Processing box

Abstract

A process cartridge includes a force receiving member movably and resetably disposed on a developing unit in an X direction, the force receiving member having a protrusion for receiving a separation force or a contact force from a developing separation control unit within a groove of the developing separation control unit, rotating the developing unit relative to the drum unit to separate or contact the photosensitive drum and the developing roller; when the processing box is pushed into the image forming device along with the tray in the-Y direction, the protruding part of the force receiving part abuts against the developing separation control unit, so that the force receiving part can be pushed by the developing separation control unit in the X direction so as to avoid the developing separation control unit. According to the utility model, the force receiving part capable of moving along the X direction of the rotating axis of the developing roller is arranged, and the force receiving part is propped against and moves with the developing separation control unit in the X direction to avoid the developing separation control unit, so that the process cartridge is mounted more smoothly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of image forming devices, in particular to a processing box. Background Art

[0002] The image forming device forms an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic imaging process, and the image forming device includes an electrophotographic copier, an electrophotographic printer (e.g., a laser beam printer, an LED printer), a fax machine, a word processor, etc. The image forming device includes an image forming device that forms an image by a contact development method, which forms an image by performing a development process in a state where a developing component (developing roller) is in contact with a photosensitive drum, and in such an image forming device, the developing roller is pushed toward the photosensitive drum at a predetermined pressure during the development process, and contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum at a predetermined pressure. The processing box includes at least one of an electrophotographic photosensitive drum as an image bearing member and a processing device (developer bearing member (developing roller)) that can act on the drum, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is arranged on a photosensitive frame, the processing device is arranged on a developing unit, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the processing device are integrally constructed as a box that can be detachably installed in the image forming device.

[0003] During the operation of the image forming device, the developing roller contacts and presses the photosensitive drum, so that the developer on the developing roller is transferred to the surface of the photosensitive drum forming a specific electrostatic latent image to complete the development process. However, when the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum during the stoppage of the image forming device, the developer carried on the developing roller is unnecessarily deposited on the photosensitive drum, and such developer is deposited on the recording material, resulting in the contamination of the recording material; and due to the long-term friction between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller, the deterioration of the developing roller and / or the developer is accelerated. The above problems may occur regardless of whether an elastic layer is provided on the surface of the developing roller. Therefore, in order to solve the above technical problems, it is necessary to separate the photosensitive drum from the developing roller during the stoppage of the image forming device to extend the service life of both.

[0004] In the existing processing box, the force receiving component for cooperating with the developing separation control unit of the image forming device is arranged on the developing unit of the processing box in a rotatable / swinging manner. After the processing box is installed on the tray of the image forming device, the tray is pushed into the image forming device. After the tray enters, the front door of the image forming device is closed, and the closing action links the pressing unit inside the image forming device. The pressing unit presses the force receiving component from top to bottom, so that the force receiving component rotates and protrudes downward from the processing box, thereby entering the groove of the developing separation control unit. Under this installation method, the force receiving component is easy to interfere with other components of the processing box or the image forming device, which is not conducive to the smooth installation of the processing box. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to overcome the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, the present application specifically adopts the following technical solutions: a processing box, which is detachably installed in an image forming device, wherein the image forming device has a developing separation control unit, a driving unit and a movable tray, wherein the developing separation control unit has a groove, and the tray can move in the Y direction, wherein the direction in which the tray is pushed into the image forming device is -Y, and the direction in which the tray is pulled out of the image forming device is +Y;

[0006] The process cartridge includes a drum unit and a developing unit, the drum unit including a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed on the drum unit in an X direction;

[0007] The developing unit includes:

[0008] a developing roller rotatably disposed on the developing unit in an X direction; and

[0009] A force receiving component is movably and resettably arranged on the developing unit along the X direction, and the force receiving component has a protrusion, which is used to receive a separation force or a contact force from the developing separation control unit in a groove of the developing separation control unit, so that the developing unit rotates relative to the drum unit so that the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated or contacted; when the processing box is pushed into the image forming device along the -Y direction along the tray, the protrusion of the force receiving component abuts against the developing separation control unit, so that the force receiving component can be pushed by the developing separation control unit along the X direction to avoid the developing separation control unit.

[0010] The utility model is provided with a force receiving component which can move along the axis X direction of the developing roller rotation, and avoids the developing separation control unit by abutting and moving the force receiving component with the developing separation control unit in the X direction, so that the installation of the processing box is smoother.

