Process cartridge

Abstract

This invention provides a processing cartridge, including a drum frame, a developing frame, a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and a separating component. The separating component includes a connected collar portion and a force-receiving portion. The collar portion is detachably and rotatably fitted onto the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum. The force-receiving portion includes a force-receiving surface that receives the force from the imaging device, causing the force-receiving portion to rotate around the photosensitive drum. The force-receiving portion has a limiting groove. A boss protrudes from the first end wall of the developing frame, and the boss is located within the limiting groove. The pushing surface of the limiting groove abuts against the linkage surface of the boss to force the developing frame to rotate from a contact position to an intermittent position. The linkage surface restricts the pushing surface from rotating around the photosensitive drum in a first direction. The limiting surface of the limiting groove abuts against the blocking surface of the boss, and the blocking surface restricts the limiting surface from rotating around the photosensitive drum in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction. This processing cartridge is adaptable to different types of imaging devices, has strong versatility, is stable and reliable in operation, and reduces production costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printing consumables technology, and in particular to a processing cartridge that can be detachably mounted to an imaging device. Background Technology

[0002] Electrophotographic imaging equipment typically includes an image processing unit and a developing unit. The developing unit uses toner and other developers to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the image processing unit, thus creating a visible image on a medium such as paper. Toner, being a consumable, needs to be continuously replenished into the electrophotographic imaging equipment. This is generally achieved by a processing cartridge, which is detachably installed into the developing unit and contains a certain amount of toner, supplying the toner to the developing unit.

[0003] See Figure 1 A processing cartridge 1 includes a drum frame 11, a developing frame 12, a photosensitive drum 13, and a developing roller 14. The photosensitive drum 13 is rotatably supported between the two end walls of the drum frame 11 about its own axis, and the developing roller 14 is rotatably supported between the two end walls of the developing frame 12 about its own axis. The developing frame 12 rotates relative to the drum frame 11 between a contact position and an intermittent position. In the contact position, the developing roller 14 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 13; in the intermittent position, the developing roller 14 is separated from the photosensitive drum 13. The developing frame 12 of the existing processing cartridge 1 has a protruding force-receiving part 15, which receives a force F provided by the imaging device to move the developing frame 12 from the contact position to the intermittent position. This causes the developing frame 12 to move relative to the drum frame 11 from the contact position to the intermittent position, so that the developing roller 14 is separated from the photosensitive drum 13. This allows the imaging device to clean the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 13, thereby improving print quality.

[0004] However, some existing imaging devices lack the function of cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive drum 13. Consequently, the force-bearing portion 15 on the developing frame 12 of the existing processing cartridge 1 interferes with the internal structure of such imaging devices, making it impossible to fit and install into them. This limits the types of imaging devices compatible with the existing processing cartridge 1. Furthermore, to adapt to imaging devices that lack the function of cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive drum 13, an additional injection mold is required to produce a developing frame 12 without the force-bearing portion 15, thus increasing production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, the main objective of this invention is to provide a processing box that is adaptable to different types of imaging devices, highly versatile, stable and reliable in operation, and reduces production costs.

[0006] To achieve the aforementioned main objectives, the present invention provides a processing box that is detachably mounted to an imaging device. The processing box includes a drum frame, a developing frame, a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and a separating element. The photosensitive drum is rotatably supported between the two end walls of the drum frame about its own axis. The developing roller is rotatably supported between the two end walls of the developing frame about its own axis. The developing frame rotates relative to the drum frame between a contact position and a spaced position. In the contact position, the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum; in the spaced position, the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum. The separating element includes a connected collar portion and a force-bearing portion. The collar portion is detachable and is positioned relative to the photosensitive drum. The first shaft end of the developing frame is rotatably mounted on the photosensitive drum. The force-receiving part includes a force-receiving surface, which can receive the force of the imaging device to make the force-receiving part rotate around the photosensitive drum. The force-receiving part is also provided with a limiting groove. A boss is provided on the outer side of the first end wall of the developing frame. The boss is located in the limiting groove. The pushing surface of the limiting groove can abut against the linkage surface of the boss to force the developing frame to rotate from the contact position to the interval position. The linkage surface restricts the pushing surface from rotating around the photosensitive drum in the first direction. The limiting surface of the limiting groove can abut against the blocking surface of the boss. The blocking surface restricts the limiting surface from rotating around the photosensitive drum in the second direction. The second direction is set opposite to the first direction.

[0007] After the processing cartridge of this invention is installed in the imaging device, in the normal printing state, the developing frame of the processing cartridge is in contact with the drum frame, and the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum. At this time, the force-bearing surface of the force-bearing part in the separator does not receive the force of the imaging device. Since the collar part in the separator is rotatably sleeved on the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum, the collar part of the separator will not affect the rotation of the photosensitive drum. The toner stored in the toner hopper of the developing frame is stably transferred from the developing roller to the photosensitive drum, thereby realizing a series of laser printing processes such as exposure, development, and transfer on the printing paper, making the operation of the processing cartridge stable and reliable.

[0008] When the imaging device needs to clean the photosensitive drum, the cleaning unit of the imaging device applies a force to the force-bearing surface of the force-bearing part of the processing cartridge. As the force-bearing surface of the force-bearing part receives the force from the imaging device, the force-bearing part of the separation component rotates around the photosensitive drum. Then, the pushing surface of the limiting groove in the force-bearing part abuts against the linkage surface of the boss in the developing frame, forcing the developing frame to rotate from the contact position to the interval position, so that the developing roller separates from the photosensitive drum. Thus, the imaging device can clean the residual toner on the photosensitive drum, thereby improving the print quality.

