Developing cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of printing equipment, and provides a developing box and an image forming device, wherein the developing box comprises: a shell; a developing roller; a drum component; and a chip component; the chip component comprises: a chip, which is provided with at least one electric connection end; a main seat, which is provided with a receiving cavity and a first side wall away from the shell, and is provided with a fixing structure for fixing the chip in the receiving cavity; and at least one electric connecting piece, which comprises a first connecting end and a second connecting end, the first connecting end is arranged on the first side wall to be electrically connected with an electric connecting part on the image forming device, and the second connecting end is inserted into the receiving cavity through the first side wall and is electrically connected with one of the electric connection ends on the chip. The developing box and the image forming device provided by the application solve the problem that the chip of the developing box in the prior art is easily polluted by the developing agent after long-term use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printing equipment technology, and more particularly to a developing cartridge and an image forming apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] The developing cartridge is the core component of a laser printer. When the laser printer performs a printing task, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum inside the developing cartridge. After receiving developer supplied from the developing roller, the formed image is transferred to the printing medium by the transfer assembly. Then, the image is heated and fixed on the printing medium by the fixing assembly to complete the printing process.

[0003] Therefore, in order to control the core components inside the developing cartridge, such as the photosensitive drum and developing roller, and monitor information such as the developer inventory capacity, the developing cartridge needs to exchange electrical signals with the main body of the device. Thus, a chip is installed on the developing cartridge. Normally, this chip is located on the outside of the developing cartridge housing. When the developing cartridge is installed inside the main body of the device, the chip directly contacts the electrical signal connection terminal on the printer to achieve electrical signal exchange.

[0004] However, in the above structure, the chip is constantly exposed to the outer shell of the developing cartridge. During the imaging process, the developing cartridge will produce leaked developer, which floats in the air and accumulates on the outer shell, contaminating the chip and hindering the normal electrical signal exchange between the chip and the device body, thus affecting printing. Furthermore, if too much developer accumulates on the chip, it can also interfere with the operation of the chip's internal structure.

[0005] Existing technologies include structures that hide the chip inside the housing. While this structure can prevent external developer from affecting the chip's operation, it makes chip disassembly and assembly difficult, leading to easy damage during chip replacement or irreversible damage to the housing, and making it difficult to achieve the reuse of the developer cartridge. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a developing cartridge and an image forming apparatus to solve the problem that the chip is easily contaminated by the developer after long-term use in the prior art.

[0007] The present invention provides a developing cartridge in a first aspect, comprising: a housing, wherein a storage cavity for storing developer is disposed within the housing; a developing roller, rotatably disposed on the housing and capable of conveying developer from the storage cavity; a drum member, receiving developer from the storage cavity and forming an image; and a chip member mounted on the housing; the chip member comprising: a chip having at least one electrical connection terminal; a main seat detachably connected to an outer wall of the housing, the main seat having a receiving cavity and a first side wall located away from the housing, the receiving cavity having a fixing structure for fixing the chip; and a developing roller mounted on the housing. The main body has at least one electrical connector, the electrical connector including a first connection end and a second connection end, the first connection end being placed on the first sidewall to electrically contact an electrical connection portion on the image forming apparatus, the second connection end being inserted into the receiving cavity around the first sidewall and electrically contacting one of the electrical connection ends on the chip; wherein, the main body has at least two parallel external inserts, the outer sidewall of the housing has at least two external slots corresponding to the external inserts, and the main body is mounted on the housing in a first direction parallel to the outer sidewall via the external slots and the external inserts.

