Process cartridge

Abstract

The application provides a processing box, which comprises a drum frame, a photosensitive drum, a developing frame, a developing roller, an elastic pushing piece, a separation driving piece and an elastic reset piece. The photosensitive drum is rotatably installed on the drum frame. The developing frame is connected with the drum frame and can rotate relative to the drum frame. The developing roller is rotatably installed on the developing frame. The developing roller and the photosensitive drum are located on a first side of the processing box. The elastic pushing piece forces the outer peripheral wall of the developing roller to abut against the outer peripheral wall of the photosensitive drum. The separation driving piece is arranged at one end of the processing box. The separation driving piece comprises a force receiving part and an abutting block. The abutting block is installed on the developing frame. The force receiving part is exposed to the processing box. After the force receiving part is subjected to force, the abutting block is driven to extend from the first side of the processing box. The elastic reset piece forces the force receiving part to reset and drives the abutting block to retract. The processing box can avoid the abutting block from interfering with the structure in the imaging device and causing damage to the related structure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of electronic imaging device consumables, and more particularly, to a process cartridge. BACKGROUND

[0002] An imaging device usually uses a detachable process cartridge to provide toner for developing an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member and then transferring the developed image onto a medium such as paper. The process cartridge is composed of a photosensitive drum unit and a developing unit. The photosensitive drum unit includes a drum frame and a photosensitive drum rotatably supported on the drum frame, and the developing unit includes a developing roller and a developing frame on which the developing roller is rotatably supported.

[0003] During an imaging operation, the developing roller in the process cartridge is kept pressed toward the photosensitive drum, and the developing roller is kept abutting on the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. If a developing roller having an elastic layer is used, the elastic layer of the developing roller can be permanently deformed if it is kept in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum for a long time without supervision, which can cause the latent image on the photosensitive drum to be developed unevenly, thereby affecting the printing result. In addition, when the developing roller is not used for developing, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller also rotate in contact with each other, and then the photosensitive drum, the developing roller and the developer can be prematurely degraded due to the friction between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller.

[0004] To solve the above problems, a forcing mechanism is provided in the existing imaging device, which acts on each process cartridge to push the abutting block on the developing frame so that the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated from each other when no image is formed. Usually, the process cartridge is installed in a drawer equipped in the main assembly of the imaging device, and when the drawer is pushed into the main assembly, the process cartridge is accurately positioned in the main assembly of the imaging device for imaging; when the drawer is pushed into or pulled out of the main assembly for installing or removing the process cartridge into or from the main assembly, the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, and the forcing mechanism is kept retracted from the installation / removal path of the process cartridge to prevent the forcing mechanism from interfering with the process cartridge. The abutting block is a fixed member fixed at a position close to the end of the cartridge body. The fixed abutting block protrudes outward from the bottom wall of the process cartridge, and thus is easy to press the clamping protrusions on both sides of the drawer in the main assembly during installation, thereby causing damage to the corresponding parts of the imaging device or the process cartridge. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide a process cartridge which can avoid interference between the abutting block and the structure in the imaging device to cause damage to the related structure.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the application provides a processing box, comprising a drum frame; a photosensitive drum rotatably mounted on the drum frame; a developing frame connected with the drum frame and rotatable relative to the drum frame; a developing roller rotatably mounted on the developing frame, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum being located on a first side of the processing box; an elastic urging member connected between the drum frame and the developing frame and located on a second side of the processing box opposite to the first side, the elastic urging member urging an outer peripheral wall of the developing roller to abut against an outer peripheral wall of the photosensitive drum; a separation driving member provided at one end of the processing box, the separation driving member comprising a force receiving portion and an abutting block, the abutting block being mounted on the developing frame, the force receiving portion being exposed to the processing box, the force receiving portion being driven to extend out of the first side of the processing box after being subjected to a force; and an elastic reset member, a restoring force of the elastic reset member urging the force receiving portion to reset and driving the abutting block to retract.

[0007] As can be seen from the above scheme, before the processing box is loaded into the imaging device, the restoring force of the elastic reset member urges the force receiving portion to reset and drives the abutting block to retract, and the abutting block is kept in the retracted position, so that when the processing box is loaded into the imaging device, the abutting block can be prevented from interfering with the latching protrusion on the imaging device to cause damage to the related structure. After the processing box is loaded into the imaging device, when the door cover of the imaging device is closed, the door cover presses the force receiving portion, thereby driving the abutting block to extend out of the first side of the processing box, and the abutting block in the extended position is used to cooperate with the urging mechanism in the imaging device.