[0009] Since the collar portion of the separator of the processing box of the present invention is detachably sleeved on the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum, when the processing box of the present invention needs to be adapted to an imaging device with a function of cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive drum, the collar portion of the separator is sleeved on the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum, and the boss of the developing frame is located in the limiting groove of the force-bearing part in the separator, so that the linkage surface of the boss restricts the pushing surface of the limiting groove to rotate around the photosensitive drum in a first direction, and the blocking surface of the boss restricts the limiting surface of the limiting groove to rotate around the photosensitive drum in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction. Thus, the force-bearing part of the separator is stably restricted on the first end wall of the developing frame in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum. Thus, when the force-bearing surface of the force-bearing part receives the force of the imaging device and causes the force-bearing part to rotate around the photosensitive drum, the pushing surface of the limiting groove can stably abut against the linkage surface of the boss to force the developing frame to rotate from the contact position to the interval position, thereby ensuring the working stability and reliability of the separator, and thus improving the working stability and reliability of the processing box with the separator. When the processing box of the present invention needs to be adapted to an imaging device that does not have the function of cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive drum, the separator on the processing box is removed, that is, the processing box without the separator is adapted to the imaging device that does not have the function of cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive drum. Compared with the existing processing box, which requires an additional injection mold to produce the developing frame without the force-bearing part, the processing box of the present invention does not require an additional injection mold to produce the developing frame, thereby reducing production costs.

[0010] Therefore, the processing box of the present invention can be disassembled and separated according to the needs of different types of imaging devices, so that the processing box can be adapted to different types of imaging devices, has strong versatility, is stable and reliable in operation, and can reduce production costs.

[0011] A further embodiment is that the force-bearing part has a first groove on the first end face of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction; and / or, the force-bearing part has a second groove on the second end face of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction.

[0012] A further embodiment is that a first spring abuts between the drum frame and the developing frame, the first spring forcing the developing frame to rotate from the spaced position to the contact position, the first spring being disposed axially away from the separator and close to the second shaft end of the photosensitive drum, and the first spring being located axially perpendicular to the photosensitive drum and away from the photosensitive drum at the top of the drum frame.

[0013] A further improvement is that the top of the drum frame protrudes towards the developing frame with a positioning protrusion. The positioning protrusion is positioned close to the first spring along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The top of the developing frame has a positioning groove, into which the positioning protrusion can be inserted.

[0014] A further embodiment is that the drum frame has a powder outlet through its outer side, which is perpendicular to the photosensitive drum and away from the developing frame, and the powder outlet is connected to the waste powder hopper of the drum frame; and / or, the developing frame has a powder inlet on its top surface, which is perpendicular to the developing roller and away from the developing roller, and the powder inlet is connected to the powder hopper of the developing frame.

[0015] A further embodiment includes a charging roller, two support frames, and two second springs in the processing box. The charging roller includes a spindle and a rubber layer sleeved on the spindle. The rubber layer is in contact with the photosensitive drum. One axial end of the spindle is rotatably held in an opening of a support frame. Retaining grooves are respectively provided on the end walls of the drum frame. A support frame is movably located in a retaining groove in the radial direction of the spindle, and a second spring is located in a retaining groove and forces the support frame to move radially toward the photosensitive drum of the spindle.

[0016] A further embodiment includes a processing cartridge comprising a first drive head, a powder feeding roller, a powder feeding gear, a developing gear, and a developing drive assembly. The first drive head and the developing drive assembly are located on the same side of the processing cartridge. The first drive head is mounted on the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum and is rotatably supported on the first end wall of the drum frame. A first connecting portion protrudes from the outer end face of the first drive head to receive the drum rotation force of the imaging device. A collar portion is detachably and rotatably fitted onto the first drive head relative to the photosensitive drum, and is located axially between the photosensitive drum and the first end wall of the drum frame. The developing drive assembly includes a second drive head, a transmission gear, a movable component, an elastic component, and a separation mechanism. The transmission gear is rotatably supported on the first end wall of the developing frame and includes a primary gear portion and a secondary gear portion coaxially arranged. The primary gear portion has a larger radius. The developing gear is sleeved on the first shaft end of the developing roller and meshes with the first gear. The powder feeding roller is rotatably supported between the two end walls of the developing frame and contacts the developing roller. The powder feeding gear is sleeved on the first shaft end of the powder feeding roller and meshes with the second gear. The movable part is axially movable and connected to the transmission gear. One end of the movable part is connected to the second drive head. The elastic member forces the movable part to move closer to the second drive head so that the movable part is connected to the second drive head. The outer end face of the second drive head is provided with a second connecting part. The second connecting part is used to receive the developing rotation force of the imaging device. The separation mechanism is provided on the first end wall of the developing frame. During the process of the developing frame rotating from the contact position to the interval position, the separation mechanism forces the movable part to move axially in the transmission gear so that the movable part is separated from the second drive head.