[0011] In some embodiments, a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface are provided on the protruding portion of the force receiving component, and both the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are inclined relative to the X direction and the inclination directions of the two relative to the X direction are opposite, so that: when the processing box is pushed into the image forming device along the tray along the -Y direction, the second inclined surface abuts against the developing separation control unit, so that the force receiving component is pushed by the developing separation control unit along the X direction, the force receiving component moves along the -Y direction to a position corresponding to the groove, and the force receiving component is reset along the X direction to enter the groove; when the processing box is pulled out of the image forming device along the tray along the +Y direction, the first inclined surface abuts against the developing separation control unit, so that the force receiving component is pushed by the developing separation control unit along the X direction to leave the groove, the force receiving component is separated from the developing separation control unit along the +Y direction, and the force receiving component is reset along the X direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, the side of the developing separation control unit in the X direction toward the center of the processing box is its inner side, and the side of the force receiving component in the X direction away from the center of the processing box is its outer side, and the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are arranged on the outer side of the force receiving component and are pushed by abutting against the inner side of the developing separation control unit.

[0013] In some embodiments, there is one force receiving component, which is disposed at either end of the process box in the X direction, or there are two force receiving components, which are respectively disposed at both ends of the process box in the X direction.

[0014] In some embodiments, the force receiving component is disposed on the developing unit via an elastic member, and movement and resetting in the X direction are achieved via the elastic member.

[0015] In some embodiments, the force receiving member is disposed so as not to be rotatable relative to the developing unit.

[0016] In some embodiments, the developing unit further includes a bearing plate, a positioning column extending along the X direction is disposed on the bearing plate, and the force receiving component is movably disposed on the positioning column.

[0017] In some embodiments, an elastic member is sleeved on the positioning column, and the force receiving component abuts against the bearing plate through the elastic member, so that it can move and reset relative to the bearing plate along the X direction.

[0018] In some embodiments, a limiting portion for limiting the position of the force receiving component in the X direction is provided on the bearing plate to prevent the force receiving component from escaping from the positioning column along the X direction;

[0019] A restraining portion is provided on the bearing plate to prevent the force receiving member from rotating relative to the bearing plate.

[0020] In some embodiments, the process cartridge further includes an end cap disposed at an end portion of the developing unit and the drum unit in the X direction, and a retaining member;

[0021] The retaining component includes a first retaining portion arranged on the developing unit and a second retaining portion arranged on the drum unit or the end cover; the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion both have a protruding shape, so that: when the first retaining portion abuts against the lower portion of the second retaining portion, the developing unit maintains its separated position relative to the drum unit, so that the developing roller and the photosensitive drum maintain a separated state; when the developing unit rotates from the separated position to the contact position relative to the drum unit, the first retaining portion rotates with the developing unit and presses the second retaining portion to cause the second retaining portion to elastically deform, so that the first retaining portion comes to the upper portion of the second retaining portion, the second retaining portion is elastically reset, the first retaining portion abuts against the upper portion of the second retaining portion, the developing unit maintains its contact position relative to the drum unit, so that the developing roller and the photosensitive drum maintain a contact state.

[0022] In some embodiments, the second holding portion includes a protrusion and a second elastic member connected to the protrusion, so that when the developing unit rotates between the separation position and the contact position, the first holding portion presses the protrusion to elastically store force in the second elastic member, so that the first holding portion can move between the upper part and the lower part of the second holding portion, and after the movement, the protrusion is released by the second elastic member to extend and reset, thereby keeping the first holding portion in a state of abutting against the upper part or the lower part of the second holding portion;

[0023] The first retaining portion is a rib or an arc-shaped protrusion, and the protrusion of the second retaining portion is spherical;

[0024] The developing unit further includes a bearing plate, the first retaining portion is disposed on the bearing plate of the developing unit, and the second retaining portion is disposed on the end cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the processing box of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the process cartridge of the utility model in the main assembly of the image forming device;

[0027] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of another viewing angle of the process cartridge of the utility model in the main assembly of the image forming device;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a view of the matching position of the processing box of the utility model and the developing separation control unit of the main assembly;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a position diagram of the processing box of the utility model and the groove of the developing separation control unit of the main assembly not matching;

[0030] Figure 6 It is another perspective position diagram of the processing box of the utility model after the groove of the developing separation control unit of the main assembly is matched;

[0031] Figure 7 It is a partial enlarged view of the force receiving component of the processing box of the utility model;

[0032] Figure 8 It is an exploded schematic diagram of the force receiving component of the processing box of the utility model;

[0033] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the force receiving component of the processing box of the utility model;

[0034] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the drum and roller of the processing box of the utility model after separation;