[0008] Compared to existing technologies, the developing cartridge provided in the first aspect of this invention can house the chip within the main housing, effectively preventing interference from external developer and ensuring the stability of electrical signal exchange between the chip and the image forming apparatus. This prevents the chip from becoming contaminated with developer after prolonged use, thus preventing it from receiving or sending information from the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the main housing in this structure is easily disassembled from the outer casing without affecting other components on or inside the casing, particularly its connection structure with other internal structures such as the developing roller. Thus, the main housing structure, where the chip is located, is independently positioned relative to other components of the developing cartridge. While effectively protecting the chip, the independently detachable components do not damage the chip or other components of the developing cartridge. Moreover, the electrical connector, serving as an electrical contact for the chip, is located on the main housing, preventing inconvenience or damage to chip disassembly when the connector is located inside the casing, making the entire developing cartridge easy to recycle.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main seat includes a first shielding wall and a second shielding wall opposite to the outer shell. The first shielding wall is close to the outer shell on its first side and connected to the second shielding wall on its second side. The first side wall is disposed on the side of the second shielding wall facing away from the outer shell. The first shielding wall and the second shielding wall form at least a portion of the inner sidewall of the storage cavity. When the image forming apparatus is in the image forming posture, the first shielding wall is located above the storage cavity, and the chip is disposed opposite to the second shielding wall within the storage cavity.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus is in an image forming posture, the second shielding wall is inclined relative to the second side in a direction away from the housing.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, connecting grooves corresponding to the number of electrical connectors are formed on the first shielding wall and the second shielding wall. The connecting grooves have a first socket at one end located on the first shielding wall and a second socket at one end located on the second shielding wall. The electrical connectors are embedded in the connecting grooves. The end of the first connecting end is inserted into the second socket and fixed by the second socket. The second connecting end passes through the first socket and extends into the receiving cavity.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main seat has a second sidewall disposed opposite to the first sidewall and located within the receiving cavity, and the second connecting end has a spring-loaded terminal close to the second sidewall; at least one electrical connecting end is disposed on the electrical connecting side of the chip; when the chip is fixed by the fixing structure, the electrical connecting side is opposite to the second sidewall, and the electrical connecting end makes corresponding contact with the spring-loaded terminal.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer casing has a limiting wall surface that fits against the second side wall at the mounting position of the main seat. When the chip component is mounted on the outer casing, the electrical connection side, the second side wall, and the limiting wall surface are arranged in parallel.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage cavity has a chip mounting opening, and the fixing structure includes at least two inner slots arranged parallel to the second sidewall. The chip enters the chip mounting opening along the second direction and is fixed in the storage cavity through the at least two inner slots.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spring terminal has a guide slope inclined toward the second sidewall at the end near the chip mounting opening, and the inner slot has a clamping portion disposed opposite to the second sidewall; in a third direction perpendicular to the second sidewall, the chip is fixed between the clamping portion and each of the spring terminals.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the limiting wall surface has a limiting protrusion at the position of the main seat, and the limiting protrusion is close to the portion of the chip near the chip mounting opening.

[0017] Using the developing cartridge provided by the present invention, a second aspect further provides an image forming apparatus, including an apparatus body and the developing cartridge described in the first aspect embodiment disposed within the apparatus body.

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following description and will be apparent in part from the description or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the structures and / or processes particularly pointed out in the description, claims, and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the developing cartridge provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the developing cartridge provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the developing cartridge provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 ;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle;

[0023] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the developing cartridge provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 ;

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of a portion of point B in the middle;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the developing cartridge provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the chip component provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the chip component provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0028] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip mounted on the main unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip component mounted on the second housing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrical connector provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an image forming apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0033] 1. Device body, 11. Paper tray, 12. Pick-up assembly, 13. Transport assembly, 14. Transfer assembly, 15. Developing assembly, 16. Scanning assembly, 17. Fixing assembly, 18. Paper output assembly;

[0034] 100 Second housing, 110 Storage cavity, 120 Powder feeding opening, 130 First position, 140 Second position, 150 Limiting wall, 151 External slot, 152 Limiting protrusion, 153 Card slot;

[0035] 200 developing rollers;

[0036] 300 Chip component, 310 Main base, 311 Storage cavity, 312 First side wall, 313 First shielding wall, 314 Second shielding wall, 315 Connecting groove, 315a First socket, 315b Second socket, 316 Positioning post, 317 Second side wall, 318 Outer insert, 320 Electrical connector, 321 First connecting end, 322 Second connecting end, 322a Spring contact terminal, 322b Guide slope, 323 First bend, 324 Middle section, 325 Second bend, 326 First fastener, 327 Second fastener, 330 Chip, 340 Inner slot, 341 Tightening part, 350 Chip receiving slot, 360 Fastener, 370 Guide block;

[0037] 400 mixing components;

