Powder storage device and powder supply system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of printing equipment, and provides a powder storage device and a powder supply system.The powder storage device comprises a device body, the device body is provided with a powder storage cavity and a powder feeding port, and the powder feeding port is located in the first direction of the powder storage cavity; the developing component is rotationally arranged at the powder feeding port; the information carrying assembly comprises a connecting seat arranged on the device body; the first movable part moves in the first direction; the second moving part moves along a straight line in the second direction, and the second moving part is in linkage with the first moving part; an information carrying member including an electrical connection portion; the first movable part is provided with a non-shielding part exposed out of the device body; when the powder storage device is assembled on the electronic imaging equipment, the first movable part is linked with the second movable part and drives the second movable part to carry the electric connecting part to move from a non-contact position with the electronic imaging equipment to a contact position. According to the invention, the chip can be better protected, and the connection between the chip and the corresponding communication interface on the equipment is tighter.

Description

Powder storage device and powder supply system Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printing equipment technology, and in particular to a toner storage device and a toner supply system. Background Technology

[0002] Electroimaging equipment forms images on printing media by electronically adsorbing powder, and is widely used in offices and homes. Due to different brands and user needs, there are many types of electroimaging equipment on the market. The developing unit, which stores the powder, is detachably connected to the corresponding electroimaging equipment and supplies powder to it. When the powder supply is depleted, it is removed and replaced with a new developing unit. To facilitate the electroimaging equipment's access to information such as the developing unit's specifications, storage capacity, and remaining powder, a chip component is usually installed on the developing unit, enabling communication between the two devices.

[0003] In existing technologies, chips are relatively delicate components and are easily damaged, especially during the disassembly and assembly of the developing unit in electronic imaging equipment. Since the chip needs to directly contact the communication interface inside the electronic imaging equipment to achieve communication connection, the chip or its electrical connection terminal is exposed on the outer side of the casing of the developing unit. During the installation of the electronic imaging equipment, the exposed chip part is prone to rubbing against the inner sidewall, limiting protrusions and other structures inside the equipment, resulting in scratch damage to this part and affecting the information exchange between the developing unit and the equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a powder storage device and a powder supply system, wherein the chip and its electrical connection part are less likely to rub against the communication interface and other structures on the electronic imaging equipment, and the connection between the chip and the corresponding communication interface on the equipment is tighter, avoiding information interaction obstacles caused by poor contact.

[0005] The present invention provides a powder storage device for use in an electronic imaging device, comprising: a device body having a powder storage cavity for storing powder and a powder delivery port communicating with the powder storage cavity, the powder delivery port being located in a first direction of the powder storage cavity; a developing component rotatably disposed on the powder delivery port and used to deliver the powder in the powder storage cavity to the outside of the powder delivery port; and an information carrying component comprising: a connecting seat disposed on the device body; a first movable member movably disposed on the connecting seat along a straight line in the first direction; and a second movable member movably disposed on the connecting seat along a straight line in a second direction, the second movable member having a linkage structure with the first movable member. The information carrying component includes an electrical connection portion disposed on the side of the second movable member facing the second direction and exposed to the outside of the connector; wherein the first movable member has a non-obstructed portion exposed in a third direction outside any part of the device body; when the powder storage device is assembled on the electronic imaging device, the first movable member moves from a first position to a second position along the third direction, thereby actuating the second movable member and driving the second movable member to carry the electrical connection portion from a non-contact position to a contact position with the electronic imaging device; wherein the second direction intersects the first direction, and the third direction is opposite to the first direction.

