A method for converting a recovery developing cartridge

Abstract

The present application discloses a method for converting a recycled developing cartridge. The recycled developing cartridge includes a cartridge body, the cartridge body including a developing roller and a first forced push piece. The method includes the steps of: removing at least part of the first forced push piece so that the converted developing cartridge can avoid a protrusion in a drum assembly and can move downward relative to the drum assembly when installed in the drum assembly; and installing a second cover on the cartridge body, the second cover including a second electrical contact surface, a second forced push piece, and a lifting assembly. The second electrical contact surface is fixed relative to the cartridge body. The second forced push piece is located at a fourth end in a second direction. The second forced push piece is configured to receive a pushing force from the drum assembly. The lifting assembly is configured to lift the developing cartridge upward relative to an image forming device when the converted developing cartridge and the drum assembly are detachably installed in the image forming device. The present application enables the recycled developing cartridge to be successfully adapted and applied to an existing image forming device, thereby maximizing resource utilization and significantly reducing costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printing equipment, and in particular to a method for converting recycled developer cartridges. Background Technology

[0002] In the consumables market for image forming equipment (such as printers and copiers), the compatibility and reusability of developer cartridges, as one of the core components, have always been a focus of industry attention.

[0003] However, with the continuous upgrading of image forming apparatus technology, many older or specific models of developer cartridges are often unable to be directly adapted to newly launched image forming apparatuses due to design differences or technical limitations. For example, because the push protrusion of the recycled developer cartridge abuts against the protrusion at the bottom of the drum assembly, the recycled developer cartridge cannot move a sufficient distance in the vertical direction relative to the drum assembly. This results in the chip of the recycled developer cartridge being unable to make an electrical connection with the printing device after conversion.

[0004] Therefore, a solution to the above problems is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a method for converting recycled developer cartridges to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0006] To achieve its objective, the present invention employs the following technical solution:

[0007] A method for converting a recycled developing cartridge, the recycled developing cartridge comprising a cartridge body having a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other in a first direction, a third end and a fourth end disposed opposite to each other in a second direction, and a fifth end and a sixth end disposed opposite to each other in a third direction; the cartridge body comprising a developing roller extending along the first direction and disposed at the third end, and a first forced pusher disposed at the fourth end; the conversion method comprising the steps of:

[0008] At least a portion of the first forced pusher is removed, such that the conversion developer cartridge, when installed in the mounting slot of the drum assembly, can avoid the protrusion in the mounting slot and can move upward and downward relative to the drum assembly in a third direction;

[0009] A second cover is installed at the first end of the housing. The second cover includes a second electrical contact surface, a second forced pusher, and a lifting assembly. The second electrical contact surface is fixed relative to the housing. The second forced pusher is located at the fourth end in the second direction. The second forced pusher is used to receive the forced push force of the drum assembly. The lifting assembly is used to lift the transfer developing cartridge relative to the image forming apparatus in the third direction when the transfer developing cartridge is detachably installed with the drum assembly in the image forming apparatus.

[0010] Preferably, the first forced pusher includes a first sub-forced pusher located at the first end in the first direction;

[0011] The step of removing at least a portion of the first forced pusher so that the conversion developer cartridge can avoid the protrusion in the mounting slot of the drum assembly when installed in the drum assembly includes removing at least a portion of the first forced pusher so that the position of the first forced pusher can avoid the protrusion when the conversion developer cartridge is installed in the drum assembly.

[0012] Preferably, the conversion developing cartridge further includes a third forced pusher for receiving the forced push force of the drum assembly;

[0013] The first forced pusher also includes a second sub-forced pusher located at the second end;

[0014] The step of removing at least a portion of the first forced pusher, so that the conversion developer cartridge can avoid the protrusion in the mounting slot of the drum assembly when installed in the drum assembly, further includes removing a portion of the second sub-forced pusher to form a third forced pusher, so that the position of the third forced pusher can avoid the protrusion when the conversion developer cartridge is installed in the drum assembly.

[0015] Preferably, when the second cover is installed on the box body, the projections of the second forced pusher and the third forced pusher in the first direction at least partially overlap.

[0016] Preferably, the recycling developing cartridge further includes a first protective cover, which is disposed at the first end and includes a first electrical contact surface. The conversion method further includes the step of removing the first protective cover.

[0017] Preferably, the step of removing the first cover precedes the step of cutting at least a portion of the first forced pusher so that the transfer developing cartridge can avoid the protrusion in the mounting slot of the drum assembly when installed in the drum assembly.

[0018] Preferably, the first electrical contact surface is located at the sixth end in the third direction, or the first electrical contact surface is located on the side of the first cover away from the box body in the first direction;

[0019] The second electrical contact surface is located at the fifth end, facing upwards from the third end.

