Developing box

Abstract

The invention discloses a developing box which comprises a shell used for containing a developing agent, the shell is provided with a first side and a second side which are separated from each other in a first direction, and the shell is provided with a third side and a fourth side which are separated from each other in a second direction; a storage medium comprising an electrical contact surface; an electrode having an electrical contact portion; a distance between the electrical contact portion and the developing roller is less than a distance between the electrical contact portion and the electrical contact surface as measured in the second direction; the developing box further comprises a retainer located on the first side, the retainer supports the electric contact surface, and the retainer is fixedly installed on the first side of the shell or the retainer and the shell are integrally formed. According to the developing box, the problem that the developing chip supported on the developing box is disconnected from the electrical contact of the imaging equipment after the developing box shakes is avoided, and the electrical connection stability of the developing chip and the electrical contact is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electrophotographic imaging, and particularly to a developing cartridge. Background Art

[0002] A developing cartridge is a cartridge storing a developer. After the developer in the developing cartridge is exhausted, after a user purchases a new developing cartridge, the user can replace it by himself without the help of a professional. This simple method is favored by more and more users. And this developing cartridge can cooperate with a drum cartridge and can be detachably installed as a whole into an imaging device.

[0003] In the prior art, a developing cartridge is disclosed. The developing cartridge includes a housing capable of accommodating a developer, a developing holder provided at one side end of the housing, and a developing chip supported on the developing holder. Information such as the model of the developing cartridge and the newness or oldness of the developing cartridge is stored in the developing chip. The developing chip can be in electrical contact with an imaging device to establish a communication connection with the imaging device. However, the developing holder can move relative to the housing within a limited range and stroke, and the developing chip supported on the developing holder will also move along with the movement of the developing holder. This will make the electrical connection between the developing chip and the imaging device unstable and there is a probability of disconnection. Therefore, these situations are obviously not what manufacturers and users want to see. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the present invention provides a developing cartridge to solve the above technical problems, which is mainly achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0005] A developing cartridge capable of being detachably installed into an electrophotographic imaging device having an electrical contact member, the developing cartridge comprising:

[0006] A housing for accommodating a developer, the housing having a first side and a second side separated from each other in a first direction, and the housing having a third side and a fourth side separated from each other in a second direction intersecting with the first direction;

[0007] An input gear for receiving a driving force and rotatable about an input gear axis extending in the first direction, and in the first direction, the input gear is located on the first side of the housing;

[0008] A developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, and in the second direction, the developing roller is located on the third side of the housing;

[0009] A storage medium including an electrical contact surface, and the electrical contact surface is located on the first side of the housing in the first direction;

[0010] Abutting portion, the abutting portion is used to receive the force of the electrophotographic imaging device to lift the electrical contact surface together with the developing cartridge relative to the electrophotographic imaging device, so that the electrical contact surface is electrically connected to the electrical contact member.

[0011] Further, the developing cartridge further includes a chip bracket for supporting the storage medium, and the chip bracket is located on the first side of the housing in the first direction;

[0012] The chip bracket can be lifted upward together with the electrical contact surface and the developing cartridge relative to the electrophotographic imaging device.

[0013] Further, the abutting portion includes a first lifting portion and a second lifting portion, and the first lifting portion and the second lifting portion are oppositely arranged on both sides of the housing in the first direction.

[0014] Further, in the second direction, the abutting portion is closer to the fourth side of the housing than the third side of the housing.

[0015] Further, in the second direction, the abutting portion can move relative to the housing between a first position and a second position closer to the electrical contact surface than the first position.

[0016] Further, the abutting portion includes a force receiving surface; the force receiving surface extends in the first direction.

[0017] Further, in the second direction, the force receiving surface is inclined toward the side away from the developing roller;

[0018] In a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, the force receiving surface is inclined toward the side opposite to the electrical contact surface.

[0019] Further, the developing cartridge further includes a forced push protrusion extending in the first direction;

[0020] In the second direction, the forced push protrusion is closer to the developing roller than the abutting portion.

[0021] Further, the developing cartridge further includes a stirring frame that can rotate around a second axis extending in the first direction;

[0022] In the second direction, the second axis is closer to the first axis than the abutting portion.

[0023] Further, the developing cartridge further includes a locked portion located on the second side of the housing in the first direction;

[0024] In the second direction, the locked portion is farther from the third side of the housing than the abutting portion.

[0025] Beneficial effects:

[0026] By fixing the developing holder on the housing in the developing cartridge of the present invention, the position of the developing holder relative to the housing will not change, avoiding the problem that the developing chip supported thereon is disconnected from the electrical contact of the imaging device after shaking, improving the electrical connection stability between the developing chip and the electrical contact, and further improving the electrical connection stability between the developing chip and the electrical contact by arranging the developing chip to be in elastic contact with the electrical contact. Description of the drawings

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of a drum cartridge in the prior art;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge at a certain angle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge at another angle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge at yet another angle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge at still another angle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge at another angle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the cover being detached from the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the cover and the gear train being detached from the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the holder being detached from the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 10 is an exploded schematic diagram of the holder being detached from the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the holder at a certain angle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 12It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the retainer at a certain angle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 13 It is a schematic diagram of the electrical contact and rib plate in the imaging device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 14 It is a partial schematic diagram of the drum cartridge in another prior art;

[0041] Figure 15 It is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge at a certain angle in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 16 It is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge at another angle in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 17 It is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge at yet another angle in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 18 It is a schematic diagram when the pusher of the developing cartridge is in the first position in Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 19 It is a schematic diagram when the pusher of the developing cartridge is in the third position in Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 20 It is a schematic diagram when the pusher is installed on the cover in Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 21 It is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the outer cover in Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 22 It is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge at a certain angle in Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 23 It is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge at another angle in Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 24 It is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge at an angle in Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 25 It is a schematic diagram of the left side position when the developing cartridge is installed in the imaging device and the outer cover is not in the fully closed state in Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 26 It is a schematic diagram of the left side position when the developing cartridge is installed in the imaging device and the outer cover is in the fully closed state in Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 27 It is a schematic diagram of the right side position when the developing cartridge is installed in the imaging device and the outer cover is not in the fully closed state in Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 28 It is a schematic diagram of the right side position in the fully closed state of the outer cover when the developing cartridge is installed in the imaging device in Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 29 It is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the drum cartridge in Embodiment 8 of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 30 It is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the developing cartridge in Embodiment 8 of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 31 It is a partial three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the left end of the developing cartridge in Embodiment 8 of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 32 It is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the movable member in Embodiment 8 of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 33 It is a schematic diagram of the left side structure of the developing cartridge, drum cartridge and imaging device when the movable member is in the first position state in Embodiment 8 of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 34 It is a schematic diagram of the left side structure of the developing cartridge, drum cartridge and imaging device when the movable member is in the second position state in Embodiment 8 of the present invention. Detailed Embodiment

