Accessory, process cartridge, and mountable unit group

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mountable unit group capable of being used with an image forming apparatus, the mountable unit group comprising: a cartridge capable of being detachably mounted into a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a drive output member having an output gear portion and an output coupling portion coaxial with each other, the cartridge including: a photosensitive drum; an input coupling portion provided at an end of the photosensitive drum and capable of being coupled with the output coupling portion, further comprising an accessory capable of being detachably mounted into the image forming apparatus, the accessory including a gear portion capable of being engaged with the output gear portion, wherein the input gear portion is configured such that the input gear portion and the output gear portion are attracted to each other by their rotations in a state where the input gear portion and the output gear portion are engaged with each other.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an accessory, a process cartridge, and a mountable unit group.

[0002] The accessory is mountable to and demountable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus.

[0003] The mountable unit group is a combination (group) of units mountable to and demountable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus.

[0004] The image forming apparatus is an apparatus capable of forming an image on a recording material by an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, the image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic copier, an electrophotographic printer (LED printer, laser beam printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, a word processor, etc. BACKGROUND

[0005] The image forming apparatus is an apparatus capable of forming an image on a recording material by an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, the image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic copier, an electrophotographic printer (LED printer, laser beam printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, a word processor, etc.

[0006] Such an image forming apparatus generally requires toner replenishment and maintenance of various process devices. In order to facilitate such toner replenishment and maintenance operations, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a developing device, a cleaning device, etc. are provided in a cartridge which has been put into practical use, and the cartridge is demountable from a main assembly of the image forming apparatus.

[0007] According to such a cartridge system, a user can perform partial maintenance of the apparatus without depending on a service person in charge of after-sales service. Therefore, operability of the apparatus can be significantly improved, and an image forming apparatus with excellent usability can be provided. Therefore, such a cartridge system is widely used for image forming apparatuses.

[0008] Examples of the cartridge include a process cartridge. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a process device acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed as a cartridge, and the cartridge is demountably mounted to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus.

[0009] In the above-described process cartridge, a structure in which a coupling member is provided at a free end portion of a photosensitive member drum to transmit a driving force from the apparatus main assembly to the photosensitive member drum is widely used. As Figure 1As shown in the prior art, a driving force is transmitted from a driving transmission part of a main assembly of an image forming apparatus to a coupling part of a process cartridge, the image forming apparatus comprising a main body part 100 having guide rails 102, 103 for guiding installation of the process cartridge and positioning the process cartridge. The image forming apparatus further comprises a side plate 101 provided with a driving shaft 104 and a driving shaft cover 105 comprising a driving shaft hole 105c. SUMMARY

[0010] The present application provides further development of the conventional structure described above, and the process cartridge of the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0011] A detachable installable unit group installed in an image forming apparatus, the installable unit group comprising a process cartridge and an accessory each independently installable in the image forming apparatus:

[0012] The process cartridge comprises:

[0013] a photosensitive drum;

[0014] a developing roller for feeding a developer to the photosensitive drum;

[0015] a driving force receiving part for receiving a driving force of the image forming apparatus for driving the photosensitive drum to rotate;

[0016] The accessory comprises:

[0017] a main frame part, an adjusting part provided on the main frame part, at least a part of the adjusting part being movable relative to the main frame part in a direction perpendicular to an installation direction of the process cartridge.

[0018] Preferably, the accessory further comprises a gear for receiving the driving force of the image forming apparatus.

[0019] Preferably, the main frame part is provided with a gear mounting post, and the gear is mounted on the gear mounting post.

[0020] Preferably, the main frame part is further provided with an elastic member for keeping the adjusting part in an initial position relative to the main frame part, and the elastic member can apply a force to the adjusting part in a direction opposite to a movement direction of the adjusting part when the adjusting part moves relative to the main frame part.

[0021] Preferably, an elastic member is provided between the main frame part and the adjusting part, and the adjusting part is provided with an elastic member mounting post.