[0020] Preferably, the second cover further includes a locking member located at the fourth end in the second direction, and the locking member being further away from the box body in the first direction than the second forced push member.

[0021] Preferably, the lifting assembly includes a second bracket, an elastic element, and an abutment element, the elastic element abutting between the second bracket and the abutment element, the elastic element being able to extend and be compressed in the third direction; the second electrical contact surface is mounted on the second bracket, and the second electrical contact surface is located at the fifth end.

[0022] Preferably, the second electrical contact surface is located at the fifth end;

[0023] The image forming apparatus includes an upper guide rail, which includes a protrusion and an identification recess. The identification recess is provided with an identification contact. When the transfer developing cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus, the identification recess and the identification contact are farther apart in the third direction than the distance from the protrusion to the sixth end, and the identification recess is farther apart in the second direction than the distance from the protrusion to the fourth end.

[0024] The recycling method for developing cartridges in this invention enables the successful adaptation and application of a developing cartridge that is not suitable for existing image forming apparatuses by remanufacturing the recycled developing cartridges, thereby maximizing resource utilization and significantly reducing costs.

[0025] The method of the present invention enables the developed cassette after conversion to move upward relative to the drum assembly by removing at least a portion of the first and second sub-forced pushers on the recycled developing cassette, thereby achieving electrical contact between the electrical contact surface and the image forming apparatus. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 For the stereoscopic development of the developing cartridge in the prior art Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 2 For the stereoscopic development of the developing cartridge in the prior art Figure 2 ;

[0029] Figure 3 For the stereoscopic development of the developing cartridge in the prior art Figure 3 ;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a developer cartridge in the prior art;

[0031] Figure 5 For the three-dimensional drum assembly in the prior art Figure 1 ;

[0032] Figure 6 For the three-dimensional drum assembly in the prior art Figure 2 ;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the side of the mounting cavity in an image forming apparatus in the prior art;

[0034] Figure 8 The three-dimensional form of the developing cartridge in this invention Figure 1 ;

[0035] Figure 9 The three-dimensional form of the developing cartridge in this invention Figure 2 ;

[0036] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the second protective cover in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0039] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "fixation," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between the components; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0040] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0041] In the above description, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a developing cartridge 100 is detachably mounted in a drum assembly 200 and forms a processing cartridge with the drum assembly 200. The processing cartridge is detachably mounted in an image forming apparatus to achieve accurate image formation.

[0043] In this specification, to better illustrate the various components of the developing cartridge 100, the left-right direction (the length direction of the developing cartridge 100) is configured as the first direction, the front-back direction (the width direction of the developing cartridge 100) as the second direction, and the up-down direction (the width direction of the developing cartridge 100) as the third direction. The first, second, and third directions intersect each other. In the description of this invention, configuring the left-right direction as the first direction, the front-back direction as the second direction, and the up-down direction as the third direction is only one possible implementation method, and the first, second, and third directions are not limited to the left-right, front-back, and up-down directions.

[0044] First, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 mainly includes a cartridge body 110, a developing assembly, and a transmission assembly.

[0045] The housing 110 is generally elongated box-shaped, and has a cavity for containing developer. The developer stored inside the cavity is used to provide the necessary developer during the imaging process. The housing 110 has a first end 11 and a second end 12 oppositely arranged in a first direction; a third end 13 and a fourth end 14 oppositely arranged in a second direction; and a fifth end 15 and a sixth end 16 oppositely arranged in a third direction. A powder outlet 142 is provided on the housing 110, located at the third end 13.

[0046] The developing assembly includes a developing roller 120, a powder feeding roller 130, and a stirring frame 150. The developing roller 120, powder feeding roller 130, and stirring frame 150 are all rotatably mounted in the receiving cavity between the first end 11 and the second end 12 of the housing 110. The rotation axes of the developing roller 120, powder feeding roller 130, and stirring frame 150 all extend along a first direction. The developing roller 120 is located at the powder outlet 142 and is used to develop and form a developer image of the corresponding color on the surface of the photosensitive drum 220 of the drum assembly 200. The powder feeding roller 130 is located adjacent to the developing roller 120, such that the circumferential surface of the powder feeding roller 130 abuts against the circumferential surface of the developing roller 120. The powder feeding roller 130 can feed powder (developer) to the developing roller 120. The powder feeding roller 130 is closer to the fourth end 14 of the housing 110 than the developing roller 120. The stirring frame 150 is used to stir the developer in the receiving cavity to prevent developer agglomeration.