[0061] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and technical effects of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the developing cartridge of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0062] Embodiment 1

[0063] As Figure 1 shown, a drum cartridge 1 in the prior art is shown. As Figures 2 - 12 shown, a developing cartridge 100 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown. The developing cartridge 100 is detachably installed in the drum cartridge 1, and the two can be installed in the imaging device as a whole. With their joint cooperation, the printing task can be completed. Next, the drum cartridge 1 in the prior art and the developing cartridge 100 in the present invention will be described in detail with reference to specific drawings.

[0064] Drum Cartridge

[0065] As Figure 1As shown, a drum cartridge 1 in the prior art is shown. The drum cartridge 1 includes a drum frame body 1a. The drum frame body 1a has a developing cartridge accommodating portion 2 that accommodates a developing cartridge 100 and is configured as a cavity. A photosensitive drum 3 is arranged on the front side of the developing cartridge accommodating portion 2. A photosensitive drum gear 4 is connected to the left end of the photosensitive drum 3. The photosensitive drum gear 4 can be engaged with a gear (not shown in the drawings) in an imaging device to receive a driving force and rotate, and thus can drive the photosensitive drum 3 to rotate around a photosensitive drum axis extending in the left-right direction. The front-back direction intersects with the left-right direction. The drum cartridge 1 further includes urging components 5 respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the developing cartridge accommodating portion 2. The urging components 5 are elastic urging components and can generate an elastic urging force when subjected to an external force. A locking member 6 is further arranged at the rear side of the urging component 5 on the left side of the drum cartridge 1. The locking member 6 is not limited to being arranged at the position behind the urging component 5 on the left side of the drum cartridge 1. The locking member 6 can lock the developing cartridge 100 by blocking the movement of the developing cartridge 100, so as to prevent the developing cartridge 100 from detaching from the drum cartridge 1 when no external force is applied after being installed in the drum cartridge 1. Guide portions 9 are further arranged on both sides of the developing cartridge accommodating portion 2 in the left-right direction. The guide portions 9 are used to guide the developing cartridge 100 to move to a correct position in the developing cartridge accommodating portion 2. In the front-back direction, the guide portions 9 are located between the photosensitive drum 3 and the urging component assembly 5. When observing along the left-right direction, the urging components 5, the guide portions 9, and the photosensitive drum 3 are arranged in an overall trend from back to front in the front-back direction.

[0066] Developing cartridge

[0067] As Figures 2 - 12As shown in the figure, a developing cartridge 100 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown. The developing cartridge 100 is detachably mounted in the above-mentioned drum cartridge 1. The developing cartridge 100 includes a housing 101. The housing 101 includes a housing main body 101a that can accommodate a developer and a cover 101b detachably mounted on the left side of the housing main body 101a. The cover 101b can cover the gear train of the developing cartridge 100. The gear train of the developing cartridge 100 includes, but is not limited to, a driving gear 111, a developing roller gear 112, an agitator gear 113, and a powder feeding roller gear 114. The driving gear 111 is disposed at the left end of the housing 101 and includes a coupling portion 111a that can be coupled to an imaging device and receive a driving force from the imaging device, and gear teeth 111b integrally provided with the coupling portion 111a and capable of meshing with the developing roller gear 112 and the powder feeding roller gear 114. The gear teeth 111b can drive the developing roller gear 112 and the powder feeding roller gear 114 to rotate. The agitator gear 113 can receive the driving force of the driving gear 111 through an idler gear 115 and rotate. The developing cartridge 100 further includes an agitator 102, a powder feeding roller 103, and a developing roller 104 supported on the housing 101. The left ends thereof are respectively connected to the agitator gear 113, the powder feeding roller gear 114, and the developing roller gear 112. Each gear can respectively drive the agitator 102, the powder feeding roller 103, and the developing roller 104 to rotate around their respective axes extending in the left-right direction. The developing roller 104 is disposed at the front end of the housing 101 in the front-rear direction. When the developing cartridge 100 is mounted in the drum cartridge 1, the developing roller 104 of the developing cartridge 100 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 3 of the drum cartridge 1. During the specific working process of the developing cartridge 100, the rotating agitator 102 can agitate the developer located in the housing main body 101a and convey the developer to the powder feeding roller 103. The powder feeding roller 103 conveys the developer to the developing roller 104 while rotating. Further, the developing roller 104 can convey the developer carried thereon to the photosensitive drum 3 through contact with the photosensitive drum 3 to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 3. The developing cartridge 100 is further provided with an electrode 105, which includes an electrical contact portion 105a disposed at the right end of the developing cartridge 100. The electrical contact portion 105a can be electrically connected to the power supply component of the imaging device. The electrode 105 can supply power to the developing roller 104 and the powder feeding roller 103 through the electrical connection between the electrical contact portion 105a and the power supply component to ensure that the developer can be stably conveyed.

[0068] The developing cartridge 100 includes a blade 107 for controlling the thickness of the developer attached to the developing roller 104. The blade 107 is located between the powder feeding roller 103 and the developing roller 104 in the front-rear direction. There is a certain gap between the blade 107 and the developing roller 104 to control the thickness of the developer attached to the developing roller.

