Developing cartridge

Abstract

The utility model relates to a developing box which is detachably arranged in imaging equipment provided with a first electric power output part and a second electric power output part, the voltage value output by the first electric power output part is different from the voltage value output by the second electric power output part, and the developing box comprises a shell used for accommodating a developing agent; the developing roller is rotatably arranged in the shell and is used for bearing a developing agent; the doctor blade is fixedly arranged on the shell and is in contact with the developing roller; the conductive assembly is used for being in contact with the first power output part or the second power output part to receive power and supplying the power to the developing roller and the doctor blade; the conductive assembly comprises a voltage stabilizing part arranged in the conductive assembly, and the voltage stabilizing part is used for stabilizing the voltage value borne by the developing roller or the doctor blade at a set value, so that the imaging quality of the developing box is prevented from being reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of electronic photographic imaging, in particular to a developing box which can be detachably installed in an electronic photographic imaging device. Background Art

[0002] A developer box is a container used in an electronic photographic imaging device (referred to as "imaging device") such as a laser printer or a copier. The developer box includes consumable parts such as a developer roller and a powder discharge knife. The developer roller is rotatably arranged to carry the developer contained in the developer box. The powder discharge knife is in contact with the developer roller to adjust the thickness of the developer on the surface of the developer roller.

[0003] When the developer box is developing in the imaging device, the developer box needs to receive the voltage output by the power output device from the imaging device and apply it to the developing roller and the powder outlet knife. Generally, the voltage required by the developing roller and the powder outlet knife is set to a fixed value. However, the working environment of the imaging device or the power supply connected to it will cause the voltage value output by the power output device to fluctuate, which can easily damage the electronic components in the imaging device or cause the voltage value received by the developing roller and the powder outlet knife to change, thereby causing a decrease in imaging quality. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the utility model provides a developing box adopting the following technical solution to solve the above technical problems, and the specific solution is:

[0005] A developing box is detachably mounted in an imaging device provided with a first power output element and a second power output element, wherein the voltage value outputted by the first power output element is different from the voltage value outputted by the second power output element, and the developing box comprises: a shell for accommodating a developer; a developing roller rotatably arranged in the shell for carrying the developer; a powder discharge knife fixedly mounted on the shell and in contact with the developing roller; a conductive component for contacting with the first power output element or the second power output element to receive power and supply power to the developing roller and the powder discharge knife; the conductive component comprises a voltage stabilizer arranged therein, and the voltage stabilizer is used to stabilize the voltage value borne by the developing roller or the powder discharge knife at a set value.

[0006] The voltage stabilizer is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the low voltage source, so that an overload voltage in the voltage value output by the first power output element or in the voltage value output by the second power output element is unloaded.

[0007] In one embodiment, the low voltage source has a voltage value of 0V.

[0008] In one embodiment, the low voltage source has a voltage value between 0V and a set value.

[0009] In one embodiment, the conductive assembly further includes a grounded terminal conductive member, and the voltage stabilizer is electrically connected to the terminal conductive member.

[0010] In one embodiment, the conductive component further includes a first conductive member and a power receiving member, wherein the power receiving member is used to contact the first power output member or the second power output member to receive power, and the first conductive member is in contact with at least the powder output knife.

[0011] In one embodiment, the conductive component further includes a second conductive member and a voltage regulating member, wherein the voltage regulating member is electrically connected to the first conductive member and the second conductive member, and the second conductive member is also electrically connected to the developing roller; the voltage regulating member is used to regulate the voltage output by the first conductive member, so that the voltage regulated by the voltage regulating member can be basically consistent with the voltage output by the first power output member or the voltage output by the second power output member.

[0012] In one embodiment, the input terminal of the voltage stabilizing component is electrically connected to the output terminal of the voltage regulating component.

[0013] In one embodiment, the developing box also includes a separation mechanism for receiving a separation force from an imaging device. When the imaging device is developing, the developer carried by the developing roller develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum outside the developing box. When the imaging device is not developing, the separation mechanism receives a separation force from the imaging device, forcing the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to separate from each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the developing box involved in the utility model.

[0015] Figure 2 and Figure 3 It is an exploded view of some components in the developing box involved in the utility model.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a state diagram of another conductive component in the developer box involved in the utility model being electrically connected to the developer roller and the powder discharge knife.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a simplified structural block diagram of another conductive component in the developing box involved in the utility model.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a plan view of the developing box involved in the utility model observed along the longitudinal direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The embodiments of the present utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] [Overall structure of the developer cartridge]

[0021] like Figure 1As shown, the developing box 100 includes a shell 1, a developing roller 11, a powder discharge knife 2 and an end cover 7, wherein the shell is used to accommodate the developer, the developing roller 11 is rotatably arranged in the shell 1 for carrying the developer, the powder discharge knife 2 is fixedly mounted on the shell 1 and in contact with the developing roller 11 for adjusting the developer thickness on the surface of the developing roller 11, and the end cover 7 is fixedly mounted on the shell 1, and the developing roller 11 is directly or indirectly supported by the end cover 7.

