Processing box

Abstract

The utility model relates to a driving force receiving piece and a processing box with the driving force receiving piece, the driving force receiving piece is used for receiving driving force from imaging equipment provided with a force output piece, the force output piece comprises a driving part, a braking part, a braking component and a braking transmission component, the driving part and the braking part rotate in the same direction, and the braking transmission component is connected with the braking part. The braking component can generate braking force and is connected with the braking transmission component, and the braking part can move between a first position connected with the braking transmission component and a second position disconnected with the braking transmission component; the driving force receiving part comprises a driving body provided with a driving force receiving part used for receiving driving force and a pressing part, the driving body and the driving body are arranged in a split mode, the pressing part is used for forcing the braking part to move from the first position to the second position, and when the driving force receiving part and the force output part are combined, the braking part is located at the second position; according to the technical scheme, the structure of the driving force receiving part can be simplified.

Description

[0001] This utility model claims the priority of Chinese prior applications with the application date of July 5, 2023, application number 202321760289.8, and utility model name "Processing Cartridge Assembly", the application date of August 30, 2023, application number 202322349284.2, and utility model name "Processing Cartridge Assembly", the application date of March 7, 2024, application number 202420445805.6, and utility model name "Drive Force Receiver and Processing Cartridge", the application date of March 8, 2024, application number 202420456307.1, and utility model name "Drive Force Receiver and Processing Cartridge", the application date of November 24, 2023, application number 202323190924.6, and utility model name "Processing Cartridge", the application date of December 29, 2023, application number 202323657835.8, and utility model name "Processing Cartridge", as well as the Chinese prior application with the application date of April 24, 2024, application number 202420876497.2, and utility model name "Processing Cartridge". The content of the prior applications is cross-referenced in this application. Technical Field

[0002] This utility model relates to the field of electrophotographic imaging, and particularly to a processing cartridge that can be detachably installed in an electrophotographic imaging device. Background Art

[0003] Chinese Patent Application CN113574469A (cited reference) discloses a force output member (main assembly side drive force transmission unit) 203 provided in an imaging device M. As shown in this patent application Figure 43 As shown, the force output member 203 has a rotation axis M1, and includes a drive force output member (drum drive coupling) 180 that outputs drive force and a braking force output member (including a first braking engagement member 204 and a second braking engagement member 208). When the force output member 203 outputs drive force to a drive force receiver X4 described below, the braking force output member is driven by the drive force output member 180 and rotates together with the drive force output member.

[0004] As shown in this patent application Figure 45 As shown, along the rotation axis M1, drive force output surfaces (drive transmission surfaces) 180d and flange portions 180a are respectively provided at both ends of the drive force output member 180; as Figure 43As shown, the first brake engagement member 204 has a flange portion 204a and a coupling engagement portion 204b protruding from the flange portion 204a. The coupling engagement portion 204b is provided to protrude like a claw toward the rotation axis M1 of the force output member. The second brake engagement member 208 also has a flange portion 208a and a coupling engagement portion 208b protruding from the flange portion 208a. The coupling engagement portion 208b is also provided to protrude like a claw toward the rotation axis M1 of the force output member. In the radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis M1, the first brake engagement member 204 is located outside the second brake engagement member 208, and the coupling engagement portion 204b is located outside the coupling engagement portion 208b. The first brake engagement member 204 and the second brake engagement member 208 can rotate simultaneously around the rotation axis M1.

[0005] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an existing processing cartridge; Figure 1B is a perspective view of a rotating member equipped with an existing driving force receiving member.

[0006] This cited document also discloses as Figure 1B shown a rotating member 21 equipped with an existing driving force receiving member X4. The rotating member 21 and the driving force receiving member X4 are applicable to an existing processing cartridge C as Figure 1A shown. The processing cartridge C includes a first unit 100 and a second unit 200 that are mutually combined and a driving force receiving member X4 for receiving driving force from an imaging device. The first unit 100 includes a first unit housing 1 and a first rotating member 11 rotatably mounted in the first unit housing 1. The second unit 200 includes a second unit housing 2 and a second rotating member 21 rotatably mounted in the second unit housing 2. The driving force receiving member X4 is provided at a longitudinal end of the processing cartridge C and drives at least one of the first rotating member 11 and the second rotating member 21 to rotate.

[0007] Taking the rotation of the second rotating member 21 around the rotation axis L21 as an example, as Figure 1B shown, the driving force receiving member X4 is combined with the second rotating member 21 and includes a chassis X42, a base X43, and a coupling portion X44. Along the rotation axis L21, the chassis X42, the base X43, and the coupling portion X44 are arranged in sequence. The coupling portion X44 includes a central column X45 and a driving force receiving portion X46 extending radially outward along the central column X45. The driving force receiving portion X46 is provided with a guiding surface X463 spirally extending in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis L21 and a driving surface X464 and a braking surface X465 adjacent to the guiding surface. Along the rotation axis L21, the guiding surface X463 is located above the braking surface X465.

[0008] During the installation of the processing cartridge C, the guiding surface X463 abuts at least against the coupling portion 208b in the second braking engagement member 208 to guide the driving force receiving portion X46 into the space between the driving force output surface 180d and the coupling portion 208b / 204b; when the processing cartridge C is in operation, the driving force output surface 180d outputs a driving force to the driving surface X464 to drive the rotating member 21 to rotate, and the braking force output member is configured to apply a braking force to the braking surface X465 downstream in the rotation direction of the driving force receiving portion X46.

[0009] To reduce the wear of the driving force receiving member X4 during operation, Patent WO2023083339A1 discloses a solution of providing a pressing portion in the driving force receiving member X4. This pressing portion can shield the braking force output member, such that the driving force receiving portion X46 only receives the driving force output by the driving force output member 180. At the same time, to prevent abnormal noise from occurring between the driving force output member 180 and the braking force output member, the driving force receiving member X4 is also provided with a component for separating the driving force output member 180 and the braking force output member. This makes the structure of the driving force receiving member X4 relatively complex and is not conducive to the miniaturization design of the driving force receiving member X4. Summary of the Utility Model

[0010] The present utility model provides a processing cartridge adopting the following technical solution, wherein the structure of the driving force receiving member is simplified. The specific solution is as follows:

[0011] A processing cartridge is detachably installed in an imaging device provided with a force output member and a separation control mechanism. The force output member includes a driving portion, a braking portion, a braking member, and a braking transmission member. The driving portion and the braking portion rotate in the same direction. The braking member can generate a braking force and is connected to the braking transmission member. The braking portion can move between a first position connected to the braking transmission member and a second position disconnected from the braking transmission member. The processing cartridge includes: a first unit, including: a first unit housing; a developing roller rotatably disposed in the first unit housing; a second unit, including: a second unit housing; a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed in the second unit housing; a second driving force receiving member, including: a driving body for receiving a driving force from the force output member to drive the photosensitive drum to rotate; a pressing portion for forcing the braking portion to move from the first position to the second position. When the driving force receiving member is combined with the force output member, the braking portion is located at the second position; a separation contact mechanism for receiving the acting force applied by the separation control mechanism to move the developing roller and the photosensitive drum closer to or away from each other; an end cap, which is installed at at least one end of the processing cartridge along the left-right direction; a locking mechanism including a locking portion and a locked portion that can be switched between a mutually locked state and a mutually unlocked state. In the mutually locked state, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are maintained in a mutually separated state, and at least one of the locking portion and the locked portion is immovable relative to the first unit housing.

[0012] In some embodiments, the processing cartridge further includes a support member, and the pressing portion is rotatably supported by the support member; the support member is directly or indirectly mounted on the first unit housing or the second unit housing or the end cap, or the support member is integrally formed with the first unit housing or the second unit housing or the end cap.

[0013] In some embodiments, the driving body and the pressing portion are provided separately.

[0014] In some embodiments, one of the locking portion and the locked portion is provided on the end cap. When the separation contact mechanism receives a force, the first unit moves in a reference plane intersecting the left - right direction.

[0015] In some embodiments, one of the locking portion and the locked portion is configured to move in a straight line.

[0016] In some embodiments, one of the locking portion and the locked portion is configured to move in a direction away from the first unit housing or towards the first unit housing.

[0017] In some embodiments, one of the locking portion and the locked portion is configured to move in a direction intersecting the left - right direction.

[0018] In some embodiments, one of the locking portion and the locked portion is provided on the end cap, and one of the locking portion and the locked portion is configured to move along the left - right direction as a whole with the first unit.

[0019] In some embodiments, the processing cartridge further includes a first driving - force receiving member, which is used to receive a driving force from the imaging device to drive the developing roller to rotate; the first unit further includes a cover fixedly connected to the first unit housing, and the first driving - force receiving member passes through the cover; the locking portion is provided on the first unit housing or the cover, and the locked portion is provided on the end cap.

[0020] In some embodiments, the processing cartridge further includes a first driving - force receiving member, which is used to receive a driving force from the imaging device to drive the developing roller to rotate. Along the left - right direction, the end cap and the first driving - force receiving member are respectively located at two ends of the processing cartridge; the locking portion is provided on the first unit housing, and the locked portion is provided on the end cap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an existing processing cartridge.

[0022] Figure 1B is a perspective view of a rotating member equipped with an existing driving - force receiving member.

[0023] Figure 2A is a perspective view of an existing force output member with a part removed.

[0024] Figure 2B It is a partial perspective view of an existing force output member.

[0025] Figure 2C It is a partial perspective view of the braking force output member in the existing force output member after being hidden.

[0026] Figure 2D It is a top view when observing along the rotation axis of the existing force output member.

[0027] Figure 2E It is an exploded view of the existing force output member.

[0028] Figure 2F It is a cross-sectional view after cutting along the rotation axis of the existing force output member.

[0029] Figure 2G It is a complete perspective view of the existing force output member.

[0030] Figure 3A and Figure 3B It is a perspective view of the processing cartridge related to the present utility model.

[0031] Figure 4A It is a perspective view of the photosensitive drum of the driving force receiving member according to the first embodiment of the present utility model.

[0032] Figure 4B It is a perspective view of the first driving force receiving member according to the first embodiment of the present utility model.

[0033] Figure 4C It is a side view of the first driving force receiving member according to the first embodiment of the present utility model when observing along its rotation axis.

[0034] Figure 5A It is a perspective view of the driving force receiving member according to the second embodiment of the present utility model.

[0035] Figure 5B It is a side view of the driving force receiving member according to the second embodiment of the present utility model when observing along its rotation axis.

[0036] Figure 6 It is an exploded schematic view of the separation contact mechanism and the driving end cap separated from the processing cartridge housing in the processing cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present utility model.

[0037] Figure 7A It is a side view when observing from left to right in the left - right direction when the separation contact mechanism in the processing cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present utility model is in the retracted state.

[0038] Figure 7B It is a side view when observing from left to right in the left - right direction when the separation contact mechanism in the processing cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present utility model is in the extended state.

[0039] Figure 7C It is a side view when the separation contact mechanism in the processing cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention receives the acting force applied by the separation control mechanism in the imaging device, observed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0040] Figure 7D It is a side view of the processing cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention, observed from top to bottom in the up-down direction.

[0041] Figure 7E It is a simplified schematic diagram after the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated from each other in one of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 8 It is an exploded schematic diagram after the separation contact mechanism and the drive end cover in the processing cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention are both separated from the processing cartridge housing.

[0043] Figure 9A It is a side view when the separation contact mechanism in the processing cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention is in the retracted state, observed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0044] Figure 9B It is a side view when the separation contact mechanism in the processing cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention is in the extended state, observed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0045] Figure 10 It is an exploded schematic diagram after the separation contact mechanism and the drive end cover of the drive end of the processing cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention are both separated from the processing cartridge housing.

[0046] Figure 11 It is an exploded schematic diagram after the separation contact mechanism and the drive end cover of the drive end of the processing cartridge according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention are both separated from the processing cartridge housing.

[0047] Figure 12 It is an exploded schematic diagram after the first driving force receiving member, the protective cover and the drive end cover of the processing cartridge according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention are separated from each other.

[0048] Figure 13A It is a side view when the developing roller and the photosensitive drum in the processing cartridge according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention are approaching each other, observed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0049] Figure 13B It is a side view when the developing roller and the photosensitive drum in the processing cartridge according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention are separated from each other, observed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0050] Figure 14It is an exploded view after the first driving force receiving member, the protective cover and the driving end cover of the processing cartridge according to Embodiment 7 of the present utility model are separated from each other.

[0051] Figure 15A It is a side view observed from left to right in the left-right direction when the developing roller and the photosensitive drum in the processing cartridge according to Embodiment 7 of the present utility model approach each other.

[0052] Figure 15B It is a side view observed from left to right in the left-right direction when the developing roller and the photosensitive drum in the processing cartridge according to Embodiment 7 of the present utility model are separated from each other.

[0053] Figure 16 It is an exploded view of some components in the processing cartridge according to Embodiment 8 of the present utility model.

[0054] Figure 17 It is a perspective view of the protective cover of the processing cartridge according to Embodiment 8 of the present utility model.

[0055] Figure 18 It is a perspective view of the processing cartridge assembly according to Embodiment 9 of the present utility model.

[0056] Figure 19 It is a side view of the processing cartridge assembly according to Embodiment 9 of the present utility model observed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0057] Figure 20 It is a perspective view after the linkage member of one of the processing cartridges in the processing cartridge assembly according to Embodiment 10 of the present utility model is separated from the processing cartridge housing.

[0058] Figure 21 It is a side view of the processing cartridge assembly according to Embodiment 10 of the present utility model observed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0059] Figure 22 It is a perspective view after the linkage member of one of the processing cartridges in the processing cartridge assembly according to Embodiment 11 of the present utility model is separated from the processing cartridge housing.

[0060] Figure 23 It is a perspective view after the linkage member of one of the processing cartridges in the processing cartridge assembly according to Embodiment 12 of the present utility model is separated from the processing cartridge housing.

[0061] Figure 24 It is a perspective view of the processing cartridge assembly according to Embodiment 12 of the present utility model.

[0062] Figure 25 It is a perspective view of one of the processing cartridges in the processing cartridge assembly according to Embodiment 13 of the present utility model.

[0063] Figure 26It is a perspective view of the processing cartridge assembly involved in the fourteenth embodiment of the present utility model after being separated from the imaging device tray.

[0064] Figure 27 It is a perspective view of the processing cartridge assembly involved in the fourteenth embodiment of the present utility model after being installed onto the imaging device tray.

[0065] Figure 28 It is a perspective view of the linkage member of one of the processing cartridges in the processing cartridge assembly involved in the fifteenth embodiment of the present utility model after being separated from the processing cartridge housing.

[0066] Figure 29 It is a side view of the processing cartridge assembly involved in the fifteenth embodiment of the present utility model when observed from left to right in the left - right direction.

[0067] Figure 30 It is a side view of the processing cartridge assembly involved in the sixteenth embodiment of the present utility model when observed from left to right in the left - right direction.

[0068] Figure 31 It is a perspective view of one of the processing cartridges in the processing cartridge assembly involved in the seventeenth embodiment of the present utility model after hiding some components.

[0069] Figure 32 It is a perspective view of the processing cartridge assembly involved in the seventeenth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0070] Figure 33 It is a perspective view of the processing cartridge assembly involved in the eighteenth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0071] Figure 34A and Figure 34B It is a perspective view of the processing cartridge involved in the nineteenth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0072] Figure 35A It is an exploded view of some components at the drive end of the processing cartridge involved in the nineteenth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0073] Figure 35B It is an exploded view of the components at the non - drive end of the processing cartridge involved in the nineteenth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0074] Figure 36 It is a perspective view of the separating member in the processing cartridge involved in the nineteenth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0075] Figure 37 It is a perspective view of the first bracket in the processing cartridge involved in the nineteenth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0076] Figure 38 It is a perspective view of the drive end cover in the processing cartridge involved in the nineteenth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0077] Figure 39It is a perspective view of the non-driving end cover in the processing cartridge related to the nineteenth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0078] Figure 40A - Figure 40C It is a schematic diagram of the separation process of the developing roller and the photosensitive drum when the processing cartridge related to the nineteenth embodiment of the present utility model is observed from left to right in the left-right direction after hiding some components.

[0079] Figure 41A - Figure 41C It is a schematic diagram of the separation process of the developing roller and the photosensitive drum when the processing cartridge related to the nineteenth embodiment of the present utility model is observed from bottom to top in the up-down direction after hiding some components.

[0080] Figure 42A It is an exploded view of the components at the non-driving end of the processing cartridge related to the twentieth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0081] Figure 42B It is an exploded view of some components at the driving end of the processing cartridge related to the twentieth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0082] Figure 43 It is a perspective view of the non-driving end cover related to the twentieth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0083] Figure 44A - Figure 44C It is a schematic diagram of the separation process of the developing roller and the photosensitive drum when the processing cartridge related to the twentieth embodiment of the present utility model is observed from right to left in the left-right direction after hiding some components.

[0084] Figure 45 It is an exploded view of the processing cartridge related to the twenty-first embodiment of the present utility model after the driving force receiving member is separated from the driving end cover.

[0085] Figure 46A It is a perspective view of the driving body of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-first embodiment of the present utility model.

[0086] Figure 46B It is a side view of the driving body observed along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-first embodiment of the present utility model.

[0087] Figure 47 It is a perspective view of the driving force receiving member and the force output member combined in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-first embodiment of the present utility model.

[0088] Figure 48 It is a perspective view of the main body portion of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-second embodiment of the present utility model.

[0089] Figure 49 It is a perspective view of the non-driving end cover in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-third embodiment of the present utility model.

[0090] Figure 50It is a side view when observed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Figure 51 It is a side view when observed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Figure 52 It is a perspective view of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Figure 53 It is a perspective view of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Figure 54 It is a side view when observed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Figure 55 It is a perspective view of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Figure 56 It is a side view when observed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] Figure 57 It is a perspective view of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-ninth embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Figure 58 It is an exploded view of the driving body and the pressing portion of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-ninth embodiment of the present invention after separation.