[0006] According to the powder storage device provided in the first aspect embodiment of the present invention, when the powder storage device is assembled in an electronic imaging device, since the powder feeding port is located at the front end of the assembly direction in the mounting direction, the first movable member exposed on the outside of the device body in the first direction can contact the side wall structure at the mounting position inside the device. A linkage structure then drives the second movable member to make the electrical connection portion of the chip electrically contact the communication interface in the device. This implementation ensures that the electrical connection portion maintains tight communication contact with the device. During assembly, because the chip and its electrical connection portion have reserved space relative to the original contact position, the side wall and other structures at the mounting position of the powder storage device on the assembly trajectory inside the device will not directly contact the electrical connection portion. This ensures that even if the electrical connection portion is exposed outside the device, it is not easily scratched by external structures during assembly, providing good protection. Simultaneously, since the second direction intersects the first direction, the pressure contact between the first movable member and the inside of the device is converted into a tight contact between the electrical connection portion and the communication interface. This effectively avoids poor communication between the chip and the device caused by dimensional errors or positional loosening relative to the dimensions involved in the powder storage device and the electronic imaging device.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the developing component rotates along a first axis, and the non-obstructing portion and the electrical connection portion are both located in a third direction relative to the first axis; wherein the angle between the non-contact position and the contact position relative to the first axis is less than 45°.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device body extends along the axial direction of the developing component, and the connecting seat is disposed at a first end of the device body in the axial direction; wherein, when the device body is observed along the axial direction, the first height of the electrical connection portion located at the non-contact position in the second direction is less than the maximum height of the device body in the second direction, and the third height of the electrical connection portion located at the contact position in the second direction is greater than the maximum height of the device body in the second direction; the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the device body is observed along the axial direction of the developing component, the electrical connection portion located at the non-contact position overlaps with the device body.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the powder storage device is assembled in a drum assembly, the drum assembly including a housing and a drum component rotatably disposed on the housing, the housing having a bracket for mounting the powder storage device, the bracket being located in a third direction of the drum component; wherein, the housing further has a first connection port located on a first direction side of the drum component and a second connection port located on a third direction side of the drum component; the developing component contacts the surface of the drum component at the second connection port, and when the drum assembly is assembled in the electro-imaging device, the drum component contacts the transfer component on the electro-imaging device through the second connection port.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first movable member has a pressure-receiving portion including the unobstructed portion at its extended end away from the connecting seat. The pressure-receiving portion has a pressure-receiving slope. When the powder storage device is in the working position, the pressure-receiving slope is inclined downward and biased towards the third direction.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the linkage structure includes a deformable member rotatably disposed on the second movable member, and the extended end of the deformable member away from the second movable member is rotatably disposed on the first movable member.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first movable member is provided with a movable groove extending along the first direction, and the deformable member is rotatably connected to the end of the movable groove in the first direction.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an elastic component is provided inside the connecting seat. The elastic component is connected to the first movable component and is used to provide an elastic force to push the first movable component back to the first position along the first direction.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first end of the device body has a sliding fastener arranged along the axial direction of the developing component, and the connecting seat is provided with a fastening groove that can be fastened into the sliding fastener along the axial direction.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present invention also provides a powder supply system detachably connected to an electronic imaging device, comprising: a drum assembly including a housing and a drum component rotatably disposed on the housing; and a powder storage device as described in the first aspect embodiment, detachably connected to the drum assembly, wherein the developing component of the powder storage device is in contact with the drum component.

[0017] 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

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electronic imaging device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the powder supply system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the powder supply system provided in an embodiment of the present invention from an axial side view.

[0021] Figure 4 is a first-view structural schematic diagram of the powder storage device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of the powder storage device provided in an embodiment of the present invention from a second perspective.

[0023] Figure 6 is a magnified view of part A in Figure 5;

[0024] Figure 7 is a structural schematic diagram of the powder storage device provided in an embodiment of the present invention from a second perspective.

[0025] Figure 8 is a magnified view of part A in Figure 7;

[0026] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the powder storage device provided in the embodiment of the present invention when the chip is in a non-contact position;

[0027] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the powder storage device provided in an embodiment of the present invention when the chip is in the contact position;

[0028] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the information carrying component provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 12 is an exploded view of the information carrying component provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the information carrying component provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the powder storage device provided in an embodiment of the present invention, excluding the information carrying component.

[0032] Reference numerals: 1. Equipment body; 11. Paper tray; 12. Pick-up assembly; 13. Conveyor assembly; 14. Transfer assembly; 15. Toner supply system; 16. Scanning assembly; 17. Fixing assembly; 18. Paper output assembly; 100. Device body; 110. Toner storage chamber; 120. Toner inlet; 130. First transmission part; 140. Second transmission part; 150. Counting assembly; 160. Sliding fastener; 200. Developing unit; 300. Drum assembly; 400. Stirring unit; 500. Housing; 510. Housing body; 511. First connection port; 512. Second connection port; 520. Support. 521 Mounting slot, 522 Limiting groove, 523 Movable buckle; 600 Information carrying component, 610 Connecting seat, 611 First channel, 612 Second channel, 620 First movable part, 621 Pressurized part, 622 Pressurized inclined surface, 623 Movable groove, 623a First rotating opening, 630 Second movable part, 631 Connecting slot, 632 Detected stop, 633 Second rotating opening, 634 Buckle groove, 640 Electrical connection part, 650 Deformable component, 651 First connecting end, 652 Second connecting end, 660 Elastic component. Detailed Implementation

[0033] 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.

