Processing box

Abstract

Provided is a process cartridge in which both a toner handle and a drum handle can be held together. A process cartridge (5) is provided with a drum cartridge (6) and a developing cartridge (7) (toner cartridge). The drum box (6) is provided with a drum handle (160) located at a second drum end portion (65B) of the drum frame (65). The developing cartridge (7) includes a toner handle (170) located at a second toner end portion (75B) of the toner frame (75). The drum frame (65) has a first convex portion (110) and a second convex portion (120) at a second drum end portion (65B). The drum handle (160) is located between the first protrusion (110) and the second protrusion (120). The toner handle (170) is provided with a toner holding part (171). In a state in which the developing cartridge (7) is attached to the drum cartridge (6), the toner holding portion (171) is located between the first protruding portion (110) and the second protruding portion (120).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a process cartridge. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a process cartridge having a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge is known. The drum cartridge has a photosensitive drum, and the toner cartridge can contain toner and can be attached and detached from the drum cartridge (Patent Document 1). In this technology, the drum cartridge has a drum handle to be held by a user. In addition, the toner cartridge has a toner handle to be held by a user. The toner handles are located on both sides of the drum handle when the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-016484

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in the conventional process box, only the drum handle is held when the process box is moved. Therefore, for example, when the toner box is enlarged in capacity, the drum box may be bent and deformed due to the weight of the toner box. Summary of the invention

[0008] Therefore, it is desirable to be able to hold both the toner handle and the drum handle together.

[0009] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0010] The process cartridge includes a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from the drum cartridge.

[0011] The drum box includes a photosensitive drum, a drum frame and a drum handle.

[0012] The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction.

[0013] The drum frame holds the photosensitive drum.

[0014] The drum handle is located at an end of the drum frame away from the photosensitive drum in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0015] The toner cartridge has a toner frame and a toner handle.

[0016] The toner frame can accommodate toner.

[0017] When the toner cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge, the toner handle is located at an end of the toner frame away from the photosensitive drum in the second direction.

[0018] The drum frame has a first protrusion and a second protrusion.

[0019] The first protrusion is located at an end portion of the drum frame that is farther from the photosensitive drum in the second direction.

[0020] The second convex portion is located at an end of the drum frame away from the photosensitive drum in the second direction. The second convex portion is provided at a distance from the first convex portion in the first direction.

[0021] The drum handle is located between the first convex portion and the second convex portion in the first direction.

[0022] The toner handle has a gripping portion.

[0023] The gripping portion extends in the first direction and is provided with a predetermined space between the gripping portion and the toner frame in the second direction.

[0024] When the toner cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge, the gripping portion is located between the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

[0025] The drum handle is located between the first convex portion and the second convex portion, and the gripping portion of the toner handle is located between the first convex portion and the second convex portion when the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, so that both the toner handle and the drum handle can be gripped together.

[0026] In addition, by having the first convex portion and the second convex portion on the drum frame, the drum handle and the toner handle can be protected by the first convex portion and the second convex portion. In addition, by having the first convex portion and the second convex portion on the drum frame, the rigidity of the drum frame can be improved. Thus, the rigidity of the drum box and the process box can be improved.

[0027] It is also possible that the drum frame has at least one groove.

[0028] The groove is located between the first convex portion and the second convex portion, and a portion of the toner handle enters the groove when the toner cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge.

[0029] The drum frame has a groove into which a part of the toner handle enters when the toner box is installed in the drum box, so that the gripping portion of the toner handle can be brought close to the drum handle. Thus, the toner handle and the drum handle can be easily gripped together.

[0030] Alternatively, the toner handle has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion has a first rib, the second connecting portion has a second rib, and the drum frame has a first groove and a second groove.

[0031] The first connecting portion connects one end of the holding portion in the first direction to the toner frame.

[0032] The second connecting portion connects the other end of the holding portion in the first direction to the toner frame.

[0033] The first rib protrudes toward the drum frame from the grip portion.

[0034] The second rib protrudes toward the drum frame more than the grip portion.

[0035] The first groove is located between the first protrusion and the drum handle, and the first rib enters the first groove when the toner cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge.

[0036] The second groove is located between the second protrusion and the drum handle, and the second rib enters the second groove when the toner cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge.

