Developing box

Abstract

The developing box comprises a box body; the developing roller is rotatably arranged on the box body in a first direction; the bracket is fixedly arranged at the first end of the box body; the electric contact surface is fixedly arranged on the bracket and can be recognized by the image forming device; the storage medium is electrically connected with the electric contact surface; the bracket is provided with a first extension part, the first extension part extends along a third direction, and when the developing box and the drum assembly are mounted in the image forming device, the first extension part can prevent the developing box from deviating along the third direction, so that the electric contact surface can be kept in a state recognized by the image forming device. The image forming device solves the problem that the image forming device cannot identify the developing box through the electric contact pin due to the fact that the electric contact surface is separated from the electric contact pin of the image forming device in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] A developing cartridge is a detachable part widely used in an image forming apparatus. The developing cartridge includes a developing roller. The image forming apparatus generally has four developing cartridges corresponding to four photosensitive drums on the image forming apparatus. Each developing cartridge contains a developing agent of a different color. The developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum and transfers toner to the photosensitive drum, enabling the image forming apparatus to better form an image using various colors of toner and meet more printing needs of users. To prevent damage to the developing roller or the photosensitive drum due to long-term contact between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum, when the developing cartridge does not need to work, the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum. Therefore, a separating member is provided on the developing cartridge. The separating member is used to receive the separating force provided by the image forming apparatus, so that the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, ensuring the imaging quality of the image forming apparatus. However, when the drum and roller are separated, a certain downward displacement occurs on the side of the developing cartridge where the storage medium is located, causing the electrical contact surface to be separated from the electrical contact pin of the image forming apparatus, so that the image forming apparatus cannot identify the developing cartridge through the electrical contact pin. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing cartridge that can be detachably installed in an image forming apparatus together with a drum assembly. The developing cartridge includes:

[0004] A cartridge body for containing a developing agent. The cartridge body has a first end and a second end in a first direction, a third end and a fourth end in a second direction, and a fifth end and a sixth end in a third direction;

[0005] A developing roller rotatably disposed on the cartridge body about the first direction;

[0006] A bracket fixedly disposed at the first end of the cartridge body;

[0007] An electrical contact surface fixedly disposed on the bracket and capable of being recognized by the image forming apparatus; and

[0008] A storage medium electrically connected to the electrical contact surface;

[0009] The bracket is provided with a first extension portion extending along the third direction. When the developing cartridge and the drum assembly are installed in the image forming apparatus, the first extension portion can prevent the developing cartridge from shifting along the third direction, so that the electrical contact surface can maintain a state of being recognized by the image forming apparatus.

[0010] By providing the first extension portion, the present invention solves the problem in the prior art that the electrical contact surface is separated from the electrical contact pin of the image forming apparatus, so that the image forming apparatus cannot identify the developing cartridge through the electrical contact pin.

[0011] In some embodiments, the image forming apparatus is provided with side walls, and tracks are provided at the bottoms of the side walls in the third direction;

[0012] The developing cartridge has a contact position where the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum of the drum unit and a separation position where it is separated from the photosensitive drum;

[0013] When the developing cartridge is in the contact position, the first extension is located above the track in the third direction and has a distance from the track;

[0014] When the developing cartridge moves to the separation position, the first extension moves downward with the developing cartridge and abuts against the track.

[0015] In some embodiments, an electric contact pin that can be telescoped in the third direction is provided at the top of the side wall;

[0016] Define the distance that the electric contact pin can be telescoped in the third direction as the third distance H3. When the developing cartridge is in the contact position, define the distance between the first extension and the track in the third direction as the second distance H2. The relationship between the second distance H2 and the third distance H3 is: H2 ≤ H3.

[0017] In some embodiments, define that there is a first distance H1 between the lower end of the first extension in the third direction and the lower end of the bracket in the third direction. The value range of the first distance H1 is: 2.4 mm ≤ H1 ≤ 4 mm.

[0018] In some embodiments, when the developing cartridge is in the contact position, define the distance between the first extension and the track in the third direction as the second distance H2. The value range of the second distance H2 is: 0.2 mm ≤ H2 ≤ 1.3 mm.

[0019] In some embodiments, in the third direction, there is a fourth distance H4 between the electric contact surface and one end of the first extension close to the sixth end in the third direction. The value range of the fourth distance H4 is: 26.4 mm ≤ H4 ≤ 28 mm.

[0020] In some embodiments, a second extension for strengthening the first extension is provided on one side of the first extension facing the fourth end in the second direction.

[0021] In some embodiments, a third extension is provided on one side of the first extension facing the third end in the second direction. The third extension is used to abut against the side wall in the second direction after the developing cartridge and the drum unit are installed in the image forming apparatus.

[0022] In some embodiments, a separating member is provided at the first end of the cartridge body. The separating member receives the separating force applied by the image forming apparatus, so that the developing roller and the photosensitive drum move from the contact position to the separation position.

[0023] In some embodiments, when the developing roller and the photosensitive drum move from the contact position to the separation position, the distance generated by the movement of the second end of the cartridge body is less than the distance generated by the movement of the first end of the cartridge body.