[0034] The electronic imaging device of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, one embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic imaging device, including a device body 1 and a paper tray 11, a pickup component 12, a conveying component 13, a transfer component 14, a toner supply system 15, a scanning component 16, a fixing component 17, and a paper discharge component 18 disposed within the device body 1. The device body 1 has a paper conveying path. The paper tray 11 stores stacked paper for printing. The pickup component 12 includes a pickup roller that contacts the stacked paper and feeds the paper into the paper conveying path. The conveying component 13 includes a correction roller and a paper feed roller. The correction roller is used to correct the position of the paper in the paper conveying path, and the paper feed roller is used to transport the paper in the paper conveying path. The toner supply system 15 forms an image composed of powder inside and transfers the image to the transfer component 14. The transfer component 14 transfers the image in the paper conveying path. After acquiring the image, the paper is further conveyed to the fixing component 17. The fixing component 17 fixes the image on the paper surface by heating. After printing, the paper is finally discharged outside the device body 1 by the paper discharge component 18.

[0036] The scanning component 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 to deflect the laser onto the powder supply system 15 for the imaging process of the powder supply system 15.

[0037] The present invention provides, in a first aspect embodiment, a powder storage device that is used in and detachably housed within an electronic imaging device, and is capable of supplying powder to the device as part of a powder supply system, wherein the powder is toner, toner, or the like that that can be consumed by the device. In this embodiment, the powder storage device includes a device body 100 and a drum component 300 and a developing component 200 disposed within the device body 100. The drum component 300 is rotatable relative to the device body 100 about a first axis. A photosensitive surface made of photosensitive material is provided on its outer wall. When the photosensitive material is irradiated with light, the polarity of the charge on its surface changes, forming an electrostatic latent image. This allows it to further attract powder to form an image after receiving it. The developing component 200 is rotatable relative to the device body 100 about a second axis. The device body 100 has a powder storage cavity 110 for storing powder and a powder delivery port 120 connected to the powder storage cavity 110. The developing component 200 is disposed at the powder delivery port 120. One side of its surface contacts the surface of the drum component 300, and the other side contacts the powder in the powder storage cavity 110, thereby conveying powder to the surface of the drum component 300 during rotation.

[0038] The powder storage device also includes a stirring component 400, which is disposed within the device body 100 and rotates around a third axis. In this embodiment, the stirring component 400 is located within the powder storage chamber 110 and stirs the powder within the powder storage chamber 110. The stirring component 400 includes a stirring shaft and stirring blades disposed on the stirring shaft. During the rotation of the stirring shaft around the direction W, the stirring blades push the powder within the powder storage chamber 110 to the powder feeding channel between the powder feeding port 120 and the powder storage chamber 110. The developing component 200 contacts the powder in the powder feeding channel and conveys it toward the drum component 300.

[0039] Furthermore, referring to Figures 2 and 3, the present invention provides a powder storage device in a second aspect embodiment. The powder supply system includes the powder storage device and a drum device. In this embodiment, the powder storage device is detachably connected to the drum device. The drum device includes a housing 500 and a drum component 300. The housing 500 includes a housing body 510 and a support 520. The drum component 300 is rotatably mounted on the housing body 510. The support 520 is provided with a mounting slot 521 for detachably mounting the powder storage device. Therefore, the powder storage device provided in this embodiment differs from the powder storage device provided in the first aspect embodiment in that it is split into two detachably connected parts, namely the drum device and the powder storage device in the second aspect embodiment. Because the drum component 300 in the drum device has a long service life, the powder in the powder storage chamber 110 is usually consumed at a rate shorter than the lifespan of the drum component 300 during the specific use of the electronic imaging equipment. Therefore, separating the powder storage device from the drum device can save materials and reduce usage costs.

[0040] Regardless of whether the first aspect embodiment or the second aspect embodiment is adopted in this invention, the powder storage device has the following described structure.