[0037] The drum frame has a first groove for the first rib to enter and a second groove for the second rib to enter when the toner box is installed in the drum box, so that the gripping portion of the toner handle can be close to the drum handle. As a result, it is easy to grip the toner handle and the drum handle together. In addition, the rigidity of the toner handle can be improved by the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion protruding toward the drum frame compared to the gripping portion.

[0038] The toner cartridge may include a developing roller.

[0039] The developing roller is rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in the first direction. When the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the developing roller is located at an end of the toner frame close to the photosensitive drum in the second direction.

[0040] By locating the developing roller at the end of the toner frame near the photosensitive drum, the toner box has a center of gravity at the end opposite to the end where the toner handle is located. In this case, the rigidity of the toner handle can also be improved by the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, so that the toner box can be stably held.

[0041] Alternatively, the drum handle may have a plate shape extending from an end of the drum frame remote from the photosensitive drum toward the photosensitive drum in the second direction.

[0042] Alternatively, in the second direction, when the toner cartridge is mounted in the drum cartridge, the end portion of the drum handle close to the photosensitive drum may be located closer to the photosensitive drum than the grip portion.

[0043] Since the end portion of the drum handle close to the photosensitive drum is located closer to the photosensitive drum than the grip portion in the second direction, the drum handle and the grip portion of the toner handle can be reliably gripped together.

[0044] The drum cartridge may further include a lock lever.

[0045] The lock lever locks the toner cartridge to the drum cartridge. The lock lever is movable relative to the drum frame between a lock position and a lock release position.

[0046] In a state where the toner cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge, the lock lever is located at the lock position.

[0047] When the lock lever moves from the lock position to the lock release position, the toner cartridge moves relative to the drum frame in such a way that the grip portion moves away from the drum handle.

[0048] When the locking lever is in the locked position when the toner cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge, the user can hold both the toner handle and the drum handle. When the locking lever is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position, the gripping portion moves away from the drum handle, so that the user can only hold the toner handle when the locking lever is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0049] Effects of the Invention

[0050] The toner handle and the drum handle can be held together. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus using a process cartridge.

[0052] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus in a state where the process cartridge is removed.

[0053] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing a process cartridge.

[0054] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing a drum cartridge and a developer cartridge.

[0055] Figure 5 (a) is a sectional view showing a process cartridge and (b) is an enlarged sectional view showing a toner handle and a drum handle.

[0056] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the drum cartridge and the developer cartridge viewed from the handle side.

[0057] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing the developer box with the toner handle viewed from the rib side.

[0058] Figure 8 1. (a) and (b) are a perspective view and a rear view of the process cartridge as viewed from the handle side.

[0059] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view showing a lock lever of the drum cartridge.

[0060] Fig.10 is a sectional view showing a lock lever of the drum cartridge.

[0061] Fig.11 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a developing cartridge is mounted on a drum cartridge, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the developing cartridge is lifted from the drum cartridge.

[0062] Explanation of symbols

[0063] 5. Processing Box

[0064] 6-Drum Box

[0065] 7Developer box (toner box)

[0066] 61 Photosensitive drum

[0067] 61X drum axis

[0068] 65 drum frame

[0069] 65B Second drum end

[0070] 71Developing roller

[0071] 75 color powder frame

[0072] 75B Second toner end

[0073] 110 First convex part

[0074] 120 Second convex part

[0075] 160 Drum handle

[0076] 170 Toner Handle

[0077] 171 Toner holding part (holding part)

[0078] 172 Toner connecting portion (connecting portion). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] Next, an embodiment will be described.

[0080] like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 2 , a sheet feeding unit 3 , an exposure device 4 , a process cartridge 5 , and a fixing device 8 .

[0081] The sheet feeding section 3 is located at the lower part of the housing 2. The sheet feeding section 3 includes a sheet tray 31, a pressing plate 32, and a sheet feeding mechanism 33. The sheet tray 31 stores sheets S such as paper. The pressing plate 32 lifts the sheets S in the sheet tray 31 upward. The sheet feeding mechanism 33 feeds the sheets S lifted by the pressing plate 32 toward the processing box 5.