[0024] In some embodiments, the cartridge body is provided with a pushing component for receiving the pushing force applied by the drum component to keep the developing roller and the photosensitive drum in the contact position;

[0025] The direction of the pushing force received by the pushing component is from the sixth end towards the photosensitive drum. Description of the Drawings

[0026] Figure 1 is the first perspective three-dimensional view of the drum component in the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 is the second perspective three-dimensional view of the drum component in the present application;

[0028] Figure 3 is the first end three-dimensional view of the developing cartridge in the present application;

[0029] Figure 4 is the second end three-dimensional view of the developing cartridge in the present application;

[0030] Figure 5 is the first end explosion schematic diagram of the developing cartridge in the present application;

[0031] Figure 6 is the three-dimensional schematic diagram of the transmission component of the developing cartridge in the present application;

[0032] Figure 7 is the first end three-dimensional view of the cooperation between the developing cartridge and the drum component in the present application;

[0033] Figure 8 is the second end cross-sectional view of the cooperation between the developing cartridge and the drum component in the present application;

[0034] Figure 9 is the partial three-dimensional view before the drum roller of the developing cartridge and the drum component are separated in the present application;

[0035] Figure 10 is the driving side schematic diagram before the drum roller of the developing cartridge and the drum component are separated in the present application;

[0036] Figure 11 is the partial three-dimensional view after the drum roller of the developing cartridge and the drum component are separated in the present application;

[0037] Figure 12 is the driving side schematic diagram after the drum roller of the developing cartridge and the drum component are separated in the present application;

[0038] Figure 13 is the three-dimensional schematic diagram of the cooperation between the developing cartridge and the drum component on the same side wall in the present application;

[0039] Figure 14 is Figure 13 An enlarged schematic view of A in

[0040] Figure 15 An exploded schematic view of the cooperation between the developing cartridge and the drum assembly on the same side wall in the present application;

[0041] Figure 16 is Figure 15 An enlarged schematic view of B in

[0042] Figure 17 A three-dimensional view of the bracket in the first modification example of the present application;

[0043] Figure 18 A three-dimensional view of the bracket in the second modification example of the present application;

[0044] Figure 19 A three-dimensional view of the cooperation between the developing cartridge and the drum assembly on the through side wall in the second modification example of the present application;

[0045] Figure 20 A three-dimensional view of the bracket in the third modification example of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0046] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0047] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first", "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0048] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "installation", "connection", "fixation", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly limited. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0049] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "below" and "beneath" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0050] In the above description, the description referring to terms such as "an embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, without contradiction, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0051] In the following description of directions, when observing in a direction perpendicular to Figure 1 the plane of the paper in Figure 1 the left side of the plane of the paper in Figure 1 is the left, Figure 1 the right side of the plane of the paper in Figure 1 is the right, Figure 1 the upper side of the plane of the paper in Figure 1 is the upper,

[0052] As Figures 1 - 12As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides a developing cartridge 1, which is detachably mounted on a drum unit 2 of an image forming apparatus. The developing cartridge 1 and the drum unit 2 are combined to form a processing cartridge. A separating output member is provided on the image forming apparatus. The drum unit 2 is used to carry the developing cartridge 1. The drum unit 2 includes a first side wall 21, a second side wall 22, and a photosensitive drum 23. The photosensitive drum 23 is rotatably supported by the first side wall 21 and the second side wall 22. The photosensitive drum 23 receives the developer provided by the developing cartridge 1 to form an electrostatic latent image. A first guide rail 211 is provided at the first side wall 21, and a second guide rail 221 is provided at the second side wall 22. Both the first guide rail 211 and the second guide rail 221 are arc-shaped openings for guiding the smooth installation of the developing cartridge 1 onto the drum unit 2. A first abutting portion (not shown in the figure) is provided adjacent to the first guide rail 211. The drum unit further includes a biasing component, which is used to apply a pressing force to the developing cartridge 1 so that the photosensitive drum 23 can receive the developer more stably. The biasing component includes a first biasing member 212 disposed near the first side wall 21 and a second biasing member 222 disposed near the second side wall 22. Both the first biasing member 212 and the second biasing member 222 are connected to an elastic member and can move relative to the photosensitive drum 23. When the developing cartridge 1 is installed on the drum unit 2, the first biasing member 212 and the second biasing member 222 can apply a pressing force to the developing cartridge 1 in the second direction towards the photosensitive drum 23. A separating lever 24 is further provided at the drum unit 2 near the first side wall. The separating lever 24 can move relative to the drum unit 2. Specifically, the separating lever 24 can receive the force applied by the separating force output member on the image forming apparatus, and then generate a displacement relative to the drum unit 2 while applying a separating force to the developing cartridge to separate the developing roller 131 on the developing cartridge 1 from the photosensitive drum 23, so as to separate the drum and the roller.

[0053] The developing cartridge 1 includes a cartridge body 10, a developing component, a transmission component, a separating member, and an identification component.

