Developing unit and process cartridge

Abstract

According to the developing unit and the processing box with the developing unit provided by the utility model, the developing unit comprises the developing shell and the developing roller which is rotatably arranged in the developing shell, and the developing unit also comprises the second end cover and the bulge which is arranged on the second end cover / developing shell along the longitudinal direction of the developing unit; the protrusion is used for receiving an external force, so that the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are converted from a mutually approaching state to a mutually separated state; in the longitudinal direction of the developing unit, the developing unit further comprises a protection piece located at the different end from the protrusion, and the protection piece is located between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the developing unit; when the developing unit does not work, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are at least separated from each other at the end provided with the protrusion, the protective piece is in contact with the photosensitive drum at the end provided with the protective piece, and the developing roller is in indirect contact with the photosensitive drum through the protective piece, so that the loss of the developing roller caused by friction can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electrophotographic imaging, in particular to a developing unit detachably mounted in an electrophotographic imaging device and a processing cartridge having the developing unit. Background Art

[0002] A processing cartridge is a consumable that can be detachably mounted to an electrophotographic imaging device (hereinafter referred to as "imaging device"). The processing cartridge includes a developing unit and a photosensitive unit. The developing unit includes a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing housing. The developing housing is used to accommodate a developer, and the developing roller is used to carry the developer and supply the developer to the photosensitive unit. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive housing and a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed in the photosensitive housing. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the developing roller is used to convey the developer to the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image.

[0003] After the processing cartridge is assembled, the surface of the developing roller and the surface of the photosensitive drum will always be in contact. In this way, before the processing cartridge is used, deformation may occur between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum that are in contact for a long time, affecting the subsequent use of the charging roller and the photosensitive drum.

[0004] To solve the above problems, the existing method is to provide separating members at two longitudinal ends of the processing cartridge. When the processing cartridge does not need to perform imaging work, the separating members force the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to separate simultaneously. Such a setting requires two driving members for driving the separating members to be provided in the imaging device, which will make the structure of the imaging device complicated. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The developing unit and the processing cartridge having the developing unit provided by the utility model can at least solve at least one of the above technical problems. The specific technical solutions are as follows:

[0006] A developing unit, including a developing housing for accommodating a developer and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing housing. The developing roller is used to carry the developer and supply the developer to the outside of the developing unit. The developing roller rotates around a second rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing unit. Along the longitudinal direction of the developing unit, one end of the developing unit is provided with a second end cap detachably coupled to the developing housing.

[0007] The developing unit further includes a protrusion provided on the second end cap / developing housing. The protrusion is used to receive a force from the outside of the developing unit, so that the developing roller and the photosensitive drum located outside the developing unit change from a state of approaching each other to a state of separating from each other.

[0008] In the longitudinal direction of the developing unit, the developing unit further includes a protective member located at a different end from the protrusion. The protective member is supported by the developing roller and is located between the surfaces of the developing roller and the photosensitive drum along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the developing unit. When the developing unit is operating, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum approach each other. When the developing unit is not operating, at least at the end where the protrusion is provided, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated from each other, and at the end where the protective member is provided, the protective member is in contact with the photosensitive drum.

[0009] The photosensitive drum rotates about a first rotation axis. When the developing unit is operating, the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are parallel to each other. When the developing unit is not operating, the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are not parallel.

[0010] When the developing unit is not operating, an angle is formed between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis.

[0011] Along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the developing unit, from the end where the protrusion is provided to the end where the protective member is provided, the distance between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis gradually decreases.

[0012] A processing cartridge that can be detachably installed in an imaging device provided with a separation control unit. The processing cartridge includes a photosensitive unit and a developing unit that are combined with each other. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive housing, and the photosensitive drum is rotatably provided in the photosensitive housing. The surface of the photosensitive drum is used to form an electrostatic latent image, and the developing roller supplies a developer to the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0013] The photosensitive unit further includes a pressing member for abutting against the protrusion. The pressing member receives a force from the separation control unit to force the photosensitive drum and the developing roller to separate from each other.