[0082] The exposure device 4 is located above the sheet tray 31. The exposure device 4 includes a light source, a deflector, a lens, a reflector, etc. As shown by the imaginary line, the exposure device 4 emits a light beam to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0083] The process cartridge 5 is located above the sheet feeding mechanism 33. The process cartridge 5 includes a drum cartridge 6 and a developing cartridge 7 as an example of a toner cartridge.

[0084] The drum cartridge 6 includes a photosensitive drum 61, a charger 62, a transfer roller 63, and a drum frame 65. The photosensitive drum 61 is rotatable about a drum axis 61X extending in a first direction. In the present embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0085] The charger 62 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 . The transfer roller 63 is rotatable about a transfer roller axis 63X extending in the first direction. The drum frame 65 holds the photosensitive drum 61 , the charger 62 , and the transfer roller 63 .

[0086] The developing cartridge 7 includes a developing roller 71 , a supply roller 72 , a layer thickness regulating blade 73 , an agitator 74 , and a toner frame 75 .

[0087] The developing roller 71 is rotatable about a developing roller axis 71X extending in the first direction. The supply roller 72 is rotatable about a supply roller axis 72X extending in the first direction. The layer thickness regulating blade 73 regulates the thickness of the toner layer on the developing roller 71 to a constant thickness.

[0088] The toner frame 75 holds the developing roller 71, the supply roller 72, the layer thickness regulating blade 73, and the agitator 74. The toner frame 75 can store toner. Specifically, the toner frame 75 has a toner storage portion 76 that can store toner.

[0089] The agitator 74 is rotatable about an agitator axis 74X extending in the first direction. The agitator 74 agitates the toner in the toner storage section 76 by rotating. The supply roller 72 supplies the toner stored in the toner storage section 76 to the developing roller 71 .

[0090] The fixing device 8 is located above the process cartridge 5. The fixing device 8 includes a heating roller 81 and a pressure roller 82. The heating roller 81 heats the sheet S. The pressure roller 82 sandwiches the sheet S with the heating roller 81.

[0091] The image forming apparatus 1 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 by the charger 62. Next, the image forming apparatus 1 exposes the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 61 by the light beam emitted from the exposure device 4. Thus, an electrostatic latent image based on image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 61. Next, the image forming apparatus 1 supplies toner from the developing roller 71 to the photosensitive drum 61. Thus, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 61.

[0092] Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 1 conveys the sheet S supplied from the sheet supply unit 3 between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63. Thus, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 61 is transferred to the sheet S. Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 1 conveys the sheet S to which the toner image is transferred between the heating roller 81 and the pressure roller 82. Thus, the toner image transferred to the sheet S is fixed on the sheet S.

[0093] The image forming apparatus 1 discharges the sheet S on which the toner image is fixed to the discharge tray 2A by the discharge roller 9 .

[0094] The housing 2 includes a housing body 21 and a cover 22. The housing body 21 has an opening 21A. The cover 22 opens and closes the opening 21A. Figure 1 The closed position shown is Figure 2 The cover 22 is movable relative to the housing body 21 between the open position shown. Specifically, the cover 22 can rotate relative to the housing body 21 between the closed position and the open position. The closed position is a position where the opening 21A is closed. The open position is a position where the opening 21A is opened.

[0095] like Figure 2 As shown, the process cartridge 5 is attachable to and detachable from the casing 2. Specifically, the process cartridge 5 is attachable to and detachable from the casing main body 21 through the opening 21A in a state where the cover 22 is located at the open position.

[0096] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the developing cartridge 7 is attachable to and detachable from the drum cartridge 6 . Figure 3 The developing cartridge 7 is shown mounted on the process cartridge 5 of the drum cartridge 6 . Figure 4 The developing cartridge 7 is shown in a state where it is removed from the drum cartridge 6 .

[0097] In the following referenced drawings, the arrows on the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction represent one direction, and the arrows on the third direction represent the other direction. The second direction and the third direction are directions orthogonal to the first direction, respectively. The third direction is a direction intersecting the second direction. In the present embodiment, the third direction is orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction.

[0098] The drum cartridge 6 further includes a drum handle 160. The developer cartridge 7 further includes a toner handle 170. The drum handle 160 and the toner handle 170 are held together by a user when the process cartridge 5 is moved or attached to and detached from the housing 2.