[0047] The transmission assembly is used to receive the drive from the image forming apparatus to drive the stirring frame 150, the developing roller 120 and the powder feeding roller 130 to work and deliver the developer.

[0048] The transmission assembly includes a drive unit 160 rotatably mounted on the first end 11 of the housing 110. The rotation axis of the drive unit 160 extends along a first direction. The drive unit 160 is rotatably mounted on the first end 11 of the housing 110. The drive unit 160 is connected to the stirring frame 150, the developing roller 120 and the powder feeding roller 130 via gears. The drive unit 160 is used to receive the driving force of the image forming apparatus, thereby driving the stirring frame 150, the developing roller 120 and the powder feeding roller 130 to rotate to deliver developer.

[0049] The box body 110 is also provided with a handle 141, which is located at the fourth end 14 of the box body 110. The user can pick up the developing box 100 by holding the handle 141.

[0050] See Figures 5 to 6As shown, when the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum assembly 200, the direction of the drum assembly 200 is consistent with the direction of the developing cartridge 100. The drum assembly 200 includes a frame 210 and a photosensitive drum 220. The frame 210 is provided with a mounting groove 211 for installing the developing cartridge 100, and the photosensitive drum 220 is rotatably supported in the frame 210. The rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 220 extends along a first direction. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum assembly 200, the photosensitive drum 220 and the developing roller 120 contact each other to receive the transferred developer, thereby forming an image.

[0051] The drum assembly mounting slot 211 is provided with a protrusion 260, which is used to support the housing 110 of the developing cartridge 100. Specifically, when the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum assembly 200, the protrusion 260 supports the first forced pusher (described in detail below), and the developing cartridge 100 is supported by the protrusion 260.

[0052] The drum assembly 200 is also provided with a pusher, which applies a pushing force to the developing cartridge 100 when the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum assembly 200, so that the developing roller 120 on the developing cartridge 100 installed in the drum assembly 200 can fit tightly against the photosensitive drum 220 to receive the transferred developer.

[0053] Each pusher includes an elastic part and a pusher part. The pusher part is used to abut against the developing cartridge 100. The elastic part can be compressed to provide a pushing force to the pusher part, thereby the pusher part applies a pushing force to the developing cartridge 100. The direction of the pushing force extends along a second direction.

[0054] Preferably, there are two pushers, both of which are disposed in the mounting groove 211 and located at both ends of the first direction in the mounting groove 211. They are a first pusher 230 located at the left end of the first direction and a second pusher 240 located at the right end of the first direction, so that the developing cartridge 100 can receive the pusher force in a balanced manner at both ends of the first direction.

[0055] Preferably, there are two protrusions 260, both of which are disposed in the mounting groove 211 and are located between the two pushers in the first direction.

[0056] The drum assembly 200 also includes a locking assembly 250, which comprises a locking spring and a locking member. The locking spring is a torsion spring, and the locking member is pivotally mounted on the frame 210. The locking member has a locking groove and can rotate between a locked position and an unlocked position about a rotation axis extending in a first direction. One end of the locking spring abuts against the frame 210, and the other end abuts against the locking member, thereby resetting the locking member. The locking spring is used to give the locking member a tendency to return from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0057] See Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 is provided with a first forced pusher acting on a forced pusher. The first forced pusher is located at the fourth end of the developing cartridge 100. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed on the drum assembly 200, the first forced pusher at least partially abuts against the forced pusher of the drum assembly 200 to receive the forced pusher force, so that the developing roller 120 moves toward the photosensitive drum 220 in the second direction and contacts the photosensitive drum 220.

[0058] The developing cartridge 100 also includes a first cover 111, which is disposed at the end of the cartridge body 110 in a first direction.

[0059] Preferably, the first cover 111 is detachably fixedly installed at the first end 11 of the housing 110. For example, the first cover 111 is detachably installed at the first end 11 of the housing 110 by bolts or snap-fit ​​structure. The first cover 111 at least covers the transmission component part and is used to protect the transmission component.

[0060] Two first forced pushers are provided, respectively located at both ends of the cartridge 110 in the first direction. Specifically, both first forced pushers are integrally formed with the cartridge 110, with one located at the first end 11 and the other at the second end 12. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum assembly 200, the two first forced pushers correspond to the positions of the two forced pushers in the drum assembly 200, and are used to receive the forced pushing force of the forced pushers. This allows the developing roller 120 to abut against the photosensitive drum 220 when the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum assembly 200, transferring the developer and forming an image.

