Developing cartridge

Abstract

The utility model discloses a developing box which is detachably mounted on a main body of an electrophotographic image forming device, and the main body is provided with a limiting part extending from the near side to the far side; the developing cartridge includes a housing including a toner chamber for accommodating toner and an end portion, and a developing roller rotatably disposed on the housing; in the axial direction of the developing roller, the end part comprises a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; the developing box further comprises a holding part which is fixedly connected with the shell; the holding component is matched with the limiting part, the holding component is arranged on the holding part, and the shell and the holding part can move relative to the holding component; the developing box can be prevented from being damaged when the developing box is attached to the main body of the device or detached from the main body of the device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a developing box which can be attached to and detached from a main body of an image forming device. Background Art

[0002] The process cartridge is usually detachably mounted in a main assembly of an electrophotographic imaging device such as a laser printer, a copier, a fax machine, etc. The electrophotographic imaging device uniformly charges an electrophotographic photosensitive member serving as an image bearing member, and selectively exposes the electrophotographic photosensitive member; thus, a latent image is formed, which is then developed by a developer to be visualized as a developer image. The developer image is then transferred to a recording medium, and the developer image transferred to the recording medium is fixed by applying heat and pressure, and the image is thus recorded.

[0003] In the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-102425, a developing box is attached to or detached from a main body while being guided by a guide rail that is movable relative to the main body. Due to a slight gap between the developing box and the guide rail, a slight movement of the developing box relative to the guide rail may occur when the developing box is attached or detached. Therefore, there is a case where the developing box swings relative to the main body. In this case, there is a risk that the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum. It is conceivable to provide a sufficient gap between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to prevent the developing roller and the photosensitive drum from contacting. However, in the case where a sufficient gap is provided between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum, there is a risk of an increase in the size of the image forming device. In the case where a gap is provided between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum in the in-line design as described above, there is a risk that the size of the image forming device in the direction of alignment of the photosensitive drum is further increased. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model provides a processing box, which prevents a developing box from being damaged when the developing box is attached to or removed from a main body of a device.

[0005] In order to achieve the above technical problems, the utility model discloses a developing box, which is detachably mounted to the main body of an electronic photographic image forming device, and the main body is provided with a limiting portion extending from the near side to the far side; the developing box includes a shell and a developing roller rotatably arranged on the shell, and the shell includes a colorant chamber and an end portion for accommodating colorant; in the axial direction of the developing roller, the end portion includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; the developing box also includes: a retaining portion fixedly connected to the shell; a retaining member cooperating with the limiting portion, the retaining member is arranged on the retaining portion, and the shell and the retaining portion are movable relative to the retaining member.

[0006] Preferably, the retaining member is fixedly connected to the retaining portion, the retaining member is made of an elastic material, and when the shell moves relative to the retaining member, the retaining member at least partially undergoes elastic deformation.

[0007] Preferably, the retaining portion and the retaining member are integrally formed, and both the retaining portion and the retaining member are made of elastic material.

[0008] Preferably, the retaining member and the retaining portion are fixedly connected, and elastic deformation can occur between the retaining member and the retaining portion.

[0009] Preferably, the retaining member and the retaining portion are separately provided, and an elastic member is provided between the retaining portion and the retaining member.

[0010] Preferably, the retaining portion is provided with a mounting groove for accommodating the elastic member and at least part of the retaining component, the side wall of the mounting groove is provided with a guide groove, the guide groove is parallel to the length direction of the elastic member in a natural state, and the retaining component is provided with a guide protrusion slidably arranged in the guide groove.

[0011] Preferably, the main body is provided with a pressure member and a photosensitive drum, the pressure member includes a pressure part and a separation part, when the pressure part applies a force to the pressure receiving part, the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum; when the separation part applies a force to the pressure receiving part, the developing roller separates from the photosensitive drum.

[0012] Preferably, when the pressure receiving portion does not receive the force of the pressure member, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated.