[0099] like Figure 5 As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , the toner frame 75 has a first toner end 75A and a second toner end 75B. The first toner end 75A is an end of the toner frame 75 close to the photosensitive drum 61 in the second direction when the developer cartridge 7 is mounted on the drum cartridge 6. In other words, the first toner end 75A is an end of the toner frame 75 on one side in the second direction.

[0100] The second toner end 75B is an end of the toner frame 75 away from the photosensitive drum 61 in the second direction when the developer cartridge 7 is mounted on the drum cartridge 6. In other words, the second toner end 75B is the other end of the toner frame 75 in the second direction.

[0101] The developing roller 71 is located at the first toner end 75A of the toner frame 75. The toner handle 170 is located at the second toner end 75B of the toner frame 75.

[0102] like Figure 4 As shown, the toner handle 170 has a toner holding portion 171 as a holding portion and a toner connecting portion 172.

[0103] The toner gripping portion 171 is gripped by a user. The toner gripping portion 171 extends in the first direction. The toner gripping portion 171 is provided with a predetermined space between the toner frame 75 and the toner gripping portion 171 in the second direction. In other words, a through hole 7H is formed between the toner frame 75 and the toner gripping portion 171, into which a user can insert a finger. The developing box 7 has the through hole 7H. The through hole 7H penetrates in the third direction.

[0104] The toner connecting portion 172 connects the toner holding portion 171 and the toner frame 75. In the present embodiment, the toner connecting portion 172 includes a first connecting portion 173 and a second connecting portion 174.

[0105] The first connecting portion 173 connects one end of the toner holding portion 171 in the first direction and the toner frame 75. The first connecting portion 173 extends along the second direction. The first connecting portion 173 has a plate shape. One end of the first connecting portion 173 in the second direction is connected to the second toner end portion 75B of the toner frame 75, and the other end in the second direction is connected to the toner holding portion 171.

[0106] The second connection portion 174 connects the other end of the toner holding portion 171 in the first direction and the toner frame 75. The second connection portion 174 extends along the second direction. The second connection portion 174 has a plate shape. One end of the second connection portion 174 in the second direction is connected to the second toner end portion 75B of the toner frame 75, and the other end in the second direction is connected to the toner holding portion 171. The first connection portion 173 and the second connection portion 174 have a symmetrical structure in the first direction.

[0107] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the first connection portion 173 has a first rib 173A. The first rib 173A is a part of the first connection portion 173, and is a portion protruding toward the drum frame 65 compared to the toner holding portion 171. Specifically, the first rib 173A is a portion of the first connection portion 173 that protrudes toward the other side of the third direction compared to the toner holding portion 171. The first rib 173A extends along the second direction.

[0108] The second connection portion 174 has a second rib 174A. The second rib 174A is a part of the second connection portion 174 and is a part that protrudes toward the drum frame 65 compared to the toner holding portion 171. Specifically, the second rib 174A is a part of the second connection portion 174 that protrudes toward the other side of the third direction compared to the toner holding portion 171. The second rib 174A extends along the second direction.

[0109] like Figure 4 As shown, the drum frame 65 has a first protrusion 110 and a second protrusion 120 .

[0110] The drum frame 65 has a first drum end 65A and a second drum end 65B. The first drum end 65A is an end of the drum frame 65 in the second direction close to the photosensitive drum 61. In other words, the first drum end 65A is one end of the drum frame 65 in the second direction.

[0111] The second drum end portion 65B is an end portion of the drum frame 65 in the second direction that is away from the photosensitive drum 61. In other words, the second drum end portion 65B is an end portion of the drum frame 65 on the other side in the second direction.

[0112] The first protrusion 110 and the second protrusion 120 are located at the second drum end portion 65B of the drum frame 65 .

[0113] The first convex portion 110 protrudes from the second drum end portion 65B toward one side in the third direction. The first convex portion 110 has a first main body portion 111 and a plurality of first reinforcing ribs 112. The first main body portion 111 has a box shape that is open toward one side in the second direction. The first reinforcing ribs 112 are located inside the first main body portion 111. The plurality of first reinforcing ribs 112 are arranged along the first direction.