[0008] A preferred scheme is that the processing box further comprises an end cover provided at one end of the processing box, and the separation driving member and the elastic reset member are located on the end cover.

[0009] As can be seen above, by arranging the separation driving member and the elastic reset member on the end cover, the internal space of the end cover is reasonably utilized.

[0010] A further scheme is that the separation driving member further comprises a push rod and a sliding rod, the force receiving portion is located on the push rod at the second side of the processing box, an end of the push rod away from the force receiving portion is provided with a sliding groove, the extending direction of the sliding groove is parallel to the direction in which the developing roller moves away from the photosensitive drum, the first end of the sliding rod is in sliding cooperation with the sliding groove, the second end of the sliding rod is connected with the abutting block; the first end of the elastic reset member abuts against the push rod, the second end of the elastic reset member abuts against the end cover, and the extending direction of the elastic reset member is parallel to the extending direction of the abutting block.

[0011] Therefore, after the processing cartridge is loaded into the image forming device, the abutting block extends from the first side of the processing cartridge after the door cover is closed, and the pushing mechanism in the image forming device pushes the abutting block when no image is formed, so that the developing frame rotates around the position where the developing frame is hinged to the drum frame, so that the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum. When the pushing mechanism pushes the abutting block, the sliding rod slides along the sliding groove, so that the push rod does not need to move in the direction away from the photosensitive drum, so as to ensure the stability of the overall structure and the smooth cooperation of each component.

[0012] Further, the push rod comprises a first extension section and a second extension section connected to each other, the force receiving part is located at the free end of the first extension section, the end cover is provided with a push rod opening at the first side of the processing cartridge, and the force receiving part extends out of the processing cartridge from the push rod opening; the connecting end of the first extension section extends toward the first side of the processing cartridge, and the second extension section extends from the connecting end of the first extension section toward the direction away from the photosensitive drum, the extension direction of the second extension section is parallel to the extension direction of the sliding groove, and the first end of the elastic return member abuts against the second extension section.

[0013] Therefore, the L-shaped push rod can more reasonably utilize the space inside the end cover, and at the same time, the size of the push rod can be as small as possible, so as to save materials and reduce costs.

[0014] Further, the side wall of the end cover toward the separation driving member is further provided with a first limiting protrusion, the first limiting protrusion is located on the side of the second extension section away from the elastic return member, and the restoring force of the elastic return member forces the second extension section to abut against the first limiting protrusion.

[0015] Therefore, the first limiting protrusion can cooperate with the elastic return member to limit the push rod in the vertical direction.

[0016] A preferred scheme is that, in the direction in which the developing roller moves away from the photosensitive drum, the elastic return member is located on the upstream side of the sliding groove, and the downstream side of the sliding groove is provided with a mounting opening; the first end of the sliding rod is provided with a sliding block, the sliding block is limited and matched with the sliding groove in the direction parallel to the extension direction of the sliding rod, the sliding block is slidingly connected with the sliding groove, and the sliding block is inserted into the sliding groove from the mounting opening; and the length of the sliding groove is greater than the maximum moving distance of the developing roller.

[0017] Therefore, the mounting opening ensures that the sliding block is smoothly inserted into the sliding groove, and the length of the sliding groove is greater than the maximum moving distance of the developing roller, so as to prevent the sliding block from being separated from the sliding groove when the pushing mechanism pushes the abutting block.

[0018] A preferred scheme is that the end cover is provided with a first driving support hole and a second driving support hole, the first extension section is located between the first driving support hole and the second driving support hole, and the second limiting protrusion is arranged on the side of the first extension section opposite to the first driving support hole, and the second limiting protrusion limits the first extension section in the direction in which the developing roller moves towards the photosensitive drum, and the second limiting protrusion is located at the first side of the second driving support hole close to the process cartridge.

[0019] Therefore, the space between the end cover and the cartridge body can be more reasonably utilized, and the second limiting protrusion can limit the push rod in the horizontal direction, preventing the inclination of the push rod and affecting the extension and retraction of the abutting block.

[0020] A preferred scheme is that the abutting block is provided with a guide groove, the extension direction of the guide groove is parallel to the extension direction of the abutting block and perpendicular to the extension direction of the sliding groove, the second end of the sliding rod is fixedly connected with the abutting block, and the developing frame is provided with a sliding protrusion, the sliding protrusion protrudes outward from the side wall of the developing frame along the extension direction of the sliding rod and extends into the guide groove, and the sliding protrusion and the guide groove are in sliding fit.