[0061] Specifically, the forced pusher disposed on the first end 11 of the cartridge 110 is defined as the first sub-forced pusher 17, and the forced pusher disposed on the second end 12 of the cartridge 110 is defined as the second sub-forced pusher 18. The first sub-forced pusher 17 is a protruding structure of the cartridge 110 protruding rearward along the second direction on the first end 11, and the second sub-forced pusher 18 is a protruding structure of the cartridge 110 protruding rearward along the second direction on the second end 11. The first sub-forced pusher 17 and the second sub-forced pusher 18 correspond to the positions of the two forced pushers on the drum assembly 200, and respectively receive the forced pushing force of the two forced pushers of the drum assembly 200, so that when the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum assembly 200, the developing roller 120 contacts the photosensitive drum 220 to transfer the developer.

[0062] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum assembly 200, one of the two protrusions 260 near the first end 11 corresponds to at least a portion of the position of the first sub-forced pusher 17, and the other near the second end 12 may or may not correspond to the second sub-forced pusher 18, so that the developing cartridge 100 is supported by the protrusions 260 within the drum assembly 200, and the developing cartridge 100 cannot move relative to the drum assembly 200 in any third direction. Specifically, as Figure 3 As shown, the portion of the first sub-forced pusher 17 near the second end 12 in the first direction is a support portion 17b for abutting against the protrusion 260. The support portion 17b is located below the first sub-forced pusher 17 in the third direction. The portion of the second sub-forced pusher 18 near the first end 11 in the first direction is a support portion 18b for abutting against the protrusion 260. The support portion 18b is located below the second sub-forced pusher 18 in the third direction. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the drum assembly 200, both the support portion 17b and the support portion 18b abut against the protrusion 260. Figure 3 The position indicated by the middle arrow is the position where it contacts the protrusion 260, so that the drum assembly 200 supports the developing cartridge 100.

[0063] The developing cartridge 100 also includes an identification component 170. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming apparatus, the identification component 170 is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus and transmits basic information such as the model number, print quantity, toner reserve, and lifespan of the developing cartridge 100 to the image forming apparatus, thus recording the usage information of the developing cartridge 100. For details, please refer to... Figure 3 As shown, the identification component 170 is located below the first cover 111, facing downwards along the third direction.

[0064] The identification component 170 is provided with a first electrical contact surface 171 and a storage medium (such as a chip). The first electrical contact surface 171 and the storage medium are electrically connected. The first electrical contact surface 171 and the storage medium are located at the sixth end of the housing 110 in the third direction or on the side of the first cover 111 away from the housing 110 in the third direction. This corresponds to the position of the identification contact at the bottom of the mounting cavity in a conventional image forming apparatus. When the developing cartridge 100 and the drum assembly 200 are installed together in the image forming apparatus, they can abut against the identification contact and be electrically connected, so that the image forming apparatus and the developing cartridge 100 are electrically connected.

[0065] The specific structure and operation of the drum assembly 200 and the image forming apparatus are existing technologies, and the cooperation between the drum assembly 200 and the image forming apparatus is also existing technology, so it will not be described in detail here. In this application, only the developing cartridge 100 is improved.

[0066] See Figure 7Another image forming apparatus has a different arrangement of recognition contacts compared to the aforementioned apparatus. This apparatus includes a mounting cavity for mounting a processing cartridge, which is installed into the cavity from back to front along a second direction. The apparatus has an upper guide rail 91 and a lower guide rail 92 for guiding the processing cartridge into the mounting cavity correctly. A space is provided between the upper and lower guide rails 91 and 92. The upper guide rail 91 has a downwardly recessed recognition recess 915, within which a recognition contact 916 is disposed. A protrusion 914 is formed at the rear of the recognition recess 915 in the second direction. During the installation of the processing cartridge into the mounting cavity, the downward protrusion 914 at the rear of the recognition recess 915 on the upper guide rail 91 prevents the processing cartridge from being properly installed within the apparatus and prevents the recognition component from electrically connecting with the recognition contact 916. Therefore, the present invention provides a method for converting a recyclable developing cartridge, wherein the converted developing cartridge is suitable for installation in such an image forming apparatus, and when the processing cartridge is installed in the mounting cavity of the image forming apparatus, the identification contact 916 is used to abut against and electrically connect with the second electrical contact surface 172 on the developing cartridge, so that the processing cartridge and the image forming apparatus form a signal transmission.

[0067] See Figures 8 to 10 This invention provides a method for recycling and converting a developer cartridge. This method is applicable to recycling the aforementioned developer cartridge 100. The converted developer cartridge can be used in conjunction with the aforementioned drum assembly 200 and installed in, for example... Figure 7 In the image forming apparatus shown, the second electrical contact surface 172 of the transfer developing cartridge 100a contacts and is electrically connected to the identification contact 916.