[0017] A further embodiment is that the separation mechanism includes a separation control component, a pusher component, and a retainer component. The retainer component is mounted on the first end wall of the developing frame and has a retaining hole and a limiting hole through it. The second drive head is rotatably held in the retaining hole. The pusher component has a protrusion and a guided portion. The protrusion is inserted into the limiting hole. The separation control component has a guide portion that can press against the guided portion to force the pusher component to move toward the movable component in the axial direction of the transmission gear, thereby driving the movable component to move in the axial direction of the transmission gear so that the movable component and the second drive head are separated.

[0018] A further embodiment is that the contact surfaces of the guide part and the guided part that press against each other are both inclined surfaces; and / or, the movable part has a first frustum protruding from the end of the transmission gear near the second drive head in the axial direction, and the end face of the first frustum is provided with a first ratchet; the second drive head has a second frustum protruding from the end of the transmission gear near the movable part in the axial direction, and the end face of the second frustum is provided with a second ratchet; the second ratchet can mesh with the first ratchet.

[0019] A further embodiment includes a processing box that also includes a conductive contact and a drum end cap. The drum end cap is mounted on the second end wall of the drum frame and has a rotating shaft and a through groove. The conductive contact is mounted on the second end wall of the developing frame and is located between the second end wall of the developing frame and the drum end cap. The conductive contact has a retaining sleeve and an electrical contact portion on its first end face near the drum end cap. The electrical contact portion is located in the through groove and can contact the electrical contacts of the imaging device. The rotating shaft is rotatably held in the shaft hole of the retaining sleeve. The conductive contact has a first output sleeve and a second output sleeve on its second end face away from the drum end cap. The first output sleeve is rotatably held in contact with the second shaft end of the developing roller, and the second output sleeve is rotatably held in contact with the second shaft end of the powder feeding roller. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the existing processing box.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a first-view structural diagram of an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a second-view structural diagram of an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a first partial structural exploded view of an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a second partial exploded view of the processing box embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram showing the cooperation between the retaining member, the separation control member, and the second drive head in an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram showing the cooperation between the second drive head, the separation control component, and the pusher component in an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of the second drive head in an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram showing the cooperation between the moving parts and the transmission gear in an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a third partial structural exploded view of an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of the separator in an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 12 This is a partial structural diagram of the developing frame in an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 13 This is a fourth partial structural exploded view of an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 14 This is a structural diagram of the conductive contact element in an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 15 This is a fifth partial structural exploded view of an embodiment of the processing box of the present invention.

[0035] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0036] See Figures 2 to 12In this embodiment, the processing box 2 is detachably installed into the imaging device. The processing box 2 includes a drum frame 21, a developing frame 22, a photosensitive drum 23, a developing roller 24, and a separating member 217. The photosensitive drum 23 is rotatably supported between the two end walls of the drum frame 21 around its own axis. The developing roller 24 is rotatably supported between the two end walls of the developing frame 22 around its own axis. The developing frame 22 rotates relative to the drum frame 21 between a contact position and an intermittent position. In the contact position, the developing roller 24 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 23. In the intermittent position, the developing roller 24 is separated from the photosensitive drum 23. In this embodiment, the separating member 217 includes a connected collar portion 2171 and a force-receiving portion 2172. The collar portion 2171 is detachably and rotatably sleeved on the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum 23. The force-receiving portion 2172 includes a force-receiving surface 21721, which can receive the force F of the imaging device to cause the force-receiving portion 2172 to rotate around the photosensitive drum 23. Furthermore, the force-receiving portion 2172 of the separating member 217 in this embodiment is also provided with a limiting groove 21722. A boss 223 is provided on the first end wall of the developing frame 22. The boss 223 is located in the limiting groove 21722. The pushing surface 21723 of the limiting groove 21722 can abut against the linkage surface 224 of the boss 223 to force the developing frame 22 to rotate from the contact position to the interval position, and the linkage surface 224 restricts the pushing surface 21723 from rotating around the photosensitive drum 23 in a first direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the limiting surface 21724 of the limiting groove 21722 of the force-receiving part 2172 can abut against the blocking surface 225 of the protrusion 223 of the developing frame 22, and the blocking surface 225 restricts the limiting surface 21724 from rotating around the photosensitive drum 23 in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction.

[0037] In this embodiment, after the processing cartridge 2 is installed in the imaging device, under normal printing conditions, the developing frame 22 of the processing cartridge 2 is in contact with the drum frame 21, and the developing roller 24 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 23. At this time, the force-bearing surface 21721 of the force-bearing part 2172 in the separating member 217 does not receive the force F of the imaging device. Since the collar part 2171 in the separating member 217 is rotatably sleeved on the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum 23, the collar part 2171 of the separating member 217 will not affect the rotation of the photosensitive drum 23. The toner stored in the toner hopper of the developing frame 22 is stably transferred from the developing roller 24 to the photosensitive drum 23, thereby realizing a series of laser printing processes such as exposure, development, and transfer on the printing paper, making the operation of the processing cartridge 2 stable and reliable.

[0038] When the imaging device needs to clean the photosensitive drum 23, the cleaning unit of the imaging device applies a force F to the force-receiving surface 21721 of the force-receiving part 2172 of the processing box 2. As the force-receiving surface 21721 of the force-receiving part 2172 receives the force F from the imaging device, the force-receiving part 2172 of the separating member 217 rotates around the photosensitive drum 23. Then, the pushing surface 21723 of the limiting groove 21722 in the force-receiving part 2172 abuts against the linkage surface 224 of the boss 223 in the developing frame 22, thereby forcing the developing frame 22 to rotate from the contact position to the interval position, so that the developing roller 24 separates from the photosensitive drum 23. Thus, the imaging device can clean the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 23, thereby improving the printing quality.