[0021] Therefore, the sliding protrusion and the guide groove on the abutting block are in sliding fit, the stability of the extension and retraction of the abutting block is ensured, and the extension length of the abutting block can be effectively controlled.

[0022] A preferred scheme is that the end cover and the drum frame are integrally formed.

[0023] Therefore, the number of components is reduced, and the assembly efficiency is improved.

[0024] A preferred scheme is that the force receiving portion is provided with a guide inclined surface on the downstream side of the direction in which the developing roller moves towards the photosensitive drum, and the guide inclined surface is inclined towards the direction away from the process cartridge.

[0025] Therefore, the door cover of the image forming device can better apply the force to the force receiving portion through the inclined surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first view angle of the process cartridge embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the second view angle of the process cartridge embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 3 is Figure 2 is a local enlarged view of A in FIG.

[0029] Figure 4 is a state diagram of the abutting block in the retracted position in the process cartridge embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the state of the abutment block in the extended position in an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 This is an assembly diagram of the end cap, separation drive component, and elastic reset component in an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0033] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The processing box includes a drum frame 11, a photosensitive drum 12, a developing frame 13, a developing roller (not shown), a separation drive 2, an elastic pusher, and an elastic resetter 16. Preferably, both the elastic pusher and the elastic resetter 16 are springs.

[0034] The photosensitive drum 12 is rotatably mounted on the drum frame 11. A photosensitive drum drive head 121 is provided at the axial end of the photosensitive drum 12. The developing frame 13 is connected to the drum frame 11 and can rotate relative to the drum frame 11. The developing roller is rotatably mounted on the developing frame 13. A developing roller drive head 130 is provided at the axial end of the developing roller. The developing roller and the photosensitive drum 12 are both located on the first side 101 (i.e., the negative Z-axis side) of the processing cartridge and both extend along the X-axis direction. An elastic pusher is connected between the drum frame 11 and the developing frame 13 and is located on the second side 102 (positive Z-axis side) of the processing cartridge opposite to the first side 101. During the imaging process, the elastic pusher forces the outer peripheral wall of the developing roller to abut against the outer peripheral wall of the photosensitive drum 12. The processing box also includes an end cover 17, which is disposed at the drive end of the processing box and integrally formed with the drum frame 11. The separation drive 2 and the elastic reset 16 are both mounted on the end cover 17, and the photosensitive drum drive head 121 and the developing roller drive head 130 are both exposed from the end cover 17.

[0035] See Figures 3 to 6The separating driving member 2 comprises a push rod 21, a sliding rod 22 and an abutting block 23. The push rod 21 comprises a first extension section 211 and a second extension section 212 connected with each other, and the free end of the first extension section 211 is provided with a force receiving portion 213 located at the second side 102 of the process cartridge. The end cover 17 is provided with a chip mounting seat 175 and a push rod opening 171 at the first side 101 of the process cartridge, the push rod opening 171 is arranged close to the chip mounting seat 175 and located at the Y-axis lateral side of the chip mounting seat 175, the chip mounting seat 175 is used for mounting a chip, the force receiving portion 213 extends out of the process cartridge from the push rod opening 171, and the force receiving portion 213 is provided with a guide inclined surface 214 at the downstream side of the direction in which the developing roller moves towards the photosensitive drum 12, and the guide inclined surface 214 is inclined towards the direction away from the process cartridge. The force receiving portion 213 is driven to extend out of the first side 101 of the process cartridge under the action of the force applied by the door cover of the image forming device. The abutting block 23 is used for receiving the pushing force of the pushing mechanism in the image forming device, so that the developing roller moves away from the photosensitive drum 12 along the Y-axis direction.

[0036] The connecting end 2111 of the first extension section 211 extends towards the first side 101 of the process cartridge, the second extension section 212 extends from the connecting end 2111 of the first extension section 211 towards the direction away from the photosensitive drum 12, and the extending direction of the second extension section 212 is parallel to the direction in which the developing roller moves away from the photosensitive drum 12, that is, the second extension section 212 extends along the Y-axis direction, and the sliding groove 215 is arranged on the second extension section 212, and the extending direction of the sliding groove 215 is parallel to the extending direction of the second extension section 212.