[0038] 500 powder feeding roller. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will provide a thorough understanding of how the present invention uses technical means to solve technical problems and achieve technical effects, enabling its implementation. It should be noted that these specific descriptions are merely intended to facilitate a clearer understanding of the present invention by those skilled in the art, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, the terms "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention are not intended to limit the invention, but are merely used to indicate the sequence numbers of multiple identical or similar devices or mechanisms. Those skilled in the art can readjust these sequence numbers for ease of description or during the organization of technical solutions. Furthermore, alternative solutions are described for some mechanisms in different embodiments, and these alternatives can be applied to other identical or similar devices or mechanisms. As long as there is no conflict, the various embodiments and features in each embodiment of the present invention can be combined with each other, and the resulting technical solutions are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0040] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0041] See Figure 13 In one embodiment, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, including an apparatus body 1 and a paper tray 11, a pickup assembly 12, a transport assembly 13, a transfer assembly 14, a developing assembly 15, a scanning assembly 16, a fixing assembly 17, and a paper discharge assembly 18 disposed within the apparatus body 1. The apparatus body 1 has a paper transport path. The paper tray 11 stores stacked paper for printing. The pickup assembly 12 includes a pickup roller that contacts the stacked paper and feeds the paper into the paper transport path. The transport assembly 13 includes a correction roller and a feed roller. The correction roller is used to correct the position of the paper in the paper transport path, and the feed roller is used to transport the paper in the paper transport path. The developing assembly 15 forms an image composed of developer within itself and transfers the image to the transfer assembly 14. The image is transferred in the paper transport path by the transfer assembly 14. After acquiring the image, the paper is further transported to the fixing assembly 17, which fixes the image on the paper surface by heating. Finally, the printed paper is discharged outside the apparatus body 1 by the paper discharge assembly 18.

[0042] The scanning assembly 16 includes a laser emitting unit and an optical component for deflecting the laser emitted by the laser emitting unit. The optical component may consist of multiple optical parts, which deflect the laser onto the developing assembly 15 for the imaging process of the developing assembly 15. The developing assembly 15 includes a developing cartridge with a drum component containing a photosensitive surface. The laser is deflected onto the photosensitive surface to form an electrostatic latent image, which is then used to form an image with the developer.

[0043] Therefore, in another embodiment of the present invention, a developing cartridge is also provided. See also... Figures 1 to 12 The developing cartridge includes a housing, a developing roller 200, a drum assembly, and a chip assembly 300. The housing has a storage cavity 110 and a powder feeding opening 120 connected to the storage cavity 110. The storage cavity 110 is used to store developer. The developing roller 200 is rotatably mounted on the housing and located at the powder feeding opening 120 for conveying developer from the storage cavity 110. The drum assembly has a photosensitive surface made of photosensitive material. When it has a charge, after receiving a laser from the scanning assembly 16, the charge at the irradiated position is converted to a polarity opposite to the original charge. For example, if it was originally a negative charge, the laser will convert the negative charge into a positive charge, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. The developing roller 200 delivers developer to the photosensitive surface of the drum assembly in direct contact with it. Due to the attraction of corresponding charges in the electrostatic latent image, they converge on the photosensitive surface to form an image. Furthermore, the drum component transfers the image to the transfer assembly 14 in the form of contact or the like, and the transfer assembly 14 transfers the image onto the paper in the paper transport path.

[0044] In addition, the developing chamber also has a stirring member 400 disposed in the storage cavity 110 and a powder feeding roller 500 located between the storage cavity 110 and the developing roller 200. The stirring member 400 is used to push the developer in the storage cavity 110 to a position close to the powder feeding opening 120, and the powder feeding roller 500 delivers the developer to the developing roller 200 in a manner that contacts the surface of the developing roller 200. The developing roller 200 then further delivers the developer to the drum member.

[0045] To facilitate the verification and monitoring of developer storage and matching information within the developing cartridge by the device body 1, information exchange between the developing cartridge and the device body 1 is required. Therefore, a chip component 300 is typically installed on the developing cartridge to communicate with the control system within the device body 1. However, the current chip 330 is constantly exposed to the outside of the developing cartridge. In the external environment, the developer generated during imaging floats within the cartridge and gradually accumulates on the outside of the developing cartridge. Consequently, developer also accumulates on the chip 330. When too much developer accumulates on the chip 330, it hinders the communication of circuit information on the chip 330 and interferes with its operation.

[0046] Therefore, see Figures 3 to 10 In the developing cartridge of this embodiment, the chip component 300 includes a main body 310, at least one electrical connector 320, and a chip 330 disposed on the main body 310. The chip 330 has at least one electrical connection terminal, which is a connection port between the chip 330 and an external circuit. The main body 310 has a receiving cavity 311 and a first sidewall 312 located away from the outer casing. (See attached...) Figure 3 and Figure 5The main seat 310 is fixedly mounted on the side wall of the outer casing and protrudes away from the outer casing. The first side wall 312 is located in the protruding direction of the main seat 310 away from the outer casing. The receiving cavity 311 is not connected to the first side wall 312. It has a fixed structure inside, through which the chip 330 is housed in the receiving cavity 311, isolated from the external environment, preventing dust, developer, and other substances from the external environment from falling onto the chip 330.