[0022] Preferably, the main frame part is provided with an adjusting part mounting hole, and the elastic member mounting post is mounted in the adjusting part mounting hole.

[0023] Preferably, the accessory has a guide mounting part which is movable along a guide rail in the imaging device.

[0024] Preferably, a drive shaft cover is arranged outside the drive shaft of the imaging device, and the drive shaft cover is provided with a first exposure part, and when the accessory is installed in the imaging device alone, at least a part of the adjusting part can enter the first exposure part and can apply a thrust force to the drive shaft.

[0025] Preferably, a drive shaft cover is arranged outside the drive shaft of the imaging device, and the drive shaft cover is provided with a second exposure part, and when the accessory is installed in the imaging device alone, the gear can enter the second exposure part and engage with the drive shaft.

[0026] Preferably, when the accessory and the processing cartridge are both installed in the imaging device, the accessory can guide the drive shaft in the imaging device to extend out and engage with the drive force receiving part of the processing cartridge.

[0027] After the above technical solutions are adopted, the accessory, the detachable unit group and the processing cartridge provided by the present application can be effectively used in the imaging device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an imaging device in the prior art;

[0029] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an accessory in embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0030] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an accessory in embodiment 1 of the present application, viewed from another perspective;

[0031] Figure 4 is an exploded structural schematic diagram of an accessory in embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0032] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of an accessory being installed in an imaging device in embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0033] Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of an accessory being installed in an imaging device in embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0034] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a processing cartridge in embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0035] Figure 8 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a processing cartridge in embodiment 1 of the present application, viewed from another perspective;

[0036] Figure 9is a structural schematic diagram of the processing cartridge being installed in the imaging device in the embodiment 1 of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] For the purpose of the embodiment of the present application, the technical solutions and technical effects are more clear, the technical solutions of the developing cartridge of the present application will be described clearly and completely in the following with reference to the drawings.

[0038] In the following description, the extending direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller is the length direction of the developing cartridge.

[0039] In the following, the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings

[0040] Unless otherwise specified, the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum is simply referred to as the longitudinal direction.

[0041] In addition, in the longitudinal direction, the side of the photosensitive drum receiving driving force from the imaging device body part is the driving side, and the opposite side is the non-driving side.

[0042] As Figure 2 shown, the accessory A includes a main frame part 1, an adjusting part 3, a gear 4, guide mounting parts 2a, 2b, the accessory A is detachably installed in the imaging device, the adjusting part 3 of the accessory A can be in contact with the driving shaft 81, and the driving shaft 104 is properly rotated. The gear 4 can be engaged with the outer peripheral gear of the driving shaft for axially pulling out the driving shaft 104, which will be described in detail later.

[0043] As Figure 3 shown, the main frame part 1 of the accessory A is provided with a gear mounting column 1b and an adjusting part mounting hole 1a, and the accessory A further includes an elastic member 5, which is preferably configured as a torsion spring and has a coil spring part, a first leg part 5a and a second leg part 5b. The adjusting part 3 includes a first leg part abutting part 3b and an elastic member mounting column 3a. During installation, the coil spring part is first inserted into the elastic member mounting column 3a, and then the elastic member mounting column 3a is inserted into the adjusting part mounting hole 1a. On the other side of the elastic member mounting column 3a, an installation column (not shown in the figure) is further provided for rotatably mounting the adjusting part 3 on the main frame part 1. The elastic member 5 can make the adjusting part 3 have elastic potential energy in the free state and be kept in the initial position. At least a part of the adjusting part 3 can move relative to the main frame in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction of the processing cartridge.