[0041] Referring to Figures 2 to 14, the powder feeding port 120 is located in a first direction of the powder storage chamber 110, which is direction X in Figure 4. The axial direction in the aforementioned embodiment is direction Y in Figure 4. The powder storage chamber 110 is located in a third direction opposite to the first direction of the powder feeding port 120. In this embodiment, the powder storage device also includes an information carrying component 600, which is used for information interaction with the device. The information carrying component 600 includes a connecting seat 610, a first movable component 620, a second movable component 630, and an information carrying component. The first movable component 620 and the second movable component 630 are both movably mounted on the connecting seat 610, and a linkage structure is provided between them, so that one movable component can drive the other movable component to move during the movement. Specifically, the first movable member 620 is movably disposed on the connecting seat 610 along the trajectory of the first direction, and can move relative to the connecting seat 610 along the first direction and a third direction. The second movable member 630 is movably disposed on the connecting seat 610 along the trajectory of the second direction, and can move relative to the connecting seat 610 along the second direction and the opposite direction of the second direction, as shown in direction U in FIG4. The information carrying component includes a chip capable of storing information such as the specifications, storage capacity, or remaining powder of the powder storage device by the electronic imaging device. In one embodiment, the chip may be provided with an electrical connection portion made of conductive material such as metal that can make electrical contact with the communication interface on the device. In another embodiment, the information carrying component includes an electrical connection portion electrically connected to the chip. Regardless of the embodiment, the electrical connection portion is used to realize the electrical connection between the chip on the powder storage device and the external communication interface. In this embodiment, referring to FIG4, the electrical connection portion 640 is disposed on the side of the second movable member 630 facing the second direction, exposed on the outside of the connecting seat 610, thereby enabling it to connect with the internal communication interface of the device in the second direction. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the communication interface is configured as one or more pins that make electrical contact with the electrical connection part 640. Of course, it can be configured as other connection structures that can realize communication with the electrical connection part 640, all of which are within the scope of implementation of the present invention.

[0042] Correspondingly, the connector 610 has an intersecting and interconnected first channel 611 and second channel 612 inside. The first channel 611 is arranged along a first direction, and the second channel 612 is arranged along a second direction. The first opening of the first channel 611 on the connector 610 is located on the first direction side of the connector 610, and the second opening of the second channel 612 on the connector 610 is located on the second direction side. The first movable member 620 and the second movable member 630 both have exposed portions that are respectively exposed outside the first opening and the second opening. As shown in the embodiment of FIG9, a connection slot 631 is provided on the exposed portion of the second movable member 630. When the electrical connection part 640 is set as an external connection part on the chip in this embodiment, the chip can be snapped into the connection slot 631 by a snap-fit ​​method. Of course, the chip can also be detachably fixed on the connection slot 631 by a screw connection, or the electrical connection part 640 can be set as an additional conductive sheet or other structure, connected to the interface part of the chip and exposed outside the second movable member 630. All of these are within the scope of implementation. When the powder storage device is viewed from the third-party perspective, the first movable member 620 has an unobstructed portion that is not blocked by any part of the device body 100. Since the powder storage device is installed on the electronic imaging device along or biased towards the first direction during installation, the unobstructed portion exposed outside the device body 100 from the third-party perspective in the mounting slot for installing the powder storage device, when the mounting slot is adapted to the contour of the device body 100, will be interfered with by the side wall or limiting protrusion in the mounting slot. During the continuous installation of the powder storage device along the first direction, the corresponding part in the mounting slot contacts the unobstructed portion and blocks the first movable member 620 from continuing to move with the device body 100. As a result, the first movable member 620 moves from the first position to the second position relative to the device body 100 along the third direction. During this movement, the linkage structure links the second movable member 630 and drives the second movable member 630 to move along the second direction, so that the electrical connection part 640 moves from a non-contact position with the electronic imaging device to a contact position, realizing information exchange.