[0047] In this embodiment, the electrical connector 320 is used to enable electrical signal exchange between the chip 330 and the outside world. It is paired with an electrical connection terminal on the chip 330. Specifically, the electrical connector 320 includes a first connection terminal 321 and a second connection terminal 322. The first connection terminal 321 is disposed on the first sidewall 312 and is used to make electrical contact with the electrical connection portion on the image forming apparatus when the developing cartridge is installed on the device body 1. The second electrical connection terminal bypasses the first sidewall 312 and is inserted into the receiving cavity 311, making electrical contact with a paired electrical connection terminal on the chip 330. Thus, the chip 330 transmits electrical signals to the first connection terminal 321 via the second electrical connection terminal, and transmits electrical signals to the device body 1 via the first connection terminal 321, or receives electrical signals from the device body 1 from the second electrical connection terminal. During this process, the chip 330 can achieve information exchange and transmission without being located on the outside of the housing.

[0048] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first connection end 321 is the part that directly contacts the electrical connection part on the device body 1, and the first connection end 321 is located on the first side wall 312. Since the first side wall 312 is far away from the outer shell, when the developing cartridge is installed on the device body 1, the electrical connection part that cooperates with the first connection end 321 on the first side wall 312 will also be located far away from the outer shell, so that it will not interfere with the outer shell. Moreover, since the contact position is at the far end, it can also achieve electrical contact as far away as possible from the powder feeding opening 120 in the developing cartridge, the contact part between the developing roller 200 and the photosensitive drum, and avoid the electrical connection part being in the area where the developer accumulates, which can significantly reduce the impact of the developer on the electrical connection part.

[0049] For example in Figure 1 and Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the developing cartridge comprises a drum portion (not shown) and a developing portion, while the outer casing includes a first housing forming the main body of the drum portion and a second housing 100 forming the main body of the developing portion. A storage cavity 110 is located within the second housing 100. A developing roller 200 is rotatably disposed within a powder feeding opening 120, which is located on a first side of the second housing 100. A chip component 300 is located on a second side of the second housing 100 opposite to the first side. Therefore, the powder feeding opening 120 and the chip component 300 are respectively positioned on opposite sides. During the assembly of the drum portion and the developing portion, the drum component approaches the powder feeding opening 120 and interacts with the developing roller 200 on the powder feeding opening 120. When the developer is conveyed from the powder feeding opening 120 to the drum component by the developing roller 200, a small amount of developer may be exposed to the external environment from this contact point and float in the external environment. However, since the developer is a solid particle, the floating distance will not be too long and most of it will stay near the powder feeding opening 120. Therefore, the first connection end 321 is set at the position away from the second side wall 317 of the outer casing, so that the chip component 300 itself protrudes further away from the powder feeding opening 120. This reduces the influence of the external environment on the information communication end with the device body 1, and extends the distance between the first connection end 321 and the developer leakage port while keeping the size of the developing cartridge as small as possible.

[0050] In one embodiment, see [reference] Figure 8 The main seat 310 includes a first shielding wall 313 and a second shielding wall 314. The second shielding wall 314 is opposite to the outer shell, and the first shielding wall 313 is adjacent to the second shielding wall 314 between the outer shell and the outer shell. Specifically, the second shielding wall 314 has a first side and a second side that are arranged opposite to each other. The first side is close to the position of the outer shell, and the second side is connected to the second shielding side, thus forming a shielding structure between the outer shell and the second shielding wall 314. The first shielding wall 313 and the second shielding wall 314 are used to form at least part of the inner sidewall of the storage cavity 311, which can shield the components in the storage cavity 311 from the external environment and prevent pollution.