[0044] <Accessory installation>

[0045] As Figure 4 and Figure 5Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the attachment A being mounted to the imaging device and a schematic view of the attachment A being mounted in the imaging device; the drive shaft 104 of the imaging device comprises a force receiving gear portion 104a, a substantially triangular recess (first drive force transmission portion 104c) and a peripheral gear portion (second drive force transmission portion 104b). It is to be noted that when the door cover of the imaging device is opened, the drive shaft 104 of the imaging device will be inclined relative to its axis under the action of an abutting pushing member through a connecting rod mechanism (not shown in the figure) connected to the door cover, i.e. as shown in Fig. 2. Figure 4 The rotation axis of the drive shaft 104 is inclined relative to the center line of the drive shaft hole 105c of the drive shaft cover 105, at this time, the drive shaft 104 is located inside the drive shaft cover 105 and is blocked by the wall portion of the drive shaft hole 105c and cannot be extended. The adjusting portion 3 can be used to adjust the inclination angle of the drive shaft. The drive shaft cover 105 is formed with a first exposure portion 105a and a second exposure portion 105b, the first exposure portion 105a and the second exposure portion 105b are configured to expose a part of the second drive force transmission portion 104b, the attachment A is provided with a first guide mounting portion 2a and a second guide mounting portion 2b, the first guide mounting portion 2a and the second guide mounting portion 2b can be respectively mounted into the imaging device along the guide rails 102, 103, during the attachment mounting process, the adjusting portion 3 will rotate relative to the main frame portion 1 against the elastic force of the elastic member 5 and enter the space where the first exposure portion 105a is located, the gear 4 can enter the space where the second exposure portion 105b is located. As shown in Fig. 3, Figure 5 When the machine door cover of the imaging device is closed, the pushing action of the abutting pushing member to the drive shaft will be removed through the connecting rod mechanism (not shown in the figure) connected to the door cover, therefore, the elastic pushing force of the adjusting portion 3 to the drive shaft 104 can make the second drive force transmission portion 104b of the drive shaft 104 maintain engagement with the gear 4 at the second exposure portion 105b, at the same time, the adjusting portion 3 pushes the second drive force transmission portion 104b of the drive shaft 104 to be located within the accommodation range of the drive shaft hole 105c, the gear 4 and the second drive force transmission portion 104b are configured as helical gears, through the axial tension during the rotation of the helical gears, the gear 4 will pull out the drive shaft 104 and pass through the drive shaft hole 105b to expose the first drive force transmission portion and the second drive force transmission portion 104b outside the drive shaft hole 105b.

[0046] <Overall structure of the process cartridge>

[0047] As shown in Fig. 4, Figures 6-9As shown, the overall structure of the process cartridge C will be described, the process cartridge C including a frame portion 51, a photosensitive drum 52 rotatably supported by the frame portion, a developing roller 53 which can feed a developer to the photosensitive drum 52, a drum flange which is installed at an axial end of the photosensitive drum 52, the drum flange preferably including a drum gear portion 54 and a driving force receiving portion 55 configured as a substantially triangular protrusion, the drum gear portion 54 and a developing roller gear 56 which is provided at an axial end of the developing roller 53 to drive the developing roller to rotate are engaged. The process cartridge C further includes a cartridge first guide mounting portion 58 and a cartridge second guide mounting portion 59. As shown Figure 9 As shown, the direction in which the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus is a front-rear direction, and the direction in which the process cartridge is pushed into the image forming apparatus is the front, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is a left-right direction, and the driving side of the process cartridge on which the driving force receiving portion 55 is provided is disposed at the right side in the left-right direction of the process cartridge, and the direction which is perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is an up-down direction. When the process cartridge is mounted, the cartridge first guide mounting portion 58 and the cartridge second guide mounting portion 59 are guided and mounted into the image forming apparatus along the guide rails 102, 103, respectively.