[0068] When the developing cartridge 100 is installed on the drum assembly 200, it is supported by the protrusion 260 of the drum assembly 200, preventing the developing cartridge 100 from moving relative to the drum assembly 200 in any direction (up or down). During installation, the developing cartridge 100 cannot cross any obstacles. Figure 7 The protrusion 914 of the image forming apparatus shown prevents electrical connection with the recognition contact 916, and even if the developing cartridge 100 crosses over... Figure 7 The protrusion 914 of the image forming apparatus shown cannot move upward in a third direction as... Figure 7 The identification contact 916 of the image forming apparatus shown is electrically connected. Therefore, when the developing cartridge 100 is recycled, it needs to be remanufactured so that it can be installed in the image forming apparatus together with the drum assembly 200.

[0069] See Figures 8 to 10 The method for converting recycled developer cartridges includes the following steps:

[0070] S1: Remove at least part of the first forced pusher so that the conversion developer cartridge 100a can avoid the protrusion 260 in the mounting slot 211 of the drum assembly 200 when it is installed in the mounting slot 211 and can move upward and downward relative to the drum assembly 200 in a third direction.

[0071] Preferably, removing at least a portion of the first forced pusher in step S1 includes removing at least a portion of the first sub-forced pusher 17, such that when the converted conversion developing cartridge 100a is installed in the drum assembly 200, the position of the first sub-forced pusher 17 can avoid the protrusion 260 near the first end of the drum assembly 200. Removing at least a portion of the first sub-forced pusher 17 can be done by removing only a portion of the first sub-forced pusher 17, as long as the position of the first sub-forced pusher 17 can avoid the protrusion 260 in the mounting groove 211, and the conversion developing cartridge 100a can move upward and downward relative to the drum assembly 200 in a third-party direction, so that when the conversion developing cartridge 100a and the drum assembly 200 are installed together in the image forming apparatus, the protrusion 914 can be avoided, allowing for smooth installation within the image forming apparatus. Of course, in some other embodiments, removing at least a portion of the first sub-forced pusher 17 can also be done by removing all of it.

[0072] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first sub-push member 17 on the box body 110 of the recovery developing box 100 is completely removed (i.e., the support portion 17b no longer supports the protrusion 260).

[0073] Furthermore, the removal of at least a portion of the first forced pusher in step S1 also includes removing a portion of the second sub-forced pusher 18 to form a third forced pusher 18a capable of receiving the forced push force of the drum assembly 200, such that when the transfer developing cartridge 100a is installed in the drum assembly 200, the position of the third forced pusher 18a can avoid the drum assembly 200 from approaching another protrusion 260 at the second end.

[0074] Specifically, in this embodiment, at least 1 / 3 of the second sub-push member 18 on the housing 110 of the recycling developer cartridge 100 is removed from the side closest to the first end 11 in the first direction (i.e., the support portion 18b is removed), with a size of 2mm to 5mm, for example, 3mm can be removed, so that the position of the second sub-push member 18 can avoid the protrusion 260 on the drum assembly 200, and the transfer developer cartridge 100a can move downward in the third direction relative to the drum assembly 200. Since only a portion of the second sub-push member 18 is removed, that is, a portion of the second sub-push member 18 is retained and forms the third push member 18a, therefore, when the transfer developer cartridge 100a is installed, the third push member 18a can still receive the pushing force of the second push member 240 in the drum assembly 200, so that the developing roller 120 can abut against the photosensitive drum 220 to complete the transfer of developer. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, in step S1, the second sub-push member 18 can be completely removed.

[0075] S2: A second cover 112 is installed on the first end 11 of the housing 110. The second cover 112 includes a second electrical contact surface 172, a second forced pusher 17a, and a lifting assembly 180. The second electrical contact surface 172 is fixed relative to the housing 110. The second forced pusher 17a is located at the fourth end 14 in the second direction. The second forced pusher 17a is used to receive the forced push force of the drum assembly 200. The lifting assembly 180 is used to lift the transfer developing cartridge 100a relative to the image forming apparatus in the third direction when the transfer developing cartridge 100a is detachably installed with the drum assembly 200 in the image forming apparatus.

[0076] Specifically, in this embodiment, a second cover 112 having an identification component 170 and a lifting component 180 is installed on the first end 11 of the housing 110 of the recycling developer cartridge 100. After the second cover 112 is installed on the housing 110, the second electrical contact surface 172 of the identification component 170 is arranged facing upwards in the third direction, and the lifting component 180 is arranged facing downwards in the third direction. During the process of the transfer developer cartridge 100a and the drum assembly 200 being installed together in the image forming apparatus, the lifting component 180 cooperates with the image forming apparatus. The transfer developer cartridge 100a moves downwards relative to the drum assembly 200 in the third direction and then moves upwards, so that the second electrical contact surface 172 can enter the identification recess 915 of the image forming apparatus and abut against the identification contact 916.