[0022] It should be understood that the developing roller 11 can be a developing element including a magnetic core and a developing sleeve arranged radially outside the magnetic core. In this case, the developer is magnetic carbon powder. The developing roller 11 can also be a developing element including a rotating shaft and a developing layer arranged radially outside the rotating shaft. In this case, the developer is non-magnetic carbon powder.

[0023] In one embodiment, the developing box 100 is independently provided as a product and is installed in an imaging device provided with a photosensitive drum in a detachable manner. Therefore, the developing roller 11 is arranged opposite to the photosensitive drum. When the imaging device performs development, the developer carried by the developing roller 11 can develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum outside the developing box 100.

[0024] In one embodiment, the developing box 100 needs to be first installed in a detachable manner into a drum box provided with a photosensitive drum. At this time, the developing box 100 and the drum box together form a processing box, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are arranged relatively to each other, and then the drum box and the developing box are installed together in a detachable manner to the imaging device. When the imaging device is developing, the developer carried by the developing roller 11 can also develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0025] In one embodiment, the developing box 100 and the drum box provided with a photosensitive drum are combined with each other to form a processing box, and the developing box 100 cannot be removed relative to the drum box. At this time, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are also arranged relatively to each other, and the processing box is installed to the imaging device in a detachable manner. When the imaging device is developing, the developer carried by the developing roller 11 can also develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0026] Regardless of the form in which the developing box 100 is arranged, the developing box 100 can be installed to the imaging device in a detachable manner. During the installation and disassembly process of the developing box 100, the guide portion 72 arranged on the end cover 7 cooperates with the guide rail in the imaging device to guide the developing box 100, and finally ensures that the developing box 100 moves along a predetermined path.

[0027] When the imaging device is not developing, the separation mechanism 9 is used to receive the separation force from the imaging device to force the developing box 100 to move relative to the photosensitive drum, thereby achieving the separation of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum; when the imaging device needs to develop again, the separation mechanism 9 no longer receives the separation force, and the developing box 100 moves relative to the photosensitive drum again under the action of a separately provided reset member, thereby achieving the close proximity of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum. In other embodiments, the separation mechanism 9 can also achieve the close proximity of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum by receiving the binding force from the imaging device.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the developing roller 11 rotates around a rotation axis L extending in the longitudinal direction. The developing box 100 also includes a driving force receiving member 14 for receiving a driving force from the imaging device. The driving force received by the driving force receiving member 14 can be used to directly drive the developing roller 11 to rotate, and can also drive the developing roller 11 to rotate through a driving force transmission component 12. For the convenience of description, hereinafter, along the longitudinal direction, the side where the driving force receiving member 14 is provided is defined as the driving side / left side, and the side where the driving force receiving member 14 is not provided is defined as the non-driving side / right side, that is, the driving side and the non-driving side are arranged relative to each other.

[0029] In one embodiment, the separation mechanism 9 includes at least one of a left separation mechanism 9a arranged on the driving side and a right separation mechanism 9b arranged on the non-driving side, and the developing box 100 also includes a reset member 91 for forcing the separation mechanism 9 to reset. Preferably, the left separation mechanism 9a and the right separation mechanism 9b are arranged at the same time, so that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum can be separated more thoroughly.

[0030] The powder knife 2 includes a knife holder 21 and a blade 22. The blade 22 is supported by the knife holder 21. The knife holder 21 is fixedly mounted on the housing 1. The blade 22 contacts the surface of the developing roller 11 and is used to adjust the thickness of the developer on the surface of the developing roller 11. In the powder knife 2, at least the blade 22 is made of conductive material. Preferably, the powder knife 2 is entirely made of conductive material, which is conducive to the powder knife 2 receiving electricity more conveniently.

[0031] The developing box 100 also includes a chip 8 storing parameter information of the developing box 100, and the chip 8 is provided with an electrical contact portion 81 for electrically contacting the imaging device. When the developing box 100 is in a state of being installed in the imaging device, the electrical contact portion 81 contacts the contact pin in the imaging device so that the developing box 100 / chip 8 establishes a communication connection with the imaging device.