[0048] <Process cartridge mounting and dismounting>

[0049] When the accessory A is mounted in the image forming apparatus, at this time, the first driving force transmission portion 104c has not yet been extended out of the driving shaft hole 105c, the process cartridge can be normally mounted to the predetermined position, the driving force receiving portion 55 does not interfere with the first driving force transmission portion 104c, then, after the image forming apparatus drives the driving shaft to rotate, the driving shaft 104 is pulled out by the accessory A and the first driving force transmission portion 104c is engaged with the driving force receiving portion 55 of the process cartridge to drive the photosensitive drum and the developing roller inside the process cartridge to rotate. When the process cartridge is dismounted, the door cover of the image forming apparatus is opened, the driving shaft can be retracted by the link structure (not shown in the figure) with the door cover, the first driving force transmission portion 104c is withdrawn from the driving force receiving portion 55 to disengage, and the process cartridge can be smoothly taken out.

[0050] As an example, the accessory A is provided with the adjustment portion 3 and the gear 4 at the same time as the preferred embodiment, optionally, only one adjustment portion 3 can be provided, the gear 4 is provided on the process cartridge C, or the adjustment portion 3 is provided on the accessory A. In other words, at least one of the adjustment portion 3 and the gear 4 is provided on the accessory A.

[0051] According to the present application, an accessory, a detachable unit group and a process cartridge which can be effectively used in an image forming apparatus are provided. The mountable unit group includes the process cartridge and the accessory.

[0052] The above examples are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing examples can be modified, or some technical features can be replaced by equivalent features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A mountable unit assembly detachably mounted in an imaging device, wherein the imaging device comprises a drive shaft capable of outputting a driving force, characterized in that: The mountable unit group includes a process cartridge and accessories that can be independently mounted in the imaging device: The processing box includes: Photosensitive drum; a developing roller, configured to deliver developer to the photosensitive drum, wherein the developing roller is rotatable by receiving a driving force from the driving shaft; a driving force receiving portion, the driving force receiving portion being capable of receiving a driving force of the image forming apparatus for driving the photosensitive drum to rotate; The attachments include: A main frame portion, an adjusting portion arranged on the main frame portion, at least a portion of the adjusting portion can be moved relative to the main frame in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction of the processing box, and when the accessory is installed to the imaging device independently of the processing box, the adjusting portion can contact the driving shaft of the imaging device to adjust the inclination angle of the driving shaft.

2. The mountable unit assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The accessory further includes a gear that can receive a driving force of the imaging device.

3. The mountable unit assembly according to claim 2, wherein: A gear mounting column is provided on the main frame portion, and the gear is mounted on the gear mounting column.

4. The mountable unit assembly according to claim 1, wherein: An elastic component is also provided on the main frame portion, and the elastic component is used to keep the adjustment portion in an initial position relative to the main frame. When the adjustment portion moves relative to the main frame portion, the elastic component can apply a force to the adjustment portion that is opposite to the moving direction of the adjustment portion.

5. The mountable unit assembly according to claim 1, wherein: An elastic component is provided between the main frame portion and the adjusting portion, and an elastic component mounting column is provided on the adjusting portion.

6. The mountable unit assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The main frame portion is provided with an adjustment portion mounting hole, and the elastic component mounting column is mounted in the adjustment portion mounting hole.

7. The mountable unit assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The accessory has a guide mounting portion movable along a guide rail within the imaging device.

8. The mountable unit assembly according to claim 1, wherein: A drive shaft cover is provided on the outside of the drive shaft of the imaging device, and a first exposed portion is provided on the drive shaft cover. When the accessory is installed in the imaging device alone, at least a portion of the adjustment portion can enter the first exposed portion and apply a thrust force to the drive shaft.

9. The mountable unit assembly according to claim 2, wherein: A drive shaft cover is provided on the outside of the drive shaft of the imaging device, and a second exposed portion is provided on the drive shaft cover. When the accessory is installed in the imaging device alone, the gear can enter the second exposed portion and engage with the drive shaft.

10. The mountable unit assembly according to claim 1, wherein: When the attachment and the process cartridge are both mounted in the image forming apparatus, the attachment may guide the driving shaft in the image forming apparatus to extend and engage with the driving force receiving portion of the process cartridge.

Images