[0039] Since the collar portion 2171 of the separating member 217 of the processing box 2 in this embodiment is detachably sleeved on the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum 23, when the processing box 2 of this embodiment needs to be adapted to an imaging device with a function of cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive drum 23, the collar portion 2171 of the separating member 217 is sleeved on the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum 23, and the boss 223 of the developing frame 22 is located in the limiting groove 21722 of the force-bearing portion 2172 in the separating member 217, so that the linkage surface 224 of the boss 223 restricts the pushing surface 21723 of the limiting groove 21722 to rotate around the photosensitive drum 23 in the first direction, and the blocking surface 225 of the boss 223 restricts the limiting surface 21722 of the limiting groove 21722. The separator 24 rotates around the photosensitive drum 23 in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction. This stabilizes the force-bearing part 2172 of the separator 217 on the first end wall of the developing frame 22 in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum 23. When the force-bearing surface 21721 of the force-bearing part 2172 receives the force F of the imaging device and causes the force-bearing part 2172 to rotate around the photosensitive drum 23, the pushing surface 21723 of the limiting groove 21722 can stably abut against the linkage surface 224 of the boss 223 to force the developing frame 22 to rotate from the contact position to the interval position. This ensures the working stability and reliability of the separator 217, thereby improving the working stability and reliability of the processing cartridge 2 with the separator 217. When the processing box 2 of this embodiment needs to be adapted to an imaging device that does not have the function of cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive drum 23, the separator 217 on the processing box 2 is removed, that is, the processing box 2 without the separator 217 is adapted to the imaging device that does not have the function of cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive drum 23. Compared with the existing processing box 1, which requires an additional injection mold to produce the developing frame 12 without the force-bearing part 15, the processing box 2 of this embodiment does not require an additional injection mold to produce the developing frame 22, thereby reducing production costs.

[0040] Therefore, in this embodiment, the processing box 2 can be disassembled and assembled according to the needs of different types of imaging devices, so that the processing box 2 can be adapted to different types of imaging devices, has strong versatility, is stable and reliable in operation, and can reduce production costs.

[0041] To reduce weight and avoid defects such as shrinkage due to excessive material thickness during injection molding, the force-bearing portion 2172 of the separator 217 in this embodiment has a first groove 21726 on the first end face of the photosensitive drum 23 in the axial direction, and a second groove 21727 on the second end face of the force-bearing portion 2172 of the separator 217 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 23. Specifically, the limiting surface 21724 of the limiting groove 21722 in this embodiment has a notch 21725, and the boss 223 of the developing frame 22 is provided with a mounting post 227. The notch 21725 is adapted to the outer periphery of the mounting post 227. The retainer 27 of the processing box 2 in this embodiment is connected to the mounting post 227 by screws to securely install the retainer 27 on the first end wall of the developing frame 22, and the first drum end cover 26 of the processing box 2 covers the retainer 27 and is secured to the first end wall of the drum frame 21 by screws.

[0042] In this embodiment, a first spring 29 abuts between the drum frame 21 and the developing frame 22 of the processing cartridge 2. The first spring 29 can force the developing frame 22 to rotate from the spaced position to the contact position. The first spring 29 is disposed on the second shaft end of the photosensitive drum 23 away from the separator 217 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 23, and the first spring 29 is located on the top of the drum frame 21 away from the photosensitive drum 23 in the axial direction perpendicular to the photosensitive drum 23. When the imaging device applies a force F to the force-bearing surface 21721 of the force-bearing part 2172 in the separator 217, it forces the developing frame 22 to rotate from the contact position to the interval position relative to the drum frame 21, causing the developing roller 24 to separate from the photosensitive drum 23. Then, the developing roller 24 rotates to the clean position relative to the photosensitive drum 23, at which time the first spring 29 is under compression. When the imaging device removes the force F applied to the force-bearing surface 21721 of the force-bearing part 2172 in the separator 217, the first spring 29, under the action of its own elastic restoring force, forces the developing frame 22 to rotate from the interval position to the contact position, causing the developing roller 24 to contact the photosensitive drum 23. Then, the developing roller 24 rotates to the imaging position relative to the photosensitive drum 23, thereby ensuring the stability and reliability of the rotation of the developing frame 22 relative to the drum frame 21 between the contact position and the interval position. Specifically, in this embodiment, the top of the drum frame 21 protrudes towards the developing frame 22 with a positioning protrusion 212. The positioning protrusion 212 is located close to the first spring 29 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 23. The top of the developing frame 22 has a positioning groove 222. The positioning protrusion 212 can be inserted into the positioning groove 222. That is, when the developing frame 22 rotates from the contact position to the interval position, the positioning protrusion 212 of the drum frame 21 can be inserted into the positioning groove 222 of the developing frame 22. This restricts the position between the developing frame 22 and the drum frame 21 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 23, and prevents the developing frame 22 and the drum frame 21 from being misaligned in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 23, which would affect the rotation of the developing frame 22 from the interval position to the contact position.