[0032] In some embodiments, the developer box 100 also includes a powder filling port 13 disposed on the shell 1 and a seal 15 for sealing the powder filling port 13. Along the longitudinal direction, at least a portion of the powder filling port 13 or at least a portion of the seal 15 is not blocked by the end cover 7. In other words, along the longitudinal direction, at least a portion of the powder filling port 13 or at least a portion of the seal 15 is exposed to the outside of the developer box, so that the user can replenish the developer into the shell 1 without removing the end cover 7. Preferably, the seal 15 is completely exposed to the outside of the developer box.

[0033] Furthermore, the imaging device is also provided with a first power output element for supplying power to the developing roller 11 and a second power output element for supplying power to the powder outlet knife 2, and the voltage supplied by the first power output element is different from the voltage supplied by the second power output element; the developing box 100 also includes a conductive component 4, and when the developing box 100 is in a state of being installed in the imaging device, the conductive component 4 contacts the power output element (one of the first power output element and the second power output element) in the imaging device to receive power, and at the same time, the conductive component 4 also supplies power to the developing roller 11 and the powder outlet knife 2. The following description takes the contact between the conductive component 4 and the second power output element as an example.

[0034] [Conductive components]

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the conductive component 4 includes at least an electrically connected first conductive member 41 and a power receiving member 44, wherein the power receiving member 44 is used to contact with the power output member to receive power, and the first conductive member 41 is also in contact with at least the powder output knife 2, so that the power received by the power receiving member 44 can be supplied to the powder output knife 2 through the first conductive member 41, and the power is then supplied to the developing roller 11 by the blade 22.

[0036] In one embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the first conductive member 41 is provided with a first power output portion 411 and a second power output portion 412, wherein the first power output portion 411 realizes electrical connection between the two by contacting with the powder outlet knife 2, so that the first power output portion 411 can supply power to the powder outlet knife 2, and the second power output portion 412 is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the developing roller 11 to realize that the first conductive member 41 supplies power to the developing roller 11.

[0037] In one embodiment, in the manner in which the first conductive member 41 indirectly supplies power to the developing roller 11, the conductive assembly 4 further includes a second conductive member 42, such as Figure 2As shown, the second conductive member 42 is provided with an intermediate power receiving portion 421 and an intermediate power output portion 422, wherein the intermediate power receiving portion 421 is used to directly or indirectly contact the second power output portion 412 to receive power, and the intermediate power output portion 422 is used to supply power directly or indirectly to the developing roller 11.

[0038] Furthermore, the developing box 100 further includes a conductive bracket 3 disposed on the non-driving side, wherein the conductive bracket 3 is fixedly connected to the end cover 7 and is used to rotatably support the developing roller 11. Figure 2 As shown, the conductive bracket 3 is provided with a bracket side power receiving portion 31 and a bracket side power output portion 32, wherein the bracket side power receiving portion 31 is used to contact with the intermediate power output portion 422 to receive power, and the bracket side power output portion 32 is used to contact with the developing roller 11 to supply power to the developing roller 11.

[0039] It can be seen that in the conductive component 4 provided with the second conductive member 42 and the conductive bracket 3, the power received by the power receiving member 44 will be supplied to the developing roller 11 through the first conductive member 41, the second conductive member 42 and the conductive bracket 3 in sequence. Although this method extends the power supply path, it can enhance the design freedom of each component in the conductive component 4, so that each component in the conductive component 4 does not have to be restricted to the structure of the conductive side.

[0040] In some embodiments, the power receiving element 44 and the first conductive element 41 are formed integrally. In this case, the power receiving element 44 becomes a part of the first conductive element 41 , and the first conductive element 41 is mounted to the end cover 7 or the housing 1 via the mounting portion 413 provided therein.

[0041] As described above, the voltage supplied by the first power output element is different from the voltage supplied by the second power output element. When the conductive component 4 is only provided with one power receiving element 44, and the power received by the power receiving element 44 is supplied to the powder knife 2 and the developing roller 11 at the same time, the voltage finally borne by one of the powder knife 2 and the developing roller 11 is always different from its predetermined voltage. In order to ensure the stability of the developing quality of the developing box 100, in a preferred manner, the conductive component 4 also includes a voltage regulating element 43 arranged therein, and the voltage regulating element 43 is used to adjust the voltage output by the first conductive element 41, so that the voltage adjusted by the voltage regulating element 43 can be basically consistent with the voltage output by the first power output element or the voltage output by the second power output element.

[0042] Generally, the voltage output by the first power output element is lower than the voltage output by the second power output element. Thus, when the power receiving element 44 contacts the first power output element to receive power, the voltage adjusting element 43 is used to increase the voltage output by the first conductive element 41 to be basically consistent with the voltage output by the second power output element; when the power receiving element 44 contacts the second power output element to receive power, the voltage adjusting element 43 is used to reduce the voltage output by the first conductive element 41 to be basically consistent with the voltage output by the first power output element.