[0099] Figure 59 It is a side view when observed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the twenty-ninth embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Figure 60A It is a perspective view of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the thirtieth embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] Figure 60B It is a top view when observed along the rotation axis of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the thirtieth embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] Figure 60C It is a side view when observed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge related to the thirtieth embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Figure 61 It is an exploded view after separation of the driving body and the pressing part of the driving force receiving member in the processing cartridge according to Embodiment 30 of the present invention.

[0104] Figure 62A - Figure 62D It is a schematic diagram of the combination process of the driving force receiving member and the force output member in the processing cartridge according to Embodiment 30 of the present invention.

[0105] Figure 63 It is a perspective view after separation of the processing cartridge and the protection member according to Embodiment 31 of the present invention.

[0106] Figure 64 It is a perspective view of the conductive end of the processing cartridge according to Embodiment 32 of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0107] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding, except for the driving force receiving member, the numbers and structures of the processing cartridge and its various components mentioned in the patent application in the background art will be directly cited hereinafter.

[0108] Such as Figure 1A and Figure 1BAs shown, it can be understood that the first rotating member 11 and / or the second rotating member 21 described in the background art patent application can be directly driven by the driving force receiving member X4 or indirectly driven; the processing cartridge C can include both the first unit 100 and the second unit 200, or can include only any one of the first unit 100 and the second unit 200. The side of the first unit housing 1 where the driving force receiving member X4 is provided and where the developer is accommodated is called the driving end C1, and the other end opposite thereto is called the non-driving end C2. The driving end cover / first end cover 300 is installed at the driving end C1, and the driving force receiving member X4 is exposed from the driving end C1. The non-driving end cover / second end cover 400 is installed at the non-driving end C2. A conductive bracket for receiving power from a power output member provided in the imaging device and supplying it to the first rotating member 11 and / or the second rotating member 21 is provided at the non-driving end C2. The conductive bracket can be exposed outward through the second end cover 400 or directly exposed outward; the first unit 100 and the second unit 200 can be combined with each other through the first end cover 300 and the second end cover 400, or can be combined by means such as pins and snaps. The first end cover 300 and the second end cover 400 can be either a part of the first unit 100 or the second unit 200, or can be components independent of the first unit 100 or the second unit 200, as long as they can combine the first unit 100 and the second unit 200. For example, the first end cover 300 is integrally formed with the first unit housing 1 (abbreviated as "housing 1") or the second unit housing 2 (abbreviated as "housing 2"), or the first end cover 300 is detachably combined with the first unit housing 1 or the second unit housing 2. The second end cover 400 can also be integrally formed with the first unit housing 1 or the second unit housing 2, or the second end cover 400 can also be detachably combined with the first unit housing 1 or the second unit housing 2. The first unit housing 1 and the second unit housing 2 can be collectively referred to as the processing cartridge housing; the first rotating member 11 can be a developing roller rotatably provided in the first unit housing 1, and the second rotating member 21 can be a photosensitive drum rotatably provided in the second unit housing 2. However, the first rotating member 11 and the second rotating member 21 can also be other rotating components in the processing cartridge. For example, a charging member 24 for charging the photosensitive drum, a supply member 102 for supplying the developer to the developing roller, a stirring member for stirring the developer, etc., as long as the driving force receiving member X4 can receive the driving force from the force output member provided in the imaging device and drive the rotating member to rotate. That is to say, the photosensitive drum 21, the charging member 24, the developing roller 11, the supply member 102, the stirring member, etc. rotatably installed in the processing cartridge C can all be called rotating members. The driving force receiving member X4 drives the rotating member to rotate by receiving the driving force from the device. Therefore, the combination of the rotating member and the driving force receiving member X4 can be collectively referred to as the rotating assembly.

[0109] When the processing cartridge C is working / imaging, the photosensitive drum 21 contacts the developing roller 11, and the developing roller 11 supplies the developer to the photosensitive drum 21. Hereinafter, the driving force receiving member is denoted by the number 4. The second driving force receiving member 4 is fixedly installed at a longitudinal end of the rotating member. Therefore, the second driving force receiving member 4 and the rotating member have the same rotation axis.

[0110] For the convenience of the following description, it is defined herein that the side of the processing cartridge C where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 11 are installed points to the side where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 11 are not installed as the upper side, the side opposite to the upper side is the lower side, the direction from the first unit 100 to the second unit 200 is the front, the side opposite to the front is the rear, the side receiving the driving force is the left side, the side opposite to the left side is the right side. The processing cartridge C is installed in the device from top to bottom in the up-down direction. The left side is the driving end C1, and the right side is the non-driving end C2. The first end cap 300 is installed at the driving end C1, and the second end cap 400 is installed at the non-driving end C2. The first driving force receiving member 3 (which can also be referred to as the "developing driving force receiving member 3") for receiving the driving force for the developing roller 11 and the second driving force receiving member 4 for receiving the driving force for the photosensitive drum 21 both expose from the first end cap 300; both the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 extend in the left-right direction. The rotation axis L11 of the following developing roller 11 and the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum 21 are both parallel to the left-right direction.

[0111] As Figure 3A shown, a compression spring serving as the imaging holding member C3 is installed between the first unit 100 and the second unit 200. Under the action of this compression spring C3, the first unit 100 and the second unit 200 are held in a state where the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are in contact with each other. At this time, the processing cartridge C can perform the imaging operation. Hereinafter, the case where the second driving force receiving member 4 is directly installed at the end of the photosensitive drum 21 is described as an example.

[0112]

Force output member in the imaging device

[0113] For the description below to be clearer, it is necessary to further describe the force output member 203.

[0114] As Figure 2E - Figure 2G shown, the force output member 203 further includes a driving gear 201, a support shaft 202, a braking member 206, and a braking transmission member 207. Among them, the support shaft 202 rotatably supports the driving gear 201 and also supports the braking member 206. The braking member 206 is used to generate a braking force, and the braking transmission member 207 is connected to the braking member 206 and transmits the braking force.

[0115] Specifically, the protrusion 207e provided on the braking transmission member 207 and the protrusion 204e of the first braking engagement member 204 are detachably engaged. When the first braking engagement member 204 and the second braking engagement member 208 move together relative to the braking transmission member 207 in the direction shown by M1A in Figure 2F such that the protrusion 204e and the protrusion 207e are disengaged, the braking transmission member 207 cannot transmit the braking force to the first braking engagement member 204 and the second braking engagement member 208. The braking transmission member 207 no longer restricts the rotation of the first braking engagement member 204 and the second braking engagement member 208, and the connection between the braking transmission member 207 and the first braking engagement member 204 and / or the second braking engagement member 208 is disconnected. Conversely, the first braking engagement member 204 and the second braking engagement member 208 also no longer restrict the rotation of the braking transmission member 207. Thus, the shielding of the braking portion 203a in the text may refer to the first braking engagement member 204 and the second braking engagement member 208 moving together relative to the braking transmission member 207 in the direction shown by M1A, with the protrusion 204e and the protrusion 207e being disengaged. It can be seen that the braking portion 203a can move between a first position connected to the braking transmission member 207 and a second position disconnected from the braking transmission member 207.

[0116] As shown in this patent application Figure 2A - Figure 2G the driving force output member 180 includes a cylindrical portion 180c and flange portions 180a and driving portions 180h respectively located at both ends of the cylindrical portion 180c. The braking force output member includes a first braking engagement member 204 and a second braking engagement member 208 that are combined with each other. As Figure 2E and Figure 2G shown, the driving force output member 180 and the braking force output member can rotate in the same direction along the rotation direction r around the rotation axis M1, and the braking force output member can rotate together with the driving force output member 180. Before the processing cartridge C is installed in the device, along the rotation axis M1, the driving force output member 180 and the braking force output member partially overlap.

[0117] The driving force output member 180 includes a first driving force output portion 180h and a second driving force output portion 180m that are arranged opposite to each other in the radial direction of the force output member. The braking force output member includes a first braking force output portion 203a and a second braking force output portion 203b that are arranged opposite to each other in the radial direction of the force output member. As Figure 2D shown, along the rotation direction, the first driving force output portion 180h, the first braking force output portion 203a, the second driving force output portion 180m, and the second braking force output portion 203b are arranged in sequence.

[0118] As Figure 2DAs shown, a dividing line x is drawn passing through the rotation axis M1 and passing between the first braking force output portion 203a and the second driving force output portion 180m and passing between the first driving force output portion 180h and the second braking force output portion 203b. In Figure 2D the dividing line x divides the force output member 203 into a first force output portion 2031 and a second force output portion 2032. Among them, the first force output portion 2031 includes the first driving force output portion 180h and the first braking force output portion 203a, and the second force output portion 2032 includes the second driving force output portion 180m and the second braking force output portion 203b. The structures of the first driving force output portion 180h and the second driving force output portion 180m are the same, the structures of the first braking force output portion 203a and the second braking force output portion 203b are the same, and the combination processes of the second driving force receiving member 4 with the first force output portion 2031 and the second force output portion 2032 are the same.

[0119] For ease of description, the combination process of the first force output portion 2031 and the second driving force receiving member 4 will be described below as an example; further, the first driving force output portion 180h in the first force output portion 2031 is simply referred to as the driving force output portion / driving portion 180h, and the first braking force output portion 203a in the first force output portion 2031 is simply referred to as the braking portion 203a. Along the rotation direction r, the braking portion 203a is located downstream of the driving portion 180h. The driving portion 180h and the braking portion 203a can rotate in the same direction around the rotation axis M1, and the braking portion 203a can rotate together with the driving portion 180h. Before the processing cartridge is installed in the device, along the rotation axis M1, the driving portion 180h and the braking portion 203a partially overlap.

[0120] The braking portion 203a includes a first braking engagement member 204 and a second braking engagement member 208. Along the radial direction of the force output member 203, the first braking engagement member 204 is located outside the second braking engagement member 208. The first braking engagement member 204 and the second braking engagement member 208 are combined through a rotation stop recess 204c and a rotation stop protrusion 208c. Therefore, the first braking engagement member 204 and the second braking engagement member 208 can jointly rotate around the axis M1.

[0121] Further, the force output member 203 further includes a first spring (drum drive coupling spring) 210 and a second spring (braking engagement spring) 211. The first spring 210 abuts against the braking transmission member 207. The flange portion 207a of the braking transmission member 207 abuts against the second braking engagement member 208. At the same time, the protrusion 207f of the braking transmission member 207 also contacts the contact surface 180f of the driving force output member (such as Figure 2F)Contact; the second spring 211 contacts the flange portion 204a of the first braking engagement member 204. Along the axis M1, the first braking engagement member 204, the second braking engagement member 208, and the driving portion 180h are arranged to be retractable and extendable along the axis M1, that is, move in the directions shown by M1A and M1B of the Figure 2F , where the first braking structural member 204 and the second braking engagement member 208 can be retracted and extended along the axis M1 simultaneously, and in some imaging devices, they can also be retracted and extended along the axis M1 separately; when the first braking engagement member 204 moves along the axis M1 in the direction shown by M1A (the direction approaching the flange portion 180a), after the rotation stop recess 204c and the rotation stop protrusion 208c are disengaged, the first braking engagement member 204 can rotate freely around the axis M1; when the second braking engagement member 208 moves along the axis M1 in the direction shown by M1A, through the rotation stop recess 204c and the rotation stop protrusion 208c, the first braking engagement member 204 will also move along the axis M1 in the direction shown by M1A, and finally, both the first braking engagement member 204 and the second braking engagement member 208 can rotate freely around the axis M1.

[0122] Furthermore, as Figure 2D shown, the second braking engagement member 208 also has an inward protrusion 208e that protrudes radially inward (towards the rotation axis M1) from the coupling engagement portion 208b, and along the direction M1B opposite to the direction shown by M1A, the inward protrusion 208e is located at the free end of the second braking engagement member 208. As Figure 2A - Figure 2D shown, the driving force output surface 180d is located on the driving portion 180h. Along the rotation direction of the force output member 203, the driving portion 180h is opposite to the first braking engagement member 204, that is, taking the point passed by the rotation axis M1 as the center, making a circle in the plane perpendicular to the rotation axis M1, and this circle will simultaneously pass through at least a part of the driving portion 180h and at least a part of the first braking engagement member 204.

[0123] Continue to refer to Figure 2A - 2D , furthermore, along the rotation direction r of the force output member 203, the first braking engagement member 204 has an outer output surface 204g located downstream of the first braking engagement member body 204z, the second braking engagement member 208 has an inner output surface 208f located downstream of the second braking engagement member body 208z, the inward protrusion 208e protrudes radially inward / towards the rotation axis M1 from the second braking engagement member body 208z, and along the rotation direction r, the inward protrusion 208e has a plane 208g located downstream, and the plane 208g is adjacent to the inner output surface 208f; furthermore, as Figure 2BAs shown, along the rotation axis M1, the drive part 180h has a drive end face 180y at its end, the first brake engagement member 204 has a first brake end face 204y at its end, and the second brake engagement member 208 has a second brake end face 208y at its end. The "end" here refers to the end of the drive part 180h, the first brake engagement member 204, and the second brake engagement member 208 that is farthest from the flange part 180a.

[0124] When the drive part 180h and the brake part 203a approach each other, they do not come into direct contact with each other, as Figure 2D shown. Along the rotation direction r, a gap is formed between the first brake end face 204y and the drive part 180h, and the minimum value of this gap is s, that is, the closest distance between the first brake end face 204y and the drive part 180h is s.

[0125] As Figure 2C shown, two drive parts 180h are arranged radially opposite to each other along the driving force output member 180. The driving force output member 180 further includes a connecting member 180k that connects the two drive parts. The connecting member 180k includes an intermediate member 183 and a first connecting member 181 and a second connecting member 182 located on the radial two sides of the intermediate plate 183 respectively. The following positioning boss 180i protrudes from the intermediate plate 183 along the rotation axis M1. The first connecting member 181 and the second connecting member 182 have the same structure and are respectively connected to one drive part.

[0126] Furthermore, a lower protrusion 180g is provided on the surface (driving force output surface) 180d of the drive part 180h facing the first brake engagement member 204. Along the rotation direction r, an inclined surface 180j adjacent to the driving force output surface 180d is also provided on the drive part 180h. An upper protrusion 204f is provided on the surface of the first brake engagement member 204 facing the drive part 180h. Before the processing cartridge 100 is installed, the drive part 180h and the first brake engagement member 204 approach each other along the rotation direction r. Along the rotation axis M1, the upper protrusion 204f and the lower protrusion 180g are opposite / overlapped.

[0127] Overall, the lower protrusion 180g is integrally formed with the first connecting member 181. The driving force output surface 180d protrudes from the lower protrusion 180g along the rotation axis M1. Along the rotation direction r, the lower protrusion 180g can also be regarded as protruding from the first connecting member 181 / the driving force output surface 180d. The end of the lower protrusion 180g is formed as a front surface 180g1 that can rotate following the driving part 180h. Further, along the rotation direction r, the first connecting member 181 also has a sub-front surface 180g2 located downstream in the rotation direction. The front surface 180g1 is connected to the sub-front surface 180g2, and both the front surface 180g1 and the sub-front surface 180g2 are located at the downstream end of the first connecting member 181. Therefore, the front surface 180g1 and the sub-front surface 180g2 can be collectively referred to as the downstream end surface of the first connecting member 181.

[0128] Along the rotation direction r, the force output member 203 has a first space K1, a second space K2, and a third space K3. Among them, the first space K1 refers to the space between the front surface 180g1 and the braking part 203a, and the second space K2 refers to the space between the braking part 203a and the driving part 180h located downstream of the braking part. Specifically, as Figure 2D shown, the second space K2 refers to the space between the first braking force output part 203a and the second driving force output part 180m, or the space between the second braking force output part 203b and the first driving force output part 180h. The third space K3 refers to the space between the driving part 180h / the driving force output surface 180d and the first braking engagement member 204. When the driving part 180h and the braking part 203a partially overlap, as Figure 2D shown, along the rotation direction r, the second space K2 is larger than the first space K1 / the third space K3.

[0129] As Figure 4A shown, the second driving force receiving member 4 involved in the present utility model has a rotation axis L21 extending in the left-right direction, and includes a connecting part 41, a chassis 42, a base 43, and a coupling part 44. Along the rotation axis L21, the connecting part 41, the chassis 42, the base 43, and the coupling part 44 are arranged in sequence. The connecting part 41 is directly or indirectly combined with the rotating part to transmit the driving force to the rotating part to drive the rotating part to rotate. The chassis 42 abuts against the rotating part, so that the second driving force receiving member 4 is positioned relative to the rotating part. The base 43 extends from the chassis 42, and the base 43 and the connecting part 41 are respectively located on both sides of the chassis 42. The coupling part 44 extends from the base 43 in a direction away from the chassis 42. As a simplified structure, the chassis 42 can be omitted, and the base 43 directly extends from the connecting part 41. More simplified, the base 43 can also be omitted, and the coupling part 44 extends from the connecting part 41.

[0130] The structure of the coupling part 44 will be described below, and other structures of the second driving force receiving member 4 are not limited herein. To more clearly show the structure of the driving force receiving member involved in the present invention, only the second driving force receiving member 4 is shown below. However, it should be understood that the second driving force receiving member 4 can be applied to each rotating member in the processing cartridge.

[0131]

Driving Force Receiving Member

[0132] [Embodiment 1]

[0133] The photosensitive drum 21 has a rotation axis L21. The second driving force receiving member 4 includes a connecting portion 41 (as Figure 4B shown), a chassis 42, a base 43, and a coupling part 44. The connecting portion 42 realizes the connection between the second driving force receiving member 4 and the photosensitive drum 21 by being embedded inside the photosensitive drum 21. The chassis 42 abuts against the photosensitive drum 21, so that the second driving force receiving member 4 is positioned relative to the photosensitive drum 21. The base 43 extends from the chassis 42, and the coupling part 44 extends from the base 43 in a direction away from the chassis 42. As a simplified structure, the chassis 42 can be omitted, the base 43 directly extends from the connecting portion 41. Even more simplified, the base 43 can also be omitted, and the coupling part 44 extends from the connecting portion 41.