[0069] At the left and right ends of the developing cartridge 100, there are also respectively provided forced push protrusions 121, which extend outward from the bottom left and right sides of the protective cover 101b and are formed. In the front-rear direction, the forced push protrusions 121 are farther away from the developing roller axis A2 than the driving gear 111 and the stirring frame axis A1. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum cartridge 1, the forced push assembly 5 of the drum cartridge 1 can be used to elastically push the forced push protrusions 121 forward (i.e., in the direction close to the developing roller 104 or the photosensitive drum 3), so that the developing roller 104 (described below) of the developing cartridge 100 is kept in close contact with the photosensitive drum 3, ensuring that the developer on the developing roller 104 can be normally transported to the photosensitive drum 3 and avoiding printing quality problems. It is worth mentioning that the structure for receiving the elastic pushing force is not limited to being in contact with the forced push assembly 5 and being forced to push. Similar structures to the forced push assembly 5 can also be used on the developing cartridge 100 to contact and be forced to push other components in the drum cartridge 1, which is not limited; The developing cartridge 100 also includes a locked portion 122 provided on the left side of the housing body 101a, which extends backward from the rear end wall of the protective cover 101b, that is, extends from front to back. The locked portion 122 can move together with the housing 101. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum cartridge 1, the locked portion 122 can abut against and be blocked by the locking member 6 to lock the developing cartridge 100 and prevent the developing cartridge 100 from detaching from the drum cartridge 1 when no external force is applied after being installed in the drum cartridge 1. At the left and right ends of the developing cartridge 100, there are also respectively provided guided protrusions 123, which extend outward from the left and right end walls of the protective cover 101b. Projected along the left-right direction, at least part of the guided protrusions 123 coincides with the developing roller 104. In other embodiments, the guided protrusions 123 can also be configured as the developing roller shafts 104 that extend out of the outer sides of the housing 101 in the left-right direction; During the installation of the developing cartridge 100 into the drum cartridge 1, the guided protrusions 123 cooperate with the guiding portion 9 to install the developing cartridge 100 to the correct position in the developing cartridge receiving portion 2 of the drum cartridge 1.

[0070] The developing cartridge 100 further includes a chip 132 disposed at the left end of the housing 101 and a holder 130 for supporting the chip 132. Specifically, the holder 130 is fixedly installed on the outer side of the cover 101b. The outer side of the cover 101b is the side of the cover 101b facing the outside of the developing cartridge 100. Corresponding to the outer side is the inner side of the cover 101b. The inner side is the side of the cover 101b facing the housing main body 101a. Specifically, after the holder 130 is positioned by the cooperation of the positioning posts 130a provided on the cover 101b or the holder 130 and the positioning holes 130b, it is then fastened to the cover 101b by means of elastic buckles 130c or screws, etc., to facilitate the disassembly, replacement, and upgrade of the chip 132. In other alternative embodiments, the holding part 130 may also be formed by extending in the left-right direction from the left end of the housing 101. Specifically, the holding part 130 is formed by extending from the outer side of the cover from right to left. Optionally, the holding part 130 may be formed by extending from the left end of the housing main body 101a to the left. That is to say, the holder 130 may also be integrally formed with the cover 101b or the housing main body 101a. This is not limited as long as it is ensured that the holder 130 is fixedly installed on the cover 101b to accurately support the chip 132 and its electrical contact surface 132a.

[0071] The chip 132 is supported on the holder 130. Since the holder 130 is fixedly installed on the housing 101, the position of the holder 130 relative to the housing 101 is kept fixed. Therefore, the position of the chip 132 supported on the holder 130 and the electrical contact surface 132a of the chip 132 is further suppressed, and the contact with the electrical contact 12 in the imaging device described later will also be more stable. The chip 132 includes an electrical contact surface 132a electrically connected to the imaging device and a storage part (not shown). The electrical contact surface 132a can be electrically connected to the electrical contact 12 of the imaging device, and information such as the model, newness / oldness, and maximum number of printed pages of the developing cartridge 100 is stored in the storage part, which is electrically connected to the electrical contact surface 132a. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum cartridge 1, the developing cartridge 100 can read the information in the storage part through the electrical connection between the electrical contact surface 132a and the electrical contact of the imaging device, thereby establishing a communication connection with the imaging device to determine information such as the model, newness / oldness, and maximum number of printed pages of the developing cartridge 100. When the developer in the developing cartridge 100 is about to be exhausted, the imaging device can prompt the user to replace the new developing cartridge through the operation panel. Therefore, by providing the chip 132, the developing cartridge 100 can improve the informatization level of the developing cartridge 100, enhance the user experience, and, compared with the counting tooth structure of the prior art, the volume occupied by the developing chip is smaller than that of the counting tooth structure, which helps to reduce the size of the developing cartridge and is conducive to the miniaturization of the developing cartridge.

[0072] When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum cartridge 1, the electrical contact surface 132a of the chip 132 is located between the developing roller 104 and the forced push protrusion 121 in the front-rear direction, and the electrical contact surface 132a of the chip 132 is almost maximally away from the electrical contact portion 105a of the electrode 105 in the left-right direction; in addition, when measured in the front-rear direction, the distance between the electrical contact portion 105a and the electrical contact surface 132a of the chip 132 is greater than the distance between the electrical contact portion 105a of the electrode 105 and the developing roller 104; in this way, when they are respectively electrically connected to the imaging device, the mutual interference will be significantly reduced.

[0073] The retainer 130 includes a main body portion 131a, a connecting portion 131b, a chip mounting groove 131c, and a positioning protrusion 131d. The connecting portion 131b is connected between the main body portion 131 and the cover 101b, and the connecting portion 131b extends in the left-right direction, that is, the main body portion 131a, the connecting portion 131b, and the cover 101b are arranged in sequence from left to right. A chip mounting groove 131c is recessed downward on the upper surface of the main body portion 131a, and the chip 132 is mounted in the chip mounting groove 131c. A positioning protrusion 131d extends upward on the upper surface of the connecting portion 131b, and the positioning protrusion 131d is correspondingly arranged with the recess of the imaging device for guiding the installation of the developing cartridge 100 and limiting the position of the retainer 130. A limiting groove 131e is also formed between the main body portion 131a and the positioning protrusion 131d, and the limiting groove 131e is correspondingly arranged with the protrusion 12c of the imaging device.