[0043] From the perspective of simplifying the overall structure of the conductive component 4, it is preferred that the power receiving member 44 contacts the second power output member to receive power. At this time, the voltage regulating member 43 is arranged in the path of supplying power from the first conductive member 41 to the developing roller 11, or in other words, the voltage regulating member 43 is arranged between the first conductive member 41 and the developing roller 11, and the voltage regulating member 43 has a first input terminal 431 and a first output terminal 432, the first input terminal 431 is electrically connected to the second power output part 412, and the first output terminal 432 is electrically connected to the intermediate power receiving part 421, and the voltage regulating member 43 is arranged as an impedance element, or the voltage regulating member 43 is arranged to include at least one of an impedance element, a semiconductor element, and other electronic elements.

[0044] However, when the voltage output by the first power output element and the voltage output by the second power output element are substantially the same, the voltage adjustment element 43 does not need to be provided.

[0045] (Another conductive component)

[0046] As described above, the voltage regulating component 43 is used to adjust the voltage output by the first power output component so that the voltage borne by the powder knife 2 is basically consistent with the voltage output by the second power output component, or the voltage regulating component 43 is used to adjust the voltage output by the second power output component so that the voltage borne by the developing roller 11 is basically consistent with the voltage output by the first power output component. However, during the actual imaging process of the developing box 100, the voltage value output by the power output component in the imaging device may fluctuate, especially when the voltage value output by the power output component in the imaging device is greater than its set value, not only the electronic components in the imaging device may be damaged, but the voltage value actually borne by the developing roller 11 and the powder knife 2 will also increase, thereby reducing the imaging quality.

[0047] For example, the output voltage value set by the first power output component is 280V, but during the actual imaging process, the voltage value output by the first power output component is 300V, or the output voltage value set by the second power output component is 300V, but during the actual imaging process, the voltage value output by the second power output component is 350V.

[0048] To this end, the conductive component 4 provided by the utility model also includes a voltage stabilizer 45, which is used to keep the voltage value borne by the developing roller 11 or the powder outlet knife 2 stable. Specifically, when the voltage value output by the power output component in the imaging device is greater than the set value of the voltage borne by the developing roller 11 or the powder outlet knife 2, the voltage stabilizer 45 is used to stabilize the voltage value output by the power output component in the imaging device at the set value borne by the developing roller 11 or the powder outlet knife 2.

[0049] As described above, the voltages borne by the developing roller 11 and the powder knife 2 are all from the first power output element or the second power output element, that is, the conductive component 4 is used to contact the first power output element or the second power output element to receive power and supply power to the developing roller 11 and the powder knife 2.

[0050] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the voltage stabilizer 45 has a second input terminal 451 and a second output terminal 452, wherein the second input terminal 451 is electrically connected to the first output terminal 432 of the voltage regulating component 43, and the second output terminal 452 is used to be directly or indirectly electrically connected to a low voltage source, so that the portion of the voltage value output by the power output component in the imaging device that exceeds the set value (overload voltage) can be unloaded, so that the voltage value borne by the developing roller 11 or the powder knife 2 is stabilized at the set value.

[0051] In one implementation, the voltage value of the low voltage source is 0V, which is equivalent to the second output terminal 452 being directly or indirectly grounded, and the overload voltage will be unloaded by grounding.

[0052] In one implementation, the voltage value of the low voltage source is between 0V and a set value. Similarly, the overload voltage can also be unloaded through the second output terminal 452 of the voltage stabilizer 45 .

[0053] Continue as Figure 4 As shown, the conductive component 4 also includes a grounded terminal conductive part 46. When the voltage value of the low voltage source is 0V, the second output terminal 452 is electrically connected to the terminal conductive part 46. When the voltage value of the low voltage source is between 0V and a set value, the second output terminal 452 is still electrically connected to the terminal conductive part 46. The terminal conductive part 46 can also be electrically connected to other electronic components according to design requirements.

[0054] Preferably, the voltage stabilizer 45 is configured as a voltage stabilizing diode, a TVS tube, or a component composed of a plurality of electronic components, as long as it can play the voltage stabilizing role.

