Processing box

Abstract

The invention discloses a processing box which can be detachably mounted in an image forming device along a mounting direction, and a driving head in the image forming device is provided with a driving arm. The processing box is provided with a gear piece and a meshing piece which rotate coaxially, and a clamping jaw of the meshing piece passes through three positions and two sections of processes in the axial inward shrinkage process; in other words, in the process of moving from the second position to the third position, the meshing piece clamping jaw only moves inwards in the axial direction; in the process of moving from the third position to the first position, the meshing piece clamping jaw axially rotates while axially moving inwards; therefore, positioning and orientation of the meshing piece clamping jaw are achieved. The interference of the meshing piece and the driving head during assembling and taking out is eliminated; the structure is simple and ingenious, and the processing box can be loaded and taken out very smoothly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a process cartridge for an image forming apparatus. Background Art

[0002] The image forming device is provided with a detachably mounted processing box. The processing box generally includes a developing unit and a photosensitive unit. The developing unit includes a developing roller and a new powder bin for accommodating new developer. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive drum and a waste powder bin for accommodating waste developer. When the processing box is working, the developer on the developing roller is transferred to the photosensitive drum under the action of voltage, and the developer transferred to the photosensitive drum is then transferred to the paper under the action of voltage.

[0003] The processing box is provided with a gear group for driving the photosensitive drum, developing roller and other components to rotate. The main gear member of the processing box gear group is indirectly connected to the driving head of the image forming device through a meshing member to obtain a rotational driving force.

[0004] US8280278 discloses a processing box, comprising a gear member rotatable about an axis L1 and a meshing member having an axis L2, wherein the axis L2 of the meshing member can be tilted relative to the axis L1 of the gear member. With this structure, it is difficult to prevent the gear member from rotating unevenly. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides a processing box, whose engaging member and gear member always rotate coaxially, thereby solving the problem of uneven rotation of the gear member in the traditional method; at the same time, the claws of the engaging member are positioned and oriented, thereby solving the interference problem of disassembly and installation between the processing box and the image forming device.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the specific plan is as follows: A processing box, which can be detachably installed in an image forming device along an installation direction; a driving head is provided in the image forming device, and the driving head is provided with a driving arm; the processing box is provided with a coaxially rotating gear member and an engaging member, and the engaging member is provided with a claw for engaging the driving arm; the engaging member claw has a first position located close to the gear member and its claw opening is oriented in the processing box installation direction, a second position located away from the gear member and its claw can engage the driving arm, and a third position between the first position and the second position, and the axial spacing between the third position and the second position is greater than the thickness of the driving arm.

[0007] Furthermore, the processing box is provided with an orienting component for ensuring that the engaging member claw is oriented in the processing box installation direction when the engaging member claw is in the first position, a linkage component for moving the engaging member claw axially outward from the first position to the second position, and an elastic component for resetting the engaging member claw from the second position to the first position.

[0008] Furthermore, the directional member is composed of one or more inclined portions with peaks.

[0009] Furthermore, the engagement member is provided with a directional arm; when the engagement member claw moves axially from the third position to the first position, the directional arm slides along the inclined portion to generate rotation.

[0010] Furthermore, the linkage component includes a force-bearing portion, a force-applying portion and a rod portion; after the force-bearing portion is subjected to external thrust, the linkage component rotates with the rod portion as a rotation axis, and the force-applying portion applies a pulling force to the engaging member.

[0011] Furthermore, the thrust received by the force-bearing part comes from the mutual compression between the force-bearing part and the side wall of the image forming device or the structure extending from the side wall; the angle between the compression working surface of the force-bearing part and the rotation axis of the rod part is greater than 20°.

[0012] Furthermore, the thrust received by the force-bearing portion originates from the squeezing of the front door cover of the image forming device.

[0013] Furthermore, the processing box is also provided with a push rod for transmitting the squeezing force of the front door cover of the image forming device to the force-bearing part of the linkage member, and a spring for resetting the push rod. Furthermore, the force-bearing part is a protrusion, and correspondingly, the corresponding connecting part of the push rod is a two-stage step.