[0013] Preferably, the limiting portion includes an upper limiting portion and a lower limiting portion, and the upper limiting portion and the lower limiting portion are respectively provided with a first limiting groove and a second limiting groove, the first limiting groove is arranged corresponding to the retaining member, and the retaining member is inserted into the first limiting groove.

[0014] Preferably, the retaining members are provided on both upper and lower sides of the developing box.

[0015] The developing cartridge of such a structure can prevent the developing cartridge from being damaged when the developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the apparatus.

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing box of Example 1 of the utility model.

[0019] Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram of the first disassembled structure of the developing box in Example 1 of the utility model.

[0020] Figure 3B This is a schematic diagram of the second disassembled structure of the developing box in Example 1 of the utility model.

[0021] Figure 4A It is a schematic diagram of the developing box and the photosensitive drum in the contact state according to the first embodiment of the utility model.

[0022] Figure 4B It is a schematic diagram of the developing box and the photosensitive drum in the separated state according to the first embodiment of the utility model.

[0023] Figure 4C It is a structural schematic diagram of the second end of the developing box of Example 1 of the utility model.

[0024] Figure 5A It is a schematic diagram of inserting the developing box of Embodiment 1 of the utility model between the front of the main body and the near cover of the image forming device.

[0025] Figure 5B It is a schematic diagram of the developing box of Example 1 of the utility model located between the installation position of the main body and the near cover.

[0026] Figure 5C This is a schematic diagram of the developing box before being inserted into the main body of Example 1 of the utility model.

[0027] Figure 5D It is a schematic diagram of the developing box of Example 1 of the utility model located at the installation position of the main body.

[0028] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the developing box of Example 2 of the utility model in the installation position of the main body.

[0029] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the developing box of Example 3 of the utility model.

[0030] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the developing box and the photosensitive drum in the separated state according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of a developing box according to Embodiment 4 of the present utility model.

[0032] Fig.10It is a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of the developing box of Example 4 of the utility model.

[0033] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the developing box and the photosensitive drum in the contact state according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of the developing box and the photosensitive drum in the separated state according to the fourth embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In the following description, many specific details are explained in combination with embodiments to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, it should be understood that the following embodiments and detailed descriptions are only for illustrative purposes and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] The structure and working principle of the developer box of the present utility model are basically the same as those of the developer box disclosed in Patent No. CN112346316B. The same parts will not be described in detail. The following focuses on describing the main differences between the developer box of the present utility model and that disclosed in Patent No. CN112346316B. It should be noted that the structure and working principle of the drum box involved in the present utility model are basically the same as those of the drum box disclosed in Patent No. CN112346316B. The drum box includes a photosensitive drum, a charging roller, a cleaning member and a cleaning frame. The positional relationship between the various components of the drum box will not be described in detail. For ease of understanding, the drawings of the present utility model only show the photosensitive drum in the drum box.

[0037] Example 1

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the developing box is detachably mounted to the main body of the electronic photographic image forming device (hereinafter referred to as the image forming device). Specifically, the developing box can be moved from the outside of the main body to the installation position inside the main body along the horizontal direction. When the developing box is in the installation position, the developing box and the drum box are arranged together, and the developing box and the drum box move relative to the drum box.

[0039] The upstream side in the direction in which the developing box is attached to the image forming device is defined as the near surface side, and the downstream side in the attachment direction is defined as the far surface side; the image forming device includes a near cover 9 that can be opened or closed, and the near cover 9 is arranged on the near side in the main body 10.