[0037] The sliding rod 22 extends along the X-axis direction, the first end of the sliding rod 22 is provided with a sliding block 221, and the second end of the sliding rod 22 is fixedly connected with the abutting block 23. The sliding block 221 is limitingly matched with the sliding groove 215 in the direction parallel to the extending direction of the sliding rod 22, and the sliding block 221 is slidingly matched with the sliding groove 215. In the direction in which the developing roller moves away from the photosensitive drum 12, the elastic return member 16 is located at the upstream side of the sliding groove 215, and the downstream side of the sliding groove 215 is provided with a mounting opening 216, that is, the elastic return member 16 is located at the Y-axis negative end of the sliding groove 215, and the mounting opening 216 is located at the Y-axis positive end of the sliding groove 215. The length of the sliding groove 215 is greater than the maximum moving distance of the developing roller, the sliding block 221 is inserted into the sliding groove 215 from the mounting opening 216, and the sliding block 221 is located at the Y-axis negative end of the sliding groove 215 when the abutting block 23 is not subjected to the pushing force of the pushing mechanism.

[0038] The abutting block 23 is provided with a guide groove 231 extending along the Z-axis direction, and the abutting block 23 is mounted on the developing frame 13. Specifically, the developing frame 13 is provided with a sliding protrusion 131 protruding outward from the side wall of the developing frame 13 along the X-axis direction and extending into the guide groove 231, and the sliding protrusion 131 is slidingly matched with the guide groove 231 in the Z-axis direction.

[0039] The first end of the elastic return member 16 abuts against the second extension section 212, and the second end of the elastic return member 16 abuts against the end cover 17. The elastic return member 16 extends along the Z-axis direction. The restoring force of the elastic return member 16 can force the force receiving portion 213 to return and drive the abutting block 23 to retract.

[0040] The end cover 17 is provided with a first limiting protrusion 172 on the side wall 170 separating the driving member 2. The first limiting protrusion 172 is located on the side of the second extension section 212 away from the elastic return member 16. The restoring force of the elastic return member 16 forces the second extension section 212 to abut against the first limiting protrusion 172. The end cover 17 is provided with a first driving support hole 173 and a second driving support hole 174. The photosensitive drum driving head 121 extends from the second driving support hole 174, and the developing roller driving head 130 extends from the first driving support hole 173. The first extension section 211 is located between the first driving support hole 173 and the second driving support hole 174. The side of the first extension section 211 opposite to the first driving support hole 173 is provided with a second limiting protrusion 173. The second limiting protrusion 173 limits the first extension section 211 in the direction in which the developing roller moves towards the photosensitive drum 12. The second limiting protrusion 173 is located at the first side 101 of the processing cartridge close to the second driving support hole 174.

[0041] Before the processing cartridge is loaded into the image forming device, the force receiving portion 213 is not subjected to the force of the door cover. The elastic force of the elastic return member 16 forces the second extension section 212 to abut against the first limiting protrusion 172. The second extension section 212 drives the slide rod 22 and the abutting block 23, and makes the abutting block 23 remain in the retracted position. In this way, when the processing cartridge is loaded into the image forming device, the abutting block 23 can avoid interfering with the detent protrusion on the image forming device to cause damage to the related structure. After the processing cartridge is loaded into the image forming device, the door cover of the image forming device is closed. The door cover presses against the force receiving portion 213. The push rod 21 moves along the Z-axis in the negative direction. The elastic return member 16 is in a contracted state after being subjected to the pressure of the second extension section 212. The second extension section 212 of the push rod 21 drives the slide rod 22 and the abutting block 23 to move along the Z-axis in the negative direction, so that the abutting block 23 extends from the first side of the processing cartridge and remains in the extended state. The abutting block 23 in the extended position is used to cooperate with the forcing mechanism in the image forming device.

[0042] When no image is formed, the pushing mechanism in the imaging device pushes the abutting block 23 and drives the developing roller to move along the Y axis towards the direction away from the photosensitive drum 12, so that the developing frame 13 rotates around the position where it is hinged to the drum frame 11, so that the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum 12. When the pushing mechanism pushes the abutting block 23, the sliding block 221 on the sliding rod 22 slides along the sliding groove 215, so that the pushing rod 21 does not need to move in the direction away from the photosensitive drum 12, so as to ensure the stability of the overall structure, and to ensure the smooth cooperation of each component.

[0043] In addition, the pushing rod can also be composed of two or more pushing rod segments connected in sequence. The shape and size of the pushing rod can be changed as needed. The elastic pushing member and the elastic returning member can also be made of other elastic materials such as rubber. The distance of the abutting block extending outwards along the Z axis from the outer surface of the processing box can be changed as needed, preferably the distance is in the range of 3.5mm to 6mm. The separation driving member can also be hinged on the end cover. The above changes can also achieve the purpose of the present application.