[0043] During the assembly of the powder storage device, there is a reserved gap between the electrical connection part 640 in the non-contact position (hereinafter referred to as the third position) when the second movable member 630 is not moved relative to the connecting seat 610, and the contact position (hereinafter referred to as the fourth position) when the electrical connection part 640 is normally assembled in the device. Under this gap, the electrical connection part 640 will not easily come into contact with any part during the installation process. Therefore, the installation of the powder storage device will not cause scratches or other problems to the electrical connection part 640. As the first movable member 620 is driven by the blocking part in the assembly slot, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the electrical connection part 640 moves from the third position to the fourth position. It is pushed up in the second direction on the second movable member 630 by the first movable member 620 and is in the contact position when the powder storage device is in the position of the assembly slot, thus achieving close contact with the communication interface. Based on the structural design in this embodiment, when the powder storage device is in the assembly slot, the non-obstructed part of the first movable member 620 is in a state of real-time compression with the corresponding side wall in the assembly slot. The first movable member 620 in the second position can ensure the connection between the electrical connection part 640 and the communication interface. Furthermore, due to the compression force generated by the first movable member 620 in the second position, the electrical connection part 640 will also generate a compression force with the communication interface, which can ensure the real-time tightness of the connection between the two, and there will be no connection gap between the electrical connection part 640 and the communication interface due to dimensional errors, device compression deformation, etc., thus completely solving the problem of poor contact between the electrical connection part 640 and the device.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the exposed portion of the second movable member 630, i.e., the extended end in the second direction, is further provided with a detection block 632. The detection block 632 is located in the fourth direction of the electrical connection portion 640, wherein the fourth direction intersects with the first direction and the second direction, specifically the fourth direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. In this embodiment, the fourth direction is set as the Y direction. When the powder storage device is assembled on the assembly slot, the detection component on the device is triggered, thereby enabling the device to know that the powder storage device has been assembled inside the device, or to know that the electrical connection portion 640 has achieved communication contact with the internal system of the device. The detected stop 632 and the electrical connection portion 640 are on the same axial direction. When viewed from a third-party upward perspective, the detected stop 632 and the device body 100 have at least a portion not obscured by the device body 100. This portion is adapted to ensure that the detected stop 632 will not interfere with other components within the device during assembly, or at least before assembly. Simultaneously, because the detected stop 632 can also fall into the detection range of the detection component as the second movable member 630 moves along the second direction after the device is assembled, under this structural effect, the detected stop 632 will not interfere with other components within the device during assembly. The detection component has a travel distance relative to the device body 100. Since the detected block 632 has a portion not obstructed by the device body 100 during assembly, no other structure will fall into the detection range of the detection component if the device is not fully assembled. Therefore, during the installation of the entire device along the assembly direction, apart from the detection triggering action between the detected block 632 and the detection component in the fully assembled state, there will be no detection component triggering problems caused by other components on the device making incorrect contact or obstruction. This effectively improves the detection accuracy of the powder storage device and prevents accidental triggering. It should be noted that the detection component in this embodiment can be implemented as a photoelectric sensor. The detection light emitted by the photoelectric sensor is triggered by the detected block 632 after being blocked. Of course, the detection component can also be implemented using other detection methods, such as setting a movable trigger block on the detection component. When the trigger block is pushed to the detection position by the detected block 632, the detection component sends a detection signal into the device. This technology is already implemented in the prior art and will not be elaborated further here.

[0045] Specifically, both the unobstructed portion and the electrical connection 640 are located in the third direction of the first axis. This ensures that the developing component 200 will be positioned before interference occurs between the unobstructed portion and the contact point in the assembly slot, or before the electrical connection 640 contacts the communication interface. This avoids the problem of misalignment caused by premature interference of the information carrying component, and also avoids the defect of easily damaging the information carrying component due to premature interference. Further extending this embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the angle between the non-contact position (third position C in Figure 9) and the contact position (fourth position C' in Figure 10) relative to the first axis is less than 45°. This limitation prevents the electrical connection 640 from having an excessive range of motion on the device body 100, thus meeting the design requirements for a flattened powder storage device, further reducing the spatial size of the powder storage device, and making the electronic imaging equipment more miniaturized.

[0046] Referring again to Figure 4, the device body 100 extends along the axial direction and has a body portion and a first end portion and a second end portion located at both circumferential ends of the body portion. In this embodiment, the first end portion and the second end portion may include a first end cap and a second end cap. One of the second end portion and the second end portion is provided with a first transmission portion 130, which is used to receive external driving force and transmit the driving force to the developing component 200 and the stirring component 400. The other end portion is provided with a second transmission portion 140 and a counting component 150 that is drivenly connected to the second transmission portion 140. The second transmission portion 140 receives the driving force from the first transmission portion 130 through the developing component 200 or the stirring component 400 and transmits the driving force to the counting component 150. The counting component 150 includes a counting gear, on which at least one detection part is provided. The counting gear rotates under the drive of the second transmission portion 140 and disengages from the second transmission portion 140 after rotating to a corresponding angle, thus completing the detection process. The counting gear is used in the detection process of the powder storage device on the equipment to detect whether it is new, of the specified specifications, and compatible. The counting gear of the present invention can apply most of the structures with the same effect in the prior art, and the counting component will not be described in detail here.