[0035] Fig.11It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the processing box of the utility model after the drum and roller are in contact. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The utility model is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0037] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present utility model, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0038] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", "fixation" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or communication with each other; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0039] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0040] In the above description, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the utility model. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0041] For ease of explanation, a three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system is established, with the length direction of the processing box as the X direction, the direction of the processing box toward the driving unit inside the image forming device as -X, the end of the processing box at -X is the driving end, the direction of the processing box away from the driving unit is +X, the end of the processing box at +X is the non-driving end (in this embodiment, the non-driving end is also a conductive end), the direction perpendicular to the X direction on the horizontal plane is Y, the direction of the tray being pushed into the image forming device is -Y, the direction of the tray being pulled out of the image forming device is +Y, Z is the direction of gravity, +Z is up, and -Z is down.

[0042] The main assembly of the image forming device of the utility model is provided with a space for installing a tray, the space is provided with structures such as a developing separation control unit and a driving unit for driving a processing box, and the space is closed by a front door.

[0043] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the utility model provides a processing box 100, which can be detachably installed in a tray, and then pushed into an image forming device through the tray for installation and use. The processing box includes a developing unit 109, a drum unit 108 and an end cover, wherein the end cover includes a driving side end cover 116 and a non-driving side end cover 117 respectively arranged on the driving side and non-driving side of the developing unit 109 and the drum unit 108. Among them, the two ends of the drum unit 108 are respectively installed in the driving side end cover 116 and the non-driving side end cover 117, and the two ends of the developing unit 109 are also respectively installed in the driving side end cover 116 and the non-driving side end cover 117, and the developing unit 109 can rotate relative to the drum unit 108, so that the developing roller 106 in the developing unit 109 and the photosensitive drum 104 in the drum unit 108 can be separated or contacted.

[0044] The developing unit 109 includes a developing frame, a bearing plate, a developing roller 106, a powder feeding roller, a stirring frame and a powder discharge knife. The developing frame is provided with a powder adding port and a sealing member 199 for sealing the powder adding port. By providing the powder adding port, it is convenient to add developer to the used processing box again to achieve reuse, effectively solving the secondary utilization of processing box resources and achieving environmental protection. The bearing plate includes a driving side bearing plate 128 and a non-driving side bearing plate 127, which are respectively fixed at both ends of the developing frame in the X direction. The stirring frame, the powder feeding roller, and the developing roller 106 are rotatably supported on the driving side bearing plate 128 and the non-driving side bearing plate 127 at both ends of the length direction of the processing box in the X direction. The stirring frame, the powder feeding roller, and the developing roller 106 can rotate under the action of the driving unit of the image forming device. The axial directions of the stirring frame, the powder feeding roller, and the developing roller 106 are all arranged along the length direction of the developing unit 109. A powder bin is provided in the developing frame, and the toner in the powder bin is stirred by a stirring frame to prevent the toner in the powder bin from agglomerating. At the same time, the toner can also be transported toward the powder feeding roller. The powder feeding roller transports the toner to the developing roller 106 and is adsorbed by the charged developing roller 106.

[0045] The developing unit 109 also includes a driving assembly, which includes a developing coupling component 132, a developing roller gear, a powder feeding roller gear, and a stirring frame gear. The driving assembly can be arranged at one end of the processing box 100 in the length direction. In this embodiment, the driving assembly is arranged at the same end of the processing box 100 in the length direction. The developing coupling component 132, the developing roller gear, the powder feeding roller gear, and the stirring frame gear are arranged on the outer side of the driving side bearing plate 128. Specifically, a supporting hole for supporting the developing coupling component 132 is provided on the driving side bearing plate 128. The developing coupling component 132 is used to engage with the driving unit of the image forming device and receive driving force. The developing roller gear is sleeved on one end of the developing roller shaft extending out of the driving side bearing plate 128, the powder feeding roller gear is sleeved on one end of the powder feeding roller shaft extending out of the driving side bearing plate 128, the stirring frame gear is sleeved on one end of the stirring frame extending out of the driving side bearing plate 128, the developing roller gear, the powder feeding roller gear and the stirring frame gear are directly or indirectly engaged with the developing connecting component 132 to transmit the driving force received by the developing connecting component 132, thereby driving the developing roller 106, the powder feeding roller and the stirring frame to rotate.