[0040] like Figure 2-5DAs shown, the present embodiment provides, on the one hand, a developing box 1a, including a shell 1, a developing roller 2 rotatably arranged on the shell 1, a guide protruding from the shell 1 and extending in the axial direction of the developing roller 2, a retaining portion and a positioning component, the shell 1 includes a colorant chamber 11a for accommodating colorant and an end portion, the end portion includes a first end 101 and a second end 102 opposite to the first end 101 relative to the axial direction of the developing roller 2, the retaining portion and the positioning component are arranged on the shell 1, wherein the shell 1 is movable relative to the retaining portion.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 1 includes a developing chamber 11c in which a developing roller 2 is arranged and a toner containing chamber 11a disposed below the developing chamber 11c. The toner containing chamber 11a of the housing 11 is provided with a toner conveying member 14 for stirring the contained toner and conveying the toner from the toner containing chamber 11a to the developing chamber 11c via an opening 11b. The toner containing chamber 11a and the developing chamber 11c are separated by a partition wall 11d. The partition wall 11d is provided with an opening 11b, and when the toner is conveyed from the toner containing chamber 11a to the developing chamber 11c by the toner conveying member 16, the toner passes through the opening 11b; the housing 1 also includes a top surface 12 and a bottom surface 13.

[0042] Specifically, Figure 3A and 3B The end of the shell 1 close to the near cover 9 is the first end 101, and the second end 102 of the shell 1 away from the near cover 9; when the developing box is oriented so that the developing roller 2 is located above the colorant chamber 11, the top surface 12 faces upward and the bottom surface 13 faces downward.

[0043] like Figures 3A-5D As shown, in this embodiment, the positioning component includes a positioning hole 52 and a positioning protrusion inserted into the positioning hole 52, the positioning protrusion includes a first positioning protrusion 511 provided on the first end 101 of the shell 1 and a second positioning protrusion 512 provided on the second end 102 of the shell 1; the retaining portion includes a first retaining portion 41 provided on the first end 101 of the shell 1, the first retaining portion 41 is provided with a positioning hole 52 corresponding to the first positioning protrusion 511, and the inner wall of the main body 10 is provided with a positioning hole corresponding to the second positioning protrusion 512 (not shown in the figure). The axial direction of the first positioning protrusion 511 and the second positioning protrusion 512 is located on the rotation center axis Y, and the rotation center axis Y is parallel to the axial direction of the developing roller 2. Therefore, the shell 1 can rotate independently relative to the first retaining portion 41. The developing box is inserted into the main body 10 of the image forming device from the near side toward the far side in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis of the developing roller 2 (direction F)

[0044] The guide member includes an upper guide member 31 and a lower guide member 32 extending from the proximal side to the distal side, the upper guide member 31 protrudes upward from the top surface 12 of the shell 1, and the lower guide member 32 protrudes downward from the bottom surface 13 of the shell; the main body 10 is provided with a limiting portion extending from the proximal side to the distal side, the limiting portion includes an upper limiting portion 61 arranged on the upper side of the top surface 12 and a lower limiting portion 62 on the lower side of the bottom surface 13; the retaining portion is provided with a retaining member 401 that cooperates with the limiting portion.

[0045] Specifically, the upper limit portion 61 and the lower limit portion 62 are respectively provided with a first limit groove 601 and a second limit groove 602, and the upper and lower sides of the retaining portion are respectively provided with retaining components 401. The first limit groove 601 on the upper limit portion 61 and the lower limit portion 62 are respectively provided corresponding to the retaining components 401 on the upper and lower sides of the retaining portion, and the first limit groove 601 extends from the proximal side to the distal side.

[0046] Specifically, the second limiting groove 602 is set corresponding to the guide member, and two second limiting grooves 602 are set, and the two second limiting grooves 602 are respectively set at the proximal end and the distal end of the upper limiting portion 61 and the lower limiting portion 62. When the developing box is located in the installation position, the upper guide member 31 and the lower guide member 32 are both disengaged from the second limiting groove 602. At this time, the shell 1 can rotate around the rotation center axis Y, and the upper guide member 31 and the lower guide member 32 are not restricted by the second limiting groove 602.