[0047] The connecting seat 610 is disposed on the first end. When the device body 100 is observed along the axial direction, the first height of the electrical connection part 640 in the second direction at the non-contact position is less than the maximum height of the device body 100 in the second direction. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the position of the electrical connection part 640 in the third position is C, and the maximum height position of the device body 100 in the third direction of the second movable member 630 is D. It can be seen that D is in the second direction of C, and the electrical connection part 640 is lower than the highest position of the device body 100 in this direction. Therefore, if the device rubs and collides with the top side wall in the assembly slot during installation, it will come into contact with the maximum height position D and will not scratch the electrical connection part 640, thereby better protecting the electrical connection part 640. When the electrical connection part 640 is in the contact position, i.e., the fourth position C', referring to Figure 10, the third height of the electrical connection part 640 in the second direction is greater than the maximum height of the device body 100 in the second direction, i.e., C' is in the second direction of D. Thus, the second movable part 630 can extend into the top position of the assembly slot and make the electrical connection part 640 contact the communication interface. This structure can protect the electrical connection part 640 on the one hand, and hide the communication interface on the other hand to avoid damage during the installation process of the powder storage device, thus ensuring the stability and safety of the powder storage device assembly.

[0048] Furthermore, when observing the device body 100 in the axial direction, the electrical connection portion 640, located in a non-contact position, overlaps with the device body 100, ensuring that the electrical connection portion 640 is fully protected by the device body 100 and will not easily come into contact with any part of the assembly slot. In the embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the detected stop 632 is viewed in the axial direction of the electrical connection portion 640 and in the opposite direction of the second direction, there is a separation gap between the detected stop 632 and the device body 100. Because the detected stop 632 is placed on the outside of the device body 100 in the second direction when the second movable member 630 moves to the position where the electrical connection portion 640 reaches the fourth position, the corresponding detection component can be placed between the device body 100 and the detected component, within the axial space of the assembly slot. This avoids increasing the axial space of the corresponding powder storage device on the device due to the detection component being placed on the periphery of the assembly slot, thereby further compressing the lateral dimension of the electronic imaging device and meeting the current user experience requirements for device miniaturization.

[0049] In another embodiment, when the device is designed as the powder storage device provided in the second aspect embodiment, referring to Figures 2 and 3, the bracket 520 is provided with a movable buckle 523 at the end away from the shell body 510 and a limiting groove 522 at the end close to the shell body 510. When the device body 100 is assembled in the mounting mounting position 521, the limiting protrusions at both ends of the device body 100 are engaged into the limiting groove 522, while the end away from the shell body 510 is correspondingly fastened by the movable buckle 523, thereby realizing the assembly process. In this embodiment, the support 520 is located on the third direction of the drum component 300. The housing body 510 has a first connection port 511 and a second connection port 512 disposed opposite to each other. The first connection port 511 is located on the first direction side of the drum component 300, and the second connection port 512 is located on the third direction side of the drum component 300. The developing component 200 contacts the surface image of the drum component 300 through the second connection port 512. When the powder supply system is assembled in the device, the drum component 300 contacts the transfer component on the electro-imaging device through the second connection port 512. This structure, combined with the first movable member 620 in the aforementioned embodiment, is designed to... During the pushing and moving process along the third direction within the device, while maintaining close contact between the electrical connection part 640 and the communication interface, a reaction force is generated. This reaction force causes the first movable part 620 to apply a pushing force along the third direction to the device body 100 when it contacts the corresponding side wall inside the device. Since the bracket 520 is located in the third direction of the drum component 300 and the movable buckle 523 at the far end of the fixing device body 100 is placed in the third direction of the drum component 300, the pushing force allows the device body 100 to be better snapped into the movable buckle 523, making the powder storage device more securely assembled on the bracket 520.

[0050] In the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 13, the first movable member 620 has a pressure portion 621 with a non-overlapping portion at the extended end away from the connecting seat 610. The pressure portion 621 has a pressure slope 622. When the powder storage device is in the working position, referring to Figure 9, the pressure slope 622 is inclined downward and biased towards a third direction. Regarding the installation process of the powder storage device on the electronic imaging equipment, after opening the side cover, in order to accommodate hand gripping and snapping the powder storage device into the assembly slot, the opening direction of the assembly slot is usually set to be inclined upward. Based on this, during the installation process of the powder storage device on the equipment, the pressure inclined surface 622 is perpendicular to the installation direction or the angle formed with the installation direction can cover the limiting surface or limiting protrusion in that direction. It is contacted by the side wall structure at the end of the device body 100 in the assembly slot. While the first movable member 620 is squeezed by the side wall structure, the pressure inclined surface 622 plays a guiding role, so that the first movable member 620 can move from the first position to the second position relative to the connecting seat 610 in a third direction, which facilitates the pushing movement of the first movable member 620.