[0074] To ensure the stable connection between the chip 132 and the imaging device, the developing cartridge 100 further includes a movable member 140 having a force receiving portion. The force receiving portion can receive an external force to drive the developing cartridge 100 to move by the movable member 140, and the chip 132 and its electrical contact surface 132a can move together with the whole of the developing cartridge 100. Specifically, after the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the force receiving portion can abut against a support portion (not shown) inside the imaging device, so that the force receiving portion drives the whole of the developing cartridge 100 to move in the direction of bringing the electrical contact surface 132a into contact with the electrical contact 12.

[0075] Specifically, as Figure 13 shown, the inside of the imaging device is provided with an electrical contact 12 and a groove 12a for accommodating the electrical contact 12. Side walls 12b are provided on both sides of the groove 12a in the front-rear direction. The inside of the imaging device is also provided with a support portion located below the groove 12a in the up-down direction. The support portion is configured as a rib plate 13 extending in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the rib plate 13 is also configured as a guide for guiding the installation of the developing cartridge 100 and the drum cartridge 1 into the imaging device.

[0076] The movable member 140 is movable relative to the housing 101. The movable member 140 can receive an external force to drive the overall movement of the developing cartridge 100. Preferably, the movable member 140 is located below the retainer 130 in the up-down direction. The movable member 140 is disposed in the receiving cavity 131g opened at the bottom of the retainer 130. The receiving cavity 131g extends in the up-down direction. The movable member 140 moves relative to the retainer 130 in the up-down direction along the receiving cavity 131g. A groove and a limiting block are further provided between the retainer 130 and the movable member 140 to prevent the movable member 140 from falling off the retainer 130, but this is not limiting. It is also possible to prevent the movable member 140 from falling off the retainer 130 through a long hole and a pin, etc. An elastic member 150 is provided between the movable member 140 and the retainer 130. At least a part of the elastic member 150 is located inside the receiving cavity 131g. The elastic member 150 is preferably a compression spring. That is to say, the retainer 130 is fixed relative to the housing 101. And in the state where the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the movable member 140 can abut against the rib 13 of the imaging device to receive the supporting force provided by the imaging device to the movable member 140 and push the electrical contact surface 132a into contact with the electrical contact 12 of the imaging device. Such a structure can also achieve the contact effect of the chip 132 in contact with the electrical contact 12, improving the electrical connection stability between the developing chip and the electrical contact 12.

[0077] The movable member 140 is movable between a first position and a second position. The first position of the movable member 140 is at least partially farther from the electrical contact surface 132a in the up-down direction than the second position. The first position is the position where the movable member 140 is located when the movable member 140 is not subject to force. The second position is the position where the movable member 140 is closest to the electrical contact surface 132a. When the movable member 140 is not subject to an external force from outside the developing cartridge 100, the elastic force generated by the elastic member 150 is applied to the movable member 140 and can hold the movable member 140 in the first position. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed inside the imaging device, the movable member 140 of the developing cartridge 100 abuts against the rib 13, and the rib 13 applies an upward force to the movable member 140. The movable member 140 can overcome the elastic force of the elastic member 150 under the action of the supporting force and retract inward to a third position between the first position and the second position, so that the electrical contact surface 132a enters the inside of the guiding groove 12a and contacts the electrical contact 12. Under the action of the elastic member 150, the electrical contact surface 132a of the chip 132 remains in contact with the electrical contact 12 of the imaging device, which can also improve the electrical connection stability between the chip 132 and the electrical contact 12.

[0078] Furthermore, during the installation of the developer cartridge 100 into the imaging device, the user pushes the developer cartridge 100 from the back to the front to install it into the interior of the imaging device. During this process, the retainer 130 abuts against the side wall 12b on the rear side of the guide groove 12a. Both sides of the retainer 130 in the front-to-back direction are provided with inclined surfaces 131f. Under the pushing force of the user, the side wall 12b exerts a downward thrust on the retainer 130. At this time, the retainer 130 drives the developer cartridge 100 to move downward as a whole, so that the developer cartridge 100 can continue to move forward over the side wall 12b under the pushing force of the user. During the downward movement of the developer cartridge 100, the distance between the movable member 140 and the electrical contact surface 132a becomes shorter, thereby compressing the length of the elastic member 150 so that the elastic member 150 accumulates elastic potential energy. When the developer cartridge 100 moves to the position where the electrical contact surface 132a is located below the guide groove 12a, the elastic member 150 extends The elastic potential energy is released, and the elastic member 150 pushes the movable member 140 to move to a position further away from the electrical contact surface 132a. Under the action of the supporting force of the rib 13 on the movable member 140 and the elastic force of the elastic member 150, the movable member 140 drives the entire developer box 100 to move in the direction of making the electrical contact surface 132a contact with the electrical contact 12 so that the developer box 100 moves to the installation position. The installation position is a position where the developer box 100 can perform imaging operations inside the imaging device. At the installation position, the electrical contact surface 132a contacts with the electrical contact 12 of the imaging device so that a communication link is established between the developer box 100 and the imaging device. The upward supporting force applied by the rib 13 to the movable member 140 and the elastic force provided by the elastic member 150 can keep the developer box 100 with a tendency to move upward in the up-down direction, so that the electrical contact surface 132a of the developer box 100 and the electrical contact 12 inside the imaging device maintain stability in connection.

[0079] In contrast, when the user needs to remove the developer box 100 from the imaging device, the user pulls the developer box 100 backward to move the developer box 100 outward from front to back. During this process, the retainer 130 abuts against the front side wall 12b of the guide groove 12a. Under the pulling force of the user, the side wall 12b applies a downward thrust to the retainer 130. At this time, the retainer 130 drives the developer box 100 to move downward as a whole, so that the developer box 100 can continue to move backward over the side wall 12b under the pushing force of the user until it leaves the imaging device.

