A processing box

Abstract

This invention relates to a processing cartridge comprising a developing unit, a photosensitive unit, and a power receiving port. The developing unit includes a developing roller and a developing roller gear mounted at the end of the developing roller. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive drum and a photosensitive drum gear mounted at the end of the photosensitive drum. The developing roller gear meshes with the photosensitive drum gear. The power receiving port receives driving force from an image forming device and is coaxially rotatable with the photosensitive drum gear. The processing cartridge further includes a clutch device and a lever. The clutch device is mounted at the end of the photosensitive drum. The clutch device can disconnect the power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear and the power receiving port, and can also restore the disconnected power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear and the power receiving port. The lever triggers the clutch device to perform its disengagement function under the action of a force-applying component of the image forming device. This invention's processing cartridge, by incorporating a clutch device, allows the power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear and the power receiving port to be disconnected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing cartridge that can be detachably installed into an image forming apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Processing cartridges are essential printing consumables in laser imaging devices. A processing cartridge typically includes a developing unit and a photosensitive unit. The developing unit includes a developing roller and a new toner cartridge for holding new developer. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive drum and a waste toner cartridge for holding waste developer. The developer on the developing roller is transferred to the photosensitive drum under voltage, and the developer transferred to the photosensitive drum is then transferred to the paper under voltage.

[0003] In certain existing image forming apparatuses, when the processing cartridge is not in operation, the photosensitive drum may still be rotating. In this case, it is necessary to separate the photosensitive drum from the developing roller by a certain distance to prevent fresh developer from being continuously transferred from the developing roller to the photosensitive drum, thus wasting it. The processing cartridge is equipped with a separation mechanism that functions under the action of the force-applying components of the image forming apparatus, ensuring that the developing roller and photosensitive drum are separated by a certain distance when the processing cartridge is not in operation. In existing technology, the separation mechanism moves the developing roller radially to separate it from the photosensitive drum. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a processing cartridge that, through the inclusion of a clutch device, cuts off the power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear and the power inlet, and also cuts off the power supply from the photosensitive drum gear to the developing roller gear, ultimately stopping the developing roller from rotating and preventing the continuous transfer of new developer to the photosensitive drum. This invention provides manufacturers with more technical options.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the processing cartridge of the present invention includes a developing unit, a photosensitive unit, and a power receiving port. The developing unit includes a developing roller and a developing roller gear mounted at the end of the developing roller. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive drum and a photosensitive drum gear mounted at the end of the photosensitive drum. The developing roller gear can mesh with the photosensitive drum gear. The power receiving port receives driving force from an image forming apparatus and can rotate coaxially with the photosensitive drum gear. The processing cartridge can be detachably installed into an image forming apparatus, which is provided with a force-applying component. The processing cartridge also includes a clutch device and a lever. The clutch device is mounted at the end of the photosensitive drum. The clutch device can disconnect the power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear and the power receiving port and can restore the disconnected power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear and the power receiving port. The lever triggers the clutch device to perform its disengagement function under the action of the force-applying component of the image forming apparatus.

[0006] The processing cartridge of this invention, by incorporating a clutch device, can disconnect the power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear and the power inlet. Thus, when the power inlet drives the photosensitive drum to rotate, the photosensitive drum gear and the developing roller gear do not rotate, and the developing roller also stops rotating. This prevents new developer from being transferred from the surface of the developing roller to the photosensitive drum. Compared to existing separation mechanisms that move the developing roller radially to separate it from the photosensitive drum, this invention provides manufacturers with more technological options.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the clutch device includes a pushing member, an elastic member, and an engaging member. The pushing member is disposed on one side of the photosensitive drum gear and is movable along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum under the action of the lever. The elastic member is disposed on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum gear, opposite to the pushing member. The engaging member is located between the photosensitive drum gear and the elastic member and is movable along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum under the action of the elastic member. The engaging member is coaxially rotatable with the photosensitive drum gear, and at least a portion of the engaging member passes through the photosensitive drum gear and contacts the pushing member.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the processing box includes an end cap mounted on the end of the photosensitive unit, the end cap having a groove on the side near the clutch device; the pusher has a protrusion extending axially along the photosensitive drum, the protrusion being able to extend into the groove, and the protrusion having an inclined surface; when the lever actuates the pusher to rotate around the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the inclined surface moves along the edge of the groove, thereby realizing the axial movement of the pusher along the photosensitive drum.