[0134] The structure of the coupling part 44 will be described below, and other structures of the second driving force receiving member 4 are not limited herein.

[0135] The coupling part 44 includes a central column 45 and a driving force receiving portion 46 extending radially outward from the central column 45. The rotation axis L21 passes through the central column 45, and two driving force receiving portions 46 are arranged radially opposite to each other on the periphery of the central column 45. As Figure 4A and Figure 4B shown, each driving force receiving portion 46 includes a base portion 461 connected to the central column 45 and a convex block 462 located radially outside the base portion 461. Along the radial direction of the second driving force receiving member 4, the convex block 462 is located radially outside the base portion 461. A guiding surface 463 extends from the base portion 461 towards the convex block 462. The convex block 462 has a first surface / driving surface 464 and a second surface / braking surface 465 adjacent to the guiding surface 463, and both the first surface 464 and the second surface 465 are parallel to the rotation axis L21.

[0136] As the processing cartridge C is installed towards the device, the guiding surface 463 guides the braking portion 203a to move relative to the driving portion 180h, so that the driving force receiving portion 46 reaches between the driving portion 180h and the braking portion 203a, that is, the driving force receiving portion 46 enters the third space K3, as Figure 4CAs shown, the driving force output surface 180d abuts against the first surface 464, and the second surface 465 is spaced apart from the braking portion 203a. When the driving portion 180h rotates in the rotational direction r, the driving force is transmitted to the coupling portion 44 through the first surface 464. Further, the photosensitive drum 21 is driven to rotate about the rotation axis L21.

[0137] Since the second surface 465 is spaced apart from the braking portion 203a, that is to say, when the second driving force receiving member 4 stops working, it no longer needs to be braked. During the process of the processing cartridge C returning from the working state to the non-working state or the photosensitive drum 21 returning from the rotating state to the non-rotating state, along the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum 21, the braking portion 203a does not apply a force / braking force to the second driving force receiving member 4, which is equivalent to shielding the braking portion 203a, facilitating the reduction of wear of the second driving force receiving member 4 during operation. Further, after adopting the second driving force receiving member 4 involved in this embodiment, the braking portion 203a in the device no longer needs to return to a position close to or partially overlapping with the driving portion 180h, which is beneficial to simplifying the structure of the device. For the driving portion 180h and the braking portion 203a that are already in a separated state, the second driving force receiving member 4 of the next processing cartridge does not need to be provided with a guiding surface 463, and the structure of the processing cartridge C can also be simplified.

[0138] [Embodiment 2]

[0139] As Figure 6 、 Figure 7A - Figure 7E As shown, the processing cartridge C further includes a locking portion 53 and a locked portion (which can be collectively referred to as a locking mechanism). When the first unit 100 and the second unit 200 approach each other, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 also approach each other for imaging, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion are locked to each other. When the first unit 100 and the second unit 200 are separated from each other, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are also separated from each other and cannot perform imaging, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion are unlocked. It can be seen that the function of the locking mechanism is at least partially the same as that of the imaging holding member C3, that is to say, only one of the locking mechanism and the imaging holding member C3 needs to be provided to keep the processing cartridge C1 in a state where imaging operations can be performed.

[0140] The installation position of the locking mechanism in the processing cartridge C is also diverse, such as Figure 6As shown, the locking part 53 is provided on the housing 1 or the cover 14, and the locked part is provided on the end caps 300 / 400. In this way, the locking part 53 can move along with the movement of the housing 1 or the cover 14. As described above, when the force-receiving member 5b is provided on the housing 1 or the cover 14, the locking part 53 will move along with the force-receiving member 5b receiving a force. Specifically, when the force-receiving member 5b receives a separating force, the locking part 53 and the locked part change from the mutually locked state to the mutually unlocked state. When the force-receiving member 5b receives a restoring force, the locking part 53 and the locked part change from the mutually unlocked state to the mutually locked state; conversely, when the force-receiving member 5b receives a separating force, the locking part 53 and the locked part can also change from the mutually unlocked state to the mutually locked state. When the force-receiving member 5b receives a restoring force, the locking part 53 and the locked part change from the mutually locked state to the mutually unlocked state. Along the front-rear direction, the directions of the separating force and the restoring force are opposite.

[0141] Preferably, at least one of the locking part 53 and the locked part is set to be movable relative to the other, so as to facilitate the conversion between the mutually locked state and the mutually unlocked state of the locking part 53 and the locked part. As Figure 6 shown, the locking part 53 is a cantilever extending from the cover 14 / housing 1. The first protrusion 531 is provided at the free end of the locking part 53. The locked part is a cantilever extending from the end cap body 301. The locked part has a connecting body 22 and a second protrusion 23. The connecting body 22 is connected to the end cap body 301, and the second protrusion 23 is provided at the free end of the connecting body 22. Therefore, one end of the locking part 53 is fixedly connected to the cover 14 / housing 1, and the first protrusion 531 provided at the other end (free end) of the locking part 53 can elastically deform relative to the cover 14 / housing 1. One end of the connecting body 22 is fixedly connected to the end cap body 301, and the second protrusion 23 provided at the other end (free end) of the connecting body 22 can elastically deform relative to the end cap body 301.

[0142] Using the above preferred method, the overall structure of the locking mechanism will become simple. The locking part 53 can be integrally formed with the cover 14 or the housing 1, and the locked part can be integrally formed with the end cap body 301.

[0143] More preferably, along the up-down direction, both the locking part 53 and the locked part are located below the processing cartridge C. That is to say, in the up-down direction, relative to the rotation axis L3 parallel to the left-right direction, the locking part 53 and the locked part are closer to the developing roller 11 / photosensitive drum 21. In this way, even if there is vibration generated when the first driving force receiving member 3 rotates, the combination of the locking part 53 and the locked part can eliminate at least a part of the vibration.

[0144] In the front - rear direction, the locking position LP of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion is located between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21. Thus, during the operation / imaging of the processing cartridge C, the risk that may affect the mutual approach of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the front - rear direction (such as the elastic deformation of the compression spring / tension spring C3) can also be effectively eliminated; further, in Figure 7A and Figure 7B Taking the case where the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are in contact at the imaging position DP when the processing cartridge C is operating / imaging as an example, in the front - rear direction, compared with the distance s1 from the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum to the imaging position DP and the distance s2 from the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 to the imaging position DP, the distance s3 from the locking position LP of the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 to the imaging position DP is smaller than either s1 or s2. That is to say, the locking position LP where the locking portion 53 and the locked portion are mutually locked is closer to the imaging position DP than either the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 or the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 21. This more effectively ensures that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 maintain good contact.

[0145] In one embodiment, s3 = 0. At this time, the locking position LP coincides with the imaging position DP in the up - down direction, and the contact between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 can be more stably maintained.

[0146] Figure 7A - Figure 7C shows the process of the processing cartridge C from the predetermined position where it is installed in the imaging device to the state where the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 reach the separated state. As Figure 7A shown, when the processing cartridge C reaches the predetermined position of the imaging device but the top plate 94 has not yet moved downward, under the action of the first elastic force applying member 59a, the force - receiving member 5b is in the retracted state, and the locking portion 53 and the locked portion are mutually locked, that is, the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 are engaged with each other at the locking position LP, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are in contact at the imaging position DP; as Figure 7B shown, as the top plate 94 moves downward, the pressure - receiving portion 5a2 receives the pressing force, the pressing member 5a moves downward, and through the transmission member 5a3, the force - receiving member 5b / acting portion 51 also moves downward and extends. The first elastic force applying member 59a undergoes elastic deformation. Finally, the force - receiving member 5b / acting portion 51 enters the separation control mechanism 93. At this time, the separation control mechanism 93 is in an intermediate position where it is not in contact with the force - receiving member 5b / acting portion 51.

[0147] When the imaging device does not need to operate / image, the separation control mechanism 93 starts to move backward to apply a separation force to the force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51. The force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51 drives the first unit 100 including the cover 14 / housing 1 to move relative to the second unit 200 / housing 2, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 move from the state of approaching each other to the state of separating from each other. As Figure 7C shown, in this embodiment, the first unit 100 does not rotate relative to the second unit 200 / housing 2 about an axis parallel to the left-right direction, but translates in the front-rear direction relative to the second unit 200 / housing 2. The first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 press against each other, causing at least one of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion to elastically deform until the first protrusion 531 crosses over the second protrusion 23, or the second protrusion 23 crosses over the first protrusion 531.

[0148] During this separation process, the contact area / contact position of the force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51 and the separation control mechanism 93 in the up-down direction does not change, and thus the unfavorable situation of the force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51 and the separation control mechanism 93 separating from each other will not occur. That is to say, the processing cartridge C can stably receive the separation force.

[0149] Continuing as Figure 7C shown, after the first unit 100 translates relative to the second unit 200, a separation gap g is formed between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21. Along the front-rear direction, the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 abut against each other, and the separation gap g can be maintained. When the imaging holding member C3 is provided, the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 can also be maintained in the state of abutting against each other. In this way, the whole processing cartridge C can be maintained in the state where the first unit 100 and the second unit 200 are separated from each other, or in other words, the processing cartridge C can be maintained in the state where the housing 1 and the housing 2 are separated from each other, or in other words, the processing cartridge C can be maintained in the state where the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are separated from each other.

[0150] Taking the midpoint Cg of the separation gap g in the front-rear direction as a reference, along the front-rear direction, compared with the distance s4 from the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum to the midpoint Cg and the distance s5 from the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 to the midpoint Cg, the distance s6 from the abutting position AP of the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 to the midpoint Cg is smaller than either s4 or s5. That is to say, along the front-rear direction, the abutting position AP of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion is closer to the midpoint Cg than either the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 or the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum 21. Such a design can make the separation gap Cg stable.

[0151] In one embodiment, s6 = 0. At this time, the abutting position AP coincides with the midpoint Cg in the up-and-down direction, and the separation gap Cg can be more effectively maintained.

[0152] When the separation control mechanism 93 starts to abut against the force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51 backward, the separation control mechanism 93 can be regarded as being in the separation force application position. After the separation control mechanism 93 moves backward for a predetermined time / distance, the separation control mechanism 93 will move forward and return to the intermediate position; when the processing cartridge C needs to work / image again, the separation control mechanism 93 will move forward from the intermediate position to apply a restoring force to the force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51. When the separation control mechanism 93 starts to abut against the force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51 forward, the separation control mechanism 93 can be regarded as being in the restoring force application position. After the separation control mechanism 93 moves forward for a predetermined time / distance, the separation control mechanism 93 will move backward and return to the intermediate position.

[0153] When the separation control mechanism 93 applies a restoring force to the force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51, the force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51 drives the first unit 100 to translate again relative to the second unit 200 in the front-rear direction, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 return from the separated state to the approaching state again; or rather, the force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51 drives the cover 14, and then the cover 14 drives the housing 1 to translate in the front-rear direction, so that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 return from the separated state to the approaching state again; or rather, the force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51 directly drives the housing 1 to translate in the front-rear direction, so that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 return from the separated state to the approaching state again.

[0154] During the process of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 moving from the separated state to the approaching state, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion also move from the abutting position AP to the locking position LP. Similarly, the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 press against each other, causing at least one of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion to elastically deform until the first protrusion 531 crosses the second protrusion 23, or the second protrusion 23 crosses the first protrusion. Subsequently, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion are locked to each other again.

[0155] As Figure 6 shown, the drive end cap 300 further includes a second exposure hole 305 provided on the end cap body 301. The first driving force receiving member 3 is exposed through the second exposure hole 305, and the second driving force receiving member 4 is exposed through the second exposure hole 302. Generally, the inner diameter of the first exposure hole 305 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first driving force receiving member 3, and the inner diameter of the second exposure hole 302 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the second driving force receiving member 4. In this way, both the first driving force receiving member 3 and the second driving force receiving member 4 can smoothly pass through the end cap body 301.

[0156] In this embodiment, the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 is arranged to translate relative to the second unit 200. Different from the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 being arranged to rotate relative to the second unit 200 about an axis parallel to the left-right direction, when observed in the left-right direction, the first driving force receiving member 3 located in the first unit 100 will move within a reference plane including the front-back direction and the up-down direction, and the reference plane intersects the left-right direction. Preferably, the reference plane is perpendicular to the left-right direction. Therefore, the first driving force receiving member 3 will interfere with the movement of the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1. For this reason, the present utility model also provides the following first solution.

[0157] The first driving force receiving member 3 includes an outer engaging portion 31 for receiving a driving force from an imaging device and an inner engaging portion 32 for engaging with components within the processing cartridge. The inner engaging portion 32 is used to transfer the driving force received by the outer engaging portion 31 to other components of the processing cartridge C. Therefore, the structural form of the inner engaging portion 32 is diverse and can be a common gear, a ratchet wheel, a grooved pulley, a rack, a belt, etc. When observed in the left-right direction, in order for the first driving force receiving member 3 not to interfere with the movement of the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 within the reference plane, the outer engaging portion 31 and the inner engaging portion 32 are movably connected. In this way, the inner engaging portion 32 can move along with the movement (translation) of the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 within the reference plane, while the outer engaging portion 31 remains stationary relative to the drive end cap 300.

[0158] In some embodiments, the outer engaging portion 31 and the inner engaging portion 32 are connected by a cross-shaped chute, or the outer engaging portion 31 and the inner engaging portion 32 are connected by a combination formed by at least one sphere and a rod. At least one sphere is combined with the outer engaging portion 31 or the inner engaging portion 32, as long as the outer engaging portion 31 and the inner engaging portion 32 can move relative to each other and transfer the driving force.

[0159] As described above, when viewed from the left - right direction, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 translates in the front - rear direction within the reference plane to bring the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 closer to or farther from each other, which is achievable. When viewed from the left - right direction, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 can also translate in the up - down direction within the reference plane to bring the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 closer to or farther from each other. Further, it is also achievable that when viewed from the left - right direction, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 translates in a direction inclined with respect to the front - rear direction and the up - down direction within the reference plane to bring the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 closer to or farther from each other. For example, a guiding groove is provided in the end caps 300 / 400, and a guided projection that can be guided by the guiding groove is provided in the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1. The first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 moves towards the rear - upper or rear - lower direction within the reference plane to separate the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 from each other. Correspondingly, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 moves towards the front - lower or front - upper direction within the reference plane to bring the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 closer to each other.

[0160] Based on the above - mentioned utility model concept, the reference plane can also be a plane including the front - rear direction and the left - right direction. The first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 rotates about the pivot point P in the Figure 7D Q direction within this plane, thereby separating the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 from each other.

[0161] In one embodiment, the pivot point P is the contact point formed by the circumferential surfaces of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in contact, as shown in Figure 7D and Figure 7E The pivot point P is located to the right of the developing roller 11 / photosensitive drum 21, and the right separation contact mechanism 5R can be omitted. When the separation contact mechanism 5 (left separation contact mechanism 5L) on the left side of the processing cartridge receives a separation force, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 will form the state shown in Figure 7E An angle α less than 90° will be formed between the circumferential surface of the developing roller 11 and the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Along the front - rear direction, the distance between the circumferential surface of the developing roller 11 and the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 21 gradually decreases from left to right. When the separation contact mechanism 5 receives a restoring force, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 rotates about the pivot point P in the opposite direction of the Q direction in the said plane, thereby bringing the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 closer to each other. Figure 7D In one embodiment, the right separation contact mechanism 5R can still be retained, but when the separation force received by the left separation contact mechanism 5L is greater than the separation force received by the right separation contact mechanism 5R, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 can still form

[0162] ​Figure 7E In the state shown, for example, a force attenuation mechanism such as a reverse pushing device and a separation force absorber is provided in the processing cartridge C, and the force attenuation mechanism is used to attenuate the separation force applied by the separation control mechanism 93 to the right separation contact mechanism 5R.

[0163] It should be understood that the position of the fulcrum P should not be limited. In addition to being formed by the contact between the circumferential surface of the developing roller 11 and the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 21, the fulcrum P can also be formed by the contact between the housing 1 and the first end cap 300 / the second end cap 400, or by the contact between the protective cover 14 and the first end cap 300 / the second unit housing 2, or by the contact between the conductive bracket and the second end cap 400 / the second unit housing 2, or by the contact between the conductive bracket and the power output member in the imaging device, etc. When the fulcrum P is not formed by the contact between the circumferential surface of the developing roller 11 and the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 21, in Figure 7E the state shown, in the left - right direction, the circumferential surface of the developing roller 11 may not be in contact with the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum; along the left - right direction, the fulcrum P can be formed on the right side of the processing cartridge or on the left side of the processing cartridge.

[0164] In the manner of realizing the mutual approach and separation of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in this embodiment, the movement form of the first unit 100 / the protective cover 14 / the housing 1 is still translational. Although the first unit 100 / the protective cover 14 / the housing 1 will rotate around the fulcrum P, compared with the first unit 100 / the protective cover 14 / the housing 1 rotating around its own rotation axis passing through the housing 1 in the left - right direction, the first unit 100 / the protective cover 14 / the housing 1 itself does not rotate, but translates in a reference plane including the front - back direction and the left - right direction. It can be seen that the movement trajectory of the first unit 100 / the protective cover 14 / the housing 1 is always within the reference plane, making its movement process simple.

[0165] [Embodiment Three]

[0166] Different from Embodiment Two, in this embodiment, the locking portion 53 is provided on the force - receiving member 5b / the acting portion 51, and the locked portion is also provided on the end caps 300 / 400. The same components as in Embodiment Two will not be described herein again.

[0167] As Figure 8 、 Figure 9A and Figure 9BAs shown, when the top plate 94 has not yet pressed down on the pressing member 5a, the locking portion 53 will be in a retracted state along with the force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51, and the locking portion 53 is located above the locked portion; as the top plate 94 presses down on the pressing member 5a, the force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51 is pressed downward by the transmission member 5a3 in the pressing member 5a, and the first elastic force applying member 59a undergoes elastic deformation. The force-receiving member 5b / acting portion 51 gradually enters the separation control mechanism 93, and the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 are engaged in the front-rear direction so that the locking portion 53 and the locked portion are locked to each other.