[0054] The cartridge body 10 has a receiving cavity for accommodating a developer. The cartridge body 10 has a first end 11 and a second end 12 oppositely arranged in a first direction. Among them, the first end 11 corresponds to the first side wall 21 and is on the left in the first direction, which is the driving side of the processing cartridge. The second end 12 corresponds to the second side wall 22 and is on the right in the first direction, which is the non-driving side of the processing cartridge. The cartridge body 10 has a third end 13 and a fourth end 14 oppositely arranged in a second direction. The third end 13 is in the front in the second direction, and the fourth end 14 is in the rear in the second direction. The cartridge body 10 has a fifth end 15 and a sixth end 16 oppositely arranged in a third direction. The fifth end 15 is on the upper side in the third direction, and the sixth end 16 is on the lower side in the third direction. The direction description of the drum assembly 2 is the same as that of the developing cartridge 1. The cartridge body 10 is provided with a friction portion 151 on the fifth end 15. The friction portion 151 is provided with a plurality of ribs extending in the first direction, and its function is to facilitate the user to pick up the developing cartridge 1. The transmission assembly is located at the first end 11 and is used to receive the power output by the image forming device, so that the developing assembly in the developing cartridge 1 is driven. The first cover 111 is detachably and fixedly installed at the first end 11 of the cartridge body 10. The first cover 111 at least covers a part of the transmission assembly and is used to protect the transmission assembly.

[0055] The identification assembly is located at the first end 11. In this application, the identification assembly is specifically a storage medium 113. The storage medium 113 is used to store the information of the developing cartridge 1. In the state where the developing cartridge 1 is installed in the image forming device, the information is transmitted to the image forming device, so that the developing cartridge 1 is recognized by the image forming device. The storage medium 113 includes an electrical contact surface 1131 integrally formed or detachably combined with it. The electrical contact surface 1131 can be electrically connected to the image forming device, so that the information of the developing cartridge in the storage medium 131 is recognized by the image forming device.

[0056] A bracket 114 is fixedly arranged at the first end 11. The bracket 114 is first clamped on the first cover 111 by means of a buckle, and then further fixed on the first cover 111 by screws, so that the bracket 114 is indirectly fixedly installed on the cartridge 10. The bracket 114 has a first extension part on the lower side in the up-down direction (the third direction). The first extension part is used to prevent the developing cartridge from shifting downward in the third direction, that is, to prevent the electrical contact surface 1131 from detaching from the electrical contact pin 92 on the image forming device, so that the electrical contact surface 1131 can maintain the state of being recognized by the image forming device. In this embodiment, the first extension part is specifically a rib 1141. In other embodiments, the first extension part can also be other shapes, such as an arc-shaped protrusion or a strip-shaped protrusion, etc. It can be understood that the first extension part can either have a different shape from the lower side of the bracket 114 or have the same shape as the lower side of the bracket 114, that is, the first extension part is directly formed by the downward extension of the lower side of the bracket 114 itself, so that the first extension part is substantially a part of the bracket 114 (see the third modification example below for details). In this embodiment, specifically, the rib 1141 extends downward and exceeds the bottom wall 1142 of the bracket 114 in the third direction (refer to Figure 14 ) by a certain distance. The rib 1141 can be arranged separately from the bracket 114 or integrally with the bracket 114. In this application, preferably, the rib 1141 is integrally formed with the bracket 114.

[0057] In other embodiments, the bracket 114 can be directly fixed on the cartridge 10 or the first cover 111 by means of welding, gluing, etc. The storage medium 113 is fixedly installed on the bracket 114, and neither the storage medium 113 nor the bracket 114 will displace relative to the cartridge 10. In some embodiments, the electrical contact surface 1131 is arranged separately from the storage medium 113. The electrical contact surface 1131 is fixedly arranged on the bracket 114. The storage medium 113 can be arranged elsewhere on the developing cartridge, as long as the storage medium 113 is electrically connected to the electrical contact surface 1131 by means of wires or the like.

[0058] The developing assembly includes a developing roller 131, a powder feeding roller (not shown in the figure), and a stirring frame (not shown). The developing roller 131, the stirring frame, and the powder feeding roller are all rotatably installed in the accommodating cavity between the first end 11 and the second end 12. The rotation axes of the developing roller 131, the stirring frame, and the powder feeding roller all extend in the first direction. The powder feeding roller is disposed adjacent to the developing roller 131, and in the second direction, the developing roller 131 is closer to the third end 13 of the cartridge 1 than the powder feeding roller. The stirring frame is used to stir the developer in the developing cavity to cause friction of the developer to prevent the developer from caking. The developing roller 131 is used to contact the photosensitive drum 23 to transfer the developer to the photosensitive drum 23. The developing assembly further includes a blade, the blade extends in the first direction, and the blade is used to contact the developing roller 131 to control the thickness of the developer layer on the developing roller 131.

[0059] The transmission assembly is disposed at the first end 11. The transmission assembly includes a driving portion. The driving portion 40 includes a power receiving portion 401 and a driving gear 402, which can be integrally formed or combined. In the first direction, the driving gear 402 is closer to the cartridge 10 than the power receiving portion 401. The power receiving portion 401 is used to receive the power output by the image forming apparatus, and then drive the driving gear 402 to rotate.