[0014] The pressing member and the protrusion are provided at the same end of the processing cartridge along the longitudinal direction.

[0015] In the developing unit provided by the present utility model and the processing cartridge having the developing unit, the protective member is located between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum. When the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated from each other, the surfaces of the developing roller and the photosensitive drum do not directly contact each other, and the developing roller indirectly contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum through the protective member. This can reduce the loss caused by friction on the developing roller and reduce the possibility of deformation of the surfaces of the developing roller and the photosensitive drum. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the processing cartridge related to the present utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the photosensitive unit of the processing cartridge related to the present utility model.

[0018] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a developing unit of a processing cartridge according to the present utility model.

[0019] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a pushing member in the processing cartridge according to the present utility model.

[0020] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a perspective view when the photosensitive drum and the developing roller in the processing cartridge according to the present utility model are separated from each other.

[0021] Figure 6A and Figure 6B is a perspective view when the photosensitive drum and the developing roller in the processing cartridge according to the present utility model are close to each other.

[0022] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second driving end in the developing unit of the processing cartridge according to the present utility model. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0023] Embodiments of the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] The processing cartridge 100 can be detachably mounted to an imaging device provided with a separation control unit, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the processing cartridge 100 includes a photosensitive unit 10 and a developing unit 20 that are combined with each other; the photosensitive unit 10 includes a photosensitive housing 11 and a photosensitive drum 12 rotatably disposed in the photosensitive housing 11. The surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is used to form an electrostatic latent image, and the photosensitive drum 12 rotates around a first rotation axis L1, and the first rotation axis L1 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive unit 10; the developing unit 20 includes a developing housing 21 for accommodating a developer and a developing roller 22 rotatably disposed in the developing housing 21. The developing roller 22 is used to supply the developer to the outside of the developing unit 20, such as the photosensitive drum 12, so that the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 can be developed. The developing roller 22 rotates around a second rotation axis L2, and the second rotation axis L2 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 20.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive unit 10, one end of the photosensitive unit 10 is a first driving end 13 for receiving a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum 12 from the imaging device, and the other end is a first conductive end 14 for electrically connecting the photosensitive unit 10 to the imaging device; the photosensitive unit 10 is provided with a first end cap 15 at the first driving end 13; the photosensitive unit 10 further includes a pushing member 16 for forcing the photosensitive drum 12 and the developing roller 22 to be separated from each other, and the pushing member 16 is disposed on the photosensitive housing 11 or the first end cap 15.

[0026] As Figure 1and Figure 3 As shown in Figure 3 , the developing cartridge 21 includes a face cover 211 and a bottom case 212. A developing chamber for accommodating the developer is formed between the face cover 211 and the bottom case 212. Along the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 20, one end of the developing unit 20 is a second driving end 23 for receiving the driving force for rotating the developing roller 22 from the imaging device, and the other end is a second conductive end 24 for electrically connecting the developing unit 20 to the imaging device.

[0027] The developing unit 20 is provided with a second end cap 25 detachably coupled to the developing cartridge 21 at the second driving end 23. The developing unit 20 is further provided with a protrusion 26 for abutting against the pushing member 16. The protrusion 26 is provided on the second end cap 25 or the developing cartridge 21. The protrusion 26 can receive a force from outside the developing unit 20, such as a force applied by a separation control unit or the pushing member 16. The force can cause the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 outside the developing unit 20 to change from a state of approaching each other to a state of separating from each other. The pushing member 16 and the protrusion 26 are provided at the same end of the processing cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the case where the protrusion 26 is provided at the second driving end 23 will be taken as an example for description.

[0028] In some embodiments, the second end cap 25 can also be provided at the second conductive end 24, and the protrusion 26 is also provided at the second conductive end 24.