[0114] The second convex portion 120 is provided at a distance in the first direction from the first convex portion 110. Specifically, the first convex portion 110 is located on one side in the first direction relative to the center in the first direction of the drum cartridge 6. The second convex portion 120 is located on the other side in the first direction relative to the center in the first direction of the drum cartridge 6. The first convex portion 110 and the second convex portion 120 are opposite to each other in the first direction.

[0115] The second convex portion 120 protrudes from the second drum end portion 65B toward one side in the third direction. The second convex portion 120 has a second main body portion 121 and a plurality of second reinforcing ribs 122. The second main body portion 121 has a box shape that is open toward one side in the second direction. The second reinforcing ribs 122 are located inside the second main body portion 121. The plurality of second reinforcing ribs 122 are arranged along the first direction. The first convex portion 110 and the second convex portion 120 have a symmetrical structure in the first direction.

[0116] The drum handle 160 is located at the second drum end portion 65B of the drum frame 65. The drum handle 160 is located between the first convex portion 110 and the second convex portion 120 in the first direction. The drum handle 160 has a plate shape. Specifically, the drum handle 160 has a plate-shaped drum gripping portion 161 and a drum connecting portion 162.

[0117] The drum grip 161 is gripped by the user. The drum grip 161 extends along the second direction. Specifically, the drum grip 161 extends from the second drum end 65B of the drum frame 65 toward the photosensitive drum 61 in the second direction (see also Figure 5 ). In other words, the drum gripping portion 161 extends from the second drum end portion 65B toward one side in the second direction.

[0118] The drum connecting portion 162 connects the end of the drum gripping portion 161 in the first direction and the drum frame 65. The drum connecting portion 162 has a third connecting portion 163 and a fourth connecting portion 164. The third connecting portion 163 connects one end of the drum gripping portion 161 in the first direction and the second drum end portion 65B of the drum frame 65. The fourth connecting portion 164 connects the other end of the drum gripping portion 161 in the first direction and the second drum end portion 65B of the drum frame 65.

[0119] By providing the drum connecting portion 162 , the rigidity of the drum grip 161 (drum handle 160 ) can be improved.

[0120] The drum frame 65 also has a groove 130. In a state where the developing cartridge 7 is mounted on the drum cartridge 6, a portion of the toner handle 170 enters the groove 130. The groove 130 is located between the first convex portion 110 and the second convex portion 120.

[0121] In the present embodiment, the drum frame 65 has a first groove 131 and a second groove 132 as the groove 130 .

[0122] The first groove 131 is located between the first protrusion 110 and the drum handle 160. Specifically, the first groove 131 is located between the first protrusion 110 and the third connection portion 163 of the drum handle 160. The first groove 131 extends along the second direction.

[0123] The second groove 132 is located between the second protrusion 120 and the drum handle 160. Specifically, the second groove 132 is located between the second protrusion 120 and the fourth connection portion 164 of the drum handle 160. The second groove 132 extends along the second direction.

[0124] like Figure 8 As shown in (a) and (b), when the developer cartridge 7 is installed in the drum cartridge 6, the first rib 173A as a part of the toner handle 170 enters the first groove 131. In addition, when the developer cartridge 7 is installed in the drum cartridge 6, the second rib 174A as a part of the toner handle 170 enters the second groove 132.

[0125] The toner holding portion 171 is located between the first convex portion 110 and the second convex portion 120 of the drum frame 65 when the developer cartridge 7 is mounted on the drum cartridge 6 (see also Figure 3 ).

[0126] like Figure 5 As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 6 , the toner holding portion 171 overlaps with the drum handle 160 in the third direction when the developer cartridge 7 is installed in the drum cartridge 6. Specifically, the toner holding portion 171 overlaps with the drum holding portion 161 in the third direction when the developer cartridge 7 is installed in the drum cartridge 6. The toner holding portion 171 is adjacent to one side of the drum holding portion 161 in the third direction when the developer cartridge 7 is installed in the drum cartridge 6.

[0127] In the second direction, the first end 161A of the drum gripping portion 161 is located closer to the photosensitive drum 61 than the toner gripping portion 171 when the developer cartridge 7 is mounted on the drum cartridge 6. In other words, in the second direction, the first end 161A of the drum gripping portion 161 protrudes toward the photosensitive drum 61 than the toner gripping portion 171 when the developer cartridge 7 is mounted on the drum cartridge 6.