[0014] Furthermore, the orienting member is integrally formed with a bearing plate of the processing box.

[0015] The process box transmission structure provided by the present invention has the meshing member and the gear member always rotating coaxially, thereby solving the problem of uneven rotation of the gear member in the traditional method; at the same time, the claws of the meshing member are positioned and oriented, the meshing member of the process box and the driving head of the image forming device can be smoothly meshed and disengaged, and the process box can be very smoothly loaded and unloaded. The structure is simple and ingenious, the manufacturing cost is low, and the market competitiveness of the process box is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a processing box and an image forming device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the transmission structure of the processing box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 It is an exploded view of the transmission structure of the processing box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional stereoscopic view of a gear member of a processing box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5It is a three-dimensional diagram of the linkage component of the processing box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the engaging member claw of the processing box in the first embodiment of the present invention in the first position.

[0022] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the engaging member claw of the processing box in the first embodiment of the present invention in the second position.

[0023] Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the engaging member claw of the processing box in the first embodiment of the present invention in the third position.

[0024] Fig. 9 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a processing box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Fig.10 It is a stereoscopic diagram of the combination of the push rod and the side cover of the processing box of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig.11 It is a combination diagram of the transmission structure of the processing box of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Fig.12 It is a combination diagram of one of the connection modes between the linkage component and the push rod of the processing box in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Fig.13 It is a combination diagram of the second connection mode between the linkage component and the push rod of the processing box in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Fig.14 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the bearing plate of the processing box of embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0030] Fig.15 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the gear member of the processing box of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Fig.16 It is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of some transmission components of the processing box of embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0032] Fig.17 It is a three-dimensional exploded view of part of the transmission components of the processing box of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Fig.18 It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of part of the transmission components of the processing box of the third embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0034] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Embodiment 1

[0035] like Figure 1-Figure 8As shown, the processing box 100 is detachably installed in the image forming device (not shown) along the X-axis direction. The processing box 100 is provided with a gear member 110 and an engaging member 120 that can rotate around the Z-axis, a bearing plate 170 that supports the rotation of the gear member 110, and a directional member 130 clamped inside the bearing plate 170 and a linkage member 140 clamped outside the bearing plate 170. The image forming device (not shown) is provided with a driving head 510 along the Z-axis direction, and the driving head 510 is provided with a driving arm 511. After the processing box 100 is installed in the image forming device, the engaging member 120 simultaneously meshes with the driving head 510 and the gear member 110, and transmits the rotation driving force of the image forming device to the processing box 100.

[0036] Drive head 510, such as Figure 6 As shown, the driving head 510 of the image forming device is provided with a driving arm 511; along the Z-axis direction, the thickness of the driving arm 511 is Φ1.

[0037] Bearing plate 170, such as Figure 3 As shown, the bearing plate 170 is provided with a protrusion 171 for fixing the directional member, and a mounting portion 172 for mounting the linkage member 140. The bearing plate 170 is fixedly connected to the driving end side of the process cartridge and supports the gear member 110 to rotate.

[0038] The engagement member 120, such as Figure 3 As shown, a pair of claws 121 are symmetrically provided at the front end of the engaging member 120 for engaging the driving arm 511, and the spacing between the two claws 121 forms a claw opening 121k; a directional arm 122 is provided in the middle of the engaging member 120; and a transmission arm 123 is provided at the end of the engaging member 120.

[0039] Orienting member 130, such as Figure 3 As shown, the orienting member 130 is in the shape of a round pancake and is provided with one or more inclined portions 131 with peaks. The specific number of the inclined portions 131 depends on the specific technical solution. In this embodiment, four inclined portions 131 are preferably provided; and a notch 135 for fixing it to the bearing plate 170. And by default, when the orienting arm 122 of the engaging member 120 is at the bottom of the inclined portion 131 of the orienting member 130, the direction of the engaging member claw opening 121k faces the installation direction of the process cartridge.