[0060] The transmission assembly further includes a developing gear 41, a powder feeding gear 42, a first idler gear 43, a second idler gear 44, and a stirring gear 45. The powder feeding gear 42 meshes with the driving gear 402 to receive power and rotate. The first idler gear 43 meshes with the developing gear 41 and the powder feeding gear 42 at the same time. The powder feeding gear 42 transmits the driving force to the developing gear 43 through the first idler gear 43. The second idler gear 44 is a two-stage gear, which has a large gear and a small gear. In the first direction, the large gear is farther from the cartridge 10 than the small gear. The large gear meshes with the driving gear 402, and the small gear meshes with the stirring gear 45. That is, the driving gear 402 drives the stirring gear 45 through the second idler gear 44 to drive the stirring frame to rotate.

[0061] In some other embodiments, the developing cartridge 1 may not be provided with a stirring frame, that is, there is no need to provide a stirring gear 45 and a second idler gear 44. The driving gear 401 only needs to drive the developing gear 41 and the powder feeding gear 42. As for how to drive and how to set the position and number of idler gears, no further limitations are made here.

[0062] In other embodiments, the driving gear 402 may directly mesh with the powder feeding gear 42 and the first idler gear 43. The first idler gear 43 is coaxially disposed with the powder feeding gear 42 and there is no power transmission between them. The first idler gear 43 meshes with the second idler gear 44 to drive the developing gear 41.

[0063] In some other embodiments, the driving gear 402 meshes directly with the powder feeding gear 42 and the first idler gear 43. The first idler gear 43 transmits the driving force to the developing gear 41 through the second idler gear 44, and the first idler gear 43 and the powder feeding gear 42 are not coaxial. A first bearing 47 is also provided at the first end 11. The first bearing 47 is used to support one end of the developing roller 131 and the powder feeding roller at the first end 11. Preferably, a plurality of support columns are provided on the first bearing 47, and the plurality of support columns rotatably support the first idler gear 43 and the driving part 40 respectively. In other embodiments, the driving part 40 is directly supported by the cartridge body 10.

[0064] The developing cartridge 1 further includes a guiding assembly and a pushing assembly. The guiding assembly enables the developing cartridge 1 to be smoothly installed on the drum assembly 2. The guiding assembly includes a first guiding part 122 and a second guiding part 313. The first guiding part 122 is located at the first end 11, and the second guiding part 313 is located at the second end 12. In the present application, preferably, the first guiding part 122 is integrally formed with the first cover 111. In other embodiments, it may also be separately provided from the first cover 111. The first guiding part 122 is arc-shaped and is guided by the first guide rail 211 to facilitate the installation of the developing cartridge 1. When the developing cartridge 1 is installed on the drum assembly 2, the pushing assembly is abutted by the force-applying assembly so that the developing cartridge 1 receives the pushing force applied by the drum assembly 2, making the developing roller 131 in close contact with the photosensitive drum 23. In this embodiment, the direction in which the pushing assembly receives the pushing force from the force-applying assembly is from the sixth end 16 towards the photosensitive drum 23, that is, the received pushing force is in the plane formed by the second direction and the third direction and has a certain angle with both the second direction and the third direction at the same time. The pushing assembly includes a first pushing part (not shown in the figure) located at the first end 11 and a second pushing part 312 located at the second end 12. The first pushing part is abutted by the first force-applying member 212 to receive the pushing force. In the present application, the first pushing part is integrally formed with the first guiding part 122 to simplify the structure of the developing cartridge 1. In other embodiments, they may be separately combined. A separating member 32 is also provided on the first guiding part 122. The separating member 32 is a protrusion protruding along the first direction. In the present application, preferably, the separating member 32 is integrally formed with the first guiding part 122, or may be separately combined. The separating member 32 can receive the separating force applied by the image forming apparatus.

[0065] At the second end 12 of the developing cartridge 1, a support member 31 is provided. The support member 31 is fixedly installed on the cartridge body 10 by means of screws or the like. The support member 31 includes a second pushing portion 312 and a second guided portion 313. In this embodiment, the second pushing portion 312 is symmetrically arranged with the first pushing portion. The second pushing portion 312 is abutted by the second applying member 222 to receive the pushing force. The second guided portion 313 is a cylindrical protrusion extending along the first direction. The second guided portion 313 is guided by the second guide rail 221 to facilitate the installation of the developing cartridge 1. A second abutting portion 34 is further provided on the second guided portion 313. The second abutting portion 34 protrudes radially with respect to the second guided portion 313 and penetrates along the first direction. The second abutting portion 34 at least partially overlaps with the developing roller 131.