[0128] In other words, first end 161A of drum grip 161 protrudes toward one side in the second direction from toner grip 171 when developer cartridge 7 is mounted on drum cartridge 6. First end 161A of drum grip 161 is an end of drum handle 160 close to photosensitive drum 61 in the second direction.

[0129] When the drum handle 160 and the toner handle 170 are not held, the process cartridge 5 has a gap G between the drum grip 161 and the toner grip 171. As an example, the gap G is 1 to 3 mm. The process cartridge 5 may have a structure in which the drum grip 161 and the toner grip 171 are in contact with each other when the drum handle 160 and the toner handle 170 are held by the user, or a structure in which the drum grip 161 and the toner grip 171 are not in contact with each other.

[0130] like Fig. 9 As shown, the drum cartridge 6 is further provided with a lock lever 140 .

[0131] The lock lever 140 locks the developing cartridge 7 mounted on the drum cartridge 6 to the drum cartridge 6. The lock lever 140 is located at the other end in the first direction of the drum frame 65. The lock lever 140 is located closer to the second drum end 65B than the photosensitive drum 61 in the second direction.

[0132] like Fig.10As shown, the lock lever 140 is movable between a lock position shown by a solid line and a lock release position shown by a phantom line relative to the drum frame 65. Specifically, the lock lever 140 is swingable between the lock position and the lock release position relative to the drum frame 65.

[0133] The lock lever 140 has a shaft portion 141 , a lock portion 142 , a lift portion 143 , and an operation portion 144 .

[0134] The shaft portion 141 is rotatable relative to a rod axis 140X extending in the first direction. The drum frame 65 has a side wall 65D located at the other end in the first direction. The shaft portion 141 is rotatably supported by the side wall 65D.

[0135] The locking portion 142 locks the developing cartridge 7 to the drum frame 65 when the locking lever 140 is in the locked position. The locking portion 142 extends from the shaft portion 141 toward one side in the third direction when the locking lever 140 is in the locked position. The locking portion 142 has a protrusion 77 (see Fig.11 (a)) enters the recess 142A.

[0136] The operation portion 144 is operated by the user when moving the lock lever 140 from the lock position to the lock release position. The operation portion 144 extends from the lock portion 142 toward the other side of the second direction when the lock lever 140 is located at the lock position.

[0137] The lifting portion 143 contacts the developing cartridge 7 when the lock lever 140 moves from the lock position to the unlock position, and lifts the developing cartridge 7. The lifting portion 143 extends from the shaft portion 141 toward one side in the second direction when the lock lever 140 is located at the lock position.

[0138] like Fig.11 As shown in (a), the lock lever 140 is located at the lock position in a state where the developer cartridge 7 is mounted on the drum cartridge 6. At this time, the protrusion 77 of the developer cartridge 7 enters the recess 142A of the lock portion 142. Thus, the developer cartridge 7 is locked relative to the drum cartridge 6.

[0139] When the locking lever 140 is moved from the locking position to Fig.11 When the lock lever 140 moves from the lock release position shown in (b) of FIG. 1 , the developer cartridge 7 is moved relative to the drum frame 65 in such a manner that the toner holding portion 171 is separated from the drum handle 160. Specifically, when the lock lever 140 moves from the lock position to the lock release position, the recess 142A of the lock portion 142 is disengaged from the protrusion 77 of the developer cartridge 7, and the lifting portion 143 lifts the developer cartridge 7 toward one side of the third direction.

[0140] Thereby, the lock of the developing cartridge 7 with respect to the drum cartridge 6 is released, and mainly the other end of the developing cartridge 7 in the second direction is separated from the drum frame 65. Thereby, the toner gripping portion 171 is separated from the drum gripping portion 161 of the drum handle 160.

[0141] Next, the effects of the embodiment will be described.

[0142] The drum handle 160 is located between the first convex portion 110 and the second convex portion 120, and the toner gripping portion 171 of the toner handle 170 is located between the first convex portion 110 and the second convex portion 120 when the developer cartridge 7 is installed in the drum cartridge 6. Thus, when the developer cartridge 7 is installed in the drum cartridge 6, the user can put his fingers into the space (through hole 7H) between the toner frame 75 and the toner gripping portion 171 and grip both the toner handle 170 and the drum handle 160 together.