[0043] To enable the recycling of the processing cartridge 2 in this embodiment and save energy, the developing frame 22 of the processing cartridge 2 has a toner inlet 221 on its top surface away from the developing roller 24 in an axial direction perpendicular to the developing roller 24. The toner inlet 221 is connected to the toner hopper of the developing frame 22, and a first sealing cover is detachably installed at the toner inlet 221. Simultaneously, to enable the recycling of toner and save energy, the drum frame 21 of the processing cartridge 2 has a toner outlet 211 penetrating its outer side in an axial direction perpendicular to the photosensitive drum 23 and away from the developing frame 22. The toner outlet 211 is connected to the waste toner hopper of the drum frame 21, and a second sealing cover is detachably installed at the toner outlet 211.

[0044] To prevent the developing roller 24 from continuing to rotate and supply powder while the photosensitive drum 23 is being cleaned, thus avoiding powder contamination of the internal structure of the imaging device, the processing box 2 in this embodiment further includes a first drive head 25, a powder feeding roller 214, a powder feeding gear 215, a developing gear 216, and a developing drive assembly. The first drive head 25 and the developing drive assembly are located on the same side of the processing box 2. Specifically, the first drive head 25 is mounted on the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum 23 and is rotatably supported on the first end wall of the drum frame 21. A first connecting portion 251 protrudes from the outer end face of the first drive head 25, which receives the drum rotation force of the imaging device, thereby driving the photosensitive drum 23 to rotate. Specifically, the collar portion 2171 of the separating member 217 is detachable and rotatably fitted onto the first drive head 25 relative to the photosensitive drum 23, and the collar portion 2171 is located axially between the photosensitive drum 23 and the first end wall of the drum frame 21. Meanwhile, the developing drive assembly in this embodiment includes a second drive head 28, a transmission gear 218, a movable member 228, an elastic member, and a separation mechanism. The transmission gear 218 is rotatably supported on the first end wall of the developing frame 22, and the transmission gear 218 includes a primary gear section 2181 and a secondary gear section 2182 coaxially arranged, with the radius of the primary gear section 2181 being larger than the radius of the secondary gear section 2182. Specifically, the developing gear 216 is sleeved on the first shaft end of the developing roller 24 and meshes with the primary gear section 2181. The powder feeding roller 214 is rotatably supported between the two end walls of the developing frame 22 and contacts the developing roller 24. The powder feeding gear 215 is sleeved on the first shaft end of the powder feeding roller 214 and meshes with the secondary gear section 2182. The movable member 228 is axially movable and connected to the transmission gear 218. One end of the movable member 228 can be connected to the second drive head 28. The elastic member forces the movable member 218 to move. The movable member 228 moves closer to the second drive head 28 to connect with it. A second connecting portion 281 protrudes from the outer end face of the second drive head 28, receiving the developing rotational force of the imaging device. A separation mechanism is disposed on the first end wall of the developing frame 22. During the rotation of the developing frame 22 from the contact position to the interval position, the separation mechanism forces the movable member 228 to move axially along the transmission gear 218, separating it from the second drive head 28. In the contact position, the movable member 228 is connected to the second drive head 28, driving the developing roller 24 to rotate, at which point the photosensitive drum 23 contacts the developing roller 24. In the interval position, the movable member 228 separates from the second drive head 28, the developing roller 24 stops rotating, and the photosensitive drum 23 separates from the developing roller 24.

[0045] Specifically, in this embodiment, the transmission gear 218 is provided with a receiving cavity 2183 that is open at one end in the axial direction. The receiving cavity 2183 is provided with four protruding arms 2184 that extend in the axial direction of the transmission gear 218, and the four protruding arms 2184 are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction of the transmission gear 218. At the same time, a cylindrical body is provided with a protrusion at the bottom of the receiving cavity 2183. The movable part 228 is axially movable within the receiving cavity 2183 of the transmission gear 218. The body of the movable part 228 is a circular boss structure. This circular boss structure has a small-diameter first truncated cone 2282 and a large-diameter disk 2281 connected to each other. That is, the movable part 228 has a first truncated cone 2282 protruding from one end of the transmission gear 218 near the second drive head 28. The end face of the first truncated cone 2282 is provided with a first ratchet 2283 that surrounds the first truncated cone 2282 in a circumferential direction. The large-diameter disk 2281 has four through holes 2284. The four through holes 2284 are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction of the large-diameter disk 2281, and a protruding arm 2184 is provided to pass through a through hole 2284 with clearance fit. One end of the large-diameter disc 2281 away from the second drive head 28 has a ring body protruding in the axial direction of the transmission gear 218. In this embodiment, the elastic element is a compression spring 229. The two ends of the compression spring 229 are respectively sleeved on the cylindrical body and the ring body, and the compression spring 229 presses against the bottom of the receiving cavity 2183 and the large-diameter disc 2281, thereby forcing the movable member 228 to move closer to the second drive head 28 so that the movable member 228 is connected to the second drive head 28.

[0046] In this embodiment, the second drive head 28 extends sequentially and interconnects with the second connecting part 281, the second frustum 284, and the guide rod 283 in the axial direction of the transmission gear 218. The guide rod 283 can move through the movable part 228 and be inserted into the hole of the cylindrical body in the axial direction of the transmission gear 218. That is, the second drive head 28 has a second frustum 284 protruding from one end of the transmission gear 218 near the movable part 228 in the axial direction. The end face of the second frustum 284 is provided with a second ratchet 285 that surrounds the second frustum 284 in a circumferential direction. The first ratchet 2283 can mesh with the second ratchet 285.