[0066] As Figures 7 - 12 shown, the process of separating the developing cartridge 1 from the drum roller of the drum unit 2 is described as follows:

[0067] The separating lever 24 includes a separating force receiving surface 241 and a separating force output surface 242. The separating force receiving surface 241 can receive the separating force applied by the separating output member on the image forming apparatus, thereby driving the separating lever 24 to move. The separating force output surface 242 abuts against the separating member 32 on the developing cartridge 1 when the separating lever 24 moves, and applies a separating force to the developing cartridge 1 through the separating member 32 to separate the developing cartridge 1 from the photosensitive drum 2.

[0068] When the developing cartridge 1 is fully installed on the drum unit 2, referring to Figure 8 , at the second end 12 of the developing cartridge, the second abutting portion 34 contacts the first abutted portion 2211, and the contact position is the first position. The second abutting portion 34 is preferably an arc-shaped recess, which can prevent the second abutting portion 34 from interfering with the first abutted portion 2211 when the developing cartridge 1 is installed on the drum unit 2, and can also enable the second abutting portion 34 to stably contact the first abutted portion 2211. In other embodiments, the second abutting portion 34 can be a protrusion of other shapes. The position where one end of the developing roller 131 at the second end 12 contacts the photosensitive drum 2 is the second position. The first position is outside the second position. Further, in the first direction, the first position is farther from the first end 11 than the second position, that is, the first position is closer to the second end 12.

[0069] When the separation lever 24 does not receive the separation instruction of the image forming apparatus, the separation lever 24 does not apply a separation force to the separating member 32, the developing roller 131 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 23, and the developing cartridge operates normally. When the separation lever 24 receives the separation instruction, the separation force receiving surface 241 receives the separation force transmitted by the image forming apparatus. Under the action of the separation force, the separation lever 24 moves relative to the drum assembly. At this time, the separation force output surface 242 on the separation lever 24 abuts against the separating member 32 to apply a separation force thereto, and the separating member 32 transmits the separation force to the cartridge body 10, causing the cartridge body 10 to move in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 23. In this embodiment, the direction of the separation force received by the cartridge body 10 is opposite to the direction of the urging force received by the cartridge body 10. Further, the first end 11 moves in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 22. Since the first position at the second end 12 is outside the contact position between the developing roller 131 and the photosensitive drum 23, the cartridge body 10 can use the first position as a fulcrum, and the separation force at the first end 11 drives the entire cartridge body 10 to swing in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 23 against the urging force applied by the urging component, thereby separating the developing roller 131 from the photosensitive drum 23.

[0070] It can be known that the distance generated by the movement of the second end 12 of the cartridge body 10 is less than the second distance generated by the movement of the first end 11. That is, in the first direction from left to right, the gap between the developing roller 131 and the photosensitive drum 23 gradually decreases. That is, the gap between the end of the developing roller 131 at the second end 12 and the photosensitive drum 23 is less than the gap between the end of the developing roller 131 at the first end 11 and the photosensitive drum 23.

[0071] When the developing cartridge 1 and the drum assembly 2 are installed in the image forming apparatus together, the identification component can cooperate with the side wall 90 of the image forming apparatus. The top of the side wall 90 in the third direction has a recess 91, and an electrical contact pin 92 is provided in the recess 91. The electrical contact pin 92 can be telescoped in the third direction, and the electrical contact pin 92 can contact the electrical contact surface 1131 on the storage medium 113, thereby realizing the electrical connection between the storage medium 113 and the image forming apparatus, and enabling the image forming apparatus to identify the information of the developing cartridge 1. The side wall 90 also has a track 93 and an inclined surface 94, and the connection between the inclined surface 94 and the track 93 is located above the track 93 in the third direction.

[0072] It is known that when the developing cartridge 1 is installed in the drum unit 2, during the separation of the drum roller, due to reasons such as the structure, the first end 11 of the cartridge body 10 will have a certain displacement in the third direction, that is, the bracket 114 fixedly arranged with the first cover 111 will have a certain displacement in the third direction. Specifically, when the processing cartridge is installed on the image forming apparatus, when the electrical contact surface 1131 contacts the electrical contact pin 92, the electrical contact pin 92 will be squeezed, causing the electrical contact pin 92 to move upward a certain distance in the third direction. When the drum roller is separated, the bracket 114 and the electrical contact surface 1131 move downward together in the third direction. When the moving distance is too large, after the electrical contact pin 92 rebounds to the length before the electrical contact surface 1131 contacts the electrical contact pin 92 and cannot move downward anymore, the electrical contact surface 1131 may be separated from the electrical contact pin 92, resulting in the image forming apparatus being unable to recognize the developing cartridge.

[0073] As Figures 13 - 14 shown, for the situation where the electrical contact pin 92 may be separated from the electrical contact surface 1131 during the separation of the drum roller, in the present application, a rib plate 1141 is provided at the bottom of the bracket 114 in the third direction. The rib plate 1141 extends downward in the third direction and exceeds the bottom wall 1142 of the bracket 114 in the third direction by a certain distance, and this distance is the first distance H1 (refer to Figure 14 ). In the third direction, there is a certain distance between the electrical contact surface 1131 and one end of the rib plate 1141 close to the sixth end 16 in the third direction, and this distance is the fourth distance H4. After the developing cartridge 1 and the drum unit 2 are installed in the image forming apparatus together and before the drum roller is separated, there is also a certain distance between the downward end of the rib plate 1141 in the third direction and the rail 93, and this distance is the second distance H2.