[0046] like Figure 2As shown, the drum unit 108 also has a length direction, and its length direction is consistent with the length direction of the developing unit 109. The drum unit 108 includes a drum frame, a photosensitive drum 104 and a charging roller. The charging roller and the photosensitive drum 104 are rotatably supported at both ends of the drum frame in the length direction. Specifically, the photosensitive drum 104 is arranged on the lower end side in the height direction of the drum unit 108, that is, the photosensitive drum 104 is arranged on the side of the drum unit 108 in the -Z direction. The toner adsorbed by the developing roller 106 transfers the toner to the photosensitive drum 104 through the potential difference between the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104. The toner on the photosensitive drum 104 is then transferred through the transfer belt of the image forming device to form an image on the recording material (such as paper). The charging roller is used to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 with a uniform charge, so that the photosensitive drum 104 can adsorb the toner. The drum unit 108 also includes a drum connecting component 143. The drum coupling component 143 is fixedly arranged at one end of the photosensitive drum 104 in the length direction. The drum coupling component 143 and the photosensitive drum 104 may be integrally formed or may be a separate structure. The drum coupling component 143 is used to engage with the driving unit of the image forming device, thereby receiving the rotational driving force of the image forming device and driving the photosensitive drum 104 to rotate. The drum coupling component 143 is provided with an engagement head, which may be a regular or irregular protrusion, as long as it can engage with the driving unit and stably receive the driving force.

[0047] like Figure 1-2 As shown, a chip 140 is provided on the non-driving side end cover 117 of the process cartridge 100, and a chip pressing unit (not shown) on the image forming apparatus main assembly 170 descends in the direction of arrow -Z to contact the electrical contacts of the chip 140 provided in the process cartridge 100. The chip 140 and the electrical contacts of the chip pressing unit of the image forming apparatus main assembly 170 can contact and separate from each other by being linked with the front door through a link mechanism (not shown).

[0048] The developing unit 109 is also provided with a force receiving component 152 for receiving the force of the developing separation control unit 195 so that the developing unit 109 rotates relative to the drum unit 108. The force receiving component 152 can receive the interference force of the developing separation control unit 195 and move in the direction of the axis X along the rotation of the developing roller 106. In the gravity direction Z perpendicular to the rotation axis of the developing roller 106, the distance between the force receiving component 152 and the rotation axis of the developing roller 106 is greater than the distance between the force receiving component 152 and the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 104. In the gravity direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the developing roller 106, the chip 140 is located between the force receiving component 152 and the powder adding port seal 199.

[0049] The process box 100 can be installed into the tray from top to bottom along the gravity direction Z. Figure 2It is a schematic diagram of the process cartridge 100 of the present invention in the main assembly 170 of the image forming device. The process cartridge 100 is installed to the tray along the -Z direction and then installed into the image forming device along the -Y direction with the tray, and installed to a preset position. With the closing of the front door (not shown) in the image forming device, the protrusion 154 of the force receiving component 152 just enters the groove 1951 of the developer separation control unit 195. The developer separation control unit 195 has an initial position, a separation position for causing the drum roller of the process cartridge 100 to separate, and a contact position forcing the drum roller of the process cartridge 100 to contact.

[0050] Initially, the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are in a state of being separated from each other. When the driving unit (not shown) of the main assembly 170 of the image forming apparatus rotates, the developing coupling member 132 and the drum coupling member 143 are driven to rotate. At the same time, the developing separation control unit 195 moves a certain distance in the -Y direction from the initial position and then moves a certain distance in the +Y direction, pulling the force receiving member 152 of the process cartridge 100 to move in the +Y direction, thereby making the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 move from the separated state to the contact state. Then, under the action of the retaining member 161 (which will be described in detail later), even if the developing separation control unit 195 returns to the initial position, the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 can still maintain the contact state. Under the continuous rotation of the driving unit (not shown) of the main assembly 170 of the image forming apparatus, the developing work of the process cartridge 100 in the main assembly 170 of the image forming apparatus is realized. When the image forming device stops printing, the driving unit (not shown) stops rotating, and the developing separation control unit 195 moves in the -Y direction, pushing the protrusion 154 of the force receiving component 152 on the processing box 100 to move in the -Y direction, thereby causing the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 to move from a contact state to a separated state. Under the action of the retaining component 161, the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 maintain a separated state, and the developing separation control unit 195 returns to its initial position.

[0051] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of another viewing angle of the process cartridge of the utility model in the main assembly of the image forming device; Figure 4 This is a view of the matching position of the processing box of the utility model and the developing separation control unit of the main assembly;

[0052] In this embodiment, only one force receiving component 152 is provided, which is provided on the non-driving side of the processing box 100. In other embodiments, the force receiving component 152 may also be provided on the driving side of the processing box 100, or two force receiving components 152 are provided, which are respectively provided on the driving side and the non-driving side of the processing box 100.