[0040] Gear member 110, such as Figure 4 As shown, the inner wall of the gear member 110 is provided with a rib 111 that receives the rotational force through the transmission arm 123, and the end of the rib 111 is triangular; this triangular structure prevents the transmission arm 123 and the rib 111 from axially interfering with each other when the engaging member 120 moves axially outward. The outer periphery of the gear member 110 is provided with a tooth portion 112; the bottom plate 113 of the gear member 110 is provided with an axis core hole. The gear member 110 is fixedly connected to the end of the photosensitive drum.

[0041] The linkage member 140, such as Figure 5 As shown, the linkage member 140 is rotatably mounted on the mounting portion 172 outside the bearing plate 170. The linkage member 140 includes a rod 141, a force-bearing portion 142 and a force-applying portion 143. The rod 141 is arranged along the Y axis; the force-bearing portion 142 is arranged along the Z axis, and can be pressed against the side wall of the image forming device or a structure (not shown) extending from the side wall to drive the rod 141 to rotate; wherein, the working surface 142f of the force-bearing portion 142 pressed against the image forming device, and the angle α between the working surface 142f and the rotation axis of the rod 141 is not less than 20°. The force-applying portion 143 is arranged along the X axis, and the force-applying portion 143 has an arc-shaped recess 143c, and the recess 143c can be adapted to contact with the engagement member 120.

[0042] The elastic member 150 is sleeved on the rod of the meshing member 120 , with one end abutting against the bottom plate 113 of the gear member 110 and the other end abutting against the retaining spring; the elastic member 150 forces the meshing member 120 to retract axially under the action of its elastic force.

[0043] In the processing box of the present invention, the engaging member claw 121 has three different positions relative to the gear member 110 along the Z-axis direction.

[0044] The first position, such as Figure 6 As shown, the engaging member claw 121 is in the first position close to the gear member 110, and the direction of the claw opening 121k is in the installation direction of the process cartridge. Specifically: Before the processing box 100 is installed into the image forming device, the force-bearing portion 142 of the linkage member 140 is not subjected to external force, the engaging member 120 is axially retracted under the elastic force of the elastic member 150, and the engaging member claw 121 is in the first position closest to the gear member 110; in the Z-axial direction, the position of the engaging member claw 121 is lower than the position of the driving arm 511, and the directional arm 122 is located at the bottom of the inclined portion 131 of the directional member 130. At the same time, the direction of the claw opening 121k is in the installation direction of the processing box.

[0045] When the engaging member claw 121 is at the first position, during the process of installing the processing box 100 to the image forming device along the X-axis direction, there will be no assembly interference between the engaging member 120 and the driving head 510, and the processing box 100 can be smoothly installed in the image forming device without interference.

[0046] The second position, such as Figure 7 As shown, after the process cartridge 100 is loaded into the image forming device, the engaging member claw 121 is in the second position where it can engage with the driving arm 511. Specifically: When the processing box 100 is installed in the image forming device along the X-axis direction, when the engaging member 120 and the driving head 510 are in a coaxial position, the force-bearing portion 142 of the linkage member 140 squeezes the side wall of the image forming device or a structure extending from the side wall (not shown), forcing the linkage member 140 to rotate with the rod portion 141 as the rotation axis. Accordingly, the force-applying portion 143 rotates outward along the Z-axis direction, forcing the engaging member 120 to move axially outward along the Z-axis direction to the second position where the engaging member claw 121 can engage with the driving arm 511. At the same time, the transmission arm 123 of the engaging member 120 is in a position where it can engage with the rib 111 of the gear member 110.

[0047] When the engagement member claw 121 is at the second position, the process cartridge 100 is in a print job ready state.