[0074] Refer to Figures 15 - 16 , the electrical contact pin 92 can be squeezed and contracted. When the developing cartridge 1 and the drum unit 2 are installed in the image forming apparatus and before the drum roller is separated, the electrical contact surface 1131 contacts the electrical contact pin 92, and the electrical contact pin 92 is compressed upward in the third direction. The distance between the end faces of the upper and lower ends of the electrical contact pin 92 in the third direction before contacting the electrical contact surface 1131 (i.e., in the free state) and the end faces of the upper and lower ends of the electrical contact pin 92 in the third direction after contacting (i.e., in the compressed state) is the third distance H3, that is, the position change amount of the electrical contact pin 92 before and after contacting the electrical contact surface 1131 is the third distance H3, and the second distance H2 is less than or equal to the third distance H3.

[0075] When the developing cartridge 1 and the drum unit 2 are installed in the image forming apparatus and the separation of the drum roller starts, the driving end of the developing cartridge 1 moves downward in the third direction. When the moving distance is the same as the second distance H2, the rib 1141 abuts against the rail 93, restricting the further downward movement of the developing cartridge 1. The distance that the electrical contact pin 92 rebounds downward (i.e., extends downward) is the second distance H2, and the second distance H2 is less than the third distance H2. Therefore, from the separation of the drum roller until it is completed, although the electrical contact pin 92 rebounds a certain distance, the electrical contact surface 1131 and the electrical contact pin 92 will not be disconnected.

[0076] When the developing cartridge 1 and the drum unit 2 are installed together in the image forming apparatus, the rib 1141 will interfere with the intersection of the rail 93 and the inclined surface 94. The second distance H2 is set for avoidance so that the rib 1141 will not interfere with the side wall 90, that is, the rib 1141 does not interfere with the junction of the inclined surface 94 and the rail 93, thus preventing the smooth installation of the developing cartridge 1 and the drum unit 2 in the image forming apparatus.

[0077] Preferably, the first distance H1 is 3.7 mm, the second distance H2 is 0.5 mm, and the third distance is 1.3 mm. The first distance H1 is the distance that the rib 1141 extends beyond the bottom wall 1142 of the bracket 114, that is, the first distance H1 can be considered as the length of the rib 1141.

[0078] Preferably, in other embodiments, the second distance H2 is not necessarily 0.5 mm. It can be greater than 0.5 mm or less than 0.5 mm. As long as the existence of the second distance H2 enables the rib 114 not to interfere with the side wall 90 when the developing cartridge 1 and the drum unit 2 are installed in the image forming apparatus, enabling the smooth installation of the developing cartridge 1 and the drum unit 2 in the image forming apparatus, and when the drum roller is separated, the rib 1141 can abut against the rail 93 before the electrical contact pin 92 rebounds completely. When the second distance H2 is too small, the rib 1141 is likely to interfere with the side wall 90, so the second distance H2 is greater than or equal to 0.2 mm. When the second distance H2 is too large, the electrical contact pin 92 rebounds completely before the rib 1141 abuts against the rail 93, that is, H2 is less than or equal to 1.3 mm. In this application, as long as the second distance H2 satisfies the following condition: 0.2 mm ≤ H2 ≤ 1.3 mm.

[0079] In other embodiments, due to different image forming apparatuses and different developing cartridges 1, the sizes of the side wall 90 and the bracket 114 are different, so that the second distance H2 can also be a value within other ranges, as long as it is ensured that the rib 1141 abuts against the rail 93 before the electrical contact pin 92 rebounds completely.

[0080] In other embodiments, due to the differences in the image forming apparatuses, on some side walls 90, there are no protrusions where the inclined surface 94 and the track 93 converge, that is, the second distance H2 is not required.

[0081] Furthermore, the first distance H1 is not necessarily 3.7 mm, and other distances are also possible. And the first distance H1 is related to the second distance H2. When the second distance H2 increases, the first distance H1 needs to decrease; when the second distance H2 decreases, the first distance H1 increases. No matter how it changes, as long as after the developing cartridge 1 and the drum unit 2 are installed in the image forming apparatus together, when the drum roller separates, before the electrical contact pin 92 fully rebounds, the rib plate 1141 can contact the track 93, ensuring that the electrical contact surface 1131 contacts the electrical contact pin 92. According to the numerical change of the second distance H2, when the second distance H2 is the largest, the first distance H1 should be greater than 2.4 mm. If it is less than this value, it exceeds the rebound amount of the electrical contact pin 92; when the second distance H2 is the smallest, the first distance H1 should be less than 4 mm. The first distance H1 satisfies the following relationship: 2.4 mm ≤ H2 ≤ mm. The fourth distance H4 is related to the first distance H1. Preferably, the fourth distance H4 is 27.7 mm (when the first distance is 3.7), and the value range of the fourth distance H4 is: 26.4 mm ≤ H4 ≤ 28 mm.