[0047] The separation mechanism in this embodiment includes a separation control component 219, a pusher component 220, and a retainer component 27. The retainer component 27 is installed on the first end wall of the developing frame 22. The retainer component 27 has a retaining hole 273 and three limiting holes 271. The second drive head 28 is rotatably held in the retaining hole 273. The retainer component 27 also has an arcuate groove 272 extending in the circumferential direction of the transmission gear 218 and three limiting arms 274. Specifically, in this embodiment, the body of the pusher 220 is a ring structure 220. The ring structure 220 is fitted around the outer periphery of the four protruding arms 2184 of the transmission gear 218 with a clearance fit. The end face of the ring structure 220 near the separation control member 219 protrudes to form three guided parts 2201. The three guided parts 2201 protrude towards the retainer 27 to form protrusions 2203. The three protrusions 2203 are respectively inserted into the three limiting holes 271 of the retainer 27. Through the cooperation between the protrusions 2203 and the limiting holes 271, the pusher 220 is driven to rotate. In this embodiment, the body of the separation control member 219 is a ring structure 219. The ring structure 219 is fitted onto the second frustum 284 of the second drive head 28 with a clearance fit. Three guide portions 2192 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the ring structure 219 along the radial protrusion 2203 of the ring structure 219. In the circumferential direction of the transmission gear 218, the three guide portions 2192 and the three guided portions 2201 are arranged alternately and fitted together. The contact surfaces 2193 and 2202 where the guide portions 2192 and the guided portions 2201 press against each other are inclined surfaces. The guide portions 2192 can press against the guided portions 2201 to force the pusher 220 to move toward the movable member 228 in the axial direction of the transmission gear 218, so as to drive the movable member 228 to move in the axial direction of the transmission gear 218 so that the movable member 228 and the second drive head 28 are separated. The ring structure 219 has a protrusion 2203 on the end face near the retainer 27 to form a limiting part 2191. The limiting part 2191 is movably located in the arc groove 272 of the retainer 27. Through the cooperation between the limiting part 2191 and the arc groove 272, and the three guide parts 2192 of the separation control member 219 are staggered with the three limiting arms 274 of the retainer 27 in the circumferential direction of the transmission gear 218, the rotation angle of the separation control member 219 is limited, thereby improving the working stability.

[0048] When the processing cartridge 2 of this embodiment is installed in the imaging device, under normal printing conditions, the developing roller 24 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 23, and the movable part 228 is connected to the second drive head 28. The second connecting part 281 of the second drive head 28 receives the developing rotational force of the imaging device and drives the transmission gear 218 to rotate. The transmission gear 218 synchronously drives the developing gear 216 and the toner feeding gear 215 to rotate, thereby driving the developing roller 24 and the toner feeding roller 214 to rotate. At the same time, the first connecting part 251 of the first drive head 25 receives the drum rotational force of the imaging device and drives the photosensitive drum 23 to rotate. At this time, the compression spring 229 is in an elastically reset and extended state. During the printing process of the processing cartridge 2, both the photosensitive drum 23 and the developing roller 24 are rotating, and the developing roller 24 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 23, thereby stably transferring toner from the developing roller 24 to the photosensitive drum 23, and thus realizing a series of laser printing processes such as exposure, development, and transfer on the printing paper.

[0049] When the imaging device needs to clean the photosensitive drum 23, the cleaning unit of the imaging device applies a force F to the force-receiving surface 21721 of the force-receiving part 2172 of the processing cartridge 2. As the force-receiving surface 21721 of the force-receiving part 2172 receives the force F from the imaging device, the force-receiving part 2172 of the separating member 217 rotates around the photosensitive drum 23. Then, the pushing surface 21723 of the limiting groove 21722 in the force-receiving part 2172 abuts against the linkage surface 224 of the boss 223 in the developing frame 22, forcing the developing frame 22 to rotate from the contact position to the interval position, thereby separating the developing roller 24 from the photosensitive drum 23. During the process of the developing frame 22 rotating from the contact position to the interval position, the retaining member 27 on the developing frame 22 cooperates with the protrusion 2203 of the pushing member 220 through the limiting hole 271 to drive the pushing member 220 to rotate, so that the guided part 2201 of the pushing member 220 and the separation control member 21 The guide portion 2192 of the 9 presses against each other to drive the separation control member 219 to rotate. Since the contact surfaces 2193 and 2202 of the guide portion 2192 of the separation control member 219 and the guided portion 2201 of the push member 220 are both inclined surfaces, the rotation of the separation control member 219 causes the guide portion 2192 of the separation control member 219 to force the guided portion 2201 of the push member 220 to move toward the movable member 228, thereby forcing the push member 220 to move toward the movable member 228 in the axial direction of the transmission gear 218. At the same time, the push member 220 forces the movable member 228 to move away from the second drive head 28, so that the movable member 228 and the second drive head 28 are separated. At this time, the compression spring 229 is in a compressed state, and the second connection portion 281 of the second drive head 28 still receives the developing rotation force of the imaging device and continues to rotate, but the second drive head 28 is in an idle state. As the moving part 228 separates from the second drive head 28, the transmission gear 218 stops rotating, thereby the developing gear 216 and the powder feeding gear 215 stop rotating. The powder feeding roller 214 and the developing roller 24 also stop rotating. The developing roller 24 does not supply powder to the photosensitive drum 23, and the first drive head 25 drives the photosensitive drum 23 to rotate to achieve its surface cleaning.