[0080] The bottom of the movable member 140 in the up-and-down direction is generally tapered with a larger upper part and a smaller lower part, and the edges and corners of the bottom of the movable member 140 are all rounded to reduce the contact surface between the movable member 140 and the rib 13, and make the contact surface between the movable member 140 and the rib 13 smoother, so that the frictional force between the movable member 140 and the rib 13 is smaller, thereby making the loading and unloading of the developing cartridge 100 to the imaging device smoother; the rib 13 includes a recess 13a provided at the bottom of the export groove 12a, and the bottom of the movable member 140 cooperates with the recess of the rib 13 to stabilize the position of the movable member 140, thereby further providing the stability of the electrical contact surface 132a contacting the electrical contact 12; a limiting groove 140a is also provided at the bottom of the movable member 140, and a second rib 13b cooperating with the limiting groove 140a is provided at the top of the rib 13 to limit the movement of the movable member 140 in the left-right direction. Further, in order to reduce the excessive frictional force generated between the pressing force applied by the elastic member 150 to the movable member 140 and the inner wall of the imaging device and affect the normal loading and unloading of the developing cartridge 100 to the imaging device, the elastic force F applied by the elastic member 150 to the movable member 140 should be less than 15 Newtons. In order to improve the user experience when loading and unloading the developing cartridge 100, the elastic force F applied by the elastic member 150 to the movable member 140 should be less than 10 Newtons. In order to ensure that the imaging cartridge 100 can overcome its own gravity to keep the electrical contact surface 132a in contact with the electrical contact 12 during the imaging process of the developing cartridge 100, when the electrical contact surface 132a is connected to the electrical contact 12, the acting force F applied by the elastic member 150 to the movable member 140 should be greater than 4.5 Newtons. In order to further ensure the stability of the contact between the electrical contact surface 132a and the electrical contact 12, when the electrical contact surface 132a is connected to the electrical contact 12, the acting force F applied by the elastic member 150 to the movable member 140 should be greater than 7.4 Newtons. That is to say, when the electrical contact surface 132a is connected to the electrical contact 12, the acting force F applied by the elastic member 150 to the movable member 140 should be maintained between 5 and 15 Newtons. Preferably, when the electrical contact surface 132a is connected to the electrical contact 12, the acting force F applied by the elastic member 150 to the movable member 140 should be maintained between 7.4 and 10 Newtons.

[0081] More specifically, in order to miniaturize the developing cartridge 100 and make the loading and unloading of the developing cartridge 100 into the imaging device smoother, the maximum movement amount S of the movable member 140 is less than 6 mm; at the same time, in order to ensure that the imaging cartridge 100 can overcome its own gravity to keep the electrical contact surface 132a in contact with the electrical contact 12 during the imaging process of the developing cartridge 100, when the electrical contact surface 132a is connected to the electrical contact 12, the acting force F applied by the elastic member 150 to the movable member 140 should be greater than 4.5 Newtons; therefore, taking the compression spring as the elastic member 150 as an example, the elastic coefficient (F / S) of the compression spring should be greater than 0.75 N / mm.

[0082] Example 2

[0083] As Figure 1 and 14 shown, different from the above Example 1, in this example, the locking member 6 of the drum cartridge 1 adapted to the developing cartridge 100 can also be provided at the rear side of the pushing component 5 on the right side of the drum cartridge 1; and the locking member 6 includes a locking portion 6a and a lifting portion 6b. The locking portion 6a is disposed closer to the upper side of the drum cartridge 1 relative to the lifting portion 6b. The locking member 6 can rotate around the shaft 6c provided between the locking portion 6a and the lifting portion 6b. Among them, the locking portion 6a can lock the developing cartridge 100 by blocking the movement of the developing cartridge 100, preventing the developing cartridge 100 from detaching from the drum cartridge 1 when not subjected to external force after being installed in the drum cartridge 1. The lifting portion 6b can push the developing cartridge 100 upward when the developing cartridge 100 needs to be disassembled from the drum cartridge 1, so that the locking portion 6a of the developing cartridge 100 is disengaged from contact with the developing cartridge 100 to release the locking with the drum cartridge 1.

[0084] As Figures 15 - 17 shown, the developing cartridge 100 in this example includes a locked portion 122 and a lifted protrusion 123 provided on the left side of the housing main body 101a. The locked portion 122 and the lifted protrusion 123 are both formed by extending outward from the right end wall of the housing main body 101a, that is, extending from left to right. In the front-rear direction intersecting with the left-right direction, the pushed protrusion 121, the locked portion 122, and the lifted protrusion 123 are arranged in sequence from front to back. In the front-rear direction, the pushed protrusion 121 is located between the electrical contact surface 132a and the driving gear 111. The pushed protrusion 121, the locked portion 122, and the lifted protrusion 123 can all move together with the housing 101. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum cartridge 1, the locked portion 122 can abut against and be blocked by the locking portion 6a of the locking member 6 to lock the developing cartridge 100, preventing the developing cartridge 100 from detaching from the drum cartridge 1 when not subjected to external force after being installed in the drum cartridge 1. When the developing cartridge 100 needs to be disassembled from the drum cartridge 1, by pressing the locking member 6 downward to make the locking member 6 rotate around the shaft 6c, the lifting portion 6b can push the developing cartridge 100 upward to lift the developing cartridge 100, so that the locked portion 122 of the developing cartridge 100 is disengaged from contact with the locking portion 6a of the locking member 6 to unlock the developing cartridge. At this time, even if the operator no longer presses the locking member 6, the operator can freely take out the developing cartridge 100 from the drum cartridge 1. Therefore, the provision of the lifted protrusion 123 can facilitate the user to take out the developing cartridge 100 from the drum cartridge 1. However, in some embodiments, the lifted protrusion 123 can also be cancelled, which does not affect the cooperation between the developing cartridge 100 and the drum cartridge 1 and the printing quality. It's just that when taking out the developing cartridge 100, it is necessary to press the locking member 6 and take out the developing cartridge 100 simultaneously until the locking portion 6a of the locking member 6 can no longer block the locked portion 122 of the developing cartridge 100.

