tooth 321 and the second transmission tooth 332 mesh with each other, so that the second rotating member 33 can be driven to rotate by the first rotating member 32.

[0045] like Figure 4 As shown, the tested component 31 is provided with a movable part 311, and the second rotating component 33 is provided with a movable part 331. The movable part 331 and the second transmission gear 332 can be respectively arranged on both sides of the axial direction of the second rotating component 33. During the detection process, the second rotating component 33 engages with the first rotating component 32. When the first rotating component 32 drives the second rotating component 33 to rotate until the movable part 331 abuts against the movable part 311, the tested component 31 rotates and moves in a direction intersecting its rotation axis, so as to move from the initial position to the detection position. Specifically, the rotation axis of the tested component 31 coincides with or is parallel to the rotation axis of the second rotating component 33, and when the movable part 331 abuts against the movable part 311, the tested component 31 moves in a direction perpendicular to its rotation axis.

[0046] In one of the alternative solutions, such as Figure 5-7 As shown, the test piece 31 has a strip-shaped hole 312, and the end cap 40 is provided with a support shaft 42 that is inserted into the strip-shaped hole 312 to movably support the test piece 31. The support shaft 42 is coaxially arranged with or parallel to the support shaft 11, preferably coaxially arranged. During the testing process, when the second rotating member 33 rotates to the point where the actuating part 331 abuts against the actuated part 311, the test piece 31 rotates around the support shaft 42 and moves along the length direction of the strip-shaped hole 312, so as to move from such a position as shown in the figure. Figure 8 The initial position shown is moved to the position shown. Figure 9 The location being detected is shown.

[0047] Specifically, such as Figure 9 As shown, the actuating part 331 has an arc-shaped strip structure. The actuating part 331 has a guide surface 3311 connected to the arc-shaped surface 3312 at its front end in the rotation direction R1. When the guide surface 3311 abuts against the actuated part 311, the detected part 31 rotates around the support shaft 42 and moves along the length direction of the strip groove 312 to move from the initial position to the detected position.

[0048] The radially inner side of the actuating part 331 has an arcuate surface 3312 connected to the guide surface 311, and the center of the arcuate surface 3312 can coincide with the rotation axis of the second rotating member 33. During the detection process, as the second rotating member 32 rotates until the arcuate surface 3312 of the actuating part 331 contacts the actuated part 311, the object to be detected 31 will be held in the detection position. Specifically, when the actuated part 311 contacts the arcuate surface 3312 of the actuating part 331, the actuating part 331 applies pressure along the length direction of the strip hole 312 to the actuated part 311 and applies dynamic friction to the actuated part 311. This dynamic friction can just overcome the restoring force applied to the object to be detected by the torsion spring 34 and the counter-pushing force applied to the object to be detected by the detection member 100 in the imaging device, thereby holding the object to be detected 31 in the detection position. In this way, the contact duration between the tested part 31 and the tested part 100 can be controlled by the length of the arc surface 3312.

[0049] In embodiments of the present invention, the detected component 31 may include one or more pushing parts, which are exposed from a window 41 on the end cover 40. When the detected component 31 moves to the detection position, the pushing part pushes the detection component 100 (whose structure is visible) inside the electrophotographic imaging device. Figure 11 This allows electrophotographic imaging equipment to identify information related to the developing cartridge.

[0050] As a preferred implementation scheme, such as Figure 5 and 9As shown, the tested component 31 includes a first pushing part 313 and a second pushing part 314; wherein, the first pushing part 313 is located downstream of the second pushing part 314 in the rotation direction of the tested component 31, and is located inside the second pushing part 314 on the rotation axis of the tested component 31. During the detection process, the first pushing part 313 and the second pushing part 314 apply forces to the first force-receiving part 101 and the second force-receiving part 102 of the tested component 100, respectively, so that the tested component 31 can push the tested component 100 more stably.

[0051] After the developing cartridge inspection is completed, the second rotating member 33 moves from the first position to the second position. At this time, the first transmission gear 321 and the second transmission gear 332 no longer mesh, causing the second rotating member 33 to separate from the first rotating member 32, and the second rotating member 33 no longer rotates with the first rotating member 32. In an optional embodiment, the end cap 40 is provided with an abutment portion 43 (see...). Figure 6 The second rotating member 33 is provided with an abutting portion 333 (see...). Figure 4 The abutting part 333 has an abutting surface 3331 that is inclined relative to its rotation axis; after the detection is completed, the second rotating member 33 rotates until the abutting surface 3331 contacts the abutting part 43, so that the abutting part 333 moves to the axial outer side of the abutting part 43 (see...). Figure 10 This forces the second rotating member 33 to a second position that is separated from the first rotating member 32.