[0168] When the imaging holding member C3 is not provided in the processing cartridge C, before the locking portion 53 and the locked portion are locked to each other, the first unit 100 and the second unit 200 are only combined by the end caps 300 / 400 and can move relative to each other. This structure is beneficial for the processing cartridge C to avoid interference during installation and disassembly. However, to prevent unnecessary collisions between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21, preferably, the processing cartridge C still has the imaging holding member C3.

[0169] Preferably, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion in this embodiment also have the locking position LP and the abutting position AP described in Embodiment 2, and the beneficial effects can be seen from the above description.

[0170] [Embodiment 4]

[0171] In this embodiment, the structures of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion are mainly replaced, and the structure of the separation contact mechanism 5 is not limited here.

[0172] As Figure 10 shown, a first protrusion / locking force-receiving portion 531 is formed at one end of the locking portion 53. The processing cartridge C further includes a second elastic force applying member 59b combined with the locking portion 53. Similarly, the second elastic force applying member 59b can be at least one of a compression spring, rubber, a tension spring, etc., and is used to force the locking portion 53 to move in the left-right direction. Specifically, the second elastic force applying member 59b forces the locking portion 53 to move away from or close to the housing 1. It is achievable that the locking portion 53 can be installed on the cover 14 or the housing 1.

[0173] The locked portion is provided on the end caps 300 / 400. As shown, the connecting body 22 in the locked portion is connected to the end cap main body 301, and the second protrusion / locked force-receiving portion 23 is provided on the connecting body 22. In this embodiment, the locked portion is integrally and fixedly provided on the end cap main body 301. Therefore, the locked portion can be integrally formed with the end cap main body 301, and a locking space 220 is formed between the second protrusion 23 and the end cap main body 301.

[0174] During the operation / imaging of the processing cartridge C, the locking portion 53 reaches the locking space 220 under the action of the second elastic force applying member 59b. At the same time, the locking portion 53 is also locked in contact with the second protrusion 23; when the separation contact mechanism 5 receives a separation force, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 moves relative to the second unit 200 in the reference plane, the second elastic force applying member 59b undergoes elastic deformation, and the locking portion 53 / first protrusion 531 moves in the direction close to the housing 1 until it passes over the second protrusion 23. Subsequently, the second elastic force applying member 59b releases the elastic force, and the locking portion 53 / first protrusion 531 reaches the outside of the locking space 220 and abuts against the second protrusion 23 again, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 can be held in a mutually separated state with a separation gap g.

[0175] When the separation contact mechanism 5 receives a restoring force, the locking portion 53 / first protrusion 531 passes over the second protrusion 23 again and enters the locking space 220. During this process, the second elastic force applying member 59b undergoes elastic deformation and releases the elastic force again, and the locking portion 53 / first protrusion 531 is held in the locking space 220.

[0176] In the solution where the first unit 100 and the second unit 200 are arranged to translate in the front-rear direction, when the locking portion 53 / first protrusion 531 has not passed over the second protrusion 23, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 reach a mutually separated state with a separation gap g. At this time, the locking portion 53 / first protrusion 531 is still located inside the locking space 220.

[0177] In addition, to prevent the first driving force receiving member 3 from interfering with the movement of the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1, the second solution is provided in this embodiment.

[0178] As Figure 10 shown, the first driving force receiving member 3 also passes through the third exposure hole 143 provided in the cover 14. Similar to the above embodiment, the outer coupling portion 31 and the inner coupling portion 32 in the first driving force receiving member 3 are movably connected. Further, the third exposure hole 143 is provided in an elliptical shape, so as to more effectively prevent the first driving force receiving member 3 from interfering with the movement of the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1; preferably, the major axis of the elliptical third exposure hole 143 extends along the movement direction of the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1.

[0179] Based on the structure of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion provided in this embodiment, the movement mode of the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 can also be rotation, that is, when the separation control mechanism 93 applies a separation force or a restoring force to the separation contact mechanism 5, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 rotates relative to the second unit 200, and the locking portion 53 and the locked portion can also be switched between mutual locking and unlocking.

[0180] In this embodiment, the locking portion 53 is arranged to be movable relative to the first unit 100 / the cover 14 / the housing 1. Specifically, the locking portion 53 is arranged to perform telescopic movement in the left - right direction relative to the first unit 100 / the cover 14 / the housing 1. Compared with the structure arranged as an elastic arm, the locking portion 53 can obtain a more stable abutting effect.

[0181] Preferably, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion in this embodiment also have the locking position LP and the abutting position AP described in Embodiment 2, and the beneficial effects can be seen from the above description.

[0182] [Embodiment Five]

[0183] Different from Embodiment 4, in this embodiment, the locking portion 53 is arranged not to be elastically deformable, but the locked portion is arranged to be elastically deformable. As Figure 11 shown, the locking portion 53 is fixedly arranged on the cover 14 or the housing 1, the first protrusion 531 is arranged on the locking portion 53, the locked portion is arranged in the form of a cantilever on the end - cap body 301, that is, one end of the connecting body 22 in the locked portion is connected to the end - cap body 301, the second protrusion 23 is arranged at the other end of the connecting body 22, and a locking space 220 is still formed between the second protrusion 23 and the end - cap body 301. Preferably, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion in this embodiment also have the locking position LP and the abutting position AP described in Embodiment 2, and the beneficial effects can be seen from the above description.

[0184] Optionally, the positions of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion in this embodiment can also be interchanged, which gives the locking portion 53 and the locked portion greater design freedom. Thus, the overall structural rationality of the processing cartridge C can be improved. However, whether the locked portion in the form of a cantilever is arranged on the end - cap body 301 or on the first unit 100 / the cover 14 / the housing 1, during the mutual locking and unlocking process of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion, the locked portion can move in the left - right direction of the processing cartridge. Compared with the front - back direction and the up - down direction, the processing cartridge C has the largest dimension in the left - right direction. Therefore, there will be more design margins in the left - right direction of the processing cartridge C to ensure that the locked portion has sufficient deformation in the left - right direction.

[0185] [Embodiment Six]

[0186] This embodiment mainly replaces the structures of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion, and the structure of the separation and contact mechanism 5 is not limited herein.

[0187] Such as Figure 12 、 Figure 13A and Figure 13BAs shown, along the left - right direction, the first driving - force receiving member 3 first passes through the third exposure hole 143 on the cover 14, and then passes through the second exposure hole 305 on the end cap 300. The cover 14 is further provided with a neck portion 144 disposed around the third exposure hole 143, and the neck portion 144 passes through the second exposure hole 305.

[0188] In this embodiment, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion are arranged such that, as one of them rotates relative to the other between the first unit 100 and the second unit 200, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion are switched between a state of being locked to each other and a state of being unlocked, and the locking portion 53 or the locked portion is arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotation of the first unit 100 or the circumferential direction of the rotation of the second unit 200. This design does not require additional space in the processing cartridge C, nor does it require additional components to be provided in the processing cartridge C, thus simplifying the structure of the processing cartridge C.

[0189] The locking portion 53 includes a first clamping portion 53a and a second clamping portion 53b which are adjacently arranged on the neck portion 144. Among them, the combination of the locked portion and the first clamping portion 53a keeps the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in a state of being close to each other, and the combination of the locked portion and the second clamping portion 53b keeps the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in a state of being separated from each other.

[0190] In one implementation, both the first clamping portion 53a and the second clamping portion 53b are arranged as clamping grooves. At this time, the locking portion 53 further includes a first protrusion 531 located between the first clamping groove 53a and the second clamping groove 53b. The locked portion includes a connecting body 22 connected to the end - cap main body 301 and a second protrusion 23 provided on the connecting body 22. Among them, the connecting body 22 is arranged in a cantilever form on the end - cap main body 301. The locking portion 53 is fixedly arranged on the neck portion 144. Specifically, the connecting body 22 is arranged around the circumferential direction of the second exposure hole 305, and the locking portion 53 is arranged along the circumferential direction of the neck portion 144. Therefore, the locked portion will be able to elastically deform relative to the end - cap main body 301, and the locking portion 53 is fixedly arranged relative to the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1.

[0191] When the processing cartridge C is working / imaging, the second protrusion 23 enters the first clamping groove 53a. Therefore, the second protrusion 23 and the first protrusion 531 can abut against each other and be locked, thereby realizing the locking of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 can be kept in a state of being close to each other. When the separation control mechanism 93 applies a separation force to the separation contact mechanism 5, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 rotates relative to the second unit 200 around a rotation axis (for example, the rotation axis L3 of the first driving - force receiving member 3) in Figure 13A the direction shown by r2 in Figure 13BAs shown, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are separated from each other to form a separation gap g. During this process, as the cover 14 rotates, the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 are pressed against each other, and the locked part undergoes elastic deformation until the second protrusion 23 passes over the first protrusion 531, or rather, until the first protrusion 531 passes over the second protrusion 23. Subsequently, the locked part returns to its original position, the second protrusion 23 enters the second card slot 53b, and by the second protrusion 23 and the first protrusion 531 abutting against each other again, the separation gap g is maintained between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0192] When the separation control mechanism 93 applies a restoring force to the separation contact mechanism 51, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 rotates relative to the second unit 200 in the opposite direction of the direction shown by r2 around the rotation axis L3. The first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 are pressed against each other again, and the locked part also undergoes elastic deformation again until the first protrusion 531 passes over the second protrusion 23, or rather, until the second protrusion 23 passes over the first protrusion 531. Subsequently, the locked part returns to its original position, the second protrusion 23 enters the first card slot 53a, and the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 are locked again, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 remain in a state of being close to each other.

[0193] Based on the inventive concept of this embodiment, the locking part 53 and the locked part can also be arranged such that the locking part 53 is elastically deformable while the locked part is fixedly arranged, and the above locking and unlocking processes can also be achieved.

[0194] In another embodiment, one of the first holding part 53a and the second holding part 53b is set as a card slot, and the other is set as a protrusion / radial protrusion, that is, one of the first holding part 53a and the second holding part 53b is recessed radially inward from the outer circumferential surface of the neck 144 to form a card slot, and the other extends radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the neck 144 to form a radial protrusion.

[0195] For example, when the first holding part 53a is set as a radial protrusion and the second holding part 53b is set as a card slot, when the processing cartridge C is working / imaging, along the rotation direction r2, the second protrusion 23 abuts against the downstream surface of the radial protrusion 53a, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 remain in a state of being close to each other. When the separation control mechanism 93 applies a separation force to the separation contact mechanism 5, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 rotates in the direction shown by r2, and after the second protrusion 23 passes over the radial protrusion, it enters the card slot 53b. By the second protrusion 23 and the card slot 53b abutting against each other, the separation gap g is maintained between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0196] When the separation control mechanism 93 applies a restoring force to the separation contact mechanism 51, the first unit 100 / the cover 14 / the housing 1 rotates in the direction opposite to the direction shown by r2. The second protrusion 23 crosses the radial protrusion 53a again and returns to the state of abutting against the downstream surface of the radial protrusion 53a, and the locking portion 53 and the locked portion are locked again. It can be seen that in this manner, the radial protrusion can be regarded as the first protrusion 531.

[0197] When the first engaging portion 53a is provided as a card slot and the second engaging portion 53b is provided as a protrusion, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion still have the above-mentioned movement process, which will not be elaborated here.

[0198] Based on the utility model concept of this embodiment, in another embodiment, the locking portion 53 includes a radial protrusion formed by radially extending outward from the outer circumferential surface of the neck portion 144. Along the rotation direction r2, the downstream region and the upstream region adjacent to the radial protrusion will respectively form the first engaging portion 53a and the second engaging portion 53b. In this manner, only one radial protrusion needs to be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the neck portion 144, and the structure of the locking portion 53 will become simpler.

[0199] Preferably, both the locking portion 53 and the locked portion can be modified based on the existing components in the processing cartridge C, and there is no need to additionally install components into the processing cartridge C, which is beneficial to reducing the number of components in the processing cartridge C and thus reducing the assembly difficulty of the processing cartridge C.

[0200] Preferably, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion in this embodiment also have the locking position LP and the abutting position AP described in Embodiment 2, and the beneficial effects can be seen in the above description. As Figure 13A shown, along the front-rear direction, the distance from the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum to the imaging position DP is s1, the distance from the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 to the imaging position DP is s2, and the distance from the locking position LP to the imaging position DP is s3. The s3 is smaller than any one of s1 and s2; as Figure 13B shown, along the front-rear direction, the distance from the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum to the midpoint Cg is s4, the distance from the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 to the midpoint Cg is s5, and the distance from the abutting position AP to the midpoint Cg is s6. The s6 is smaller than any one of s4 and s5.

[0201] [Embodiment Seven]

[0202] Based on the utility model concept of Embodiment Six, this embodiment describes the deformed structure of the locked portion. In Embodiment Six, the locked portion is provided as a cantilever so that its movement trajectory is an arc, and the movement trajectory of the locked portion in this embodiment is a straight line.

[0203] In this embodiment, the locked part is movably installed on the end cap body 301. As Figure 14 shown, the end cap body 301 is provided with a limiting space 306 for accommodating the locked part. A third elastic force applying member 59c is installed in the limiting space 306 together with the locked part. The limiting space 306 communicates with the second exposed hole 305. The third elastic force applying member 59c is used to push the locked part towards the second exposed hole 305. At the same time, adjacent first clamping parts 53a and second clamping parts 53b are still arranged on the circumference of the neck 144. Therefore, under the action of the third elastic force applying member 59c, the second protruding part 23 will enter the first clamping part 53a or the second clamping part 53b.

[0204] As Figure 15A shown, when the processing cartridge C works / forms an image, the locking part is located in the first clamping part 53a, and the locking part abuts against the first protruding part 531 to be in a locked state, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are close to each other. When the separation control mechanism 93 applies a separation force to the separation contact mechanism 5, as Figure 15B shown, the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 rotates relative to the second unit 200 around the rotation axis L3. During the process that the second protruding part 23 passes over the first protruding part 531, the third elastic force applying member 59c undergoes elastic deformation. Subsequently, when the second protruding part 23 passes over the first protruding part 531, under the elastic force released by the third elastic force applying member 59c, the second protruding part 23 enters the second clamping part 53b. By the second protruding part 23 abutting against the first protruding part 531 again, the separation gap g between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 can be maintained.

[0205] Based on the utility model concept of this embodiment, the positions of the locking part 53 and the locked part can also be interchanged, and the above locking and unlocking processes can also be realized.

[0206] Preferably, the locking part 53 and the locked part in this embodiment also have the locking position LP and the abutting position AP described in the second embodiment, and the beneficial effects can be seen from the above description.

[0207] [Embodiment Eight]

[0208] As Figure 16 and Figure 17 shown, in this embodiment, the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 can still realize the mutual approach or separation of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 by the above-mentioned translation or rotation around the rotation axis (such as the rotation axis L3). Similar to the second embodiment, the locking part 53 is also cantilevered, as Figure 16As shown, the locking part 53 includes a locking base body 530 and a first protrusion 531 provided on the locking base body 530. The locking base body 530 can be integrally formed with the cover 14 / housing 1 or separately formed, as long as at least one of the locking part 53 and the locked part provided on the end cap 300 can achieve mutual locking and unlocking through elastic deformation.

[0209] Similar to the above embodiment, in this embodiment, the locked part is provided on the end cap 300 / 400. The connecting body in the locked part is connected to the end cap main body 301 or the second unit housing 2. The second protrusion 23 is provided as the locked force-receiving part on the connecting body. In some embodiments, the locked force-receiving part 23 can also be set as a groove. At this time, the locked part will only be provided with the locked force-receiving part 23 formed as a groove; preferably, the processing cartridge C further includes the second elastic force applying member 59b. Similarly, the second elastic force applying member 59b can be at least one of a compression spring, rubber, a tension spring, etc., for forcing the locking part 53 to move in the left-right direction away from or close to the housing 1; it should be noted that in the case of not setting the second elastic force applying member 59b, the locking part 53 can also move away from or close to the housing 1 by using its own elasticity.

[0210] Furthermore, the locking part 53 in this embodiment further includes a squeezed part 532 provided on the locking base body 530. When the separation contact mechanism 5 receives a restoring force, the separation contact mechanism 5 squeezes the squeezed part 532, so that the locking part 53 obtains a larger elastic deformation amount, thereby ensuring that the first protrusion 531 can cross over the second protrusion 23, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 return from being separated from each other to and remain in a state of being close to each other; when the locked force-receiving part 23 is set as a groove, the first protrusion 531 crosses over the highest point of the groove 23 in the left-right direction, thereby realizing the mutual locking and unlocking of the locking part 53 and the locked part.

[0211] In the case of not setting the squeezed part 532, in order to make the locking part 53 obtain a sufficient elastic deformation amount, the hardness of the locking part 53 needs to be set to be small. However, in this case, the locking state of the locking part 53 and the locked part will become unstable. On the contrary, when the hardness of the locking part 53 is set to be large, the locking part 53 will be difficult to obtain a sufficient elastic deformation amount; however, when the squeezed part 532 is provided, even if the hardness of the locking part 53 increases, with the squeezing of the squeezed part 532 by the separation contact mechanism 5, the locking part 53 will be able to easily obtain a sufficient elastic deformation amount.

[0212] Similar to the above embodiments, the processing cartridge C further includes a support body 13 extending in the left-right direction on the processing cartridge housing or cover. By cooperating the support body 13 with the long hole / slot 55 on the separation contact mechanism 5, the separation contact mechanism 5 can move in the up-down direction and can also rotate around the support body 13.

[0213] When the processing cartridge C works / forms an image, the photosensitive drum 21 contacts the developing roller 11, and the locking portion 53 and the locked portion are locked to each other in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the second protrusion 23 is located behind the first protrusion 531, and the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 abut against each other and are locked. In some embodiments, the first unit 100 and the second unit 200 can also be held in a state where the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are close to each other by the imaging holding member C3. At this time, although the second protrusion 23 is located behind the first protrusion 531, the two do not have to contact / abut against each other.