[0143] In addition, the drum frame 65 can protect the drum handle 160 and the toner handle 170 by the first convex portion 110 and the second convex portion 120. In addition, the drum frame 65 can improve the rigidity of the drum frame 65 by having the first convex portion 110 and the second convex portion 120. Thus, the rigidity of the drum cartridge 6 and the process cartridge 5 to which the developer cartridge 7 is mounted can be improved.

[0144] The drum frame 65 has a groove 130 for allowing a part of the toner handle 170 to enter when the developer cartridge 7 is installed in the drum cartridge 6. Therefore, when the developer cartridge 7 is installed in the drum cartridge 6, the toner gripping portion 171 can be brought close to the drum gripping portion 161 of the drum handle 160.

[0145] Specifically, the drum frame 65 has the first groove 131 into which the first rib 173A enters and the second groove 132 into which the second rib 174A enters when the developer cartridge 7 is mounted on the drum cartridge 6, so that the toner grip 171 can be brought close to the drum grip 161. This makes it easy to grip the toner handle 170 and the drum handle 160 together.

[0146] In addition, the rigidity of the toner handle 170 can be improved by the first connection portion 173 and the second connection portion 174 protruding toward the drum frame 65 more than the toner holding portion 171. In other words, the rigidity of the toner handle 170 can be improved by making the dimension of the first connection portion 173 in the third direction and the dimension of the second connection portion 174 in the third direction larger than the dimension of the toner holding portion 171 in the third direction.

[0147] By positioning the developing roller 71 at the first toner end 75A of the toner frame 75, the developing cartridge 7 has a center of gravity at a position close to the first toner end 75A opposite to the second toner end 75B where the toner handle 170 is positioned. Even in this case, the rigidity of the toner handle 170 can be increased by the first connecting portion 173 and the second connecting portion 174, so that the developing cartridge 7 can be stably held.

[0148] In the second direction, first end 161A of drum handle 160 is located closer to photosensitive drum 61 than toner grip 171, so that drum handle 160 can be reliably gripped together with toner grip 171. Gripping of only toner handle 170 can be prevented.

[0149] The lock lever 140 is located at the lock position when the developer cartridge 7 is mounted on the drum cartridge 6, so that when the lock lever 140 is located at the lock position, both the toner handle 170 and the drum handle 160 can be gripped. When the lock lever 140 moves from the lock position to the lock release position, the toner gripping portion 171 is separated from the drum handle 160, so that when the lock lever 140 moves from the lock position to the lock release position, only the toner handle 170 can be gripped.

[0150] As mentioned above, although embodiment was demonstrated, the process cartridge can be deformed suitably and implemented as shown below.

[0151] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the process cartridge 5 has a gap G between the drum grip 161 and the toner grip 171 when the drum handle 160 and the toner grip 170 are not gripped. However, for example, the process cartridge may also have a gap G between the drum grip 161 and the toner grip 171 when the drum handle 160 and the toner grip 170 are not gripped. Specifically, the process cartridge may also have a gap G between the drum grip 161 and the toner grip 171 when the drum handle 160 and the toner grip 170 are not gripped.

[0152] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the drum gripping portion 161 of the drum handle 160 protrudes in one direction in the second direction compared to the toner gripping portion 171 of the toner handle 170, but for example, the end surface of the drum gripping portion in one direction and the end surface of the toner gripping portion in one direction in the second direction may be the same surface. In addition, the toner gripping portion may protrude in one direction in the second direction compared to the drum gripping portion.

[0153] In addition, the drum handle may also be a structure extending in the first direction and connecting the first convex portion and the second convex portion. In addition, the drum handle may also be a U-shaped handle like the toner handle 170 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0154] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the dimensions of the first connecting portion 173 and the second connecting portion 174 of the toner handle 170 in the third direction are larger than the dimensions of the toner holding portion 171 (holding portion) in the third direction, but for example, the dimensions of the connecting portion of the toner handle in the third direction may be the same as the dimensions of the holding portion in the third direction.