[0082] Furthermore, when the second distance H2 is equal to the minimum distance, that is, H2 = 0.2 mm, at this time the first distance H1 = 4 mm. At this time, when the developing cartridge 1 and the drum unit 2 are installed in the image forming apparatus, the rib plate 1141 just interferes with the side wall 90, but it does not affect the normal installation of the developing cartridge 1 and the drum unit 2. That is, the lower end of the rib plate 1141 in the third direction enters the upper side of the track 93 along the inclined surface 94 where the side wall 90 and the track 93 converge. When the second distance H2 is equal to the maximum distance, that is, H2 = 1.3 mm = H3, at this time the first distance H1 = 2.4 mm. At this time, when the drum roller separates, the developing cartridge 1 moves and the electrical contact pin 92 rebounds. When the rebound amount of the electrical contact pin 92 is just H3, that is, it just rebounds to the original length, the rib plate 1141 contacts the track 93. At this time, the end surface of the electrical contact pin 92 in the lower part in the third direction just contacts the electrical contact surface 1131, and at this time the electrical contact surface 1131 does not generate any force on the electrical contact pin 92 in the third direction.

[0083] By providing a rib plate 1141 on the bracket 114 that can contact the track 93 on the side wall 90 of the image forming apparatus, it can effectively prevent the situation that after the developing cartridge 1 and the drum unit 2 are installed in the image forming apparatus, when the drum roller separates, due to the offset of the developing cartridge 1, the electrical contact surface 1131 and the electrical contact pin 92 are disengaged, and the image forming apparatus cannot recognize the developing cartridge 1.

[0084] As Figures 17 - 20 shown, several modified examples of the bracket 114 in this application are presented.

[0085] As shown Figure 17 in FIG. 0, a first modification of the bracket 114 in the present application is provided, and a second extension portion 1143 extending in the second direction is provided between the rib plate 1141 and the bracket 114. Specifically, the second extension portion 1143 extends backward in the second direction, that is, extends toward the fourth end in the second direction. It can be understood that the second extension portion 1143 may have a different shape from the lower side or the first extension portion of the bracket 114, or may have the same shape as the lower side or the first extension portion of the bracket 114, that is, the second extension portion 1143 is directly formed by the lower side or the first extension portion of the bracket 114 extending in the second direction, so that the second extension portion 1143 is substantially a part of the bracket 114 or the first extension portion (see the third modification example below for details). In this embodiment, the second extension portion 1143 is specifically a rib, and the second extension portion 1143 is used to reinforce the rib plate 1141 to prevent the rib plate 1141 from deforming or being damaged due to excessive force when it abuts against the track 93, thereby reducing the abutting effect and causing the electrical contact pin 92 to separate from the electrical contact surface 1131. In addition, the size, shape, etc. of the rib plate 1141 are exactly the same as those of the present application without any modification.

[0086] Furthermore, the second extension portion 1143 may be provided singly or in multiple numbers. In this modification example, two second extension portions 1142 are provided to better reinforce the rib plate 1141. In other modification examples, one or multiple numbers may be provided, and the number is not specifically limited herein. In this modification example, the second extension portion 1142 is sheet-shaped, and the sheet-shaped second extension portion 1143 is formed by extending in the second direction. In other modification examples, the sheet-shaped second extension portion 1143 may also be formed by extending in other directions as long as it can play a role in reinforcing the rib plate 1141, and the specific extension direction is not specifically limited herein.

[0087] As shown Figure 18 and Figure 19The second variant embodiment of the present application is shown. Compared with the first variant embodiment, in the second variant embodiment, with the rib plate 1141 as the center, the second extension portion 1142 extends backward along the second direction and also extends forward a part along the second direction. The part that extends forward (i.e., extends toward the third end in the second direction) is formed into a third extension portion 1144. It can be understood that the third extension portion 1144 can either have a different shape from the lower side of the bracket 114 or the first extension portion, or have the same shape as the lower side of the bracket 114 or the first extension portion, that is, the third extension portion 1144 is directly formed by the forward extension of the lower side of the bracket 114 or the first extension portion itself, so that the third extension portion 1144 is substantially a part of the bracket 114 or the first extension portion (see the third variant embodiment below for details). In this embodiment, specifically, the third extension portion 1144 is a rib. After the developing cartridge 1 and the drum assembly 2 are installed in the image forming apparatus, while the rib plate 1141 abuts against the rail 93, the third extension portion 1144 that extends forward along the second direction abuts against the forward side wall 90 of the rail 93 along the second direction, so as to assist the rib plate 1141 to support part of the force for the downward movement of the driving end of the developing cartridge 1, thereby reducing the force borne by the rib plate 1141 during support, and further preventing the rib plate 1141 from deforming or being damaged due to excessive force when abutting against the rail 93. Except for this, other parts are exactly the same as the first variant embodiment.

[0088] As Figure 20 The third variant embodiment of the present application is shown. In this variant embodiment, the first extension portion is a part of the bracket 114. The second extension portion 1143 and the third extension portion 1144 are not provided, but the bracket 114 is extended downward along the third direction, and its extension dimension can be the same as the dimension range of the present application, so as to increase the strength.