[0050] After the photosensitive drum 23 is cleaned, the imaging device removes the force F applied to the force-bearing surface 21721 of the force-bearing part 2172 in the separating member 217. Under the action of its own elastic restoring force, the first spring 29 forces the developing frame 22 to rotate from the interval position to the contact position, so that the developing roller 24 contacts the photosensitive drum 23. Then the developing roller 24 rotates relative to the photosensitive drum 23 to the imaging position. During the process of the developing frame 22 rotating from the interval position to the contact position, the retaining member 27 on the developing frame 22 passes through the limiting hole 271 and the protrusion 2203 of the pushing member 220. The drive pusher 220 rotates and resets, while the drive pusher 220 drives the separation control 219 to rotate and reset. At this time, the spring 229 forces the movable part 228 to move closer to the second drive head 28 under the action of its elastic restoring force, so that the movable part 228 and the second drive head 28 are connected and engaged, and continue to drive the developing roller 24 and the toner feeding roller 214 to rotate, realize the supply of toner to the photosensitive drum 23, and thus realize the imaging device to continue printing. This effectively ensures the toner transfer between the developing roller 24 and the photosensitive drum 23, makes the toner output of the processing box 2 more uniform, and the printing quality more stable.

[0051] See Figures 13 to 15 To ensure the stability and reliability of the rotation of the developing frame 22 relative to the drum frame 21 between the contact position and the interval position, the processing box 2 in this embodiment also includes a conductive contact 213 and a second drum end cover 210. The second drum end cover 210 is mounted on the second end wall of the drum frame 21 and is provided with a rotating shaft 2101 and a through groove 2102. The conductive contact 213 is mounted on the second end wall of the developing frame 22 and is located between the second end wall of the developing frame 22 and the second drum end cover 210. A retaining sleeve 2132 is provided on the first end face of the conductive contact 213 near the second drum end cover 210. The electrical contact portion 2131 is located in the through groove 2102 and can contact the electrical contacts of the imaging device. The rotating shaft 2101 is rotatably held in the shaft hole of the retaining sleeve 2132. The conductive contact 213 is provided with a first output sleeve 2133 and a second output sleeve 2134 on the second end face away from the second drum end cover 210. The first output sleeve 2133 is rotatably held in contact with the second shaft end of the developing roller 24, and the second output sleeve 2134 is rotatably held in contact with the second shaft end of the powder feeding roller 214, so as to supply working voltage to the developing roller 24 and the powder feeding roller 214.

[0052] In addition, the processing box 2 in this embodiment also includes a charging roller 232, two support frames 231 and two second springs 230. The charging roller 232 includes a spindle 2321 and a rubber layer 2322 sleeved on the spindle 2321. The rubber layer 2322 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 23. One axial end of the spindle 2321 is rotatably held in the opening 2311 of a support frame 231. The two end walls of the drum frame 21 are respectively provided with retaining grooves 2121. A support frame 231 is movably located in a retaining groove 2121 in the radial direction of the spindle 2321, and a second spring 230 is located in a retaining groove 2121 and forces the support frame 231 to move toward the photosensitive drum 23 in the radial direction of the spindle 2321, thereby making the rubber layer 2322 of the charging roller 232 stably keep in contact with the photosensitive drum 23, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the operation.

[0053] The above embodiments are merely preferred examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent changes or modifications made to the structure, features and principles of the present invention in accordance with the claims of the present invention should be included in the scope of the present invention patent application.

Claims

1. A processing box, detachably mounted to an imaging device, the processing box comprising a drum frame, a developing frame, a photosensitive drum, and a developing roller, the photosensitive drum being rotatably supported between the two end walls of the drum frame about its own axis, the developing roller being rotatably supported between the two end walls of the developing frame about its own axis, and the developing frame rotating relative to the drum frame between a contact position and a spaced position, wherein in the contact position the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum, and in the spaced position the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, characterized in that: The processing box further includes a separating component, which includes a connecting collar portion and a force-receiving portion. The collar portion is detachably and rotatably sleeved on the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum relative to the photosensitive drum. The force-receiving portion includes a force-receiving surface, which can receive the force of the imaging device to make the force-receiving portion rotate around the photosensitive drum. The force-bearing part is also provided with a limiting groove, and a boss is provided on the first end wall of the developing frame. The boss is located in the limiting groove. The pushing surface of the limiting groove can abut against the linkage surface of the boss to force the developing frame to rotate from the contact position to the interval position. The linkage surface restricts the pushing surface from rotating around the photosensitive drum in the first direction. The limiting surface of the limiting groove can abut against the blocking surface of the boss, and the blocking surface restricts the limiting surface from rotating around the photosensitive drum in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction. When the processing box needs to be adapted to an imaging device that has the function of cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive drum, the collar portion of the separator is fitted onto the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum, and the protrusion of the developing frame is located in the limiting groove of the force-bearing portion in the separator; when the processing box needs to be adapted to an imaging device that does not have the function of cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive drum, the separator on the processing box is removed.