[0055] [Position of the guide section]

[0056] When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the developing cartridge 100 is supported by the guide portion 72. When the separation mechanism 9 receives the separation force and forces the developing cartridge 100 to move relative to the photosensitive drum, the developing cartridge 100 is guided by the guide portion 72 as a whole. Figure 6 As shown, when viewed from right to left along the longitudinal direction, a maximum area Q is formed by the rotation axis L of the developing roller, the two outermost points of the electric contact portion 81 and the two outermost points of the power receiving element 44, and at least a portion of the guide portion 72 is located outside the area Q. In this way, the influence of the vibration generated by the guide portion 72 during the movement on the power receiving element 44 can be reduced. In particular, when the entire guide portion 72 is located outside the area Q, it is more conducive to reducing the influence of the vibration on the power receiving element 44.

[0057] As shown in the figure, the power receiving member 44 is exposed to the outside through the exposure hole 71 provided in the end cover 7, and the power receiving member 44 is set as a non-point body, and the electrical contact part 81 is also set as a non-point body. Figure 6 In the figure, the two outermost points of the power receiving element 44 and the two outermost points of the electric contact portion 81 are spaced apart from each other, a line segment s1 connects the rotation axis L of the developing roller and an outermost point of the electric contact portion 81, a line segment s2 connects the other outermost point of the electric contact portion 81 and an outermost point of the power receiving element 44, and a line segment s3 connects the other outermost point of the power receiving element 44 and the rotation axis L of the developing roller. In this way, the area Q enclosed by the line segments s1, s2 and s3 is the largest.

[0058] [Beneficial Effects]

[0059] 1. At least a portion of the guide portion 72 is located outside the area Q. During the process of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum separating from each other and approaching each other again, the influence of the vibration generated by the guide portion 72 on the power receiving element 44 can be reduced, so that the power receiving element 44 can maintain good contact with the power output element in the imaging device.

[0060] 2. The conductive component 4 only needs to be provided with one power receiving component 44 , which is helpful to simplify the structure of the conductive component 4 .

[0061] 3. Based on point 2, only the contact accuracy between one power receiving element 44 and the corresponding power output element needs to be considered, without considering the contact accuracy between two power receiving elements 44 and the corresponding power output elements. Obviously, the risk of one power receiving element and its corresponding power output element being out of contact is lower.

[0062] 4. Such as Figure 6As shown, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the distance from the power receiving element 44 to the separation mechanism 9 is not less than the distance from the guide portion 72 to the separation mechanism 9. In this way, when the separation mechanism 9 receives the separation force applied by the imaging device, the vibration influence on the power receiving element 44 can also be reduced.

[0063] 5. By providing a voltage stabilizer 45 in the conductive component 4, the voltage value borne by the developing roller 11 or the powder discharging knife 2 can be stabilized at a predetermined value, which can effectively suppress voltage fluctuations, thereby preventing damage to electronic components in the imaging device and improving the imaging quality of the developing box 100.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge, detachably mounted in an imaging device provided with a first power output member and a second power output member, wherein the voltage value output by the first power output member is different from the voltage value output by the second power output member, characterized in that: The developer box includes: A housing for containing a developer; A developing roller is rotatably disposed in the housing and is used to carry a developer; A powder discharge knife is fixedly mounted on the housing and contacts the developing roller; A conductive component, used for contacting with the first power output member or the second power output member to receive power and supply the power to the developing roller and the powder discharge knife; The conductive component includes a voltage stabilizer disposed therein, and the voltage stabilizer is used to stabilize the voltage value borne by the developing roller or the powder discharge knife at a set value.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The voltage stabilizer is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the low voltage source, so that an overload voltage in the voltage value output by the first power output element or in the voltage value output by the second power output element is unloaded.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that: The low voltage source has a voltage value of 0V.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The low voltage source has a voltage value between 0V and a set value.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The conductive component also includes a grounded terminal conductive member, and the voltage stabilizing member is electrically connected to the terminal conductive member.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive component further includes a first conductive member and a power receiving member, wherein the power receiving member is used to contact with the first power output member or the second power output member to receive power, and the first conductive member is at least in contact with the powder output knife.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, wherein: The conductive assembly further includes a second conductive member and a voltage regulating member, the voltage regulating member is electrically connected to the first conductive member and the second conductive member, and the second conductive member is also electrically connected to the developing roller; The voltage adjusting component is used to adjust the voltage output by the first conductive component so that the voltage adjusted by the voltage adjusting component can be substantially consistent with the voltage output by the first power output component or the voltage output by the second power output component.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: The input end of the voltage stabilizing element is electrically connected to the output end of the voltage regulating element.

9. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The developing box also includes a separation mechanism for receiving a separation force from the imaging device. When the imaging device is developing, the developer carried by the developing roller develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum outside the developing box. When the imaging device is not developing, the separation mechanism receives a separation force from the imaging device, forcing the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to separate from each other.

Images