[0009] In one embodiment, a flange is fixedly installed at the end of the photosensitive drum, and the power receiving port is sleeved with the flange to drive the photosensitive drum to rotate.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the engaging member is provided with a slide rail, and the flange is provided with a slide groove that mates with the slide rail. The engaging member can reciprocate along the flange in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum under the action of the pushing member or the elastic member.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the meshing member is provided with a first internal tooth, and the photosensitive drum gear is provided with a second internal tooth on the end face near the meshing member. The first internal tooth meshes with the second internal tooth, thereby driving the photosensitive drum gear to rotate when the meshing member rotates.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the power receiving port includes a transmission rod, at least a portion of which has a non-circular cross-section; the flange is provided with a hole matching the cross-section of the transmission rod, and the transmission rod is sleeved in the hole of the flange to achieve coaxial rotation between the power receiving port and the flange. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the processing box of the present invention according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial perspective view of the processing box with the end caps removed.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A further enlarged view of the processing box shown.

[0016] Figure 4a yes Figure 2 A partially enlarged view of the photosensitive drum end structure of the processing box shown.

[0017] Figure 4b yes Figure 4a An exploded view of the end structure of the photosensitive drum of the processing box shown.

[0018] Figure 4c yes Figure 4a An exploded view of the photosensitive drum end structure of the processing box shown from another angle.

[0019] Figure 5a yes Figure 1 A perspective view showing the inner side of the end cap of the processing box mates with the pusher.

[0020] Figure 5b yes Figure 5a An exploded view of the inner side of the end cap of the processing box and its mating with the pusher. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The structure and other aspects of the processing box of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, according to one embodiment, the processing cartridge 1 of the present invention includes a developing unit 11, a photosensitive unit 12, and an end cap 13, which is installed at the ends of the developing unit 11 and the photosensitive unit 12. The developing unit 11 includes a developing housing and a developing roller 112 rotatably mounted within the developing housing. The developing housing has a new toner hopper for receiving new developer. New developer is uniformly adsorbed onto the circumferential surface of the developing roller 112 under the influence of surface charge. The photosensitive unit 12 includes a photosensitive housing and a photosensitive drum 122 rotatably mounted on the photosensitive housing. The photosensitive housing has a waste toner hopper for receiving waste developer. The circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 122 is in contact with the circumferential surface of the developing roller 112. New developer adsorbed on the surface of the developing roller 112 is partially transferred to the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 under the influence of a voltage difference.

[0023] The processing box 1 of the present invention can be detachably installed into the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus is provided with a force-applying component.

[0024] A developing roller gear 113 is coaxially mounted on the end of the developing roller 112. When the developing roller gear 113 rotates, it drives the developing roller 112 to rotate coaxially. A photosensitive drum gear 123 is coaxially mounted on the end of the photosensitive drum 122. The photosensitive drum gear 123 can mesh with the developing roller gear 113. The processing box 1 of the present invention also includes a power receiving port 14, which is installed on the end of the photosensitive drum 122 and can rotate coaxially with the photosensitive drum 122.

[0025] like Figures 4a to 4c As shown, in a specific embodiment, a flange 15 is fixedly mounted on the end of the photosensitive drum 122, and a non-circular hole 151 is provided at the center of the flange 15. The shape of the hole 151 can be elliptical. The power receiving port 14 has a transmission rod 141, which extends axially along the photosensitive drum 122, and at least a portion of the transmission rod 141 matches the shape of the hole 151. The transmission rod 141 extends into the hole 151, thereby enabling the power receiving port 14 to be sleeved on the flange 125. When the power receiving port 14 rotates under the drive of the image forming device, it drives the photosensitive drum 122 to rotate coaxially.

[0026] The processing box 1 of the present invention also includes a clutch device 16 and a lever 18. The clutch device 16 is installed at the end of the photosensitive drum 122. The clutch device 16 can cut off the power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear 123 and the power receiving port 14, and can also restore the cut-off power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear 123 and the power receiving port 14. The lever 18 triggers the clutch device 16 to perform the clutch function under the action of the force-applying member of the image forming device.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the clutch device 16 further includes a pushing member 161, an elastic member 162, and an engaging member 163. The pushing member 161 is disposed on one side of the photosensitive drum gear 123 and can move axially along the photosensitive drum 122 under the action of the lever 18. In a specific embodiment, the pushing member 161 is provided with a protrusion 161a extending axially along the photosensitive drum 122. The protrusion 161a is provided with a straight surface 161b and an inclined surface 161c. The lever 18 applies a rotational force to the pushing member 161 by actuating the straight surface 161b.