[0053] from Figure 3It can be seen from the figure that the above movement can only be achieved when the developer separation control unit 195 overlaps at least a portion of the protrusion 154 of the force receiving member 152 in the Y direction. Figure 4 As shown, when the protrusion 154 of the force receiving component 152 is located in the groove 1951 of the developer separation control unit 195 in the X direction, the contact force in the +Y direction and the separation force in the -Y direction can be received. In other words, the position of the protrusion 154 of the force receiving component 152 must meet the above two conditions to achieve cooperation with the developer separation control unit 195.

[0054] Further references Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, Figure 5 This is a diagram of the position where the processing cartridge of the present invention does not match the groove 1951 of the developer separation control unit of the main assembly; it can be seen from the diagram that when the processing cartridge 100 just enters the main assembly 170 of the image forming device along with the tray, the protrusion 154 of the force receiving member 152 of the processing cartridge 100 is always in the position of protruding the processing cartridge in the -Z direction, and does not overlap with the developer separation control unit 195 in the Y direction. As the processing cartridge 100 and the tray continue to enter the main assembly 170 of the image forming device (refer to Figure 2 , -Y is the moving direction), the force receiving component 152 contacts the developing separation control unit 195, so that the force receiving component 152 moves away from the non-driving side end cover 117 along the axis -X direction. When the force receiving component 152 reaches the groove 1951 position of the developing separation control unit 195, the force receiving component 152 is in the elastic member 151 ( Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the non-driving side end cover 117 moves along the axis +X direction, and partially overlaps with the groove 1951 of the developer separation control unit 195 in the Y direction to form a match. For details, refer to FIG. Figure 6 shown.

[0055] Further references Figure 7 and Figure 8, a non-driving side bearing plate 127 is arranged on the side of the non-driving side end cover 117, and the non-driving side bearing plate 127 is closer to the developing unit 109 than the non-driving side end cover 117. The force receiving component 152 is arranged through the non-driving side bearing plate 127 (it can also be arranged through the driving side bearing plate 128 in other embodiments). A positioning column 153 extending along the X direction is arranged on the non-driving side bearing plate 127, and the force receiving component 152 is sleeved on the positioning column 153, and in the X direction, an elastic member 151 is arranged between the force receiving component 152 and the non-driving side bearing plate 127, and the elastic member 151 can be sleeved on the positioning column 153, so that the force receiving component 152 can reciprocate in the X direction relative to the non-driving side bearing plate 127. In this embodiment, the elastic member 151 is a spring, and in other embodiments, it can also be set as a torsion spring, an elastic sponge, an elastic rubber member, etc., and its function is to enable the force receiving component 152 to reciprocate in the axis X direction relative to the non-driving side bearing plate 127.

[0056] Fig. 9 The structure of the force receiving component 152 is described in more detail. The force receiving component 152 includes a protrusion 154 located in the −Z direction, an end 1521 located in the +Z direction, and a through hole 1522 that cooperates with the positioning column 153 .

[0057] Further references Figure 8 As shown, the non-driving side bearing plate 127 is also provided with a limiting portion 1271 and a restraining portion 1272 that match the end portion 1521. The limiting portion 1271 is a groove structure that can accommodate at least a portion of the end portion 1521 of the force receiving component 152, and is used to limit the position of the force receiving component in the X direction to prevent the force receiving component from escaping from the positioning column along the X direction. The restraining portion 1272 can prevent the force receiving component 152 from rotating around the positioning column 153.

[0058] The protrusion 154 is provided with a first inclined surface 1541, a second inclined surface 1542 on the other side opposite to the first inclined surface 1541, a third inclined surface 1543 connecting the first inclined surface 1541 and the second inclined surface 1542, a separation force receiving surface 1544 adjacent to the first inclined surface 1541 for the force receiving component 152 to receive the separation force of the developer separation control unit 195, and a contact force receiving surface 1545 ( Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first inclined surface 1541 and the second inclined surface 1542 are both inclined relative to the X direction and the inclination directions of the first inclined surface 1541 and the second inclined surface 1542 relative to the X direction are opposite. This setting of inclination relative to the X direction enables the first inclined surface 1541 and the second inclined surface 1542 to generate a component force moving along the X direction when they abut against the developing separation control unit 195.