[0047] like Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the main body 10 of the image forming apparatus is provided with a pressing member 7, which can be Figure 4A and Figure 4B In order to move in the G1 direction and the G2 direction in the embodiment, the bottom surface of the housing is provided with a pressurized receiving portion 7c. In this embodiment, the pressurized member 7 is a groove structure, and the pressurized receiving portion 7c is a plate-like structure that can be inserted into the pressurized member. In some embodiments, the pressurized receiving portion 7c can also be other structures that can be driven by the pressurized member 7 to move in the G1 and G2 directions.

[0048] like Figure 5B As shown, when the developing cartridge has been attached to the main body 10 of the image forming apparatus, the upper guide 31 and the lower guide 32 are not restricted by the second limiting groove 602, and the housing 1 can rotate around the rotation center axis Y. In this state, the pressing member 7 is Figure 4A The pressure member 7 moves in the G1 direction so that the pressure portion 7a of the pressure member 7 contacts the first side of the pressure receiving portion 7c, and thus the housing 1 swings in the arrow Y1 direction and the developing roller 2 presses the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined pressure. Figure 4BWhen the housing 1 moves in the direction G2 in the image recording medium, the separating portion 7b of the pressing member 7 contacts the second side of the pressing receiving portion 7c opposite to the first side, so that the housing 1 swings in the direction of the arrow Y2 and separates the developing roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1. With this configuration, the developing roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 can be in a separated state without forming an image on the recording medium. Therefore, the deterioration of the image quality due to the deformation of the developing roller 2 can be prevented.

[0049] On the other hand, this embodiment further provides an image forming device, including the above-mentioned developing box.

[0050] Example 2

[0051] like Figure 6 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the retaining portion includes a second retaining portion 42 disposed on the second end 102 of the housing 1, and this embodiment does not have a first retaining portion.

[0052] The second retaining portion 42 is arranged at an end of the main body 10 away from the near cover 9, that is, in this embodiment, the second retaining portion 42 is arranged on the second end 102 of the shell body on the side away from the near cover 9, and a positioning hole corresponding to the second positioning protrusion 512 is provided on the second retaining portion 42 (not shown in the figure), and a positioning hole 52 corresponding to the first positioning protrusion 511 is provided on the near cover 9.

[0053] Example 3

[0054] like Figure 7-Figure 8 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the holding portion and the housing 1 are fixedly connected.

[0055] In this embodiment, the holding portion includes a first holding portion 41 disposed on the first end 101 of the housing 1 and a second holding portion 42 disposed on the second end 102 of the housing 1, and elastic deformation can occur between the holding member 401 and the holding portion. Specifically, the holding member 401 and the holding portion can be an integral or split structure; when the holding member 401 and the holding portion are integrally formed, the holding portion and the holding member 401 are both made of elastic material; when the holding member 401 and the holding portion are split, the holding member 401 is made of elastic material, and the holding portion can be made of rigid material.

[0056] In this embodiment, the holding portion and the holding member 401 are integrally formed, and both the holding portion and the holding member 401 are made of elastic material, which may be any material in the prior art including but not limited to rubber, silicone, etc.

[0057] The pressure member 7 is already Figure 8When moving in the G2 direction, the separation portion 7b of the pressure member 7 contacts the second side of the pressure receiving portion 7c opposite to the first side, and the connection between the retaining member 401 and the retaining portion is elastically deformed to move the housing 1 and separate the developing roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1.

[0058] In some embodiments, the length of the retaining member 401 may also be set to be greater than the depth of the first limiting groove 601. In this case, when the pressure member 7 drives the housing 1 to separate from the photosensitive drum 1, the position where elastic deformation occurs is the retaining member 401.

[0059] Example 4

[0060] like Figure 9-12 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 3 is that an elastic member is further provided between the retaining portion and the retaining component.