[0029] As Figure 4 、 Figure 5A 、 Figure 5B 、 Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown in Figure 4 , Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 6A and Figure 6B , the pushing member 16 includes a receiving portion 161, an acting portion 162 and a coupling portion 163. The receiving portion 161 and the acting portion 162 are respectively connected to the coupling portion 163. The coupling portion 163 is used to cooperate with other components so that the pushing member 16 is movably provided in the photosensitive unit 10. The receiving portion 161 is used to receive a force from the separation control unit of the imaging device, and the acting portion 162 is used to abut against the protrusion 26. When the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 are approaching each other, the receiving portion 161 does not receive the force from the separation control unit. When the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 need to be separated from each other, the receiving portion 161 receives a force from outside the photosensitive unit 10. The pushing member 16 rotates around the coupling portion 163. During the rotation, the acting portion 162 abuts against the protrusion 26 and transmits the force to the protrusion 26, causing the protrusion 26 to move in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 12. At least at the end where the protrusion 26 and the pushing member 16 are provided, the photosensitive drum 12 and the developing roller 22 are separated from each other.

[0030] The processing cartridge 100 is further provided with a reset member for resetting the pushing member 16. When the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 need to approach each other, the receiving portion 161 no longer receives force, and the reset member resets the pushing member 16. At this time, the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 approach each other.

[0031] As Figure 7 shown, the protrusion 26 includes a main body 261 and a contact portion 262 connected to each other. The main body 261 is used to connect with the second end cap 25 / the developing housing 21, and the contact portion 262 is used to abut against the acting portion 162.

[0032] As Figure 3 shown, the developing roller 22 includes a developing roller layer 221 and a developing roller shaft 222 for supporting the developing roller layer 221. The developing roller layer 221 is used to carry the developer and supply the developer to the photosensitive drum 12. When the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 approach each other, the surfaces of the developing roller layer 221 and the photosensitive drum 12 approach each other.

[0033] As Figure 3 shown, the developing unit 20 further includes a protection member 27 located at the second conductive end 24. Along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 20, the protection member 27 is located between the developing roller 22 / the developing roller layer 221 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 12. The protection member 27 is at least used to prevent the surfaces of the developing roller layer 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 from deforming due to long-term contact when the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 are separated from each other. The protection member 27 is supported by the developing roller 22 / the developing roller layer 221, and the protection member 27 and the protrusion 26 are located at different ends of the developing unit 20 in the longitudinal direction.

[0034] In some embodiments, the protection member 27 can also be provided on the developing roller shaft 222.

[0035] As Figure 6A and Figure 6B shown, when the imaging device / the developing unit 20 performs imaging work and the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 approach each other, the first rotation axis L1 and the second rotation axis L2 are parallel to each other, and both the developing roller layer 221 and the protection member 27 approach the surface of the photosensitive drum 12.

[0036] As Figure 5A and Figure 5BAs shown, when the imaging device / developing unit 20 is not performing imaging work, at least at one end where the protrusion 26 is provided, the developing roller layer 221 and the photosensitive drum 12 are separated from each other. At one end where the protective member 27 is provided, the protective member 27 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 12. Specifically, the pushing member 16 receives a force from the outside, so that one end of the photosensitive drum 12 close to the pushing member 16 is separated from one end of the developing roller 22 close to the protrusion 26. At the second driving end 23, the developing roller layer 221 is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 12. Under the action of the force, at the second conductive end 24, the developing unit 20 rotates with the contact portion between the protective member 27 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 as the fulcrum. The developing roller 22 / the developing roller layer 221 is indirectly in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 through the protective member 27. However, along the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 20, from the end where the protrusion 26 is provided to the end where the protective member 27 is provided, the distance between the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 and the developing roller layer 221 gradually decreases. Or rather, the distance between the first rotation axis L1 and the second rotation axis L2 gradually decreases, and the first rotation axis L1 and the second rotation axis L2 are not parallel, and an included angle is formed between the first rotation axis L1 and the second rotation axis L2.