[0077] The conversion method also includes the step of removing the first cover 111. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first cover 111 of the first end 11 of the housing 110 of the recycling developer cartridge 100 is removed.

[0078] Preferably, the step of removing the first cover 111 described above is performed before the step of cutting off at least part of the first forced pusher so that the transfer developing cartridge 100a can avoid the protrusion 260 in the mounting groove of the drum assembly 200 when it is installed in the drum assembly 200, so as to facilitate the subsequent cutting off of the first forced pusher.

[0079] Preferably, when the transfer developing cartridge 100a is installed inside the image forming apparatus, the distance between the identification recess 915 and the identification contact 916 in the third direction is greater than the distance from the protrusion 914 to the sixth end 16, the distance between the identification recess 915 and the distance from the protrusion 914 to the fourth end 14 in the second direction, and the identification contact 916 of the image forming apparatus is positioned downwards in the third direction. In step S2, when the second cover 112 is installed on the cartridge body 110, the second electrical contact surface 172 is located at the fifth end 15 in the third direction, so that the second electrical contact surface 172 can correspond to the position of the identification contact 916 of the image forming apparatus, abutting and electrically connecting.

[0080] Preferably, in step S2, when the second cover 112 is installed on the cartridge 110, the projections of the second forced pusher 17a and the third forced pusher 18a in the first direction at least partially overlap, so that the forced pushing force on the conversion developing cartridge 100a in the left and right directions is relatively balanced.

[0081] Preferably, in the first direction, the second forced pusher 17a and the second forced pusher 240 do not overlap with the protrusion 260, so as to prevent the second forced pusher 17a of the transfer developing cartridge 100a from abutting against the protrusion 260 on the drum assembly 200 when the transfer developing cartridge 100a is installed on the drum assembly 200. This would prevent the transfer developing cartridge 100a from moving a sufficient distance in the vertical direction relative to the drum assembly 200, and thus prevent the identification component 170 from being electrically connected to the image forming apparatus after the recycling developing cartridge 100 is transferred.

[0082] Preferably, in the first direction, the second forced pusher 17a does not overlap with the housing 110. Specifically, the second forced pusher 17a is located on the left side (first end) of the housing 110 in the first direction.

[0083] Preferably, the developing roller 120 is located at the third end 13 of the cartridge 110, the second forced pusher 17a is located at the first end (left end) of the cartridge 110 in the first direction, the third forced pusher 18a is located at the second end (right end) of the cartridge 10 in the first direction, and the second forced pusher 17a and the third forced pusher 18a are located at the fourth end 14 (rear end) of the cartridge 110 in the second direction, so that the fourth end 14 (rear end) of the transfer developing cartridge 100a is subjected to the force of the forced pusher of the drum assembly 200, and the developing roller 120 located at its third end 13 (front end) abuts against the photosensitive drum 220 in a relatively balanced manner at both ends in the first direction.

[0084] See Figure 10 The second cover 112 is also provided with a locking member 19. When the conversion developing cartridge 100a is installed on the drum assembly 200, the locking member 19 cooperates with the locking component 250 to prevent the conversion developing cartridge 100a from easily coming off the drum assembly 200.

[0085] Specifically, the locked member 19 is a protruding structure that protrudes rearward along the second direction on the second cover 112. When the transfer developing cartridge 100a is installed in the drum assembly 200, the locked member 19 engages with the locking groove of the locking member, thereby limiting the transfer developing cartridge 100a in the drum assembly 200.

[0086] Preferably, the locked member 19 is located at the fourth end 14 in the second direction, and in the first direction, the locked member 19 is further away from the first end 11 of the cartridge 110 than the second forced push member 17a, that is, the locked member 19 is farther from the cartridge 110 in the first direction than the second forced push member. In the first direction, the locked member 19 does not overlap with the protrusion 260 to prevent interference between the locked member 19 and the protrusion 260, which could cause the transfer developing cartridge 100a to be improperly installed on the drum assembly 200.

[0087] The identification component 170 includes a first bracket 173 and a storage medium 174. The first bracket 173 is mounted on the second cover 112, and the storage medium 174 is mounted on the first bracket 173. The storage medium 174 is used to store relevant information of the transfer developing cartridge 100a. The storage medium 174 is provided with a second electrical contact surface 172. When the transfer developing cartridge 100a and the drum assembly 200 form a processing cartridge and are installed in the image forming apparatus, the second electrical contact surface 172 can abut against the image forming apparatus to achieve electrical connection, so as to transmit the information stored in the storage medium 174 to the image forming apparatus.