[0155] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the toner handle 170 has two connecting parts, namely the first connecting part 173 and the second connecting part 174, but the toner handle may also have a structure having only one connecting part. In this case, for example, the connecting part may also be a structure connecting one end of the gripping part in the first direction and the toner frame. In addition, for example, the connecting part may also be a structure connecting the central part of the gripping part in the first direction and the toner frame. The same is true for the drum handle.

[0156] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the drum frame 65 has two grooves, the first groove 131 and the second groove 132, but for example, the drum frame may have three or more grooves for a part of the toner handle to enter. In addition, the drum frame may have only one groove for a part of the toner handle to enter. The drum frame may also have a structure without a groove.

[0157] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the toner holding portion 171 (holding portion) is a structure that overlaps with the drum handle 160 in the third direction when the developer cartridge 7 is installed in the drum cartridge 6. However, for example, the holding portion may be a structure that overlaps with the drum handle in the second direction when the developer cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge. Further, the holding portion may be a structure that overlaps with the drum handle in a direction orthogonal to the first direction when the developer cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge.

[0158] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the developer cartridge 7 having the developing roller 71 is exemplified as the toner cartridge, but the toner cartridge may also be a toner cartridge without the developing roller. The toner cartridge without the developing roller may also be a structure that can be attached and detached to the developer cartridge having the developing roller, and can be attached and detached to the drum cartridge via the developing cartridge. That is, the process cartridge may also be a structure that has the toner cartridge, the developing cartridge, and the drum cartridge.

[0159] In the above-described embodiment, the drum frame 65 has the first convex portion 110 and the second convex portion 120 , but the drum frame may have a structure not having the first convex portion and the second convex portion, for example.

[0160] The respective elements described in the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples can be implemented in any combination.

Claims

1. A processing box, characterized in that: A drum cartridge and a toner cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge are provided. The drum box has: a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction; a drum frame that holds the photosensitive drum; and a drum handle located at an end of the drum frame away from the photosensitive drum in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, The toner cartridge comprises: a toner frame capable of accommodating toner; and a toner handle, which is located at an end of the toner frame away from the photosensitive drum in the second direction when the toner box is installed in the drum box, The drum frame has: a first protrusion located at an end of the drum frame away from the photosensitive drum in the second direction; and a second convex portion, the second convex portion being located at an end of the drum frame away from the photosensitive drum in the second direction and being arranged at a distance from the first convex portion in the first direction, The drum handle is located between the first convex portion and the second convex portion in the first direction, The toner handle has a grip portion extending in the first direction and arranged with a predetermined space between the grip portion and the toner frame in the second direction. When the toner cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge, the gripping portion is located between the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The drum frame has at least one groove located between the first convex portion and the second convex portion, and a portion of the toner handle enters the at least one groove when the toner cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge.

3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The toner handle has: a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion connecting one end of the holding portion in the first direction to the toner frame; as well as a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion connecting the other end of the holding portion in the first direction to the toner frame; The first connecting portion has a first rib protruding toward the drum frame from the gripping portion, The second connecting portion has a second rib protruding toward the drum frame from the gripping portion, The drum frame has: a first groove, the first groove being located between the first protrusion and the drum handle, the first rib entering the first groove when the toner cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge; as well as A second groove is located between the second protrusion and the drum handle. When the toner cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge, the second rib enters the second groove.

4. The process cartridge according to claim 3, wherein: The toner box includes a developing roller rotatable about a developing roller axis extending along the first direction, and when the toner box is mounted on the drum box, the developing roller is located at an end of the toner frame close to the photosensitive drum in the second direction.

5. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The drum handle has a plate shape extending from an end of the drum frame away from the photosensitive drum toward the photosensitive drum in the second direction.

6. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: In the second direction, in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, an end portion of the drum handle close to the photosensitive drum is located closer to the photosensitive drum than the grip portion.

7. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The drum cartridge further includes a lock lever that locks the toner cartridge to the drum cartridge and is movable between a lock position and a lock release position relative to the drum frame. When the toner cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge, the locking lever is located at the locking position. When the lock lever moves from the lock position to the lock release position, the toner box is moved relative to the drum frame in such a manner that the grip portion is separated from the drum handle.

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