[0051] For details, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4The first sidewall 312 is located on the side of the second shielding wall 314 facing away from the outer casing, so that the first connecting end 321 on the first sidewall 312 is located away from the outer casing. When the image forming apparatus is in the image forming posture, that is, when the image forming apparatus is in the normal paper printing state, the image forming apparatus is usually placed flat on a horizontal surface such as a table. In the XYZ three-axis spatial coordinate, the length direction of the second housing 100 is horizontally arranged along the Y direction, and the chip component 300 is located on one side of the second housing 100 along the X-axis direction. The toner feeding opening 120 is located on the other side of the second housing 100 along the X-axis direction. In this posture, the first shielding wall 313 is located above the receiving cavity 311, and the second shielding wall 314 is located on the right side of the receiving cavity 311 away from the second housing 100 along the X direction. With this structure, the developer from the external environment can be effectively blocked from entering the housing cavity 311. As a solid particle, the developer, when floating, will only move downwards under gravity and accumulate in the second housing 100 if there is no external wind. The second shielding wall 314 can block the downward-moving developer, thus preventing it from affecting the chip 330 inside the housing cavity 311.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus is in the posture of forming an image, refer to... Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the XYZ three-axis spatial coordinate system, the second shielding wall 314 is inclined away from the outer shell relative to the second side. This structure facilitates cooperation with the electrical connection part on the device body 1. When the electrical connection part is an elastic sheet structure, it is inclinedly mated with the first connection end 321. During the mating process, the first electrical connection end is gradually pressed by the electrical connection part, or the first connection end 321 presses the electrical connection part to form an effective electrical contact. When the developing cartridge is installed on the device body 1, and the developing cartridge is installed along the inclined installation direction from top to bottom, the first connection end 321 is mated with the matching side wall on the device body 1 where the electrical connection part is located along the inclined surface of the first side wall 312. During the mating process, it moves along the first side wall 312, and after assembly, the electrical connection part and the first connection end 321 make elastic contact. Furthermore, the inclined structure of the second shielding wall 314 allows the developer that is to remain on it to roll downward along the inclined direction, reducing the amount accumulated on it and allowing most of it to slide off along the second side wall 317.

[0053] In a further embodiment, when the image forming apparatus is in an image forming posture, the chip component 300 is located at a position higher than the powder feeding opening 120 in the vertical direction, for example in... Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the powder feeding opening 120 is located at a first position 130, and the chip component 300 is located at a second position 140, which is higher than the first position 130. When the developer leaks from the powder feeding opening 120, it will float near the powder feeding opening 120 due to inertia. Since the chip component 300 is at the second position 140, the rotational speed of the developing roller 200 and the drum component during the imaging process is not particularly high, so the floating height caused by the inertia of the leaked developer is not very high. This structure makes it more difficult for the developer to float onto the chip component 300. Even if the floating height from the powder feeding opening 120 is similar to the second position 140, it will continuously decrease due to gravity as it moves toward the chip component 300, and eventually cannot reach the height of the chip component 300 and accumulates on the second housing 100 between the chip component 300 and the powder feeding opening 120.

[0054] Continue reading Figure 8 Connecting grooves 315, corresponding to the number of electrical connectors 320, are formed on the first shielding wall 313 and the second shielding wall 314. The connecting grooves 315 are located on the outer surfaces of the first shielding wall 313 and the second shielding wall 314, and have a first socket 315a at one end of the first shielding wall 313 and a second socket 315b at one end of the second shielding wall 314. The electrical connectors 320 are embedded in the connecting grooves 315, the end of the first connecting end 321 is inserted into the second socket 315b and fixed by the second socket 315b, and the second connecting end 322 extends into the receiving cavity 311 after passing through the first socket 315a, thereby bypassing the first side wall 312 and contacting the electrical connecting end in the receiving cavity 311.

[0055] Embedding the electrical connector 320 into the connecting groove 315 with the above structure ensures the installation stability of the electrical connector 320 on the main seat 310. The second socket 315b prevents the first connecting end 321 of the electrical connector 320 from shifting off the first side wall 312. While fixing the first connecting end 321, it also aligns the electrical connection part with the first connecting end 321 after the developing cartridge is installed. The first socket 315a is designed to introduce the second connecting end 322 into the receiving cavity 311. Under the premise that the first shielding wall 313 provides a shielding effect, the electrical connector 320 and the chip 330 make electrical contact.