[0052] The detection process for the developing cartridge in this embodiment is as follows:

[0053] In the initial state (before the detection begins), the first transmission gear 321 and the second transmission gear 332 are meshed together, and the tested component 31 is held in the initial position under the action of the torsion spring 34. The actuating part 331 and the actuated part 311 are in a separated state (see...). Figure 8 ).

[0054] During the developing chamber inspection, the driving force receiving member 51 receives driving force from the electrophotographic imaging device and transmits the rotational driving force to the first rotating member 32 through a gear transmission mechanism, causing the first rotating member 32 to drive the second rotating member 33 to rotate. As the second rotating member 33 rotates until the guide surface 3311 abuts against the actuated part 311, the tested member 31 rotates and moves in a direction intersecting its rotation axis, moving from the initial position to the tested position. When the tested member 31 moves to the tested position, the first pushing part 313 and the second pushing part 314 on the tested member push the detection member 100 in the electrophotographic imaging device to move. Subsequently, the second rotating member 33 rotates until the arc-shaped surface 3312 contacts the actuated part 311, holding the tested member 31 in the tested position that pushes the detection member 100.

[0055] Once the actuating part 331 disengages from the actuated part 311, the detection process is complete. The detection element 31 rotates back to its initial position under the action of the torsion spring 34, and the second rotating element 32 continues to rotate until the abutting part 43 contacts the abutted part 333 (e.g., ...). Figure 10 As shown), at this time, the abutting part 43 will apply a force to the abutting part 333 to move the second rotating member 32 axially outward, forcing the second rotating member 32 to the second position, so that the first transmission tooth 321 and the second transmission tooth 332 no longer mesh, the second rotating member 33 no longer receives driving force to rotate, and thus will no longer act on the detected member 31.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described above by way of embodiments, it should be understood that the above embodiments are only used to exemplify possible implementations of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. That is, any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the present invention should also be covered by the scope of protection defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge comprising a cartridge body and a developing roller, one end of the cartridge body being provided with a detection assembly and an end cover; characterized in that The detection component includes: The object being inspected is set to move between an initial position and a position to be inspected; The first rotating component has its rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller. The second rotating member is coaxially arranged with the first rotating member and can move between a first position engaged with the first rotating member and a second position separated from the first rotating member; when the second rotating member is in the first position engaged with the first rotating member, the first transmission tooth of the first rotating member and the second transmission tooth of the second rotating member mesh with each other, so that the second rotating member can be driven to rotate by the first rotating member. The second rotating member is provided with a toggle part, and the detected member is provided with a toggle part. When the second rotating member rotates to the point where the toggle part abuts the toggle part, the detected member rotates and moves in a direction intersecting its rotation axis to move from the initial position to the detected position. After the detection of the tested component is completed, the second rotating component moves from the first position to the axially outward to the second position, so that the first transmission tooth and the second transmission tooth no longer mesh. The tested component has a strip-shaped hole, and the end cap is provided with a support shaft that mates with the strip-shaped hole; when the second rotating component rotates to the point where the actuating part abuts the actuated part, the tested component rotates around the support shaft and moves along the length direction of the strip-shaped hole to move from the initial position to the tested position.

2. The process cartridge of claim 1, wherein: The rotation axis of the tested component coincides with or is parallel to the rotation axis of the second rotating component.

3. The process cartridge of claim 1, wherein: The second rotating member is provided with a contact portion, and the end cap is provided with a contact portion; after the detection of the tested member is completed, the second rotating member rotates until the contact portion contacts the contact portion, so that the second rotating member is forced to push to the second position.

4. The process cartridge of claim 1, wherein: The developing cartridge also includes a driving force receiver for receiving external rotational driving force, which transmits the rotational driving force to the first rotating component through a transmission mechanism; the driving force receiver and the detection component are disposed at the same end of the cartridge body, and the transmission mechanism is a gear transmission mechanism.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection assembly further includes a resilient reset member, which is used to hold the object under test in the initial position before and after detection.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that: The radially inner side of the actuating part has an arc-shaped surface that mates with the actuated part. During the detection process, the actuated part contacts the arc-shaped surface of the actuating part to hold the tested item in the detected position.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that: The actuating part has a guide surface connected to the arc-shaped surface at its front end in the direction of rotation. When the guide surface abuts against the actuated part, the detected component rotates and moves in a direction intersecting its rotation axis.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that: The elastic reset component is a torsion spring. The main body of the torsion spring is sleeved on the support shaft that supports the tested component. The two ends of the torsion spring are respectively connected to the tested component and the end cap.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The object to be tested includes a pushing part for pushing the object to be tested within the electrophotographic imaging device.

10. The developing cartridge according to claim 9, characterized in that: The pushing part includes a first pushing part and a second pushing part. The first pushing part is located downstream of the second pushing part in the rotation direction of the tested part, and is located inside the second pushing part on the rotation axis of the tested part.

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