[0088] Preferably, the storage medium 174 is mounted on the first bracket 173, with the side of the medium having the second electrical contact surface 172 facing upwards in the third direction. Specifically, the second electrical contact surface 172 is located at the fifth end 15 of the transfer developing cartridge 100a. When the transfer developing cartridge 100a and the drum assembly 200 are mounted together in the image forming apparatus, the second electrical contact surface 172 can abut against the identification contact 916 to achieve electrical connection with the image forming apparatus.

[0089] Preferably, when the storage medium 174 is installed on the first bracket 173, the storage medium 174 and the second electrical contact surface 172 are fixed relative to the second cover 112 and the housing 110, which is a simple arrangement.

[0090] Preferably, the storage medium 174 is detachably mounted on the first bracket 173. For example, the first bracket 173 may be provided with a snap fastener, and the first bracket 173 may be detachably mounted on the second cover 112 or the housing 110 via the snap fastener. The storage medium 174 may also be fixed to the first bracket 173 by adhesive.

[0091] The lifting assembly includes a second support 183, an elastic element 181, and an abutment 182. The elastic element 181 abuts between the second support 183 and the abutment 182, and the elastic element 181 is capable of extending and being compressed in a third direction. During the installation of the transfer developing cartridge 100a from back to front in the image forming apparatus, the abutment 182 abuts against the lower guide rail 92 of the image forming apparatus and moves along the lower guide rail 92. When the first support 173 and the storage medium 174 in the recognition assembly abut against the protrusion 914, the transfer developing cartridge 100a is subjected to a downward force provided by the protrusion 914, causing the transfer developing cartridge 100a to compress the elastic element 181 and move downward relative to the drum assembly 200 and over the protrusion 914. After the recognition assembly overtakes the protrusion 914, under the action of the rebound force of the elastic element 181, the transfer developing cartridge 100a is lifted upward, allowing the recognition assembly to enter the recognition recess 915 of the image forming apparatus and make electrical contact with the recognition contact 916.

[0092] Specifically, the second support 183 is disposed on the second cover 112, and the abutment 182 is movably mounted on the second support 183 along a third direction. An elastic member 181 is disposed between the second support 183 and the abutment 182, providing elasticity between them. When the transfer developing cartridge 100a and the drum assembly 200 are assembled into a processing cartridge and installed in the image forming apparatus, the abutment 182 can abut against the lower guide rail provided in the image forming apparatus, lifting the transfer developing cartridge 100a. Furthermore, through the action of the elastic member 181, the recognition component 170 can maintain electrical contact with the recognition contact within the image forming apparatus. In other embodiments, the abutment 182 can also abut against the side wall of the drum assembly in a first direction, or it can abut against the bottom wall of the image forming apparatus.

[0093] Specifically, a mounting portion 1831 for mounting the elastic member 181 and the abutment member 182 is provided on the second bracket 183 of the second cover 112. The mounting portion 1831 is located diagonally below the second bracket 183. The mounting portion 1831 has an opening facing downward in a third direction. The abutment member 182 can be installed into the mounting portion 1831 through the opening and can move relative to the mounting portion 1831 in a third direction. The elastic member 181 is disposed in the mounting portion 1831, located between the abutment member 182 and the mounting portion 1831, and can provide elastic force for the abutment member 182.

[0094] Furthermore, a limiting part 184 is provided at one end of the abutment 182 installed in the mounting part 1831 to limit the abutment 182 within the mounting part 1831 and prevent it from coming out. For example, a limiting buckle is provided at one end of the abutment 182 installed in the mounting part 1831, and a hole is provided on the mounting part 1831. The limiting buckle can engage with the hole to limit the abutment 182 and the mounting part 1831, preventing the abutment 182 from coming out of the mounting part 1831.

[0095] Preferably, the first bracket 173 and the second bracket 183 are integrally formed with the second cover 112, and the first bracket 173 and the second bracket 183 can also be fixedly installed on the second cover 112. In other embodiments, the first bracket 173 and the second bracket 183 can also be separately provided.

[0096] The process by which the transfer developing cartridge 100a of the present invention is loaded into the image forming apparatus along with the drum assembly 200 is as follows:

[0097] The abutting member 182 of the transfer developing cartridge 100a moves forward along the guide rail of the image forming apparatus. When the transfer developing cartridge 100a moves forward to the point where the recognition component abuts against the protrusion 914 of the upper guide rail 91 of the image forming apparatus, the transfer developing cartridge 100a can move downward relative to the drum assembly 200 in a third direction to avoid the protrusion. After passing the protrusion, the storage medium 174 and the second electrical contact surface 172 of the transfer developing cartridge 100a correspond to the position of the recognition contact 916 of the image forming apparatus. Under the lifting action of the lifting component 180, the transfer developing cartridge 100a is lifted upward as a whole, so that the second electrical contact surface 172 enters the recognition recess 915 of the upper guide rail of the image forming apparatus and makes electrical contact with the recognition contact 916.