[0059] The side of the developing separation control unit 195 in the direction facing the center of the process box 100 in the X direction is the inner side, and the side of the force receiving component 152 in the direction away from the center of the process box 100 in the X direction is the outer side. In this embodiment, the first inclined surface 1541 and the second inclined surface 1542 are arranged on the outer side of the force receiving component 152, and the force receiving component 152 is pushed by contacting with the inner side of the developing separation control unit 195. This method saves more space and avoids the interference of the force receiving component 152 with other components. In other embodiments, the first inclined surface 1541 and the second inclined surface 1542 can also be arranged on the inner side of the force receiving component 152, and the force receiving component 152 is pushed by contacting with the outer side of the developing separation control unit 195. Accordingly, the direction of the force of the elastic member 151 should also be adjusted adaptively. In this embodiment, since the force receiving component 152 is arranged on the non-driving side of the process box 100, the outer side of the force receiving component 152 is the side facing the +X direction, and the inner side of the developing separation control unit 195 is the side facing the -X direction.

[0060] When the process cartridge 100 enters the image forming apparatus main assembly 170 (refer to Figure 2 , -Y is the direction of entry movement), the force receiving component 152 conflicts with the developer separation control unit 195, that is, the second inclined surface 1542 and the third inclined surface 1543 will first touch the developer separation control unit 195. At this time, due to the inclination of the second inclined surface 1542 relative to the X direction, coupled with the elastic contraction of the elastic member 151, the force receiving component 152 moves along the axis -X direction away from the non-driving side end cover 117, thereby avoiding the developer separation control unit 195. At this time, the third inclined surface 1543 moves in contact with the inner side of the developer separation control unit 195. Continue to push the processing box 100 and the tray into the main component 170 of the image forming device, and the force receiving component 152 enters the groove 1951 position of the developing separation control unit 195 along the +X direction under the elastic rebound force of the elastic member 151, so that the separation force receiving surface 1544 and the contact force receiving surface 1545 of the force receiving component 152 are just partially located in the groove 1951 of the developing separation control unit 195, that is, the separation force receiving surface 1544 and the contact force receiving surface 1545 are at least partially overlapped with the developing separation control unit 195 when projected in the Y direction.

[0061] After the developer in the processing box 100 is printed, as the tray is pulled out from the image forming device, the processing box 100 and the tray move together along the +Y direction, and the first inclined surface 1541 and the third inclined surface 1543 adjacent to the separation force receiving surface 1544 touch the developer separation control unit 195, and the elastic contraction of the elastic member 151 causes the force receiving component 152 to move away from the non-driving side end cover 117 along the axis -X direction and leave the groove 1951 until the force receiving component 152 separates from the developer separation control unit 195 along the +Y direction, and the force receiving component 152 resets along the +X direction. After the tray is pulled out, the processing box 100 is taken out of the tray along the +Z direction.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first inclined surface 1541, the second inclined surface 1542 and the third inclined surface 1543 are flat inclined surfaces. In other embodiments, they can also be set as curved inclined surfaces. When set as curved inclined surfaces, the first inclined surface 1541, the second inclined surface 1542 and the third inclined surface 1543 can also be combined together to be set to a spherical shape (that is, the first inclined surface 1541, the second inclined surface 1542 and the third inclined surface 1543 are different parts of the sphere, respectively). As long as the force receiving component 152 can be displaced relative to the developing separation control unit 195 along the X direction after touching the developing separation control unit 195, it is feasible.

[0063] For further reference, Figures 10-11 As shown, the processing box 100 also includes a retaining member 161 disposed on the driving side thereof. In other embodiments, the retaining member 161 may also be disposed on the non-driving side, or there are two groups of retaining members 161, which are respectively disposed on the driving side and the non-driving side of the processing box 100. Specifically, the retaining member 161 includes a first retaining portion 162 disposed on the developing unit 109 and a second retaining portion 163 disposed on the drum unit 108 or the end cover (there is no relative movement between the drum unit and the end cover, so the setting effect is the same). The first retaining portion 162 and the second retaining portion 163 both have a protruding shape, and when the first retaining portion 162 abuts against the lower portion of the second retaining portion 163, the developing unit 109 maintains its separated position relative to the drum unit 108, so that the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 maintain a separated state. Specifically, refer to Fig.10When the developer separation control unit 195 pushes the separation force receiving surface 1544, so that the developer roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are separated by a certain distance H, the first retaining portion 162 will abut against the lower part of the second retaining portion 163 (in the -Z direction), and because the second retaining portion 163 extends along the -Y direction, the first retaining portion 162 cannot pass over the protrusion 1631 of the second retaining portion 163 to the upper part of the second retaining portion 163 (move in the +Z direction) without the action of external force, so that the developer roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are maintained in the separation position, and the developer separation control unit 195 will return to the initial position state along the +Y direction ( Figure 4 Location).