[0056] Specifically, the electrical connector 320 has a sheet-like structure, preferably made of a conductive metal material, such as stainless steel, copper, or aluminum. Therefore, the electrical connector 320 has a first bend 323, a middle section 324, and a second bend 325. A first connecting end 321 is disposed on the first bend 323, and the end of the first bend 323 has a first latching portion. After being inserted into the second socket 315b, the first latching portion is fixed inside the second socket 315b, thus fixing the first connecting end 321. A second connecting end 322 is disposed on the second bend 325. The second bend 325 has a second latching portion located inside the first socket 315a. This second latching portion fixes the connection position of the middle section 324 and the second bend 325 onto the first socket 315a. (Continue reading...) Figure 12 The electrical connector 320 is U-shaped. The first latching part includes a first latching piece 326 that is inclined from the first bend 323. One end of the first latching piece 326 near the end of the first bend 323 is connected to the first bend 323, while the other end is inclined away from the second bend 325. Therefore, during the process of inserting the first bend 323 into the second socket 315b, the first latching piece 326 first enters the second socket 315b from the end connected to the first bend 323. After the other end is fully inserted into the second socket 315b, the first latching piece 326 elastically resets and fixes the first bend 323 in the first socket 315a. Therefore, this structure is beneficial to the fixing process of the first connecting end 321 on the second socket 315b, and the assembly is simple while ensuring the fixing and locking effect. Similarly, the second snap-fit ​​part includes a second snap piece 327 that is inclined off the second bend 325. One end of the second snap piece 327 near the end of the second bend 325 is connected to the second bend 325, while the other end is inclined in a direction away from the second bend 325. This arrangement also facilitates the second snap piece 327 to be snapped into the first socket 315a.

[0057] Combining the first and second latching parts in the aforementioned structure, in this embodiment, the connection distance between the first and second latching parts on the electrical connector 320 is equal to or equal to the distance between the first socket 315a and the second socket 315b on the connecting groove 315. Thus, through these two sockets, the position of the electrical connector 320 on the connecting groove 315 can be tightened and fixed, preventing loosening and lifting, and ensuring the stability of the electrical connection.

[0058] Furthermore, the connecting groove 315 is also provided with a positioning post 316 at the position where the intermediate section 324 is installed. The intermediate section 324 has a positioning hole that matches the positioning position. The positioning hole and the positioning post 316 can further position and embed the intermediate section 324 into the connecting groove 315.

[0059] In another embodiment, see Figure 9 and Figure 10 The main body 310 also has a second sidewall 317 disposed opposite to the first sidewall 312 and located within the receiving cavity 311. The second connecting end 322 has a spring contact terminal 322a close to the second sidewall 317, and the chip 330 is provided with an electrical connection side. Each electrical connection terminal is disposed on the electrical connection side. When the chip 330 is fixed in the receiving cavity 311 by the fixing structure, the electrical connection side is disposed opposite to the second sidewall 317, and the second sidewall 317 provides a spring contact terminal. The supporting force of the piece 322a causes the electrical connection end and the spring terminal 322a to be positioned opposite each other. In the initial state, the pop-out distance of the spring terminal 322a relative to the second side wall 317 is greater than the relative distance between the electrical connection side and the second side wall 317 when the chip 330 is fixed in the storage cavity 311. This allows the spring terminal 322a to generate corresponding elastic deformation when the chip 330 is installed in the storage cavity 311, thus maintaining contact with the corresponding electrical connection end on the electrical connection side at all times.

[0060] Further details can be found in the following sections. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The main mount 310 is detachably connected to the outer casing. The outer casing has a limiting wall 150 at the mounting position of the main mount 310 that abuts against the second side wall 317. When the chip component 300 is mounted on the outer casing, the electrical connection side, the second side wall 317, and the limiting wall 150 are arranged in parallel. Setting the main mount 310 to a detachable mounting method facilitates the replacement or repair of the chip 330 and makes it easier to remove the chip 330 from the main mount 310 after it has been removed from the outer casing. In current technology, the chip 330 is usually directly fixed to the outer casing of the developing cartridge, making chip removal very troublesome. Improper installation or removal can damage the structure on the outer casing corresponding to the chip 330, causing subsequent replacement chips to misalign with their original positions. In severe cases, the entire developing cartridge may need to be replaced. In particular, the electrical connection components that electrically connect the chip 330 are usually directly fixed to the outer casing. When removing the chip, care must be taken to the connection points between the electrical connection components and the chip 330, as well as the connection structure of the chip on the outer casing, which is very troublesome.