[0051] In addition, the linkage structure includes a deformable member 650 rotatably disposed on the second movable member 630, and the extended end of the deformable member 650 away from the second movable member 630 is rotatably disposed on the first movable member 620. The deformable component 650 can be made of materials such as plastic sheets or steel sheets. In this embodiment, it is configured as an arc-shaped plate structure with a first connecting end 651 and a second connecting end 652. The first connecting end 651 and the second connecting end 652 are respectively rotatably mounted on the first movable member 620 and the second movable member 630. When the first movable member 620 moves in a third direction, the deformable component 650 is compressed and generates a deformation force. At the same time, it acts as a force transmission medium to transmit the force to the second movable member 630, thereby pushing the second movable member 630 to move in a second direction, so that the linkage structure can adapt to the internal space of the connecting seat 610. During this process, if the deformable component 650 has an elastic restoring capability, then because the deformable component 650 can undergo corresponding elastic deformation and store elastic force, after the first movable member 620 moves to the second position, the second movable member 630 and... The connection between the first movable parts 620 is not rigid. After the deformable member 650 makes contact between the electrical connection part 640 and the communication interface, the reaction force required to maintain close contact will be pushed onto the deformable member 650 and stored therein. At the same time, due to the action of the deformable member 650, when the first movable part 620 is reset to the first position along the first direction, the deformable member 650 will only drag the second movable part 630 to reset after releasing the stored elastic force. Therefore, during the reset process, the electrical connection part 640 will not immediately detach from the communication interface, but will separate from the communication interface after a certain buffer time. This structure enables a short information retention time during the information interaction between the device and the powder storage device, and will not cause damage or loss of information due to sudden separation.

[0052] In the corresponding specific implementation structure, the first movable member 620 is provided with a movable groove 623 extending along the first direction. The deformable member 650 is rotatably disposed at the end of the movable groove 623 in the first direction. The width of the movable groove 623 is greater than or equal to the width of the main body of the deformable member 650. Its end position has a first rotation opening 623a. The first connecting end 651 and the second connecting end 652 of the deformable member 650 are cylindrical. The first connecting end 651 is snapped into the first rotation opening 623a to achieve a rotational connection at that end. The second movable member 630 has a second rotation opening 633 at one end located in the second channel 612. The second connecting end 652 is snapped into the second rotating opening 633 to achieve a rotatable connection with the second movable member 630. Its movable groove 623 serves as a guide during the installation of the deformable member 650 on the first movable member 620. Simultaneously, when the deformable member 650 undergoes elastic deformation due to stored elastic force, it provides a space for the body of the deformable member 650 to be inserted, thus protecting the deformable member 650 and preventing it from easily detaching from the first movable member 620 and the second movable member 630. This results in a more rational design of the internal space of the information carrying component 600, making the overall structure more compact. The connecting seat 610 is also provided with a guide groove extending along the second direction, and the second movable member 630 is provided with a guide protrusion that cooperates with the guide groove. The second movable member 630, guided by the guide groove and guide protrusion, can move better along the straight line in the second direction.

[0053] In addition, the linkage structure can also be implemented as other structures that link the first movable member 620 and the second movable member 630. For example, they can be linked by pushing against each other through inclined guide surfaces, or they can be rigid connecting strips / connecting blocks / connecting rods with their two ends movably connected to the first movable member 620 and the second movable member 630, etc. All of these linkage methods are within the scope of implementation in this embodiment. The foregoing embodiments are not the only limitation on the linkage structure.

[0054] Referring again to Figure 13, an elastic component 660 is provided inside the connecting seat 610. The elastic component 660 is connected to the first movable component 620 and is used to provide an elastic force to push the first movable component 620 back to the first position along the first direction. In this embodiment, the elastic component 660 is set as a spring, with one end pressing against one end of the first movable component 620 in the first channel 611, and the other end pressing against the inner side wall of the connecting seat 610. When the first movable component 620 is detached from the device as a powder storage device and is not squeezed by external force, the elastic component 660 causes the first movable component 620 to return to the first direction and carries the second movable component 630 to move in the opposite direction of the second direction through the linkage structure. This causes the electrical connection part 640 to return to the non-contact position with the communication interface during the device disassembly process, thereby protecting the electrical connection part 640 during the disassembly process so as to facilitate recycling and reuse.