[0214] When the separation contact mechanism 5 / acting portion 51 receives a separation force, the separation contact mechanism 5 will rotate around the support column 13 along Figure 17 the direction shown by r7 in the figure. By providing a limiting member 145 on the protective cover 14 / housing 1 for abutting against the separation contact mechanism 5, the rotation of the separation contact mechanism 5 in the direction shown by r7 is suppressed, and thus the separation force is applied to the protective cover 14 / housing 1. The first unit 100 / protective cover 14 / housing 1 can realize the separation of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 by the above-mentioned translational movement or rotation around the rotation axis. During this process, the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 are pressed against each other. The first protrusion 531 alone or the first protrusion 531 drives the locking base 530 to move toward the housing 1. The second elastic force applying member 59b is elastically deformed. When the first protrusion 531 passes over the second protrusion 23, the second elastic force applying member 59b releases the elastic force, and the locking base 530 drives the first protrusion 531 to move away from the housing 1. Finally, the first protrusion 531 reaches the rear of the second protrusion 23, the imaging holding member C3 is elastically deformed, and the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 abut against each other in the front-rear direction, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are held in a separated state.

[0215] On the contrary, when the separation contact mechanism 5 / acting portion 51 receives a restoring force, the separation contact mechanism 5 will rotate around the support column 13 along Figure 17It rotates in the direction opposite to the direction shown by r7. At this time, the separation contact mechanism 5 will start to squeeze the portion 532 to be squeezed, and the locking base 530 moves in the direction close to the housing 1. The second elastic force applying member 59b is elastically deformed again. When the first protrusion 531 passes over the second protrusion 23, under the elastic force of the imaging holding member C3, the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 can make the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 approach each other by the above-mentioned translational motion or rotation around the rotation axis. At the same time, the first protrusion 531 reaches in front of the second protrusion 23, and the first unit 100 and the second unit 200 are in contact with each other in the front-rear direction through the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23, so that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are kept in a state of approaching each other. Or, the first unit 100 and the second unit 200 keep the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in a state of approaching each other through the imaging holding member C3. Or the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 are in contact with each other in the front-rear direction and the imaging holding member C3 acts simultaneously.

[0216] In the above embodiment, the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 are arranged below the processing cartridge. In some embodiments, when the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 approach each other, the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 are in a state of being in contact with each other in the front-rear direction. At this time, the first protrusion 531 is located behind the second protrusion 23. When the separation contact mechanism 5 / acting portion 51 receives a separation force, as the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 undergoes the above-mentioned translational motion or rotation around the rotation axis, the first protrusion 531 passes over the second protrusion 23 and reaches in front of the second protrusion 23. At this time, the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 are locked to each other, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 change from the state of approaching each other to the state of separating from each other; preferably, the first protrusion 531 and the second protrusion 23 are arranged above the processing cartridge.

[0217] [Embodiment Nine]

[0218] Generally, in a color imaging device, multiple processing cartridges need to be installed at the same time. Each processing cartridge contains different color developers. The multiple processing cartridges can be referred to as a processing cartridge assembly CA. When the imaging device does not perform an imaging operation, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in each processing cartridge in the processing cartridge assembly CA need to change from the state of approaching each other to the state of separating from each other.

[0219] In a conventional design, the separation contact mechanism 5 is provided in each processing cartridge C. Thus, each processing cartridge C receives a separation force and a restoring force through the separation contact mechanism 5 provided therein. This method is not conducive to reducing the cost of the processing cartridge assembly CA. In this embodiment, a processing cartridge assembly CA will be provided, in which each processing cartridge C can realize the conversion between the state where the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are close to each other and the state where they are separated from each other, and can also reduce the cost of the processing cartridge assembly CA.

[0220] The key point of this embodiment is to realize the conversion between the state where the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in each processing cartridge C are close to each other and the state where they are separated from each other through the following linkage member 8, and the structure of the separation contact mechanism 5 is not changed. Therefore, the separation contact mechanism 5 in any of the above embodiments can be applied to this embodiment.

[0221] As Figure 18 and Figure 19 shown, the processing cartridge assembly CA includes a black processing cartridge CK containing black developer, a blue processing cartridge CC containing blue developer, a red processing cartridge CM containing red developer, and a yellow processing cartridge CY containing yellow developer. The structures of the four processing cartridges are basically the same and are arranged adjacent to each other in sequence in the imaging device. This embodiment focuses on introducing the structure for the conversion between the state where the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the three processing cartridges (referred to as color processing cartridges) other than the black processing cartridge CK are close to each other and the state where they are separated from each other.

[0222] As Figure 26 shown, the four processing cartridges can be detachably mounted on the tray 99. The tray moves towards the inside of the imaging device in the front-to-back direction so that the four processing cartridges reach the installation position, and the tray moves towards the outside of the imaging device in the back-to-front direction so that the four processing cartridges reach the detachable position. The sorting of the four processing cartridges on the tray 99 is that, in the front-to-back direction, the black processing cartridge CK is the first processing cartridge, the blue processing cartridge CC is the second processing cartridge, the red processing cartridge CM is the third processing cartridge, and the yellow processing cartridge CY is the fourth processing cartridge.

[0223] In one embodiment, only the yellow processing cartridge CY located at the rearmost side receives a force (any one of the separation force and the restoring force). The red processing cartridge CM in front of the yellow processing cartridge CY and the blue processing cartridge CC in front of the red processing cartridge CM do not receive any force. In this way, there is no need to provide the separation contact mechanism 5 in the red processing cartridge CM and the blue processing cartridge CC, and only the separation contact mechanism 5 is provided in the yellow processing cartridge CY. Thus, the cost of the processing cartridge assembly CA is reduced.

[0224] Specifically, the processing cartridge assembly CA further includes a linkage member 8 connected to the color processing cartridges. When the separation contact mechanism 5 in the yellow processing cartridge CY receives a force, the force can be transmitted to the magenta processing cartridge CM and the cyan processing cartridge CC through the linkage member 8. According to the description of the above embodiment, when the separation contact mechanism 5 receives a force, any one of the first unit 100, the cover 14, and the housing 1 realizes the conversion between the state where the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are close to each other and the state where they are separated from each other by translational or rotational movement. Therefore, at least any one of the first unit 100, the cover 14, and the housing 1 of each color processing cartridge may be connected to the linkage member 8.

[0225] Based on the inventive concept of this embodiment, it is also possible that at least any one of the cyan processing cartridge CC and the magenta processing cartridge CM is provided with a separation contact mechanism 5, and then through the movement of the linkage member 8, the linkage member 8 drives other color processing cartridges to realize the conversion between the state where the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are close to each other and the state where they are separated from each other.

[0226] The linkage member 8 can be formed as an independent component, and its shape can be one of a rod, a plate, etc. It can be integrally formed or formed by multiple segments.

[0227] When a gear mounting plate 15 is provided in the processing cartridge, the linkage member 8 can also be connected to the gear mounting plate 15.

[0228] [Embodiment Ten]

[0229] As Figure 20 and Figure 21 shown, different from Embodiment Nine, in this embodiment, a plurality of linkage members 8 are provided. Preferably, a linkage member 8 is provided in the yellow processing cartridge CY for receiving a force, and a linkage member 8 is provided in the magenta processing cartridge CM in front of the yellow processing cartridge CY, but a linkage member does not need to be provided in the cyan processing cartridge CC in front of the magenta processing cartridge CM.

[0230] When the separation contact mechanism 5 in the yellow processing cartridge CY receives a force (especially a separation force), the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 of the yellow processing cartridge CY rotates about the rotation axis L3 in the direction shown by r2. In the vertical direction, the linkage 8 in the yellow processing cartridge CY and the component (the above-mentioned acting part 51) in the separation contact mechanism 5 for receiving the force are respectively located above and below the rotation axis L3. In this way, the linkage 8 in the yellow processing cartridge CY will be pushed by the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 and move forward, specifically by translation or sliding. Subsequently, the linkage 8 in the yellow processing cartridge CY then pushes the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 of the red processing cartridge CM, and then the linkage 8 in the red processing cartridge CM pushes the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 of the blue processing cartridge CC. Finally, the developing rollers 11 and the photosensitive drums 21 in each of the processing cartridges in the color processing cartridge can move closer to or away from each other.

[0231] As Figure 20 shown, the linkage 8 includes a linkage main body 81, a linkage guided part 82, and a linkage part 84. Among them, the linkage guided part 82 and the linkage part 84 are both connected to the linkage main body 81. The end cap main body 301 is provided with a linkage guiding part 307 that engages with the linkage guided part 82. Further, the linkage 8 further includes a linkage anti-disengagement part 83 connected to the linkage guided part 82. In this way, the linkage 8 can move reliably in the linkage guiding part 307.

[0232] [Embodiment Eleven]

[0233] Different from Embodiment Ten, the linkage 8 in this embodiment is no longer provided on the end cap 300 / 400, but is provided on the first unit housing 1 or the second unit housing 2. As Figure 22 shown, the second unit housing 2 is provided with an activity hole 2a for the linkage 8 to move. The linkage 8 still includes a linkage main body 81, a linkage anti-disengagement part 83, and a linkage part 84. The linkage main body 81 is movably installed in the activity hole 2a. Therefore, the linkage main body 81 can also be regarded as the linkage guided part 82, and the activity hole 2a can be regarded as the linkage guiding part.

[0234] It should be noted that only one linkage 8 can be provided in this embodiment, or multiple linkages 8 can be provided. The multiple linkages 8 are spaced apart in the left-right direction.

[0235] [Embodiment Twelve]

[0236] Different from the above embodiments, the linkage 8 in this embodiment is set to rotate about the rotation axis L8. As Figure 23As shown, the linkage member 8 includes a linkage member main body 81 and a linkage portion 84 that are connected to each other. The rotating shaft 85 is integrally or separately formed with the linkage member main body 81, and the rotating shaft 85 divides the linkage member main body into a linkage member force-receiving portion 81a and a linkage member transmission portion 81b. The linkage portion 84 is connected to the linkage member transmission portion 81b, and the linkage member 8 is rotatably mounted to the second unit housing 2 through the rotating shaft 85.

[0237] As Figure 24 shown, when the separation contact mechanism 5 in the yellow processing cartridge CY receives a force (especially a separation force), the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 (1Y) rotates about the rotation axis L3 in the direction shown by r2, and the housing 1 or the cover 14 presses down on the linkage member force-receiving portion 81a, causing the linkage member 8 to rotate about the rotation axis L8. The linkage member transmission portion 81b drives the linkage portion 84 to move upward. At the same time, the linkage portion 84 pushes the housing 1 (1M) or the cover 14 of the red processing cartridge CM, causing the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 (1M) in the red processing cartridge CM to also rotate about the rotation axis L3 in the direction shown by r2 in the red processing cartridge CM. Subsequently, the linkage member 8 in the red processing cartridge CM then pushes the housing 1 (1C) or the cover 14 of the blue processing cartridge CC, causing the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 (1C) in the blue processing cartridge CC to also rotate about the rotation axis L3 in the direction shown by r2 in the blue processing cartridge CC. Finally, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in each processing cartridge in the color processing cartridge can move closer to or away from each other.

[0238] [Embodiment Thirteen]

[0239] As Figure 25 shown, different from Embodiment Eleven, the linkage member 8 in this embodiment is also set to be fixedly connected to the first unit housing 1 / cover 14. In this way, the linkage member 8 can move together with the first unit 100 / first unit housing 1 / cover 14. During the movement of the linkage member 8 in the yellow processing cartridge CY, the linkage member 8 in the red processing cartridge CM in front of the yellow processing cartridge CY also moves together with the first unit 100 / first unit housing 1 / cover 14 in the red processing cartridge CM. Subsequently, during the movement of the linkage member 8 in the red processing cartridge CM, the first unit 100 / first unit housing 1 / cover 14 in the blue processing cartridge CC also starts to move. Finally, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in each processing cartridge in the color processing cartridge can move closer to or away from each other.

[0240] It should be understood that the movement in this embodiment refers to the translation or rotation of the first unit 100 / first unit housing 1 / cover 14.

[0241] [Embodiment Fourteen]

[0242] AsFigure 26 and Figure 27 As shown, the linkage member 8 in this embodiment is arranged to move on the imaging device tray 99 for supporting the processing cartridge assembly CA, such as Figure 26 shown, the tray 99 includes a tray frame 991 and a plurality of processing cartridge accommodating portions 992 provided on the tray frame 991. Each processing cartridge accommodating portion 992 corresponds to a processing cartridge, and a linkage member guiding portion 993 is also provided on the tray frame 991.

[0243] The linkage member 8 includes a linkage member main body 81, a guided portion 82 of the linkage member, and a linkage portion 84. The guided portion 82 of the linkage member cooperates with the linkage member guiding portion 993. In this way, the linkage member 8 can move on the tray frame 991. The linkage portion 84 is provided as a first linkage portion 84a and a second linkage portion 84b. Among them, the first linkage portion 84a is inserted between the yellow processing cartridge CY and the magenta processing cartridge CM, and the second linkage portion 84b is inserted between the magenta processing cartridge CM and the cyan processing cartridge CC. When the separation contact mechanism 5 in the yellow processing cartridge CY receives a force (especially a separation force), the yellow processing cartridge CY abuts against the first linkage portion 84a. Through the first linkage portion 84a, the first unit 100 / first unit housing 1 / cover 14 in the magenta processing cartridge CM will be pushed. Subsequently, the first unit 100 / first unit housing 1 / cover 14 in the magenta processing cartridge CM pushes the second linkage portion 84b, and then the second linkage portion 84b pushes the first unit 100 / first unit housing 1 / cover 14 in the cyan processing cartridge CC. Finally, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in each processing cartridge of the color processing cartridge can move closer to or away from each other.

[0244] It should be noted that the linkage portion 84 in this embodiment can also be used in combination with the linkage portion of the above embodiment. At this time, only one of the first linkage portion 84a and the second linkage portion 84b needs to be provided; when multiple linkage members are provided, the linkage members 8 in the above embodiments can also be used in combination, and the positions where the linkage members 8 are provided are not limited.

[0245] The above introduces the way in which the separation contact mechanism 5 in the yellow processing cartridge CY (the active processing cartridge) located at the rearmost receives a force. The magenta processing cartridge CM and the cyan processing cartridge CC (which can be collectively referred to as the driven processing cartridges) do not need to be provided with a separation contact mechanism 5.

[0246] In other embodiments, it is also possible that the separation contact mechanism 5 in the middle red processing cartridge CM receives the acting force. In this case, the yellow processing cartridge CY and the blue processing cartridge CC do not need to be provided with the separation contact structure 5. At this time, the red processing cartridge CM pulls the yellow processing cartridge CY through the linkage 8, so that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the yellow processing cartridge CY can be brought closer to or separated from each other, and the red processing cartridge CM pushes the blue processing cartridge CC, so that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the blue processing cartridge CC can be brought closer to or separated from each other.

[0247] It is also possible that the separation contact mechanism 5 in the frontmost blue processing cartridge CC receives the acting force, and the separation contact mechanism 5 does not need to be provided in the red processing cartridge CM and the yellow processing cartridge CY. At this time, the blue processing cartridge CC pulls the red processing cartridge CM and the yellow processing cartridge CY through the linkage 8, so that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the red processing cartridge CM and the yellow processing cartridge CY can be brought closer to or separated from each other. In practice, when the pulling method is adopted, a fitting member cooperating with the linkage 8 can also be provided on the driven processing cartridge.

[0248] [Embodiment XV]

[0249] In this embodiment, the linkage 8 is provided as a plurality of parts formed separately. Through the linkage 8, only one processing cartridge in the color processing cartridge needs to be provided with the separation contact mechanism 5 to realize the mutual approach or separation of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in each processing cartridge of the color processing cartridge.

[0250] The linkage 8 includes a linkage main body 81 and a linkage part 84 connected to each other. The linkage main body 81 is connected to the first unit 100 / cap 14 / case 1 of the corresponding processing cartridge, and the linkage part 84 is detachably connected to the linkage force receiving part 81a. The linkage main body 81 and the linkage part 84 are connected in a movable manner, and they can be rotatably connected around the rotation axis L85 through the rotation shaft 85 shown in the figure. In other embodiments, they can also be slidably connected. At this time, the linkage part 84 can be telescopic relative to the linkage main body 81, and the rotation shaft 85 does not need to be provided.

[0251] Continue as Figure 28 shown, the linkage main body 81 is also provided with a linkage transmission part 81b and a storage part 811. Among them, the linkage transmission part 81b is used to combine with the linkage force receiving part 81a, and the storage part 811 is used to store the linkage part 84; the linkage part 84 is also provided with a linkage combination part 841 for combining with the linkage force receiving part 81a in another linkage 8.

[0252] As Figure 28 and Figure 29As shown, in the color processing cartridge, only the blue processing cartridge CC is provided with the separation contact mechanism 5. The blue processing cartridge CC is the active processing cartridge, and the red processing cartridge CM and the yellow processing cartridge CY are the driven processing cartridges. A linkage 8 is arranged in the blue processing cartridge CC and the red processing cartridge CM, and another linkage 8 is arranged in the red processing cartridge CM and the yellow processing cartridge CY. The two linkages 8 have the same structure. Figure 28 The processing cartridge assembly CA in Figure 28 is provided with two linkages 8. To more clearly show the structure of the linkage 8,

[0253] For the linkage 8 arranged in the blue processing cartridge CC and the red processing cartridge CM, the linkage main body 81 is arranged in the blue processing cartridge CC, the linkage force receiving part 81a is arranged in the red processing cartridge CM, and the linkage part 84 is used to connect the linkage main body 81 and the linkage force receiving part 81a. Specifically, the linkage main body 81 is connected to the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 of the blue processing cartridge, the linkage force receiving part 81a is connected to the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 of the red processing cartridge, one end of the linkage part 84 is connected to the linkage main body 81 through the rotating shaft 85, and the other end is connected to the linkage force receiving part 81a through the linkage joint part 841.