[0089] In other embodiments, the second extension portion 1143 and the third extension portion 1144 are parts of the bracket 114 or the first extension portion, that is, compared with the present application, the thickness of the rib plate 1141 is increased in the second direction, so as to increase the strength of the rib plate 1142, so as to achieve that when the rib plate 1141 abuts against the rail 93, it will not deform or be damaged due to excessive force.

[0090] The above are several relatively excellent variant embodiments of the present application, the purpose of which is to strengthen the strength of the rib plate 1141 to increase the strength of the rib plate 1142, so as to achieve that when the rib plate 1141 abuts against the rail 93, it will not deform or be damaged due to excessive force.

[0091] Furthermore, for other ways to strengthen the rib plate 1141, it is not limited to the ways of rib reinforcement / rib plate thickening. Only several relatively excellent variant embodiments are provided in the present application, rather than all variant embodiments. Specific limitations are not made on other reinforcement ways here, as long as the purpose of the present application can be achieved.

[0092] By providing a rib 1141 on the bracket 114 that can abut against the rail 93 on the side wall 90 of the image forming device, it is possible to effectively prevent the situation where when the developing cartridge 1 and the drum assembly 2 are installed in the image forming device and the drum roller separates, due to the offset of the developing cartridge 1, the electrical contact surface 1131 is disengaged from the electrical contact pin 92, and the image forming device cannot recognize the developing cartridge 1. By adding a second extension portion 1143 and / or a third extension portion 1144 to the rib 1141, it is further possible to effectively prevent deformation damage from occurring when the rib 1141 abuts against the rail 93, thereby affecting the abutting effect and being unable to prevent the offset of the developing cartridge 1.

[0093] The above are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, several deformations and improvements can be made, or the above technical solutions can be freely combined, including freely combining the technical features between the above different embodiments. These all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge that can be detachably mounted in an image forming apparatus together with a drum unit, characterized in that, The developing cartridge includes: a cartridge body for accommodating a developer, the cartridge body having a first end and a second end in a first direction, a third end and a fourth end in a second direction, and a fifth end and a sixth end in a third direction; a developing roller rotatably provided on the cartridge body about the first direction; a bracket fixedly provided at the first end of the cartridge body; an electrical contact surface fixedly provided on the bracket and capable of being recognized by the image forming apparatus; and a storage medium electrically connected to the electrical contact surface; the bracket is provided with a first extension portion extending along the third direction. When the developing cartridge and the drum unit are installed in the image forming apparatus, the first extension portion can prevent the developing cartridge from shifting in the third direction, so that the electrical contact surface can maintain a state of being recognized by the image forming apparatus.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The image forming apparatus is provided with a side wall, and a track is provided at the bottom of the side wall in the third direction; The developing cartridge has a contact position where the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum of the drum unit and a separation position where it is separated from the photosensitive drum; When the developing cartridge is at the contact position, the first extension portion is located above the track in the third direction and has a distance from the track; When the developing cartridge moves to the separation position, the first extension portion moves downward with the developing cartridge and abuts against the track.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein, An electrical contact pin that can be telescoped in the third direction is provided at the top of the side wall; Define the distance that the electrical contact pin can be telescoped in the third direction as a third distance H3, and define the distance between the first extension portion and the track in the third direction when the developing cartridge is at the contact position as a second distance H2. The relationship between the second distance H2 and the third distance H3 is: H2≤H3.

4. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Define that there is a first distance H1 between the lower end of the first extension portion in the third direction and the lower end of the bracket in the third direction. The value range of the first distance H1 is: 2.4mm≤H1≤4mm.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein, Define the distance between the first extension portion and the track in the third direction when the developing cartridge is at the contact position as a second distance H2. The value range of the second distance H2 is: 0.2mm≤H2≤1.3mm.

6. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein In the third direction, there is a fourth distance H4 between the electrical contact surface and one end of the first extension portion close to the sixth end in the third direction. The value range of the fourth distance H4 is: 26.4mm≤H4≤28mm.

7. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, A second extension portion for strengthening the first extension portion is provided on one side of the first extension portion facing the fourth end in the second direction.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, wherein, A third extension portion is provided on one side of the first extension portion facing the third end in the second direction. The third extension portion is used to abut against the side wall in the second direction after the developing cartridge and the drum unit are installed in the image forming apparatus.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein, A separating member is provided at the first end of the cartridge body. The separating member receives the separating force applied by the image forming apparatus, so that the developing roller and the photosensitive drum move from the contact position to the separation position.

10. The developing cartridge according to claim 9, wherein, When the developing roller and the photosensitive drum move from the contact position to the separation position, the distance generated by the movement of the second end of the cartridge body is less than the distance generated by the movement of the first end of the cartridge body.

11. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cartridge body is provided with a pushing component for receiving the pushing force applied by the drum component to keep the developing roller and the photosensitive drum at the contact position. The direction of the pushing force received by the pushing component is from the sixth end towards the photosensitive drum.

Images