[0085] Example 3

[0086] As shown Figures 18 - 20 in the figure, a developing cartridge 400 in Example 3 is shown. The parts of the developing cartridge 400 that are the same as those in the above-mentioned Examples 1-2 will not be described here again. The difference lies in that the structure for forcing the developing chip 432 to be elastically in contact with the electrical contact of the imaging device on the developing cartridge 400 is different. Specifically, in this embodiment, the developing holder 430 is fixedly installed on the cover 401b, and the developing chip 432 is also fixedly installed in the developing holder 430, so that the positions of the developing holder 430 and the developing chip 432 relative to the housing 401 are fixed; the developing cartridge 400 further includes a pushing member 450 movably installed on the lower side of the cover 401b (i.e., the side facing the drum cartridge 1 when the developing cartridge 400 is installed in the drum cartridge 1). The pushing member 450 can move relative to the cover 401b in the up and down directions. An elastic member 440 is provided between the pushing member 450 and the cover 401b. The elastic member 440 is preferably a compression spring. When the pushing member 450 is not subjected to an external force from outside the developing cartridge 400, the elastic force generated by the elastic member 440 is applied to the pushing member 450 and can hold the pushing member 450 in the first position. When the pushing member 450 is subjected to an external pushing force from outside the developing cartridge 400, that is, when the developing cartridge 400 is installed into the drum cartridge 1, the pushing member 450 abuts against the inner wall of the drum cartridge 1. Under the action of the self-gravity of the developing cartridge 400, the pushing member 450 can overcome the elastic force of the elastic member 440 and retract inward to the second position. At least a part of the pushing member 450 in the second position is closer to the developing electrical contact surface 432a of the developing chip 432 than the pushing member 450 in the first position. When the developing cartridge 400 and the drum cartridge 1 are installed together into the imaging device, as the door cover is closed, the electrical contact moves downward and presses the developing electrical contact surface 432a of the developing chip 432, causing the developing cartridge 400 to move downward a further distance, so that the pushing member 450 moves from the second position to the third position. At least a part of the pushing member 450 in the third position is closer to the developing electrical contact surface 432a of the developing chip 432 than the pushing member 450 in the second position. At this time, the developing electrical contact surface 432a of the developing chip 432 remains elastically in contact with the electrical contact of the imaging device, which can also improve the electrical connection stability between the developing chip 432 and the electrical contact.

[0087] It is worth mentioning that in order to further improve the elastic contact stability between the developing chip 432 and the electrical contact of the imaging device, the developing chip 432 in this embodiment can be the same as the developing chip in Example 3. An elastic member is provided between the developing chip 432 and the developing holder, so that the developing electrical contact surface 432a of the developing chip 432 can move relative to the developing holder.

[0088] Example 4

[0089] As shown Figures 21 - 28 in FIG. 4, a developing cartridge 800 in Embodiment 4 is shown. The parts identical to those of the developing cartridge in the above embodiments will not be described herein again. The difference from the above embodiments is that the interior of the imaging device includes an installation cavity for installing the developing cartridge 800 and the drum cartridge 1. An outer cover 11 is provided at the outlet of the installation cavity, and an electrical contact 12 capable of being connected to the electrical contact surface 832a is provided inside the installation cavity. An abutting portion is provided on one side of the developing cartridge 800 in the left-right direction. After the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the abutting portion can abut against the outer cover 11 of the imaging device and receive the thrust of the outer cover 11 to drive the developing cartridge 800 to move inside the imaging device, so that the electrical contact surface 832a of the developing cartridge 800 contacts the electrical contact 12, thereby establishing a communication connection between the developing cartridge 800 and the imaging device.

[0090] Specifically, a reinforcing plate 11a is provided inside the outer cover 11 of the imaging device. The reinforcing plate 11a includes a support surface 11b facing forward and upward; the abutting portion is configured as an abutting surface 851 at the rear end of the cover 801b provided on the left side of the developing cartridge 800. The abutting surface 851 extends in the left-right direction, and the abutting surface 851 is inclined rearward and downward; the reinforcing plate 11a and the abutting surface 851 at least partially overlap in the left-right direction.

[0091] During the installation of the developing cartridge 800 into the imaging device, the developing cartridge 800 moves from the rear to the front into the interior of the installation cavity of the imaging device. At this time, as shown Figure 28 in FIG. 5, the electrical contact surface 832a of the developing chip 832 of the developing cartridge 800 is spaced below the electrical contact 12. Then, the user rotates the outer cover 11 upward and fixes the outer cover 11 at the outlet of the receiving cavity through a locking member (not shown) provided between the main body of the imaging device and the outer cover 11; as shown Figure 29 in FIG. 6, during the upward rotation of the outer cover 11, the reinforcing plate 11a of the outer cover 11 contacts the abutting surface 851 and applies a thrust to the abutting surface 851;

[0092] After the abutting surface 851 receives the thrust force, under the action of the thrust force, the abutting surface 851 drives the developing cartridge 800 to rotate upward around the axis of the developing roller 804. The electrical contact surface 832a rotates upward around the developing roller axis together with the developing cartridge 800 and contacts the electrical contact 12 to establish an electrical connection between the electrical contact surface 832a and the electrical contact 12. Thus, the developing cartridge 800 and the imaging device establish a communication link to achieve the communication connection between the developing cartridge 800 and the imaging device; further, when the outer cover 11 is locked at the opening of the accommodating cavity, the supporting surface 11b of the outer cover 11 abuts against the abutting surface 851, and the supporting surface 11b exerts an upward reaction force on the abutting surface 851 to maintain the stable contact between the electrical contact surface 832a and the electrical contact 12, thereby ensuring the stable communication connection between the developing cartridge and the imaging device.

[0093] Optionally, in other embodiments of the present embodiment, the abutting portion is configured as an abutting plate 852 extending outward from the right side of the housing 801. The abutting plate 852 includes a second abutting surface 852a facing rearward and downward, and a reinforcing rib 852b disposed above the front of the abutting plate 852. Similar to the above embodiment, after the developing cartridge 800 is installed in the imaging device, the outer cover 11 rotates upward, so that the supporting surface 11b of the reinforcing plate 11a abuts against the second abutting surface 852a and exerts a thrust force on the second abutting surface 852a. After the abutting surface 851 receives the thrust force, under the action of the thrust force, the abutting surface 851 drives the developing cartridge 800 to rotate upward around the axis of the developing roller 804. The electrical contact surface 832a rotates upward around the developing roller axis together with the developing cartridge 800. Thus, the developing cartridge 800 and the imaging device establish a communication link to achieve the communication connection between the developing cartridge 800 and the imaging device.