[0254] When the separation contact mechanism 5 in the blue processing cartridge CC receives a force (especially the separation force), the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 of the blue processing cartridge CC rotates around the rotation axis L3 in the blue processing cartridge CC in the direction shown by r2, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the blue processing cartridge CC approach or separate from each other. At the same time, the linkage main body 81 transmits the force to the linkage force receiving part 81a in the red processing cartridge CM through the linkage part 84, and drives the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 of the red processing cartridge CM to rotate around the rotation axis L3 in the red processing cartridge CM in the direction shown by r2 through the linkage force receiving part 81a, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the red processing cartridge CM also approach or separate from each other.

[0255] For the linkage member 8 disposed in the magenta processing cartridge CM and the yellow processing cartridge CY, the linkage member main body 81 is connected to the first unit 100 / cap 14 / case 1 of the magenta processing cartridge. The linkage member transmission portion 81b located in the linkage member main body 81 is engaged with the linkage member force receiving portion 81a in the magenta processing cartridge. The linkage member force receiving portion 81a is connected to the first unit 100 / cap 14 / case 1 of the yellow processing cartridge. One end of the linkage portion 84 is connected to the linkage member main body 81 through a rotating shaft 85, and the other end is connected to the linkage member force receiving portion 81a through a linkage engagement portion 841. Thus, when the magenta processing cartridge CM receives a force, through the engagement of the linkage member force receiving portion 81a located on the magenta processing cartridge CM and the linkage member transmission portion 81b located on the magenta processing cartridge CM, and the engagement of the linkage member force receiving portion 81a located on the yellow processing cartridge CY and the linkage portion 84 located on the magenta processing cartridge CM, the force is transmitted to the yellow processing cartridge CY. As a result, the first unit 100 / cap 14 / case 1 of the yellow processing cartridge CY rotates about the rotation axis L3 in the yellow processing cartridge CY in the direction shown by r2, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 of the yellow processing cartridge CY also move closer to or away from each other.

[0256] In one embodiment, when the separation contact mechanism 5 in the cyan processing cartridge CC receives a separation force, not only the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the cyan processing cartridge CC are separated from each other, but also the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the magenta processing cartridge CM and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the yellow processing cartridge CY can be separated from each other by the pulling of the linkage member 8.

[0257] When the user needs to remove any one of the color processing cartridges, it is only necessary to rotate the linkage portion 84 about the rotating shaft 85 in the direction shown by r6 ( Figure 29 as shown) so that the linkage portion 84 is disengaged from the linkage member force receiving portion 81a. Preferably, the linkage portion 84 is rotated until it is received by the receiving portion 811 to ensure that the processing cartridge can be removed and reinstalled more smoothly; during this process, the linkage member 8 does not have to be removed from the processing cartridge assembly CA, which is beneficial to reducing the user's operation steps, thereby improving the user's operation efficiency. Compared with the case where the linkage member 8 needs to be removed, the relative position of the linkage member 8 in the processing cartridge assembly CA in this embodiment will not easily change.

[0258] To make the inventive concept of this embodiment clearer, Figure 29 In the two linkage members 8 shown, the linkage portion 84 of one of the linkage members 8 is in a state of being disengaged from the linkage member force receiving portion 81a, and the linkage portion 84 rotates in the direction shown by r6 and the direction opposite to the direction shown by r6. The linkage portion 84 (shown by a dotted line in the figure) of the other linkage member 8 is in a state of being received by the receiving portion 811.

[0259] As described above, in some embodiments, the linkage portion 84 can also be configured to be telescopic relative to the linkage body 81.

[0260] In the above embodiments, the linkage portion 84 is received by the linkage body 81 located in front of it. However, in some other embodiments, the linkage portion 84 can also be configured such that the linkage coupling portion 841 can rotate around the force-receiving portion 81a of the linkage member, enabling the linkage portion 84 to be detachably coupled to the linkage body 81. At this time, the linkage portion 84 can be received by the linkage body 84 located behind it.

[0261] [Embodiment Sixteen]

[0262] As Figure 30 shown, different from Embodiment Fifteen, in the color processing cartridge of this embodiment, a separation contact mechanism 5 is provided in the magenta processing cartridge CM located between the cyan processing cartridge CC and the yellow processing cartridge CY, while the separation contact mechanism 5 is not provided in the cyan processing cartridge CC and the yellow processing cartridge CY. Therefore, the magenta processing cartridge CM is the active processing cartridge, and the cyan processing cartridge CC and the yellow processing cartridge CY are the driven processing cartridges.

[0263] When the separation contact mechanism 5 in the magenta processing cartridge CM receives a force, through the linkage member 8 described in Embodiment Fifteen, both the cyan processing cartridge CC and the yellow processing cartridge CY can receive the force.

[0264] In Embodiment Fifteen, when the force is transmitted towards the magenta processing cartridge CM and the yellow processing cartridge CY, it is all achieved by pushing or pulling. However, in this embodiment, when the force is transmitted towards the cyan processing cartridge CC and the yellow processing cartridge CY, one is in the form of pulling and the other is in the form of pushing.

[0265] For example, when the force is a separation force, the cyan processing cartridge CC receives the separation force in a pushed manner through the linkage member 8, while the yellow processing cartridge CY receives the separation force in a pulled manner through the linkage member 8.

[0266] [Embodiment Seventeen]

[0267] In the above embodiments, the linkage member 8 involved transmits the force in a direct contact manner. The linkage member 8 provided in this embodiment transmits the force in a non-contact manner. Specifically, the linkage member 8 in this embodiment is provided as two spaced-apart magnetic members, that is, the linkage member 8 includes a first magnetic member 8a and a second magnetic member 8b. One of the first magnetic member 8a and the second magnetic member 8b is provided on the active processing cartridge, and the other is provided on the driven processing cartridge.

[0268] Figure 31FIG. 0 is a perspective view showing some components of one of the color processing cartridges hidden. The first magnetic member 8a in the linkage member 8 is disposed on the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1. The number of the first magnetic members 8a is not limited. That is to say, only one first magnetic member 8a can be provided, or multiple first magnetic members 8a can be provided. When only one first magnetic member 8a is provided, the first magnetic member 8a can be formed into a long strip extending in the left - right direction to ensure that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 can be fully separated from each other.

[0269] As Figure 32 shown, in the front - rear direction, the second magnetic member 8b is spaced apart from and oppositely disposed relative to the first magnetic member 8a. The second magnetic member 8b is disposed on the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 of the front - side processing cartridge of the processing cartridge provided with the first magnetic member 8a. A repulsive force that repels each other can be generated between the first magnetic member 8a and the second magnetic member 8b.

[0270] Continuing as Figure 32 shown, in the color processing cartridge of this embodiment, only the yellow processing cartridge CY is provided with the separation contact mechanism 5, while the cyan processing cartridge CC and the magenta processing cartridge CM are not provided with the separation contact mechanism 5. Therefore, the yellow processing cartridge CY is the active processing cartridge, and the magenta processing cartridge CM and the cyan processing cartridge CC are the driven processing cartridges. When the separation contact mechanism 5 in the yellow processing cartridge CY receives a force, through the linkage member 8, the magenta processing cartridge CM and the cyan processing cartridge CC will sequentially receive the force. Finally, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 of each processing cartridge in the color processing cartridge can be brought closer to or separated from each other.

[0271] For example, when the separation contact mechanism 5 in the yellow processing cartridge CY receives a separation force, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 of the yellow processing cartridge CY rotates about the rotation axis L3 in the yellow processing cartridge CY in the direction shown by r2. The first magnetic member 8a disposed on the yellow processing cartridge CY gradually approaches the second magnetic member 8b disposed on the magenta processing cartridge CM, and the repulsive force between them gradually increases. The developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the yellow processing cartridge CY are gradually separated from each other. At the same time, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 of the magenta processing cartridge CM also starts to rotate about the rotation axis L3 in the magenta processing cartridge CM in the direction shown by r2, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the magenta processing cartridge CM are gradually separated from each other. In the same way, the first unit 100 / cover 14 / housing 1 of the cyan processing cartridge CC also starts to rotate about the rotation axis L3 in the cyan processing cartridge CC in the direction shown by r2, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the cyan processing cartridge CC are gradually separated from each other.

[0272] [Embodiment XVIII]

[0273] Different from the seventeenth embodiment, in this embodiment, an attractive force that attracts each other can be generated between the first magnetic member 8a and the second magnetic member 8b of the linkage member 8.

[0274] As Figure 33 shown, the first magnetic member 8a and the second magnetic member 8b are still arranged opposite to each other in the front-rear direction. In the color processing cartridge, only the blue processing cartridge CC is provided with the separation contact mechanism 5, while the red processing cartridge CM and the yellow processing cartridge CY are not provided with the separation contact mechanism 5. Therefore, the blue processing cartridge CC is the active processing cartridge, and the red processing cartridge CM and the yellow processing cartridge CY are the driven processing cartridges.

[0275] Before the separation contact mechanism 5 in the blue processing cartridge CC receives the separation force, an attractive force has been generated between the first magnetic member 8a and the second magnetic member 8b, but this attractive force is not sufficient to force the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 to separate from each other. As the separation contact mechanism 5 in the blue processing cartridge CC receives the separation force, the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 of the blue processing cartridge CC rotates along the direction shown by r2 around the rotation axis L3 of the blue processing cartridge CC. The second magnetic member 8b in the blue processing cartridge CC starts to move away from the first magnetic member 8a provided in the red processing cartridge CM. Under the action of the magnetic attractive force between the first magnetic member 8a and the second magnetic member 8b, the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 of the red processing cartridge CM also starts to rotate along the direction shown by r2 around the rotation axis L3 of the red processing cartridge CM. The second magnetic member 8b in the red processing cartridge CM starts to move away from the first magnetic member 8a provided in the yellow processing cartridge CY. Under the action of the magnetic attractive force between the first magnetic member 8a and the second magnetic member 8b, the first unit 100 / cap 14 / housing 1 of the yellow processing cartridge CY also starts to rotate along the direction shown by r2 around the rotation axis L3 of the yellow processing cartridge CY. Finally, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 of each processing cartridge in the color processing cartridge are separated from each other.

[0276] Similar to the sixteenth embodiment, the separation contact mechanism 5 in this embodiment can also be only provided on the red processing cartridge CM, while the blue processing cartridge CC and the yellow processing cartridge CY are not provided with the separation contact mechanism 5. The first magnetic member 8a and the second magnetic member 8b between the red processing cartridge CM and the blue processing cartridge CC are set to repel each other, while the first magnetic member 8a and the second magnetic member 8b between the red processing cartridge CM and the yellow processing cartridge CY are set to attract each other. This structure can also achieve the separation of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 of each processing cartridge in the color processing cartridge.

[0277] [Nineteenth Embodiment]

[0278] The processing cartridge C includes a cartridge body and a rotating member rotatably disposed in the cartridge body. The cartridge body is used to accommodate at least one of unused toner and used waste toner. The rotating member extends in the left-right direction of the cartridge body and rotates about its rotation axis, and the rotation axis of the rotating member is parallel to the left-right direction.

[0279] As Figure 34A and Figure 34B shown, the processing cartridge C includes a cartridge body, a developing roller 11, a powder feeding roller 12, and a photosensitive drum 21 disposed in the cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a first unit housing 1 and a second unit housing 2. Further, the developing roller 11 and the powder feeding roller 12 are rotatably disposed in the first unit housing 1, and the photosensitive drum 21 is rotatably disposed in the second unit housing 2.

[0280] Specifically, the processing cartridge C includes a first unit 100 and a second unit 200 that are movably combined. The first unit 100 includes a first unit housing 1 for accommodating toner, a developing roller 11 rotatably disposed in the first unit housing 1, and a powder feeding roller 12 rotatably disposed in the first unit housing 1. The developing roller 11 has a rotation axis L11 parallel to the left-right direction, and the powder feeding roller 12 has a rotation axis L12 parallel to the left-right direction. The second unit 200 includes a second unit housing 2 and a photosensitive drum 21 rotatably disposed in the second unit housing 2. The photosensitive drum 21 has a rotation axis L21 parallel to the left-right direction. The developing roller 11 is disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 21. The developing roller 11 is used to supply the toner transported by the powder feeding roller 12 to the photosensitive drum 21, and the photosensitive drum 21 is used to carry the toner to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on its surface. Further, the developing roller 11, the powder feeding roller 12, and the photosensitive drum 21 can be regarded as rotating members.

[0281] When the processing cartridge C performs imaging / developing work, the developing roller 11 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 21. When the processing cartridge C does not need to perform imaging / developing work, the developing roller 11 is separated from the photosensitive drum 21.

[0282] Continuing as shown in the figure, the processing cartridge C further includes a driving force receiving portion and a power receiving member located at the left and right ends of the cartridge body. Further, in this embodiment, the driving force receiving portion is located at the left end of the cartridge body and is used to receive the driving force from the imaging device, and the power receiving member is located at the right end of the cartridge body and is used to receive the power from the imaging device. Specifically, the driving force receiving portion includes a first driving force receiving member 3 and a second driving force receiving member 4. Among them, the first driving force receiving member 3 is used to directly or indirectly drive the developing roller 11 and the toner feeding roller 12 to rotate, and the second driving force receiving member 4 is used to directly or indirectly drive the photosensitive drum 21 to rotate. The end where the driving force receiving portion is located can be called the driving end C1 (left end), and the end where the power receiving member is located can be called the conductive end or non-driving end C2 (right end). Further, the first driving force receiving member 3 and the second driving force receiving member 4 can drive the developing roller 11 and the toner feeding roller 12 to rotate through a driving force transmission assembly. Specifically, the driving force transmission assembly can be set as a gear meshing structure, or a ratchet structure, or a pulley structure, etc., as long as it can transmit the driving force.

[0283] As Figure 34B 、 Figure 35A 、 Figure 35B and Figure 37 shown, the first unit 100 further includes a cover 14, a second bracket 16, and a third bracket 17 provided at the left and right ends of the first unit housing 1. Among them, the cover 14 and the third bracket 17 are located at the left end (driving end C1) of the first unit housing 1. In the left-right direction, the cover 14 is farther from the first unit housing 1 than the third bracket 17. The second bracket 16 is located at the right end (non-driving end C2) of the first unit housing 1. Further, at least the third bracket 17 is used to support the developing roller 11 and the toner feeding roller 12. In addition, the cover 14, the second bracket 16, and the third bracket 17 provided at the end of the first unit housing 1 are also used to protect other components. Further still, the cover 14 includes a cover main body 140, a third exposure hole 143 provided in the cover main body 140, and a first engaging portion 146. The third exposure hole 143 is used to expose the first driving force receiving member 3 outward, and the first engaging portion 146 is used to engage with a later-described first elastic force applying member 59a. The cover 14 further includes a support body 13 for engaging with a later-described separation contact mechanism 5, and the support body 13 is provided on the side close to the first unit housing 1; the second bracket 16 includes a second main body 160 and a third engaging portion 161 provided in the second main body 160. The third engaging portion 161 is used to engage with a later-described second elastic force applying member 59b; in addition, the power receiving member is provided on the second bracket 16, and the power receiving member is integrally or separately formed with the second bracket 16.

[0284] Continuing as shown in the figure, the second unit 200 further includes a first end cap 300 and a second end cap 400 disposed at the left and right ends of the second unit housing 2. In the left-right direction, the first end cap 300 and the second end cap 400 are disposed opposite to each other. The first end cap 300 and the second end cap 400 can be used to support the photosensitive drum 21. In the left-right direction, the first end cap 300 is located to the left of the cover 14, and the second end cap 400 is located to the right of the second bracket 16. Preferably, in this embodiment, the first end cap 300 is disposed at the driving end C1, and the second end cap 400 is disposed at the non-driving end C2. Specifically, the first end cap 300 includes a second exposure hole 305 for exposing the first driving force receiving member 3 outward and a first exposure hole 302 for exposing the second driving force receiving member 4 outward. The first exposure hole 302 is also used to support the photosensitive drum 21. The second end cap 400 includes a fourth exposure hole 400a for exposing the power receiving member outward and a fifth exposure hole 400b for supporting the photosensitive drum 21. The fifth exposure hole 400b is also used to expose the conductive portion disposed at the end of the photosensitive drum 21. The conductive portion is used to receive the power provided by the imaging device to supply power to the photosensitive drum 21.

[0285] As Figure 34A , Figure 34B , Figure 35A , Figure 35B , Figure 36 Figure 39 shown, the processing cartridge C further includes a separation contact assembly disposed therein. The separation contact assembly is used to separate and contact the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21. During the separation process, the first unit can move in the left-right direction.

[0286] Furthermore, the separation contact assembly includes a separation contact mechanism 5. The separation contact mechanism 5 is used to interact with the force applying member in the imaging device and with the cover 14. The separation contact mechanism 5 can move relative to the first unit housing 1. Specifically, the separation contact mechanism 5 includes a mechanism main body 52, a long hole / slot 55, and a acting portion 51. The long hole / slot 55 and the acting portion 51 are respectively located at both ends of the mechanism main body 52. Among them, the long hole / slot 55 is preferably set as a groove. The long hole / slot 55 is used to engage with the support body 13 of the cover 14. The support body 13 is also provided with a buckle portion 131. The buckle portion 131 is used to buckle the edge of the long hole / slot 55 so that the upper part of the separation contact mechanism 5 is installed on the cover 14. The combination of the long hole / slot 55 and the support body 13 plays a guiding role, enabling the separation contact mechanism 5 to be movable relative to the cover 14. The acting portion 51 includes a first acting portion 51a and a second acting portion 51b for abutting against the force applying member. Specifically, the first acting portion 51a is used to abut against the separation control mechanism in the force applying member to separate the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21, and the second acting portion 51b is used to abut against the separation control mechanism in the force applying member to bring the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 into contact again.

[0287] Further, the separating contact component further includes a first elastic force applying member 59a. The first elastic force applying member 59a is used to mount the lower end portion of the separating contact mechanism 5 to the protective cover 14. Specifically, one end of the first elastic force applying member 59a is used to engage with the first engaging portion 146, and the other end is used to engage with the fourth engaging portion 54 provided on the separating contact mechanism 5. In this way, the first elastic force applying member 59a and the buckling portion 131 act together to mount the separating contact mechanism 5. Further, the direction in which the first elastic force applying member 59a generates a force is perpendicular to the left-right direction. Preferably, the first elastic force applying member 59a is a tension spring.