[0064] When the developing unit 109 rotates from the separated position to the contact position relative to the drum unit 108 (the developing unit 109 rotates from the separated position to the contact position Fig.10 Rotate clockwise to Fig.11 The first retaining portion 162 rotates with the developing unit 109 and presses the second retaining portion 163 to make the second retaining portion 163 elastically deform (specifically, the second retaining portion 163 can be compressed in the +Y direction), so that the first retaining portion 162 passes over the second retaining portion 163 and comes to the upper part of the second retaining portion 163, and then the second retaining portion 163 is elastically reset, and the first retaining portion 162 abuts against the upper part of the second retaining portion 163, and the developing unit 109 maintains its contact position relative to the drum unit 108, so that the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 maintain a contact state. Specifically, from Fig.11 It can be seen from the figure that when the developer separation control unit 195 moves in the +Y direction and contacts the contact force receiving surface 1545, the developer unit 109 rotates in the clockwise direction relative to the drum unit 108, so that the developer roller 106 contacts the photosensitive drum 104, and the first retaining portion 162 abuts against the upper part of the second retaining portion 163, and because the second retaining portion 163 extends in the -Y direction, the first retaining portion 162 cannot go over the protrusion 1631 of the second retaining portion 163 to the lower part of the second retaining portion 163 without the action of external force, so that the developer roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are maintained in the contact position. The action of the developer unit 109 rotating from the contact position to the separation position relative to the drum unit 108 is the same as the action of rotating from the separation position to the contact position described above.

[0065] In this embodiment, the first retaining portion 162 is arranged on the driving side bearing plate 128 of the developing unit, and the second retaining portion 163 is arranged on the driving side end cover 116. The second retaining portion 163 includes a protrusion 1631 and a second elastic member 1632 connected to the protrusion 1631, so that when the developing unit 109 rotates between the separation position and the contact position, the first retaining portion 162 compresses the second elastic member 1632 in the +Y direction by pressing the protrusion 1631 and elastically stores force, so that the first retaining portion 162 can move between the upper part and the lower part of the second retaining portion 163, and after the movement, the protrusion 1631 is released by the second elastic member 1632 to extend and reset in the -Y direction, so that the first retaining portion 162 is kept in a state of abutting against the upper part or the lower part of the second retaining portion 163. The first retaining portion 162 is a rib plate or an arc-shaped protrusion, and the protrusion 1631 of the second retaining portion 163 is spherical. In some embodiments, the second elastic member 1632 may not be provided, and the second elastic member 1632 may be replaced by a certain elastic deformation capability of the material of the protrusion 1631 of the second retaining portion 163 to interact with the first retaining portion 162 .

[0066] In the prior art, the force receiving component of the processing box is rotated and protrudes downward from the processing box by the downward pressing force of the pressing unit in the image forming device, thereby entering the groove of the developing separation control unit. Under this installation method, the force receiving component is easy to interfere with the processing box or other components of the image forming device, which is not conducive to the smooth installation of the processing box. The utility model provides a force receiving component that can move along the axis X direction of rotation of the developing roller, and avoids the developing separation control unit by abutting and moving the force receiving component with the developing separation control unit in the X direction, so that the installation of the processing box is smoother. Furthermore, the force receiving component enters the groove of the developing separation control unit by abutting and moving the force receiving component with the developing separation control unit in the X direction. Under this installation method, the force receiving component does not need to move in the Z direction, so it is not easy to interfere with other components when extending downward, so that the installation of the processing box is smoother.

[0067] In addition, the force receiving component in the prior art needs to perform rotational motion, and the rotational motion is also easy to interfere with other components of the processing box or the image forming device, and when the force receiving component is rotatable relative to the developing unit, since the direction of rotation is roughly in the same direction (roughly in the Y direction) as the contact force and separation force from the developing separation control unit, the rotation of the force receiving component will cause it to easily shake when receiving the contact force and separation force, which is not conducive to the realization of the contact and separation action. The processing box of the utility model is installed by the force receiving component abutting and moving with the developing separation control unit in the X direction, and there is no need to set the force receiving component to be rotatable, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned shaking, which is conducive to the realization of the contact and separation action.