[0061] In this structure, the limiting wall 150 on the outer shell fits against the second sidewall 317, providing sufficient support to the second sidewall 317 to meet electrical contact requirements. Because the chip 330 has multiple electrical connection terminals arranged along the length of the electrical connection side, and correspondingly, multiple spring contacts 322a also need to be arranged along the length of the second sidewall 317, if only the second sidewall 317 supports the multiple spring contacts 322a, since the main base 310 is relatively thinner than the outer shell, the elasticity formed by the multiple spring contacts 322a in contact with the electrical connection terminals will all act on the second sidewall 317, thus causing the second sidewall 317 to... The bending deformation occurs in a direction away from the spring terminal 322a, which may cause the spring terminal 322a to detach from the second sidewall 317 at the most severe bending deformation position, i.e., the middle position, and thus fail to make close contact with the corresponding electrical connection terminal on the chip 330. However, under the support of the limiting wall 150, the second sidewall 317 is in contact with the limiting wall 150 and has sufficient support force to prevent deformation of the second sidewall 317. This can effectively ensure the electrical contact between the chip 330 and the electrical connector 320 and prevent poor contact.

[0062] Furthermore, the main seat 310 has at least two parallelly arranged outer inserts 318, and the limiting wall surface 150 has at least two outer slots 151 that correspond to and cooperate with the outer inserts 318. The main seat 310 is installed on the outer casing via the outer slots 151 and the outer inserts 318 in a first direction parallel to the limiting wall surface 150. The guiding direction of the outer inserts 318 and the outer slots 151, i.e., the first direction, is set to be parallel to the limiting wall surface 150. This ensures that after the main seat 310 is installed on the outer casing, the second side wall 317 is tightly fitted to the limiting wall surface 150 at the connection position corresponding to the outer inserts 318 and the outer slots 151, preventing gaps between the limiting wall surface 150 and the outer casing due to only partial structural engagement.

[0063] See Figure 6When the chip 330 is fixed in the receiving cavity 311 by the fixing structure, the receiving cavity 311 has a chip mounting opening. The fixing structure includes two inner slots 340 arranged parallel to the second sidewall 317. The chip 330 enters the chip mounting opening along the second direction and is fixed in the receiving cavity 311 by the two inner slots 340. With this structure, it is very convenient to install and remove the chip 330 in the receiving cavity 311. In addition, the main seat 310 has a receiving distance between the chip 330 and the second sidewall 317. This receiving distance allows external parts such as fingers to extend into the receiving cavity 311 from the chip mounting opening to contact the chip 330 and remove it. In this embodiment, if the main seat 310 is installed on the outer shell, the second direction is opposite to the first direction, and the limiting wall surface 150 has a limiting protrusion 152 at the position of the main seat 310 to prevent the chip 330 from being removed from the chip mounting opening. See details. Figure 10 When the main base 310 is installed on the housing along the first direction, the chip mounting opening is located in the first direction of the main base 310, that is, at the front end of the first direction. After the main base 310 is installed in place, the limiting protrusion 152 is located outside the chip mounting opening and has a portion overlapping with the chip 330 in the first direction. Based on this, since the chip 330 is installed on the main base 310 in the second direction, the disassembly direction is the first direction. At this time, the limiting protrusion 152 is close to the chip mounting opening and located in the first direction of the chip mounting opening, and is close to the portion of the chip 330 that is close to the chip mounting opening. This closeness can be direct contact or the distance between the limiting protrusion and the chip 330 is less than 2mm, so that the limiting protrusion 152 contacts the chip 330 or there is a tolerance distance between the limiting protrusion 152 and the chip 330. Within this tolerance distance, the chip 330 cannot be removed from the main base 310 by detaching from the inner slot 340. In addition, the electrical contact between each spring terminal 322a and the corresponding electrical connection terminal is always maintained to ensure effective information exchange between the chip 330 and the device body 1. Alternatively, the limiting protrusion 152 may be positioned at or near the same level as the end of the outer slot 151 to prevent the chip 330 from detaching from the main mount 310.

[0064] Additionally, to facilitate the installation of chip 330 within the housing cavity 311, please refer to... Figure 10 and Figure 12The spring-loaded terminal 322a has a guide slope 322b inclined towards the second sidewall 317 at the end near the chip mounting opening. This guide slope 322b facilitates the installation of the chip 330 into the receiving cavity 311. The inner slot 340 has a clamping portion 341 disposed opposite to the second sidewall 317. In a third direction perpendicular to the second sidewall 317, the chip 330 is fixed between the clamping portion 341 and each spring-loaded terminal 322a, making it convenient for the chip 330 to be installed on the main seat 310 without being interfered with by the spring-loaded terminals 322a. Furthermore, this embodiment also has two guide blocks 370 for fixing both ends of the chip 330. A chip receiving slot 350 is formed between the two guide blocks 370, and the left and right directions of the chip 330 are restricted in the chip receiving slot 350.