[0048] The third position, such as Figure 8 As shown, during the process of disassembling the process cartridge 100 from the image forming device, the engaging member claw 121 also has a third position between the first position and the second position. Specifically: After the printing work of the processing box is completed, the direction of the engagement member claw opening 121k is uncertain, and the engagement member 120 is in a state of double interference by the driving arm 511 and the rib 111, and the engagement member 120 cannot rotate forward or backward; at this time, when the processing box 100 is taken out of the image forming device, the engagement member 120 and the driving head 510 may have serious interference, resulting in the processing box 100 cannot be smoothly taken out of the image forming device.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the processing box 100 is taken out of the image forming device, the processing box 100 is first lifted toward the Y-axis direction (i.e., upward) by holding the processing box 100, and the processing box 100 will rotate around the Z-axis. At this time, the force-bearing part 142 of the linkage member 140 and the side wall of the image forming device or the structure extending from the side wall are released, and accordingly, the holding force of the force-applying part 143 on the meshing member 120 is released; the meshing member 120 retracts axially under the elastic force of the elastic member 150. When the meshing member claw 121 moves inward to a position where it just cannot mesh with the driving arm 511 of the driving head 510, and the meshing member transmission arm 123 cannot mesh with the rib 111 of the gear member 110, correspondingly, the meshing member directional arm 122 also just retracts to the top of the inclined portion 131 of the directional member 130. At this time, the position of the meshing member claw 121 is the third position of the present invention.

[0050] Based on the fact that the size of the driving arm 511 of the relatively image forming device is fixed, while the sizes of the engaging member's claw 121, directional arm 122, transmission arm 123, etc. are adjustable, therefore, the minimum distance D between the third position and the second position should be greater than the thickness of the driving arm 511, which is Φ1.

[0051] Furthermore, based on the fact that the top of the inclined portion 131 of the directional member 130 is a sharp angle, the engaging member claw 121 will not be stable in the third position, and the engaging member 120 will continue to retract axially under the elastic force of the elastic member 150. At the same time, the directional arm 122 will slide along the inclined portion 131, thereby rotating until the directional arm 122 slides to the bottom of the inclined portion 131; at this time, the direction of the claw opening 121k also rotates to the installation direction of the processing box, that is, the engaging member claw 121 retracts to the first position.

[0052] When the engaging member claw 121 returns to the first position, there will be no disassembly interference between the engaging member 120 and the driving head 510, and the processing box can be smoothly taken out from the image forming device without interference.

[0053] The above embodiment shows that the engaging member claw of the processing box of the present invention passes through three positions and two stages during the axial retraction process. That is, when the engaging member claw moves inward from the second position to the third position, the engaging member claw only moves in the axial direction; when the engaging member claw moves inward from the third position to the first position, the engaging member claw rotates while moving in the axial direction, thereby achieving the positioning and orientation of the engaging member claw. Embodiment 2

[0054] The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the thrust received by the force-bearing portion 242 of the linkage member 240 is derived from the squeezing of the front door cover (not shown) of the image forming device.

[0055] like Figure 9-13 As shown, the linkage member 240 is rotatably mounted on the outside of the bearing plate 270, and the processing box is also provided with: The push rod 260 has one end that can abut against the front door cover (not shown) of the image forming device and one end that is connected to the force receiving portion 242 of the linkage member 240. The push rod 260 is movably mounted on the inner side of the side cover 290 of the process box along the mounting direction.

[0056] The spring 280 forces the push rod 260 to move away from the force receiving portion 242 .

[0057] like Fig.12As shown, the force-bearing portion 242 of the linkage member 240 is a protruding structure, and correspondingly, the corresponding connecting portion of the push rod 260 is a two-level step-shaped structure. When the processing box 100 is loaded into the image forming device but the front door cover is in an open state, the push rod 260 is not squeezed by the front door cover, the force-bearing portion 242 of the linkage member is connected to the low step of the connecting portion of the push rod 260, and the engaging member claw 121 is in the first position (not shown). When the front door cover is in a closed state, the push rod 260 is squeezed by the front door cover and advances toward the installation direction of the processing box, and the force-bearing portion 242 of the linkage member is connected to the high step of the connecting portion of the push rod 260. During the conversion process of the force-bearing portion 242 from the low step position to the high step position, the linkage member 240 rotates, forcing the engaging member claw 121 to be in the second position (not shown).