[0061] In this embodiment, the retaining portion is provided with a mounting groove 402 for accommodating the elastic member 403 and at least a portion of the retaining component 401; specifically, the upper and lower sides of the retaining portion are respectively recessed with the mounting grooves 402, the elastic member 403 is arranged in the mounting groove 402, and the side walls of the mounting groove 402 are provided with guide grooves 404 parallel to the length direction of the elastic member 403 in a natural state; the retaining component 401 is provided with a guide protrusion 405 slidably arranged in the guide groove 404.

[0062] like Fig.11 As shown, when the pressing portion 7a of the pressing member 7 contacts the first side of the pressing receiving portion 7c, the housing 1 and the retaining portion move, the elastic member between the retaining member and the inner wall of the mounting groove is compressed, and the developing roller 2 presses the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined pressure.

[0063] like Fig.12 As shown, the pressure member 7 is already Fig.12 When moving in the G2 direction, the separation portion 7b of the pressure member 7 contacts the second side opposite to the first side with the pressure receiving portion 7c, and the elastic member 403 located between the retaining member 401 and the inner wall of the mounting groove 402 expands and contracts under the elastic tendency to return to the natural state, thereby moving the housing 1 and the retaining portion and separating the developing roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1.

[0064] Specifically, the elastic member 403 can be a spring in the prior art or an elastic member made of commonly used elastic materials such as silicone, rubber, etc. In this embodiment, the elastic member 403 is a spring, preferably a pressure spring. In some embodiments, a tension spring, a torsion spring, or a bending spring can also be used.

[0065] Preferably, a positioning portion for positioning the elastic member 403 is further provided in the installation groove 402. In this embodiment, the positioning portion is provided in a columnar structure on the inner wall of the installation groove 402, and the spring is inserted into the positioning portion.

[0066] Although the present invention is described above through embodiments, it should be understood that the above embodiments are only used to exemplarily describe the feasible implementation methods of the present invention, and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. That is, any replacement or change made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the present invention should also be covered by the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge, detachably mounted to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming device, the main body being provided with a stopper extending from a near side to a far side; the developing cartridge comprising a housing and a developing roller rotatably arranged on the housing, the housing comprising a toner chamber for accommodating toner and an end portion; in an axial direction of the developing roller, the end portion comprises a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; characterized in that: The developing box also includes: A retaining portion, fixedly connected to the housing; A retaining member cooperates with the limiting portion, the retaining member is arranged on the retaining portion, and the shell and the retaining portion are movable relative to the retaining member.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retaining member is fixedly connected to the retaining portion, and the retaining member is made of an elastic material. When the shell moves relative to the retaining member, the retaining member at least partially undergoes elastic deformation.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that: The holding portion and the holding component are integrally formed, and both the holding portion and the holding component are made of elastic material.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The retaining member is fixedly connected to the retaining portion, and elastic deformation can occur between the retaining member and the retaining portion.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The holding member and the holding portion are separately arranged, and an elastic member is arranged between the holding portion and the holding member.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that: The retaining portion is provided with an installation groove for accommodating the elastic member and at least part of the retaining component, the side wall of the installation groove is provided with a guide groove, the guide groove is parallel to the length direction of the elastic member in a natural state, and the retaining component is provided with a guide protrusion slidably arranged in the guide groove.

7. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The main body is provided with a pressure component and a photosensitive drum, the pressure component includes a pressure part and a separation part, and the bottom surface of the shell is provided with a pressure receiving part. When the pressure part applies a force to the pressure receiving part, the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum; when the separation part applies a force to the pressure receiving part, the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: When the pressure receiving portion does not receive the force of the pressure member, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: The limiting portion includes an upper limiting portion and a lower limiting portion, and the upper limiting portion and the lower limiting portion are respectively provided with a first limiting groove and a second limiting groove, the first limiting groove is correspondingly arranged with the retaining member, and the retaining member is inserted into the first limiting groove.

10. The developing cartridge according to claim 9, characterized in that: The retaining components are disposed on both upper and lower sides of the developing box.

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