[0288] Further, the separating and contacting assembly further includes a locking portion 53 and a locked portion 62. The locking portion 53 is configured to interact with the locked portion 62 to separate or re-contact the developing roller 11 from the photosensitive drum 21. During the separation process or the re-contact process, the locking portion 53 is immovable relative to the first unit 100 or the second unit 200, that is, the locking portion 53 moves along with the movement of the first unit 100 or the second unit 200. Specifically, the locking portion 53 is disposed on a side of the cover 14 away from the first unit housing 1. Preferably, the locking portion 53 is provided as a protrusion, and the protrusion is configured to engage with the locked portion 62 to separate or re-contact the developing roller 11 from the photosensitive drum 21. The locked portion 62 is disposed on a side of the first end cap 300 close to the first unit housing 1. In the left-right direction, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion 62 are oppositely disposed. Specifically, the locked portion 62 includes a convex portion 621, a first blocking portion 622, and a second blocking portion 623. The convex portion 621 has a first side surface 621a, a second side surface 621b, and a right end portion / terminal portion 621c. The convex portion 621 is configured to interact with the locking portion 53 to separate or re-contact the developing roller 11 from the photosensitive drum 21. In the left-right direction, the right end portion / terminal portion 621c is located at the outermost end (rightmost end) of the convex portion 621. Along the left-right direction from left to right, the first side surface 621a and the second side surface 621b gradually approach each other. The convex portion 621 is located between the first blocking portion 622 and the second blocking portion 623. Further, a first engaging portion 624a is formed between the convex portion 621 and the first blocking portion 622, and a second engaging portion 624b is formed between the convex portion 621 and the second blocking portion 623. The first engaging portion 624a and the second engaging portion 624b are configured to receive the locking portion 53, that is, the convex portion 621 is located between the first engaging portion 624a and the second engaging portion 624b. Along the front-to-back direction, the second engaging portion 624b is located downstream of the first engaging portion 624a. In this embodiment, the locking portion 53 is disposed on the cover 14, and the locked portion 62 is disposed on the first end cap 300. Further, the locking portion 53 and the cover 14 are preferably integrally formed, and the locked portion 62 and the first end cap 300 are preferably integrally formed, without the need to separately provide the locking portion 53 or the locked portion 62, which can reduce the number of components, thereby simplifying the structure of the separating and contacting assembly and making the installation of the separating and contacting assembly simple and convenient. In some embodiments, the locking portion 53 is formed separately from the cover 14. Specifically, an opening is provided on the cover 14, and the locking portion 53 is exposed through the opening. The locked portion 62 and the first end cap 300 can also be formed separately. Specifically, an opening is provided on the first end cap 300, and the locked portion 62 is exposed through the opening.

[0289] Further, the separating contact assembly further includes a second elastic force applying member 59b, and the second elastic force applying member 59b is located between the second bracket 16 and the second end cap 400. Specifically, the second end cap 400 further includes a fifth engaging portion 400c facing the first unit housing 1. The fifth engaging portion 400c includes a receiving portion 400c1 for receiving the second elastic force applying member 59b. The receiving portion 400c1 can position the second elastic force applying member 59b to prevent the second elastic force applying member 59b from shifting. The third engaging portion 161 of the second bracket 16 is further provided with a third blocking portion 161a, and the third blocking portion 161a is used to further prevent the second elastic force applying member 59b from shifting. Further, the second elastic force applying member 59b can generate a force in the left-right direction. Preferably, the second elastic force applying member 59b is a compression spring. In some embodiments, a clamping portion 400c2 is further provided in the receiving portion 400c1, and the second elastic force applying member 59b is sleeved on the clamping portion 400c2. The clamping portion 400c2 enables the second elastic force applying member 59b to be better positioned and less likely to shift.

[0290] As Figure 40A and Figure 41A shown, when the processing cartridge C performs imaging / developing work, the developing roller 11 contacts the photosensitive drum 21, and the locking portion 53 is located in the first clamping portion 624a of the locked portion 62 (the locking portion 53 is in the imaging position in the locked portion 62), so that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are kept in contact. At this time, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 and the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum 21 is d1.

[0291] As Figure 40B and Figure 41BAs shown, when the processing cartridge C does not need to perform imaging / developing work, the locking portion 53 moves from the imaging position to the locking position along with the first unit 100. Specifically, the separation control mechanism in the imaging device moves backward, abuts against the first acting portion 51a, and applies a backward acting force F1 to the first acting portion 51a, pushing the separation contact mechanism 5 backward. As a result, the separation contact mechanism 5 pushes the cover 14 backward, thereby driving the first unit 100 to rotate relative to the second unit 200 along the direction shown by r2. Consequently, the developing roller 11 is separated from the photosensitive drum 21, and a separation gap g begins to appear between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21. As the cover 14 is continuously pushed backward, while the locking portion 53 moves backward along with the cover 14, it also gradually moves to the right along the first side surface 621a of the convex portion 621 of the locked portion 62 until the locking portion 53 reaches the rightmost end (right end / terminal end 621c) of the convex portion 621 in the left-right direction. The first unit 100 is driven by the cover 14 to move integrally to the right, causing the second elastic force applying member 59b to be compressed in the left-right direction to store elastic force. At this time, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 and the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum 21 is d2, and further, d2 > d1.

[0292] As Figure 40C and Figure 41C shown, the separation control mechanism in the imaging device further pushes the separation contact mechanism 5 backward, causing the separation contact mechanism 5 to further push the cover 14 backward. The first unit 100 continues to rotate along the direction shown by r2, causing the developing roller 11 to move further away from the photosensitive drum 21, thereby further increasing the separation gap g. As the cover 14 is further pushed backward, the locking portion 53 moves backward beyond the convex portion 621. Under the elastic force of the second elastic force applying member 59b, the locking portion 53 gradually moves to the left along the second side surface 621b of the convex portion 621 of the locked portion 62 and enters the second locking portion 624b of the locked portion 62 (the locking portion 53 is in the locking position in the locked portion 62). The first unit 100 is driven by the cover 14 to move integrally to the left, and the second blocking portion 623 of the locked portion 62 blocks the locking portion 53, causing the cover 14 to stop moving. Consequently, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 remain in a separated state, and the separation control mechanism no longer moves backward and remains stationary, which can further ensure that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 can remain in a separated state. At this time, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 and the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum 21 is d3, and further, d3 > d2 > d1.

[0293] In some embodiments, after the locking portion 53 enters the second engaging portion 624b, the second gear portion 623 of the locked portion 62 blocks the locking portion 53, causing the cover 14 to stop moving, and the separation control mechanism retracts forward and no longer abuts against the separation contact mechanism 5. At this time, the locking portion 53 is located in the second engaging portion 624b, so that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 can still be kept in a separated state.

[0294] When the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are kept in a separated state, the locking portion 53 is located in the second engaging portion 624b of the locked portion 62 (the locking portion 53 is in the locking position in the locked portion 62). Along the front-rear direction, the distance between the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 and the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum 21 is d3. When the processing cartridge C needs to perform imaging / developing work again, the locking portion 53 moves from the locking position to the imaging position along with the first unit 100. Specifically, the separation control mechanism in the imaging device moves forward, abuts against the second acting portion 51b, and applies a forward acting force (opposite to the direction of the acting force F1) to the second acting portion 51b, pushing the separation contact mechanism 5 forward, so that the separation contact mechanism 5 pushes the cover 14 forward, thereby driving the first unit 100 to rotate relative to the second unit in a direction opposite to the direction shown by r2, and further causing the developing roller 11 to start approaching the photosensitive drum 21, and the separation gap g between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 begins to decrease; as the cover 14 is continuously pushed forward, while the locking portion 53 moves forward along with the cover 14, it also gradually moves to the right along the second side surface 621b of the convex portion 621 of the locked portion 62 until the locking portion 53 reaches the rightmost end (right end / terminal end 621c) of the convex portion 621 in the left-right direction. The first unit 100 is driven by the cover to move as a whole to the right, causing the second elastic force applying member 59b to be compressed in the left-right direction to accumulate elastic force. At this time, along the front-rear direction, the distance between the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 and the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum 21 changes from d3 to d2. Further, d2 < d3.

[0295] As the separation control mechanism in the imaging device continues to push the separation contact mechanism 5 forward, causing the separation contact mechanism 5 to further push the cover 14 forward, the first unit 100 continues to rotate in the direction opposite to the direction shown by r2, causing the developing roller 11 to move closer to the photosensitive drum 21, thereby further reducing the separation gap g; as the cover 14 is further pushed forward, the locking portion 53 moves forward and crosses the convex portion 621 again. Under the elastic force of the second elastic force applying member 59b, the locking portion 53 gradually moves leftward along the first side surface 621a of the convex portion 621 of the locked portion 62 and enters the first engaging portion 624a of the locked portion 62 (the locking portion 53 is in the imaging position in the locked portion 62). The first unit 100 is driven by the cover and moves leftward as a whole. The first blocking portion 622 of the locked portion 62 blocks the locking portion 53, the cover 14 stops moving, the developing roller 11 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 again, and the separation control mechanism no longer moves forward; at this time, along the front-rear direction, the distance between the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 and the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum 21 changes from d2 to d1. Further, d1 < d2 < d3.

[0296] In some embodiments, the separation contact mechanism 5 may also be provided on the first end cap 300 or the first unit housing 1.

[0297] In some embodiments, the locking portion 53 may also be provided on the first unit housing 1 or the third bracket 17. At this time, a connecting mechanism may be provided in the first driving force receiving member 3, or the third exposed hole 143 of the cover 14 may be set to be oval to achieve that when the first unit housing 1 or the third bracket 17 moves, the first driving force receiving member 3 remains stationary.

[0298] Further, the positions of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion 62 may be interchanged, that is, the locked portion 62 is provided on the cover 14 or the third bracket 17 or the first unit housing 1, and the locking portion 53 is provided on the first end cap 300.

[0299] Further, the positions of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion 62 may be interchanged with the position of the second elastic force applying member 59b at the same time, that is, the second elastic force applying member 59b is provided at the driving end C1, and the locking portion 53 and the locked portion 62 are provided at the non-driving end C2.

[0300] In some embodiments, the locking portion 53 may also be provided on the second unit 200. At this time, the first unit 100 remains stationary, and the second unit 200 rotates relative to the first unit 100.

[0301] In some embodiments, bearing members and / or independently provided brackets and other components are further provided at the ends of the processing cartridge C in the left-right direction. The bearing members and / or independently provided brackets can be used to support at least one of the developing roller 11, the photosensitive drum 21, the separation contact mechanism 5, and the driving force transmission assembly. The locking portion 53 or the locked portion 62 can also be provided on one of the bearing members and the independently provided brackets.

[0302] [Embodiment Twenty]

[0303] Different from Embodiment Nineteen, in this embodiment, the separation contact assembly is provided at the non-driving end C2, specifically as follows.

[0304] As Figure 42A 、 Figure 42B and Figure 43 shown, further, the separation contact mechanism 5 is mounted on the second bracket 16. One end of the first elastic force applying member 59a is coupled to the second bracket 16, and the other end is coupled to the separation contact mechanism 5.

[0305] Further, the locking portion 53 is used to interact with the locked portion 62 to separate or bring the developing roller 11 into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 again. During the separation process or the re-contact process, the locking portion 53 is immovable relative to the first unit 100 or the second unit 200, that is, the locking portion 53 moves with the movement of the first unit or the second unit.

[0306] In this embodiment, the locking portion 53 is provided on the first unit 100. Specifically, the locking portion 53 is provided on the side of the second bracket 16 away from the first unit housing 1. Preferably, the locking portion 53 is provided as a protrusion, and the protrusion is used to engage with the locked portion 62 so that the developing roller 11 is separated from or comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 again; the locked portion 62 is provided on the second unit 200. Specifically, the locked portion 62 is provided on the side of the second end cap 400 close to the first unit housing 1. In the left-right direction, the locking portion 53 and the locked portion 62 are oppositely arranged. Further, the locked portion 62 includes a convex portion 621, a first clamping portion 624a, and a second clamping portion 624b. The convex portion 621 is used to interact with the locking portion 53 to separate or bring the developing roller 11 into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 again. The convex portion 621 has a first side surface 621a, a second side surface 621b, and a left end portion 621c. The first side surface 621a faces the first clamping portion 624a, and the second side surface 621b faces the second clamping portion 624b. In the left-right direction, the left end portion 621c is located at the farthest end (leftmost end) of the convex portion 621. The first clamping portion 624a and the second clamping portion 624b are provided to be recessed from the side of the second end cap 400 close to the first unit housing 1 (left side) in the direction away from the first unit housing 1 (right side). Thus, the convex portion 621 is formed between the first clamping portion 624a and the second clamping portion 624b. The first clamping portion 624a and the second clamping portion 624b are used to accommodate the locking portion 53. Along the up-down direction / rotation direction of the first unit 100, the second clamping portion 624b is located downstream of the first clamping portion 624a. In this embodiment, the locking portion 53 is provided on the second bracket 16, and the locked portion 62 is provided on the second end cap 400. Further, the locking portion 53 and the second bracket 16 are preferably integrally formed, and the locked portion 62 and the second end cap 400 are preferably integrally formed, without the need to separately provide the locking portion 53 or the locked portion 62, which can reduce the number of components, thereby simplifying the structure of the separation and contact assembly and making the installation of the separation and contact assembly simple and convenient. In some embodiments, the locking portion 53 and the second bracket 16 are separately formed. Specifically, an opening is provided on the second bracket 16, and the locking portion 53 is exposed through the opening. The locked portion 62 and the second end cap 400 can also be separately formed. Specifically, an opening is provided on the second end cap 400, and the locked portion 62 is exposed through the opening.

[0307] Figure 44A - Figure 44C It shows the separation process of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 when viewed from right to left in the left-right direction.

[0308] As Figure 44AAs shown, when the processing cartridge C performs imaging / developing operations, the developing roller 11 contacts the photosensitive drum 21, the first driving force receiving member 3 is in an engaged state with the driving force output member 185 of the imaging device, and the locking portion 53 is located in the first engaging portion 624a of the locked portion 62 (the locking portion 53 is in the imaging position in the locked portion 62), so that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are kept in contact. At this time, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 and the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum 21 is d1.

[0309] As Figure 44B shown, when the processing cartridge C does not need to perform imaging / developing operations, the locking portion 53 moves from the imaging position to the locking position along with the first unit 100. Specifically, the separation control mechanism in the imaging device moves backward, abuts against the first acting portion 51a, and applies a backward acting force F1 to the first acting portion 51a, pushing the separation contact mechanism 5 backward, so that the separation contact mechanism 5 pushes the second bracket 16 backward, thereby driving the first unit 100 to rotate relative to the second unit 200 along the direction shown by r2, and further separating the developing roller 11 from the photosensitive drum 21; since the driving force output member 185 of the imaging device has a play when abutting against the elastic member 185a and can expand and contract in the left-right direction, the locking portion 53 can move leftward along the first side surface 621a of the convex portion 621 while moving in the up-down direction along with the second bracket 16, so as to move from the first engaging portion 624a to the farthest end (the leftmost end 621c) of the convex portion 621. The first unit 100 is driven by the second bracket 16 to move leftward as a whole, thereby forcing the driving force output member 185 to move leftward, and the elastic member 185a undergoes elastic deformation. At this time, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 and the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum 21 is d2. Further, d2 > d1.

[0310] As Figure 44CAs shown, the separation control mechanism in the imaging device further pushes the separation contact mechanism 5 backward, so that the separation contact mechanism 5 further pushes the second bracket 16 backward, and the first unit 100 continues to rotate along the direction shown by r2, so that the developing roller 11 further moves away from the photosensitive drum 21, thereby creating a gap g between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21; as the second bracket 16 is further pushed backward, the locking portion 53 moves downward past the convex portion 621, and the elastic member 185a provided in the imaging device releases its elastic force and pushes the driving force output member 185 to the right, so that the first unit 100 moves to the right, thereby causing the locking portion 53 to move to the right along the second side surface 621b of the convex portion 621 and enter the second locking portion 624b of the locked portion 62 (the locking portion 53 is in the locked position in the locked portion 62), and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 can be kept in a separated state. At this time, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the rotation axis L11 of the developing roller 11 and the rotation axis L21 of the photosensitive drum 21 is d3. Further, d3 > d2 > d1.

[0311] In some embodiments, the separation contact mechanism 5 may also be provided on the second end cap 400 or the first unit housing 1.

[0312] In some embodiments, the locking portion 53 may also be provided on the first unit housing 1.

[0313] Further, the positions of the locking portion 53 and the locked portion 62 may be interchanged, that is, the locked portion 62 is provided on the second bracket 16 or the first unit housing 1, and the locking portion 53 is provided on the second end cap 400.

[0314] In some embodiments, the locking portion 53 may also be provided on the second unit 200. At this time, the first unit 100 remains stationary, and the second unit 200 rotates relative to the first unit 100.

[0315] In some embodiments, bearing members and / or independently provided brackets and other components are further provided at the ends of the processing cartridge C in the left-right direction. The bearing members and / or independently provided brackets can be used to support at least one of the developing roller 11, the photosensitive drum 21, the separation contact mechanism 5, and the driving force transmission assembly. The locking portion 53 or the locked portion 62 may also be provided on one of the bearing members and the independently provided brackets.

[0316] [Example Twenty-One]

[0317] In this embodiment, the structure of the second driving force receiving member 4 is further optimized. Components and structures identical to those in the above embodiment will continue to be used in this embodiment and will have the same numbers. Compared with the above embodiment, the structure of the pressing portion 48 is emphasized in this embodiment. Therefore, in the second driving force receiving member 4 described in the above embodiment, structures other than the pressing portion are applicable to this embodiment. Further, hereinafter, the second driving force receiving member 4 without the auxiliary member 4y will be taken as an example for illustration.