[0028] The elastic element 162 is disposed on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum gear 123, opposite to the pusher 161. The elastic element 162 may be, for example, a compression spring.

[0029] The meshing member 163 is located between the photosensitive drum gear 123 and the elastic member 162, and can move axially along the photosensitive drum 122 under the action of the elastic member 162. The meshing member 163 can rotate coaxially with the photosensitive drum gear 123, and at least a portion of the meshing member 163 passes through the photosensitive drum gear 123 and contacts the pushing member 161. In a specific embodiment, the meshing member 163 has a first internal tooth 163a and a slide rail 163b. The flange 15 is provided with a slide groove 152 that mates with the slide rail 163b. After the meshing member 163 is installed on the flange 15, the slide rail 163b of the meshing member 163 is located in the slide groove 152 of the flange 15. In this way, the meshing member 163 can reciprocate along the slide groove 152 of the flange 15 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 122 under the action of the pushing member 161 or the elastic member 162, and at the same time, the meshing member 163 and the flange 15 can rotate coaxially. The photosensitive drum gear 123 has a second internal tooth 123a on its end face near the meshing member 163. The first internal tooth 163a meshes with the second internal tooth 123a, thereby driving the photosensitive drum gear 123 to rotate when the meshing member 163 rotates. That is, the meshing member 163 and the photosensitive drum gear 123 rotate coaxially. The photosensitive drum gear 123 has a through hole 123b. The slide rail 163b of the meshing member 163 passes through the through hole 123b and contacts the end face of the pusher 161.

[0030] like Figure 5a and Figure 5b As shown, in a specific embodiment, the lever 18 further includes a first end 181, a second end 182, and a rotating shaft 183, with the first end 181 and the second end 182 located on opposite sides of the rotating shaft 183. The first end 181 of the lever 18 can be pushed by the force-applying member of the image forming apparatus, thereby causing the lever 18 to rotate around the rotating shaft 183. The second end 182 contacts the straight surface 161b of the protrusion 161a of the pusher 161, and under the action of the force-applying member, it causes the pusher 161 to rotate axially around the photosensitive drum 122.

[0031] To enable the pusher 161 to rotate while simultaneously moving axially along the photosensitive drum 122 to push the engaging member 163 toward the flange 15, thereby separating the meshing first internal teeth 163a and second internal teeth 123a, a groove 131 is provided on the side of the end cap 13 near the clutch device 16. When the second end 182 of the lever 18 applies a pushing force to the straight surface 161b of the protrusion 161a of the pusher 161, the inclined surface 161c of the protrusion 161a moves along the edge 131a of the groove 131, thereby enabling the pusher 161 to move axially along the photosensitive drum 122. There are two or more grooves 131 and protrusions 161a, and they are evenly distributed circumferentially around the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 122. In this embodiment, there are three grooves 131 and protrusions 161a.

[0032] The working principle and process of the processing box of the present invention will be described in detail below, especially the working principle and process of the clutch device 16 of the processing box of the present invention.

[0033] When the processing cartridge 1 of the present invention is working normally, the photosensitive drum gear 123 meshes with the developing roller gear 113. At this time, the protrusion 161a of the pusher 161 extends into the groove 131 of the end cover 13. The power receiving port 14 receives the driving force from the image forming device, which drives the flange 141 sleeved with the power receiving port 14 to rotate, thereby driving the photosensitive drum 122 to rotate, and under the action of the meshing member 163, drives the photosensitive drum gear 123 to rotate, thereby transmitting the driving force to the developing roller gear 113. When the processing cartridge 1 needs to stop working, the force-applying component in the image forming apparatus pushes the first end 181 of the lever 18, causing the second end 182 of the lever 18 to force the pusher 161 to rotate. When the pusher 161 rotates, the inclined surface 161c on the protrusion 161a of the pusher 161 slides along the edge 131a of the groove 131 until the protrusion 161a rises onto the plane 132. This forces the pusher 161 to move axially toward the flange 15 in the photosensitive drum 122. As the pusher 161 moves axially, the engaging member 163 also moves axially toward the flange 15 in the photosensitive drum 122, thereby causing the meshing first internal teeth 163a and second internal teeth 123a to separate. In this way, the power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear 123 and the power receiving port 14 is cut off, the photosensitive drum gear 123 and the developing roller gear 113 stop rotating, the developing roller 112 stops rotating, while the photosensitive drum 122 can continue to rotate. At this time, the elastic element 162 is under pressure. When the processing cartridge 1 needs to continue working, the force-applying element in the image forming device pushes the first end 181 of the lever 18 again, causing the second end 182 of the lever 18 to force the pusher 161 to continue rotating. When the pusher 161 rotates, the protrusion 161a of the pusher 161 slides along the plane 132 until it falls into the groove 131 under the action of the elastic element 162. At this time, the meshing element 163 moves away from the flange 15 along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 122 under the action of the elastic element 162 until the first internal tooth 163a and the second internal tooth 123a, which were separated from each other, mesh again. In this way, the power transmission that was cut off between the photosensitive drum gear 123 and the power receiving port 14 is restored. The photosensitive drum gear 123 drives the developing roller gear 113 to rotate, which in turn drives the developing roller 112 to rotate. By continuously repeating the above process, the cutting off or restoration of the power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear 123 and the power receiving port 14 can be achieved.