[0068] The above are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A process cartridge detachably mounted in an image forming device, wherein the image forming device comprises a developer separation control unit, a drive unit and a movable tray, wherein the developer separation control unit has a groove, and the tray is movable in the Y direction, wherein the direction in which the tray is pushed into the image forming device is -Y, and the direction in which the tray is pulled out of the image forming device is +Y; characterized in that: The process cartridge includes a drum unit and a developing unit, wherein the drum unit includes a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed on the drum unit along an X direction; The developing unit comprises: a developing roller rotatably disposed on the developing unit along an X direction; as well as A force receiving component is movably and resettably arranged on the developing unit along the X direction, and the force receiving component has a protrusion, which is used to receive a separation force or a contact force from the developing separation control unit in a groove of the developing separation control unit, so that the developing unit rotates relative to the drum unit so that the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated or contacted; when the processing box is pushed into the image forming device along the -Y direction along the tray, the protrusion of the force receiving component abuts against the developing separation control unit, so that the force receiving component can be pushed by the developing separation control unit along the X direction to avoid the developing separation control unit.

2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: A first inclined surface and a second inclined surface are provided on the protruding portion of the force receiving component, and both the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are inclined relative to the X direction and the inclination directions of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface relative to the X direction are opposite, so that: when the processing box is pushed into the image forming device along the tray along the -Y direction, the second inclined surface abuts against the developing separation control unit, so that the force receiving component is pushed by the developing separation control unit along the X direction, the force receiving component moves along the -Y direction to a position corresponding to the groove, and the force receiving component is reset along the X direction to enter the groove; when the processing box is pulled out of the image forming device along the tray along the +Y direction, the first inclined surface abuts against the developing separation control unit, so that the force receiving component is pushed by the developing separation control unit along the X direction to leave the groove, the force receiving component is separated from the developing separation control unit along the +Y direction, and the force receiving component is reset along the X direction.

3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The side of the developing separation control unit in the X direction toward the center of the processing box is its inner side, and the side of the force receiving component in the X direction away from the center of the processing box is its outer side, and the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are arranged on the outer side of the force receiving component and are pushed by abutting against the inner side of the developing separation control unit.

4. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: There is one force receiving component, which is arranged at any one end of the process box in the X direction, or there are two force receiving components, which are respectively arranged at both ends of the process box in the X direction.

5. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The force receiving component is arranged on the developing unit through an elastic member, and the movement and reset in the X direction are realized through the elastic member.

6. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The force receiving member is disposed so as not to be rotatable relative to the developing unit.

7. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The developing unit further includes a bearing plate, a positioning column extending in the X direction is disposed on the bearing plate, and the force receiving member is movably disposed on the positioning column.

8. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: An elastic member is sleeved on the positioning column, and the force receiving component abuts against the bearing plate through the elastic member, so that it can move and reset relative to the bearing plate along the X direction.

9. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: The bearing plate is provided with a limiting portion for limiting the position of the force receiving component in the X direction, so as to prevent the force receiving component from escaping from the positioning column along the X direction; The bearing plate is provided with a restraining portion that prevents the force receiving member from rotating relative to the bearing plate.

10. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: Also includes end caps provided at ends of the developing unit and the drum unit in the X direction, and a retaining member; The retaining component includes a first retaining portion arranged on the developing unit and a second retaining portion arranged on the drum unit or the end cover; the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion both have a protruding shape, so that: when the first retaining portion abuts against the lower portion of the second retaining portion, the developing unit maintains its separated position relative to the drum unit, so that the developing roller and the photosensitive drum maintain a separated state; when the developing unit rotates from the separated position to the contact position relative to the drum unit, the first retaining portion rotates with the developing unit and presses the second retaining portion to cause the second retaining portion to elastically deform, so that the first retaining portion comes to the upper portion of the second retaining portion, and the second retaining portion is elastically reset, the first retaining portion abuts against the upper portion of the second retaining portion, and the developing unit maintains its contact position relative to the drum unit, so that the developing roller and the photosensitive drum maintain a contact state.

11. The process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein: The second holding portion includes a protrusion and a second elastic member connected to the protrusion, so that when the developing unit rotates between the separation position and the contact position, the first holding portion presses the protrusion to elastically store force in the second elastic member, so that the first holding portion can move between the upper part and the lower part of the second holding portion, and after the movement, the protrusion is extended and reset by releasing the second elastic member, so that the first holding portion is kept in a state of abutting against the upper part or the lower part of the second holding portion; The first retaining portion is a rib or an arc-shaped protrusion, and the protrusion of the second retaining portion is spherical; The developing unit further includes a bearing plate, the first retaining portion is disposed on the bearing plate of the developing unit, and the second retaining portion is disposed on the end cover.

Images