[0055] The connecting seat 610 is detachably mounted on the device body 100. Specifically, referring to Figure 14, the first end of the device body 100 has a sliding fastener 160 arranged along the axial direction of the developing component 200. The sliding fastener 160 can be integrally formed on the device body 100. The sliding fastener 160 includes a connecting strip with the device body 100 and a limiting strip disposed on the outside of the connecting strip and forming a connecting groove with the device body 100. The whole has a T-shaped structure. The connecting seat 610 is correspondingly provided with a fastening groove 634 that can be fastened into the sliding fastener 160 along the axial direction. The fastening groove 634 can be fastened into the sliding fastener 160, thereby realizing the detachable assembly of the connecting seat 610 on the device body 100. Furthermore, since the sliding fastener 160 and the fastening groove 634 are arranged along the axial direction and perpendicular to the first direction, they can withstand a large pushing force in the first direction and the third direction, and will not be easily damaged. Moreover, it is very convenient for the installation process of the connecting seat 610 on the device body 100, and it is easy to replace directly. It should be added that, in this embodiment, when the buckle 634 is snapped into the sliding buckle 160, the side wall portion of the connecting seat 610 with the buckle 634 is placed in the connecting groove and can be clamped by the limiting strip and the side wall of the device body 100 respectively, forming a transition fit or interference fit to fix the connecting seat 610, thereby designing an installation structure that is not detachable in the first or third direction and is easy to detach in the axial direction.

[0056] 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 powder storage device, used in electronic imaging equipment, characterized in that, include: The device body has a powder storage chamber for storing powder and a powder feeding port connected to the powder storage chamber, wherein the powder feeding port is located in a first direction of the powder storage chamber. A developing component is rotatably mounted on the powder feeding port and used to transport powder from the powder storage chamber to the outside of the powder feeding port; an information carrying component includes: a connecting seat disposed on the device body; a first movable member movably disposed on the connecting seat along a first direction; a second movable member movably disposed on the connecting seat along a second direction, the second movable member having a linkage structure with the first movable member; an information carrying member including an electrical connection portion disposed on the side of the second movable member facing the second direction and exposed to the outside of the connecting seat; wherein, the first movable member has a non-obstructed portion exposed outside any part of the device body in a third direction; when the powder storage device is assembled on the electronic imaging device, the first movable member moves from a first position to a second position along the third direction, linkage with the second movable member and driving the second movable member to carry the electrical connection portion from a non-contact position to a contact position with the electronic imaging device; wherein, the second direction intersects the first direction, and the third direction is opposite to the first direction.

2. The powder storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developing component rotates along a first axis, and the non-obstructed portion and the electrical connection portion are both located on a third direction relative to the first axis; wherein the angle between the non-contact position and the contact position relative to the first axis is less than 45°.

3. The powder storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device body extends along the axial direction of the developing component, and the connecting seat is disposed at a first end of the device body in the axial direction; wherein, when the device body is viewed along the axial direction, the first height of the electrical connection portion located at the non-contact position in the second direction is less than the maximum height of the device body in the second direction, and the third height of the electrical connection portion located at the contact position in the second direction is greater than the maximum height of the device body in the second direction; the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to the axial direction.

4. The powder storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the device body is viewed along the axial direction of the developing component, the electrical connection portion located at the non-contact position overlaps with the device body.

5. The powder storage device according to claim 1, assembled in a drum assembly, the drum assembly comprising a housing and a drum component rotatably disposed on the housing, the housing having a bracket for mounting the powder storage device, the bracket being located in a third-order orientation of the drum component; wherein, The housing also has a first connection port located on the first direction side of the drum component and a second connection port located on the third direction side of the drum component; characterized in that the developing component contacts the surface of the drum component at the second connection port, and when the drum device is assembled in the electronic imaging device, the drum component contacts the transfer component on the electronic imaging device through the second connection port.

6. The powder storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first movable member has a pressure-receiving portion including the unobstructed portion at its extended end away from the connecting seat. The pressure-receiving portion has a pressure-receiving slope, which tilts downward and deviates towards the third direction when the powder storage device is in the working position.

7. The powder storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linkage structure includes a deformable component rotatably mounted on the second movable component, and the extended end of the deformable component away from the second movable component is rotatably mounted on the first movable component.

8. The powder storage device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first movable member is provided with a movable groove extending along the first direction, and the deformable member is rotatably connected to the end of the movable groove in the first direction.

9. The powder storage device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The connecting seat is provided with an elastic component, which is connected to the first movable component and is used to provide an elastic force to push the first movable component back to the first position along the first direction.

10. A powder supply system, detachably connected to an electronic imaging device, characterized in that, include: A drum assembly, the drum assembly including a housing and a drum component rotatably disposed on the housing; a powder storage device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, detachably connected to the drum assembly, wherein the developing component of the powder storage device is in contact with the drum component.

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