[0037] As described above, when the imaging device / developing unit 20 is not performing imaging work and the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 are separated from each other, the developing roller layer 221 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 are completely not in contact, which can reduce the loss caused by friction on the developing roller layer 221. In addition, when the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 are separated from each other, the developing roller layer 221 is indirectly in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 through the protective member 27. When the imaging device / developing unit 20 performs imaging work, such a setting enables the surface of the developing roller layer 221 and the photosensitive drum 12 to quickly approach each other again.

[0038] In some embodiments, in the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 20, the protective member 27 can also be provided at the second driving end 23, the protrusion 26 is provided at the second conductive end 24, and correspondingly, the pushing member 16 is also provided at the first conductive end 14.

[0039] [Advantageous Effects]

[0040] Compared with the prior art, the developing unit 20 provided by the present utility model and the processing cartridge 100 having the developing unit 20 have the following advantageous effects:

[0041] First, only one pushing member 16 is provided in the processing cartridge 100. Correspondingly, the imaging device only needs to be provided with one separation control unit, which simplifies the structure of the imaging device and reduces its cost.

[0042] In a second aspect, when the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 are separated from each other, the protection member 27 is located between the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12, and the surface of the developing roller layer 221 and the photosensitive drum 12 do not directly contact. The surface of the developing roller layer 221 indirectly contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 through the protection member 27, which can reduce the loss caused by friction on the developing roller layer 221 and reduce the possibility of deformation of the surfaces of the developing roller layer 22 and the photosensitive drum 12.

[0043] In a third aspect, a protection member 27 is provided in the developing unit 20. When the developing roller 22 and the photosensitive drum 12 are separated from each other, the surface of the developing roller layer 221 indirectly contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 through the protection member 27. When the imaging device performs imaging work, such a setting enables the surfaces of the developing roller layer 221 and the photosensitive drum 12 to quickly approach each other again.

Claims

1. A developing unit, comprising a developing housing for accommodating a developer and a developing roller rotatably provided in the developing housing, the developing roller being configured to carry the developer and supply the developer to the outside of the developing unit, the developing roller rotating about a second rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing unit; along the longitudinal direction of the developing unit, one end of the developing unit is provided with a second end cap detachably coupled to the developing housing; Characterized in that, The developing unit further includes a protrusion provided on the second end cap / developing housing, the protrusion being configured to receive a force from the outside of the developing unit, so that the developing roller and a photosensitive drum located outside the developing unit are changed from a state of being close to each other to a state of being separated from each other; Along the longitudinal direction of the developing unit, the developing unit further includes a protection member located at a different end from the protrusion, the protection member being supported by the developing roller, and along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the developing unit, the protection member is located between the surfaces of the developing roller and the photosensitive drum; when the developing unit is operating, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are close to each other, and when the developing unit is not operating, at least at the end provided with the protrusion, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated from each other, and at the end provided with the protection member, the protection member is in contact with the photosensitive drum.

2. The developing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The photosensitive drum rotates about a first rotation axis, and when the developing unit is operating, the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are parallel to each other; when the developing unit is not operating, the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are not parallel.

3. The developing unit according to claim 2, wherein, When the developing unit is not operating, an included angle is formed between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis.

4. The developing unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, Along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the developing unit, from the end provided with the protrusion to the end provided with the protection member, the distance between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis gradually decreases.

5. A processing cartridge that can be detachably mounted in an image forming apparatus provided with a separation control unit, the processing cartridge including a photosensitive unit and a developing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, A photosensitive unit and the developing unit are combined with each other. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive housing, the photosensitive drum is rotatably provided in the photosensitive housing, and the surface of the photosensitive drum is configured to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing roller supplies the developer to the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

6. The processing cartridge according to claim 5, wherein, The photosensitive unit further includes a pushing member configured to abut against the protrusion, and the pushing member receives a force from a separation control unit to force the photosensitive drum and the developing roller to be separated from each other.

7. The processing cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that, The pushing member and the protrusion are provided at the same end of the processing cartridge along the longitudinal direction.

Images