[0094] Preferably, in another embodiment of the present embodiment, an abutting surface 851 and an abutting plate 852 are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the developing cartridge 800; correspondingly, the outer cover 11 includes two reinforcing plates 11a respectively adapted to the abutting surface 851 and the abutting plate 852 of the developing cartridge 800. During the upward rotation of the outer cover 11, the two reinforcing plates 11a respectively contact the abutting surface 851 and the abutting plate 852, further improving the stability of the contact between the electrical contact surface 832a and the electrical contact 12.

[0095] It is worth mentioning that in order to make the electrical contact surface 832a of the developing chip 832 have higher positioning accuracy, that is, to ensure that after the developing cartridge 800 is installed in the imaging device, the electrical contact surface 832a can easily contact the electrical contact 12. There is also a guiding groove 12a provided inside the imaging device. The guiding groove 12a has an opening facing downward, and the electrical contact 12 is arranged inside the guiding groove 12a. When the user installs the developing cartridge 500 inside the imaging device, the electrical contact surface 832a is located below the guiding groove 12a in the vertical direction. After that, the user pushes the outer cover 11 upward to close the imaging device. The outer cover 11 abuts against the force-receiving end of the abutting surface 851 and applies a forward force to the force-receiving end. After the abutting surface 851 is stressed, it drives the developing cartridge 800 to move upward, so that the electrical contact surface 832a enters the guiding groove 12a and contacts the electrical contact 12, thus realizing the accurate and stable connection between the electrical contact surface 832a and the electrical contact 12.

[0096] In order to further improve the elastic contact stability between the developing chip 832 and the electrical contact 12 of the imaging device, the developing chip 832 in this embodiment can be the same as the developing chip in Embodiment 1. An elastic member is provided between the developing chip 832 and the developing holder 830, so that the developing electrical contact surface 832a of the developing chip 832 is movable relative to the developing holder.

[0097] Embodiment 5

[0098] As Figures 29 - 34 shown, a developing cartridge 900 in Embodiment 5 is shown. The parts that are the same as the developing cartridge in the above embodiments will not be described in detail here. The difference from the above embodiments is that the left side inside the drum frame 51 of the drum cartridge 50 is provided with a stepped surface 57, and the stepped surface 57 includes a plurality of acting surfaces facing upward in the vertical direction. The developing cartridge 900 is provided with a lifting portion 950. After the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the lifting portion 950 is simultaneously subjected to the pressing force of the outer cover 11 in the imaging device and the supporting force of the stepped surface 57 in the drum cartridge 50, so that the lifting portion 950 drives the developing cartridge 900 and the electrical contact surface 932a provided thereon to move upward in the vertical direction and make the electrical contact surface 932a contact the electrical contact 12 of the imaging device, so as to ensure the stable electrical connection between the electrical contact surface 932a and the electrical contact 12 in the imaging device, and further ensure the stability of the communication link between the developing cartridge 900 and the imaging device.

[0099] In the developing cartridge 900, an installation groove 951 is formed by inward depression at the rear side of the housing 901. Specifically, the installation groove 951 is formed by inward depression at the rear side of the cover 901b located on the left side of the housing main body 901a. An active member 953 and an elastic member 952 connecting the active member 953 and the cover 901b are arranged inside the installation groove 951. The installation groove 951 extends in the front-rear direction, and the active member 953 can slide along the installation groove 951 in the front-rear direction. The active member 953 has a limiting portion 953a, a force-receiving portion 953b, and a supported portion 953c. The limiting portion 953a cooperates with the auxiliary groove 951a of the installation groove 951 to prevent the active member 953 from falling off the installation groove 951. After the developing cartridge 900 is installed in the imaging device, the force-receiving portion 953b of the active member 953 contacts the outer cover 11 of the imaging device. Specifically, the force-receiving portion 953b contacts the reinforcing plate 11a of the outer cover 11, and a forward thrust in the front-rear direction is applied to the force-receiving portion 953b, so that the active member 953 slides forward relative to the housing 901 from the rear. During the forward sliding process of the active member 953 from the rear, the supported portion 953c of the active member 953 contacts the step surface 57 of the drum cartridge 50, so that the active member 953 receives the supporting force of the step surface 57. Under the action of the supporting force, the active member 953 drives the lower developing cartridge 900 to move upward, so that the electrical contact surface 932a contacts the electrical contact 12, thereby ensuring a stable electrical connection between the developing cartridge 900 and the imaging device.

[0100] Further, the force-receiving portion 953b is configured as a contact surface extending in the left-right direction to ensure the contact between the reinforcing plate 11a and the force-receiving portion 953b when the developing cartridge 900 is installed in the imaging device. Furthermore, the active member 953 further includes an extension portion 953d extending in the left-right direction from the side surface of the active member 953 to expand the contact area of the force-receiving portion 953b, so as to ensure that the active member 953 can stably obtain the thrust from the imaging device to maintain the supporting effect of the lifting portion 950 on the developing cartridge 900. In the state where the developing cartridge 900 is installed on the drum cartridge 50, in the left-right direction, the active member 953 and the step surface 57 at least partially overlap. That is to say, in the left-right direction, the supported portion 953c and the step 57 at least partially overlap to ensure that when the developing cartridge 900 is installed in the imaging device, the supported portion 953c can contact the step surface 57, so that the step surface 57 can apply a supporting force to the supported portion 953c.