[0098] It is understandable that the aforementioned conversion developer cartridge 100a may not be a recycled developer cartridge 100, but a newly manufactured developer cartridge 100; no restrictions are placed here.

[0099] The recycling method of the present invention remanufactures a developing cartridge by remanufacturing a developing cartridge 100 from a recycled developing cartridge 100. This method enables a developing cartridge 100 that is not suitable for existing image forming apparatuses to be successfully adapted and applied to an image forming apparatus through specific modification methods, thereby maximizing resource utilization and significantly reducing costs.

[0100] The above descriptions are merely some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for converting a recycled developing cartridge, the recycled developing cartridge comprising a cartridge body having a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other in a first direction, a third end and a fourth end disposed opposite to each other in a second direction, and a fifth end and a sixth end disposed opposite to each other in a third direction, the cartridge body comprising a developing roller extending along the first direction and disposed at the third end and a first forced pusher disposed at the fourth end, the conversion method comprising the steps of: At least a portion of the first forced pusher is removed, such that the conversion developer cartridge, when installed in the mounting slot of the drum assembly, can avoid the protrusion in the mounting slot and can move upward and downward relative to the drum assembly in a third direction; A second cover is installed at the first end of the housing. The second cover includes a second electrical contact surface, a second forced pusher, and a lifting assembly. The second electrical contact surface is fixed relative to the housing. The second forced pusher is located at the fourth end in the second direction. The second forced pusher is used to receive the forced push force of the drum assembly. The lifting assembly is used to lift the transfer developing cartridge relative to the image forming apparatus in the third direction when the transfer developing cartridge is detachably installed with the drum assembly in the image forming apparatus.

2. The method for converting a recycled developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first forced pusher includes a first sub-forced pusher located at the first end in the first direction; The step of removing at least a portion of the first forced pusher so that the conversion developer cartridge can avoid the protrusion in the mounting slot of the drum assembly when installed in the drum assembly includes removing at least a portion of the first forced pusher so that the position of the first forced pusher can avoid the protrusion when the conversion developer cartridge is installed in the drum assembly.

3. The method for converting a recycled developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The conversion developing cartridge also includes a third forced pusher for receiving the forced push force of the drum assembly; The first forced pusher also includes a second sub-forced pusher located at the second end; The step of removing at least a portion of the first forced pusher, so that the conversion developer cartridge can avoid the protrusion in the mounting slot of the drum assembly when installed in the drum assembly, further includes removing a portion of the second sub-forced pusher to form a third forced pusher, so that the position of the third forced pusher can avoid the protrusion when the conversion developer cartridge is installed in the drum assembly.

4. The method for converting a recycled developing cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the second cover is installed on the box body, the projections of the second forced pusher and the third forced pusher in the first direction at least partially overlap.

5. The method for converting a recycled developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The recycling developing cartridge further includes a first protective cover, which is disposed at the first end. The first protective cover includes a first electrical contact surface. The conversion method of the recycling developing cartridge further includes the step of removing the first protective cover.

6. The method for converting a recycled developing cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that, The step of removing the first cover precedes the step of cutting at least a portion of the first forced pusher so that the conversion developing cartridge can avoid the protrusion in the mounting slot of the drum assembly when installed in the drum assembly.

7. The method for converting a recycled developing cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first electrical contact surface is located at the sixth end in the third direction, or the first electrical contact surface is located on the side of the first cover away from the box body in the first direction; The second electrical contact surface is located at the fifth end, facing upwards from the third end.

8. The method for converting a recycled developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second cover also includes a locking member located at the fourth end in the second direction, and the locking member being further away from the box body in the first direction than the second forced push member.

9. The method for converting recycled developing cartridges according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting assembly includes a second bracket, an elastic element, and an abutment element. The elastic element abuts between the second bracket and the abutment element, and the elastic element is capable of extending and being compressed in the third direction. The second electrical contact surface is mounted on the second bracket and is located at the fifth end.

10. The method for converting a recycled developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second electrical contact surface is located at the fifth end; The image forming apparatus includes an upper guide rail, which includes a protrusion and an identification recess. The identification recess is provided with an identification contact. When the transfer developing cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus, the identification recess and the identification contact are farther apart in the third direction than the distance from the protrusion to the sixth end, and the identification recess is farther apart in the second direction than the distance from the protrusion to the fourth end.

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