[0058] like Fig.13 As shown, the force-bearing portion 242 of the linkage member 240 is a tooth-shaped structure, and correspondingly, the corresponding connecting portion of the push rod 260 is also a tooth-shaped structure. Embodiment 3

[0059] In the above-mentioned Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, the directional component 130 is independent of the bearing plate 170 (270).

[0060] Embodiment three, as Figure 14-18 As shown: The bearing plate 370 is an integrally formed component of the directional component 130 and the bearing plate 170 (270). The interior of the bearing plate 370 is provided with a peak-shaped inclined portion 371. The outer side of the bearing plate 370 is provided with a mounting portion for mounting the linkage component.

[0061] The inner wall of the gear part 310 is provided with a rib 311 for receiving the rotation force, and the end of the rib 311 is triangular in shape; the outer periphery of the gear part 310 is provided with a tooth portion 312; and the bottom plate 313 of the gear part 310 is provided with an axis core hole.

[0062] The engaging member 320 has a pair of claws 321 symmetrically disposed at its front end for engaging the driving arm 511, and the spacing between the two claws 321 forms a claw opening 321k; a directional arm 322 is disposed in the middle of the engaging member 320; and an assembly hole 323 is disposed at the end of the engaging member 320.

[0063] The transmission rod 360 is inserted into the assembly hole 323 of the engagement member 320 . The transmission rod 360 transmits the rotation force of the engagement member 320 to the gear member 310 .

[0064] The elastic member 350 is sleeved on the rod of the engaging member 320, with one end abutting against the bottom side of the bearing plate 370 and the other end abutting against the transmission rod 360; the elastic member 350 forces the engaging member 320 to retract axially under the action of its elastic force.

[0065] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the concept and scope of the present invention, and are not used to limit the protection scope 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 concept of the present invention. The protection scope and concept of the present invention are specifically defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A process cartridge, which can be detachably installed in an image forming device along an installation direction; the image forming device is provided with a drive head, and the drive head is provided with a drive arm; the process cartridge is provided with a coaxially rotating gear member and a meshing member, and the meshing member is provided with a claw for meshing with the drive arm; characterized in that: The engaging member claw has a first position located close to the gear member and its claw opening is oriented in the processing box installation direction, a second position located away from the gear member and its claw can engage the driving arm, and a third position located between the first position and the second position, and the axial spacing between the third position and the second position is greater than the thickness of the driving arm.

2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The processing box is provided with an orienting component for ensuring that the engaging member claw is oriented in the processing box installation direction when the engaging member claw is in the first position, a linkage component for moving the engaging member claw axially outward from the first position to the second position, and an elastic component for resetting the engaging member claw from the second position to the first position.

3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The orienting member is composed of one or more inclined portions having peaks.

4. The process cartridge according to claim 3, wherein: The engagement member is further provided with a directional arm; when the engagement member claw moves axially from the third position to the first position, the directional arm slides along the inclined portion to generate rotation.

5. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The linkage component comprises a force-bearing portion, a force-applying portion and a rod portion; after the force-bearing portion is subjected to external thrust, the linkage component rotates with the rod portion as a rotating axis, and the force-applying portion applies a pulling force to the meshing member.

6. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: The thrust received by the force-bearing part comes from the mutual extrusion between the force-bearing part and the side wall of the image forming device or the structure extending from the side wall; the angle between the extrusion working surface of the force-bearing part and the rotation axis of the rod part is greater than 20°.

7. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: The thrust received by the force receiving portion is derived from the squeezing of the front door cover of the image forming device.

8. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: The processing box is also provided with a push rod for transmitting the squeezing force of the front door cover of the image forming device to the force-bearing part of the linkage component, and a spring for resetting the push rod.

9. The process cartridge according to claim 8, wherein: The force-bearing portion is a protrusion, and correspondingly, the corresponding connecting portion of the push rod is a two-stage step.

10. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that: The orienting member is integrally formed with the bearing plate of the process cartridge.

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