[0101] The stepped surface 57 includes a first acting surface 57a, a second acting surface 57b, and a third acting surface 57c, as well as a first side surface 57d, a second side surface 57e, and a third side surface 57f for connecting multiple acting surfaces; in the up-down direction, the first acting surface 57a, the second acting surface 57b, and the third acting surface 57c are arranged in sequence from top to bottom, and in the left-right direction, the first acting surface 57a, the second acting surface 57b, and the third acting surface 57c are arranged in sequence from left to right. The multiple acting surfaces are used to cooperate with the movable member 953 to drive the developing cartridge 900 to move upward; taking the first acting surface 57a as an example, in the state where the developing cartridge 900 is installed on the drum cartridge 50, in the left-right direction, the supported portion 953c of the movable member 953 at least partially coincides with the first acting surface 57a; when the movable member 953 is pushed by the outer cover 11 and slides forward along the installation groove 951 from the rear, the supported portion 953c of the movable member 953 contacts the first acting surface 57a, so that the movable member 953 receives the supporting force of the first acting surface 57a. Under the action of the supporting force, the movable member 953 drives the developing cartridge 900 to move upward, so that the electrical contact surface 932a contacts the electrical contact 12, thereby ensuring a stable electrical connection between the developing cartridge 900 and the imaging device. Further, the multiple side surfaces can also be set as inclined cut surfaces facing the upper right, and cooperate with the movable member 953 to support the movable member 953 to drive the developing cartridge 900 to move upward.

[0102] The process of installing the developing cartridge 900 onto the imaging device will be described in detail below. As Figures 33 - 34 shown, in use, the user installs the developing cartridge 900 into the interior of the imaging device from the rear to the front. At this time, the movable member 953 is in the first position as Figure 33 shown, and the developing chip 932 and its electrical contact surface 932a are located below the guiding groove 12a. Then, the user pushes the outer cover 11 to rotate upward, so that the reinforcing plate 11a of the outer cover 11 contacts the force-receiving portion 953b of the movable member 953. Under the continuous pushing of the user, the reinforcing plate 11a exerts a forward pushing force on the force-receiving portion 953b, so that the movable member 953 slides forward from the first position along the installation groove 951 in the substantially front-rear direction smoothly Figure 34At the second position shown, during the sliding of the movable member 953, the supported portion 953c of the movable member 953 abuts against the first acting surface 57a. Under continuous pushing during use, the movable member 953 is supported between the drum frame 51 of the drum cartridge 50 and the housing 901. That is, the supported portion 953c receives the supporting force of the first acting surface 57a. This supporting force is transmitted to the housing 901 through the contact between the upper surface of the movable member 953 and the upper wall of the mounting groove 951, so that the movable member 953 drives the developing cartridge 900 to move upward. During the upward movement of the developing cartridge 900, the electrical contact surface 932a enters the inside of the guiding groove 12a and contacts the electrical contact 12, thereby realizing electrical connection between the electrical contact surface 932a and the electrical contact 12 and establishing a communication link between the developing cartridge 900 and the imaging device. In the working state of the developing cartridge 900 and the imaging device, the outer cover 11 is locked on one side of the developing cartridge 900, so that the reinforcing plate 11a of the outer cover 11 always maintains a pressing force on the movable member 953, and further the movable member 953 is maintained between the first acting surface 57a and the housing 901 to maintain a stable electrical connection between the electrical contact surface 932a and the electrical contact 12, avoiding the occurrence of communication interruption between the developing cartridge 900 and the imaging device.

[0103] When the imaging device needs to replace the developing cartridge 900, the user opens the outer cover 11. At this time, the pressing force received by the movable member 953 disappears. Under the action of the elastic member 952, the movable member 953 returns from the second position to the first position, and the developing cartridge 900 moves downward under the action of gravity, so that the developing chip 932 leaves the guiding groove 12a, facilitating the user to take out the developing cartridge 900 and replace it with a new developing cartridge 900 for reuse; the elastic member 952 is preferably a spring.

[0104] Furthermore, the length of the movable member 953 in the up-and-down direction gradually shortens from the rear end in the front-and-rear direction to the front end in the front-and-rear direction. When the movable member 953 receives a forward pressing force, it is convenient for the movable member 953 to provide an upward force to the housing 901 when the movable member 953 abuts against the first acting surface 57a, so as to drive the developing cartridge 900 to move upward.

[0105] Beneficial effects

[0106] In the developing cartridge of the present invention, by fixing the developing holder on the housing, the position of the developing holder relative to the housing will not change, avoiding the problem that the electrical contact between the developing chip supported thereon and the electrical contact of the imaging device is disconnected due to its shaking, improving the electrical connection stability between the developing chip and the electrical contact. And by arranging the developing chip to be in elastic contact with the electrical contact, the electrical connection stability between the developing chip and the electrical contact is further improved.

[0107] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge that can be detachably mounted to an electrophotographic imaging apparatus having an electrical contact member, the developing cartridge comprises: a housing for accommodating a developer, the housing having a first side and a second side separated in a first direction, and a third side and a fourth side separated in a second direction intersecting the first direction; an input gear for receiving a driving force and rotatable about an input gear axis extending in the first direction, the input gear being located on the first side of the housing in the first direction; a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller being located on the third side of the housing in the second direction; characterized in that it further comprises: a storage medium including an electrical contact surface, the electrical contact surface being located on the first side of the housing in the first direction; a contact portion for receiving a force from the electrophotographic imaging apparatus to lift the electrical contact surface together with the developing cartridge relative to the electrophotographic imaging apparatus, so that the electrical contact surface is electrically connected to the electrical contact member.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the developing cartridge further comprises a chip holder for supporting the storage medium, the chip holder being located on the first side of the housing in the first direction; the chip holder can be lifted together with the electrical contact surface and the developing cartridge relative to the electrophotographic imaging apparatus.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact portion includes a first lifting portion and a second lifting portion, the first lifting portion and the second lifting portion being oppositely arranged on both sides of the housing in the first direction.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that in the second direction, the contact portion is closer to the fourth side of the housing than to the third side of the housing.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that in the second direction, the contact portion is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position closer to the electrical contact surface than the first position.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact portion includes a force receiving surface; the force receiving surface extends in the first direction.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that in the second direction, the force receiving surface is inclined toward a side away from the developing roller; in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, the force receiving surface is inclined toward a side opposite to the electrical contact surface.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the developing cartridge further comprises a forced push protrusion extending in the first direction; in the second direction, the forced push protrusion is closer to the developing roller than the contact portion.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the developing cartridge further comprises a stirring frame rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction; In the second direction, the second axis is closer to the first axis than the abutting portion.

10. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, the developing cartridge further includes a locked portion, the locked portion being located on the second side of the housing in the first direction; in the second direction, the locked portion is farther from the third side of the housing than the abutting portion.

Images