2. The processing box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The force-bearing part has a first groove on the first end face along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; And / or, the force-bearing part has a second groove on the second end face of the photosensitive drum along the axial direction.

3. The processing box according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first spring abuts between the drum frame and the developing frame, and the first spring can force the developing frame to rotate from the interval position to the contact position; The first spring is disposed axially away from the separator and close to the second shaft end of the photosensitive drum, and the first spring is located at the top of the drum frame axially perpendicular to the photosensitive drum and away from the photosensitive drum.

4. The processing box according to claim 3, characterized in that: The top of the drum frame has a positioning protrusion protruding towards the developing frame, and the positioning protrusion is positioned close to the first spring along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The top of the developing frame is provided with a positioning groove, and the positioning protrusion can be inserted into the positioning groove.

5. The processing box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drum frame has a toner outlet through its outer side, which is perpendicular to the photosensitive drum and away from the developing frame. The toner outlet is connected to the waste toner compartment of the drum frame. And / or, the developing frame has a powder inlet on its top surface that is axially perpendicular to the developing roller and away from the developing roller, and the powder inlet is connected to the powder hopper of the developing frame.

6. The processing box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processing box also includes a charging roller, two support frames and two second springs. The charging roller includes a spindle and a rubber layer sleeved on the spindle. The rubber layer is in contact with the photosensitive drum. One axial end of the mandrel is rotatably held in an opening of one of the support frames. The two end walls of the drum frame are respectively provided with retaining grooves. One of the support frames is movably located in one of the retaining grooves in the radial direction of the mandrel. A second spring is located in one of the retaining grooves and forces the support frame to move in the radial direction of the mandrel toward the photosensitive drum.

7. The processing box according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The processing box also includes a first drive head, a powder feeding roller, a powder feeding gear, a developing gear, and a developing drive assembly, wherein the first drive head and the developing drive assembly are located on the same side of the processing box; The first drive head is mounted on the first shaft end of the photosensitive drum. The first drive head is rotatably supported on the first end wall of the drum frame, and the outer end face of the first drive head is provided with a first connecting part, which is used to receive the drum rotation force of the imaging device. The collar portion is detachably and rotatably sleeved on the first drive head relative to the photosensitive drum, and the collar portion is located in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum between the photosensitive drum and the first end wall of the drum frame. The developing drive assembly includes a second drive head, a transmission gear, a movable component, an elastic component, and a separation mechanism. The transmission gear is rotatably supported on the first end wall of the developing frame, and the transmission gear includes a primary gear section and a secondary gear section arranged coaxially. The radius of the primary gear section is larger than the radius of the secondary gear section. The developing gear is sleeved on the first shaft end of the developing roller and meshes with the first-stage gear section. The powder feeding roller is rotatably supported between the two end walls of the developing frame and contacts the developing roller. The powder feeding gear is sleeved on the first shaft end of the powder feeding roller and meshes with the second-stage gear section. The movable member is axially movable and connected to the transmission gear. One end of the movable member is connected to the second drive head. The elastic member forces the movable member to move closer to the second drive head so that the movable member is connected to the second drive head. The outer end face of the second drive head is provided with a second connecting part, which is used to receive the developing rotation force of the imaging device. The separation mechanism is disposed on the first end wall of the developing frame. During the process of the developing frame rotating from the contact position to the interval position, the separation mechanism forces the movable member to move axially in the transmission gear so as to separate the movable member from the second drive head.

8. The processing box according to claim 7, characterized in that: The separation mechanism includes a separation control component, a pusher component, and a retainer component. The retainer component is mounted on the first end wall of the developing frame. The retainer component has a retaining hole and a limiting hole through it. The second drive head is rotatably held in the retaining hole. The pusher component has a protrusion and a guided portion. The protrusion is inserted into the limiting hole. The separation control member is provided with a guide portion that can press against the guided portion to force the pusher to move toward the movable member in the axial direction of the transmission gear, thereby driving the movable member to move in the axial direction of the transmission gear to separate the movable member and the second drive head.

9. The processing box according to claim 8, characterized in that: The contact surfaces of the guide portion and the guided portion that press against each other are both inclined surfaces; And / or, the movable part has a first frustum protruding from one end of the transmission gear near the second drive head in the axial direction, and the end face of the first frustum is provided with a first ratchet. The second drive head has a second frustum protruding from one end of the transmission gear near the movable part in the axial direction, and the end face of the second frustum is provided with a second ratchet. The second ratchet can mesh with the first ratchet.

10. The processing box according to claim 7, characterized in that: The processing box also includes conductive contacts and a drum end cover. The drum end cover is installed on the second end wall of the drum frame and is provided with a rotating shaft and a through groove. The conductive contact is installed on the second end wall of the developing frame and located between the second end wall of the developing frame and the drum end cover. The conductive contact is provided with a retaining sleeve and an electrical contact portion near the first end face of the drum end cover. The electrical contact portion is located in the through groove and can contact the electrical contacts of the imaging device. The rotating shaft is rotatably held in the shaft hole of the retaining sleeve. The conductive contact is provided with a first output sleeve and a second output sleeve on the second end face away from the drum end cover. The first output sleeve is rotatably held in contact with the second shaft end of the developing roller, and the second output sleeve is rotatably held in contact with the second shaft end of the powder feeding roller.

Images