[0044] Finally, it needs to be emphasized that the above is only the preferred embodiment of the present application, and is not used to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can have various changes and modifications, any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. within the spirit and principles of the present application, should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A process cartridge, comprising: a drum frame; a photosensitive drum rotatably mounted on the drum frame; a developing frame connected with the drum frame and rotatable relative to the drum frame; a developing roller rotatably mounted on the developing frame, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are located on a first side of the process cartridge; a resilient urging member connected between the drum frame and the developing frame and located on a second side of the process cartridge opposite to the first side, the resilient urging member urges an outer peripheral wall of the developing roller to abut against an outer peripheral wall of the photosensitive drum; characterized in that: a separation drive is provided at one end of the process cartridge, the separation drive comprises a force receiving portion and an abutting block, the abutting block is mounted on the developing frame, the force receiving portion is exposed outside the process cartridge, the force receiving portion drives the abutting block to extend out from the first side of the process cartridge after being subjected to a force; a resilient return member, a restoring force of the resilient return member urges the force receiving portion to return and drives the abutting block to retract; an end cover is provided at one end of the process cartridge, the separation drive and the resilient return member are located on the end cover; the separation drive further comprises a push rod, a first end of the resilient return member abuts against the push rod, a second end of the resilient return member abuts against the end cover, an extension direction of the resilient return member is parallel to an extending direction of the abutting block; the push rod comprises a first extension segment and a second extension segment connected with each other, the force receiving portion is located at a free end of the first extension segment, the end cover is provided with a push rod opening on the first side of the process cartridge, the force receiving portion extends out of the process cartridge from the push rod opening; a connecting end of the first extension segment extends toward the first side of the process cartridge, the second extension segment extends from the connecting end of the first extension segment toward a direction away from the photosensitive drum, the first end of the resilient return member abuts against the second extension segment; the end cover is further provided with a first limiting protrusion on a side wall thereof toward the separation drive, the first limiting protrusion is located on a side of the second extension segment away from the resilient return member, the restoring force of the resilient return member urges the second extension segment to abut against the first limiting protrusion; before a door cover of an image forming apparatus is closed, the abutting block is kept in a retracted position; when the door cover of the image forming apparatus is closed, the door cover presses the force receiving portion, the push rod moves, the second extension segment drives the abutting block to extend out from the first side of the process cartridge and keeps in an extended state. 2.A process cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: the separation drive further comprises a slide rod, the force receiving portion is located on the second side of the process cartridge and provided on the push rod, an end of the push rod away from the force receiving portion is provided with a slide groove, an extension direction of the slide groove is parallel to a direction in which the developing roller moves away from the photosensitive drum, an extension direction of the second extension segment is parallel to the extension direction of the slide groove, a first end of the slide rod is in sliding fit with the slide groove, and a second end of the slide rod is connected with the abutting block.

3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: the elastic return member is located on an upstream side of the slide groove in a direction in which the developing roller moves away from the photosensitive drum, and a downstream side of the slide groove is provided with a mounting opening; a first end of the slide rod is provided with a sliding block, the sliding block is limitingly matched with the slide groove in a direction parallel to an extension direction of the slide rod, the sliding block is slidingly connected with the slide groove, and the sliding block is inserted into the slide groove from the mounting opening; a length of the slide groove is greater than a maximum moving distance of the developing roller.

4. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the end cover is provided with a first driving support hole and a second driving support hole, the first extension section is located between the first driving support hole and the second driving support hole, a second limiting protrusion is arranged on a side of the first extension section opposite to the first driving support hole, the second limiting protrusion limits the first extension section in a direction in which the developing roller moves towards the photosensitive drum, and the second limiting protrusion is located at a first side of the process cartridge close to the second driving support hole.

5. The process cartridge according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: a guide groove is arranged on the abutting block, an extension direction of the guide groove is parallel to an extending direction of the abutting block and perpendicular to an extension direction of the slide groove; the slide rod extends along a direction parallel to the developing roller, and a second end of the slide rod is fixedly connected with the abutting block; the developing frame is provided with a sliding protrusion, the sliding protrusion protrudes outward from a side wall of the developing frame along a direction parallel to the extension direction of the slide rod and extends into the guide groove, and the sliding protrusion is slidingly matched with the guide groove.

6. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the end cover is integrally formed with the drum frame.

7. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the force receiving portion is provided with a guide inclined surface on a downstream side of the direction in which the developing roller moves towards the photosensitive drum, and the guide inclined surface is inclined towards a direction away from the process cartridge.

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