[0034] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the concept and scope of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Modifications, equivalent substitutions, and other improvements to the above embodiments that are obvious to those skilled in the art are also within the scope of the present invention. The scope and concept of the present invention are specifically defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus having a force applying member provided therein, the process cartridge comprising: a developing unit including a developing roller and a developing roller gear mounted at an end portion of the developing roller; a photosensitive unit including a photosensitive drum and a photosensitive drum gear mounted at an end portion of the photosensitive drum, the developing roller gear being engageable with the photosensitive drum gear; and a power receiving portion receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus and being rotatable coaxially with the photosensitive drum gear; characterized by further comprising: a clutching device provided at the end portion of the photosensitive drum, the clutching device being capable of cutting off the power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear and the power receiving portion and capable of reestablishing the cut-off power transmission between the photosensitive drum gear and the power receiving portion; and a lever actuating the clutching device to perform the clutching action under the action of the force applying member of the image forming apparatus; the clutching device including: a push member provided at one side of the photosensitive drum gear and being movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum under the action of the lever; an elastic member provided at the other side of the photosensitive drum gear opposite to the push member; and an engaging member located between the photosensitive drum gear and the elastic member and being movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum under the action of the elastic member, the engaging member being rotatable coaxially with the photosensitive drum gear, at least a portion of the engaging member passing through the photosensitive drum gear and being in contact with the push member; the engaging member having a first internal tooth provided thereon, the photosensitive drum gear having a second internal tooth provided on the end face thereof near the engaging member, the first internal tooth being engaged with the second internal tooth to rotate the photosensitive drum gear when the engaging member rotates; the end portion of the photosensitive drum having a flange fixedly mounted thereon, the power receiving portion being sleeved with the flange to rotate the photosensitive drum; the push member moving in the axial direction when the process cartridge is required to stop working, the push member pushing the engaging member to move in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum toward the flange, so that the first internal tooth and the second internal tooth disengage from each other; the engaging member moving in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum away from the flange under the action of the elastic member when the process cartridge is required to continue working, until the first internal tooth and the second internal tooth engage with each other again; the process cartridge including an end cover mounted at the end portion of the photosensitive unit, the end cover having a recess provided at the side thereof near the clutching device; the push member having a protrusion extending in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the protrusion being capable of extending into the recess, the protrusion having an inclined surface provided thereon; the inclined surface moving along the edge of the recess when the lever actuates the push member to rotate in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, so that the push member moves in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; the engaging member having a slide rail provided thereon, the flange having a slide groove cooperating with the slide rail, the engaging member being capable of reciprocating in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum along the flange under the action of the push member or the elastic member; the photosensitive drum gear having a through hole provided in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the slide rail being in contact with the push member after passing through the through hole. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ ​ 3. The process cartridge of claim 1, wherein, ​ 4. The process cartridge of claim 3 wherein, ​ 5. The process cartridge of claim 3 wherein, The power receiving port comprises a transmission rod, at least a part of the transmission rod having a non-circular cross section; the flange is provided with a hole matching the cross section of the transmission rod, and the transmission rod is sleeved in the hole of the flange to realize coaxial rotation of the power receiving port and the flange.

6. The process cartridge of claim 1, wherein, The elastic member is a compression spring.

7. The process cartridge of claim 1, wherein, The pushing rod comprises a first end, a second end and a rotating shaft, the first end and the second end being located on two sides of the rotating shaft; the first end can be pushed by the pushing member of the image forming device; the second end is in contact with the pushing member to push the pushing member to rotate around the shaft of the photosensitive drum.

Images