[0065] Continue reading Figure 6 and Figure 11 The limiting wall 150 also has a slot 153 located in the first direction of the main seat 310, and the second side wall 317 has a fastener 360 extending in the first direction. There are two fasteners 360, which are arranged opposite to each other on the second side wall 317 and can be locked in the slot 153 so that the main seat 310 is fixed by the two fasteners 360 after it is installed in place on the limiting wall 150.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, the outer casing has a first end side and a second end side arranged along the axial direction of the developing roller 200. The chip component is located on a third-direction limiting wall 150 perpendicular to the axial direction on the outer side wall of the outer casing. This allows the chip component 300 to be positioned away from the space where the developing cartridge drives the gear set, powder feeding roller 500 and stirring component 400 and other components are overly integrated in the axial direction, thereby reducing the size of the developing cartridge in the axial direction.

[0067] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely the preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and simple substitutions to the technical solutions of the present invention using the disclosed methods and techniques without departing from the scope of the present invention; all of these variations fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge, used in an image forming apparatus, characterized in that, include: The outer casing has a storage cavity inside for storing developer; The developing roller is rotatably mounted on the outer casing and is capable of conveying the developer within the storage chamber; A drum component receives developer from the storage cavity and forms an image; The chip component is mounted on the housing; The chip component includes: A chip having at least one electrical connection terminal; The main base is detachably connected to the outer side wall of the housing. The main base has a storage cavity and a first side wall located away from the housing. The storage cavity is provided with a fixing structure for fixing the chip. At least one electrical connector is placed on the main body, the electrical connector including a first connection end and a second connection end, the first connection end being placed on the first sidewall to make electrical contact with an electrical connection portion on the image forming apparatus, and the second connection end bypassing the first sidewall and being inserted into the receiving cavity to make electrical contact with one of its electrical connection ends on the chip; The main seat has at least two parallel external inserts, and the outer wall of the outer shell has at least two external slots that correspond to and cooperate with the external inserts. The main seat is installed on the outer shell in a first direction parallel to the outer wall via the external slots and the external inserts.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main support includes a first shielding wall and a second shielding wall opposite to the outer shell. The first shielding wall is close to the outer shell on a first side and connected to the second shielding wall on a second side. The first side wall is disposed on the side of the second shielding wall facing away from the outer shell. The first shielding wall and the second shielding wall form at least a portion of the inner sidewall of the receiving cavity; When the image forming apparatus is in the image forming posture, the first shielding wall is located above the receiving cavity, and the chip is disposed opposite to the second shielding wall inside the receiving cavity.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the image forming apparatus is in the image forming posture, the second shielding wall is tilted relative to the second side in a direction away from the housing.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first and second shielding walls have connection slots corresponding to the number of electrical connectors. Each connection slot has a first socket at one end located on the first shielding wall and a second socket at one end located on the second shielding wall. The electrical connector is embedded in the connection groove, the end of the first connection end is inserted into the second socket and fixed by the second socket, and the second connection end passes through the first socket and extends into the storage cavity.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main seat has a second sidewall that is disposed opposite to the first sidewall and located within the storage cavity, and the second connecting end has a spring-loaded terminal close to the second sidewall; At least one electrical connection terminal is disposed on the electrical connection side of the chip; When the chip is fixed by the fixing structure, the electrical connection side is opposite to the second sidewall, and the electrical connection end makes corresponding contact with the spring terminal.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that, The housing has a limiting wall surface that fits against the second side wall at the mounting position of the main seat. When the chip component is mounted on the housing, the electrical connection side, the second side wall, and the limiting wall surface are arranged in parallel.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that, The storage cavity has a chip mounting opening, and the fixing structure includes at least two inner slots arranged parallel to the second sidewall. The chip enters the chip mounting opening along the second direction and is fixed in the storage cavity through the at least two inner slots.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that, The spring terminal has a guide slope inclined toward the second sidewall at the end near the chip mounting opening, and the inner slot has a clamping part disposed opposite to the second sidewall; In a third direction perpendicular to the second sidewall, the chip is fixed between the top clamp and each of the spring terminals.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that, The limiting wall has a limiting protrusion at the position of the main seat, and the limiting protrusion is close to the part of the chip near the chip mounting opening.

10. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that, It includes a device body and a developing cartridge as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 disposed within the device body.

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