[0318] As Figure 45 shown, the second driving force receiving member 4 includes a separately provided driving body 4t and a pressing portion 48. Among them, the driving body 4t is used to be combined with the force output member 203 to receive the driving force. The second rotating member 21 receives the driving force from the driving body 4t and rotates. When the second driving force receiving member 4 is fixedly installed at a longitudinal end of the rotating member, the second driving force receiving member 4 / driving body 4t also has a rotation axis L21. The pressing portion 48 is used to force the braking portion 203a in the force output member 203 to retract (the braking portion is in the second position), that is, the braking portion 203a moves in a direction close to the braking member 206, so that the braking portion 203a is shielded. Therefore, after the force output member 203 and the second driving force receiving member 4 are combined, the second driving force receiving member 4 is driven by the driving portion 180h. During the rotation of the photosensitive drum 21 driven by the second driving force receiving member 4, no braking force is applied to the photosensitive drum 21.

[0319] The driving body 4t includes the above-mentioned connecting portion 41, chassis 42, base 43, and coupling portion 44. As described above, the connecting portion 41, chassis 42, and base 43 can be regarded as part of the combined portion 4z. The main body portion 4x includes the base 43 and the coupling portion 44. In an achievable structure, the connecting portion 41 and the chassis 42 can also be omitted. The base 43 is directly connected to the rotating member, and the driving force received by the coupling portion 44 is directly transmitted to the rotating member through the base 43. At this time, the driving body 4t is the main body portion 4x.

[0320] The coupling portion 44 in this embodiment includes a mating portion (such as the above-mentioned central column) 45 and a driving force receiving portion 46 located radially outside the mating portion 45. The mating portion 45 is used to cooperate with the positioning post 180i in the force output member 203. Therefore, the mating portion 45 can be the above-mentioned central column that allows the positioning post 180i to enter, or can be an elastic member (such as sponge, spring, rubber, etc.) that abuts against the positioning post 180i and undergoes elastic deformation. The driving force receiving portion 46 includes a base portion 461 and a convex block 462. Along the radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L21 of the second driving force receiving member 4, the mating portion 45, the base portion 461, and the convex block 462 are successively away from the rotation axis L21. The convex block 462 can be connected to at least one of the base portion 461 and the base 43. As Figure 46A andFigure 46B As shown, the bump 462 is connected to the base 461. Along the rotation axis L21, the bump 462 is not connected to the base 43 and the two are spaced apart from each other. Along the radial direction, both between the engaging portion 45 and the base 461 and between the base 461 and the bump 462 can be connected to each other or spaced apart from each other. However, regardless of whether the components are connected to each other, the engaging portion 45, the base 461, and the bump 462 are all formed by extending from the base 43 along the rotation axis L21.

[0321] As shown in the figure, in some embodiments, the base 461 is connected to the central column 45 and is provided with a guiding surface 463 in a spiral or inclined shape. The bump 462 is located radially outside the base 461 and is provided with a first surface 464 and a second surface 465. Along the rotation direction r, the first surface 464 and the second surface 465 are respectively located on both sides of the bump 462. Among them, the first surface 464 serves as a driving surface for receiving the driving force output by the driving portion 180h, and the second surface 465 serves as a transmission surface for transmitting the driving force from the driving portion 180h to the pressing portion 48, thereby driving the pressing portion 48 and the driving body 4t / driving force receiving portion 46 to rotate together around the rotation axis L21. That is to say, during the process of the force output member 203 transmitting the driving force to the second driving force receiving member 4, the pressing portion 48 can rotate together with the driving body 4t / driving force receiving portion 46.

[0322] In some embodiments, as Figure 46A shown, the second driving force receiving member 4 further includes a flange portion / anti-disengagement portion 47 provided on the driving body 4t. The flange portion 47 is connected to the central column 45 and is located radially outside the central column 45. Along the rotation direction r, at least two flange portions 47 are spaced apart, and each flange portion 47 is also connected to the base 461. In this way, the structure of the engaging portion 44 can be simplified, and the above-mentioned guiding groove 472 is formed between two adjacent flange portions 47, and the positioning guiding surface 471 will become a part of the guiding surface 463.

[0323] As Figure 46B shown, when observing along the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L21, at least a part of the bump 462 coincides with the guiding groove 472 to ensure that the driving portion 180h and the braking portion 203a can be effectively separated along the rotation direction r to prevent the driving portion 180h and the braking portion 203a from retracting together; preferably, along the rotation direction r, the bump 462 / the first surface 464 is arranged near the downstream end of the guiding surface 463.

[0324] The abnormal noise may be that along the rotation axis M1, the protrusion 204e of the first braking engagement member 204 does not completely disengage from the protrusion 207e of the braking transmission member 207. At this time, along the rotation direction r, the protrusion 204e and the protrusion 207e may collide with each other to generate abnormal noise.

[0325] In some embodiments, the joint portion 44 further includes a terminal protruding portion 467 connected to the bump 462. Along the rotation axis L21, the terminal protruding portion 467 extends from the bump 462 in a direction away from the connecting portion 41 / chassis 42 / base 43. The terminal protruding portion 467 can also function as the above-mentioned separating member 4y2. During the process of the second driving force receiving member 4 being combined with the force output member 203, the terminal protruding portion 467 first enters the third space K3 to complete the separation of the driving portion 180h and the braking portion 203a.

[0326] In addition, the terminal protruding portion 467 can also function to extend the bump 462 and make the first surface / driving surface 464 larger.

[0327] Preferably, the terminal protruding portion 467 is arranged such that in the direction from the base 43 to the joint portion 44, along a direction intersecting the rotation axis L21, the size of the terminal protruding portion 467 gradually decreases, making it easier for the terminal protruding portion 467 to enter the third space K3; more preferably, along the rotation direction r, in the surface of the terminal protruding portion 467 located in the downstream part of the first surface 464, at least a part of the surface is arranged as a curved surface or a helical surface or an inclined surface. In such an arrangement, even if the braking portion 203a abuts against the terminal protruding portion 467, the braking portion 203a can slide on the terminal protruding portion 467 faster and more smoothly.

[0328] In some embodiments, the base portion 461 extends around the outer circumferential surface of the central column 45 for one week, that is, the central column 45 is surrounded by the base portion 461. At this time, the base portion 461 is further formed with an abutting surface 466. Along the rotation direction r, the abutting surface 466 is connected to the guiding surface 463. In this way, after the braking portion 203a is guided by the guiding surface 463, it can be directly abutted by the abutting surface 466.

[0329] Continue as Figure 45 As shown, the pressing portion 48 is provided in the form of a component independent of the driving body 4t. In this way, the structure of the driving body 4t can be simplified and its design freedom can be improved; preferably, the pressing portion 48 is arranged to be movable relative to the driving body 4t / rotating member / processing cartridge housing. Before the second driving force receiving member 4 is combined with the force output member 203, the pressing portion 48 can move freely relative to the driving body 4t / driving force receiving portion 46 / rotating member / processing cartridge housing.

[0330] In this embodiment, the pressing portion 48 is supported by the support member 308 in a rotatable manner relative to the driving body 4t / driving force receiving portion 46 / rotating member / processing cartridge housing. The support member 308 can be an independent component. At this time, the support member 308 can be directly or indirectly mounted on any one of the processing cartridge housing, the cover 14, and the gear mounting plate 15. The support member 308 can also be integrally formed with any one of the processing cartridge housing, the cover 14, and the gear mounting plate 15.

[0331] In some embodiments, the support member 308 is a groove provided on the end cap 300. The pressing portion 48 is installed in the support member 308. At the same time, the end cap 300 is also provided with a limiting portion 309 for preventing the pressing portion 48 from coming out. The support member 308 and the limiting portion 309 are both arranged along the circumference of the first exposure hole 302. It is feasible that the support member 308 does not have to be arranged as a groove, but only for supporting the pressing portion 48, as long as the pressing portion 48 can be restricted by the limiting portion 309.

[0332] Based on this utility model concept, the pressing portion 48 can also be installed on a component other than the driving body 4t. Before the second driving force receiving member 4 is combined with the force output member 203, there is no mutual restraint relationship between the pressing portion 48 and the driving body 4t, that is, no force acts between the two, or rather, the pressing portion 48 is arranged independently of the driving body 4t, as long as the pressing portion 48 can force the braking portion 203a to retract.

[0333] In this embodiment, the pressing portion 48 includes a mounting body 48a and at least one extending body 48b. The mounting body 48a is arranged as an annular body having a penetrating portion 48c. The penetrating portion 48c allows the driving body 4z to pass through. The extending body 48b extends from the mounting body 48a and has a pressing surface 481 for pressing the braking portion 203a. When multiple extending bodies 48b are provided, along the rotation direction r, the multiple extending bodies 48b are arranged at intervals, and an interval space 48d is formed between adjacent two extending bodies 48b. The interval space 48d is used to allow the bump 462 and the driving portion 180h to enter.

[0334] As Figure 47As shown, a limiting space 482 is formed between the flange portion 47 and the pressing surface 481. In some embodiments, along the rotation axis L21, the pressing surface 481 is closer to the free end 451 of the central column 45 than the abutting surface 466. During the combination of the second driving force receiving member 4 and the force output member 203, the braking portion 203a is guided by the guiding surface 463 / positioning guiding surface 471 and moves along the guiding groove 472 from the guiding surface 463 towards the abutting surface 466. Specifically, the second braking engagement member 208 (the second braking end surface 208y) is guided by the guiding surface 463 and abuts against the abutting surface 466. During the movement of the braking portion 203a, if the first braking engagement member 204 (the first braking end surface 204y) abuts against the end protrusion 467, along with the movement of the braking portion 203a, the first braking engagement member 204 (the first braking end surface 204y) can also smoothly reach the position where it abuts against the pressing surface 481. Therefore, the braking portion 203a retracts and is shielded.

[0335] Continue as Figure 47 As shown, when the second driving force receiving member 4 and the force output member 203 are combined, along the rotation direction r, the driving portion 180h and the braking portion 203a are separated from each other, the braking portion 203a enters the limiting space 482, the second braking engagement member 208 is combined with the flange portion 47, and the convex block 462 enters the space (the third space K3) between the driving portion 180h and the braking portion 203a. At the same time, the convex block 462 and the driving portion 180h enter the spaced space 48d simultaneously. The driving portion 180h / driving force output surface 180d faces the first surface 464, and the second surface 465 faces the extension body 48b. As the force output member 203 rotates, the driving portion 180h / driving force output surface 180d abuts against the first surface 464, the convex block 462 receives the driving force, and the driving body 4t starts to rotate around the rotation axis L21 in the direction shown by r. At the same time, the convex block 462 also transmits the driving force to the extension body 48b through the second surface 465. Furthermore, the pressing portion 48 also rotates around the rotation axis L21 in the direction shown by r.

[0336] It should be understood that the "opposite" can mean that the driving portion 180h / driving force output surface 180d and the first surface 464 can be in a state of being in contact with each other, or it can mean that the driving portion 180h / driving force output surface 180d and the first surface 464 are in a state of being spaced apart from each other. Similarly, the second surface 465 and the extension body 48b can also be in a state of being in contact with each other or in a state of being spaced apart from each other.

[0337] In this embodiment, the abutting surface 466 and the pressing surface 481 are not flush with each other, considering that the first braking end surface 204y and the second braking end surface 208y are not flush with each other. However, according to the inventive concept of the present utility model, when at least any one of the first braking end surface 204y and the second braking end surface 208y is abutted, the braking portion 203a can be retracted. Therefore, the abutting surface 466 and the pressing surface 481 can also be set to be flush with each other, or in other words, setting at least one of the abutting surface 466 and the pressing surface 481 can also achieve the purpose of forcing the braking portion 203a to retract. Correspondingly, when the pressing surface 481 does not need to be provided, the pressing portion 48 can also be omitted. When the abutting surface 466 does not need to be provided, the portion of the base 461 for forming the abutting surface 466 can also be cut off. In this way, the material consumption of the joint portion 44 can be reduced.

[0338] In some embodiments, the pressing portion 48 can also be arranged to swing or slide relative to the driving body 4t / the driving force receiving portion 46 / the rotating member / the processing cartridge housing.

[0339] In some embodiments, the pressing portion 48 can also be arranged to be immovable relative to the driving body 4t / the driving force receiving portion 46 / the rotating member / the processing cartridge housing, that is, the pressing portion 48 is fixedly arranged on any one of the end cap 300, the processing cartridge housing 2, the protective cover 14 and the gear mounting plate 15, as long as the pressing portion 48 can force the braking portion 203a to retract. At this time, the pressing portion 48 can be integrally formed with any one of the end cap 300, the processing cartridge housing 2, the protective cover 14 and the gear mounting plate 15. In this deformation mode, preferably, the extension body 48b will be arranged in a circle along the rotation direction r. When the force output member 203 is combined with the second driving force receiving member 4, the convex block 462 will no longer be opposite to the extension body 48b. At this time, in the radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L21, the convex block 462 will be located outside the extension body 48b, and the first braking engagement member 204 will no longer abut against the extension body 48b, but the second braking engagement member 208 will abut against the extension body 48b. Specifically, the first braking end surface 204y will no longer be pressed by the pressing surface 481, but the second braking end surface 208y will be pressed by the pressing surface 481.

[0340] [Embodiment Twenty-Two]

[0341] As Figure 48 shown, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment Twenty-One is that the second driving force receiving member 4 in this embodiment further includes a second pushing member 4s in contact with the pressing portion 48. The second pushing member 4s is used to apply a pushing force away from the rotating member to the pressing portion 48 to ensure that the pressing portion 48 can effectively press the braking portion 203a so that the braking portion 203a remains in the retracted state. It can be seen that in this embodiment, the pressing portion 48 can not only rotate but also move axially along the rotation axis L21.

[0342] In some embodiments, the driving body 4t may be arranged to axially move along the rotation axis L21.

[0343] It is feasible that the second pushing member 4s is arranged as an elastic member located between the pressing portion 48 and the support member 308. For example, the elastic member is a compression spring, a tension spring, rubber, sponge, etc.

[0344] [Embodiment Twenty-Three]

[0345] In this embodiment, on the basis of Embodiment Twenty, the structure of the processing cartridge C is further optimized.

[0346] As described above, when the processing cartridge C does not develop / image, the separation control mechanism 93 in the imaging device applies a separation force to the separation contact mechanism 5, forcing the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 to change from being close to each other to being separated from each other. At this time, the locking portion 53 enters the second locking portion 624b, and through the abutment of the locking portion 53 with the second side surface 621b, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are kept in the separated state. When the processing cartridge C needs to develop / image again, the separation control mechanism 93 in the imaging device applies a restoring force to the separation contact mechanism 5, forcing the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 to change from being separated from each other to being close to each other, and the locking portion 53 crosses the convex portion 621 and enters the first locking portion 624a from the second locking portion 624b.

[0347] According to the program of the imaging device, when the processing cartridge C needs to develop / image again, the driving force output member 183 starts to drive the first driving force receiving member 3 to rotate. Immediately afterwards, the separation control mechanism 93 applies a restoring force to the separation contact mechanism 5, so that the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 approach each other (come into contact with each other), which can avoid the contact between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the non-rotating state and form imaging defects.

[0348] However, when the driving force output member 183 starts to drive the first driving force receiving member 3 to rotate, especially at the moment when the driving force output member 183 starts, the instantaneous driving force may cause the locking portion 53 to cross the convex portion 621, resulting in the premature contact between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 in the state where the developing roller 11 has not been driven yet, and finally generating imaging defects.

[0349] Therefore, as Figure 49As shown, in the locked part 62 provided in this embodiment, the inclination angle of the locking part 53 locked on the second side surface 621b of the second clamping part 624b is greater than the inclination angle of the first side surface 621a. For example, taking the plane parallel to the up-down direction and passing through the right end 621c as the reference plane, the inclination angle of the second side surface 621b relative to this reference plane is greater than the inclination angle of the first side surface 621a relative to this reference plane, so that it is more difficult for the locking part 53 to cross over the convex part 621c along the second side surface 621b.

[0350] Furthermore, it is also possible to prevent the locking part 53 from crossing over the convex part 621c when the driving force output member 185 drives the first driving force receiving member 3 to rotate by increasing the frictional resistance between the second side surface 621b and the locking part 53. For example, one of sponge, rubber, sandpaper, etc. that can increase the friction is provided on at least one of the second side surface 621b and the locking part 53, or at least one of the surfaces of the second side surface 621b and the locking part 53 is directly set as a rough surface.

[0351] Through the above settings, the maximum abutting force between the locking part 53 and the second side surface 621b is greater than the driving force / torsion force applied by the driving force output member 185 to the first driving force receiving member 3 / processing cartridge C. In this way, when the driving force output member 185 drives the first driving force receiving member 3 to rotate, the locking part 53 will not cross over the convex part 621c until the separation control mechanism 9 applies a restoring force to the separation contact mechanism 5, and then the locking part 53 will cross over the convex part 621c, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 will approach each other.

[0352] [Embodiment Twenty-Four]

[0353] Based on the second driving force receiving member 4 described in the above embodiment, in this embodiment, the structure of the second driving force receiving member 4 is further optimized.

[0354] As Figure 50 shown, along the rotation axis L21, the driving surface 464 is not lower than the flange part 47. For example, the driving surface 464 extends beyond the flange part 47, that is, the end of the convex block 462 is farther from the connecting part 41 than the flange part 47. In this way, the area of the driving surface 464 that can be used to receive the driving force becomes larger, which is more conducive to the driving surface 464 stably receiving the driving force output by the force output member 203.

[0355] In some embodiments, the driving surface 464 can also extend flush with the flange part 47. Specifically, the end of the driving surface 464 is flush with the end (flange end) of the flange part 47 that is farthest from the connecting part 41.

[0356] Continuing as Figure 50As shown, along the rotation axis L21, there is a first gap between the end of the flange portion 471 (flange end) and the pressing surface 481 to allow at least a part of the braking portion 203a to enter.

[0357] As described above, the joint portion 44 may also be provided with an end protruding portion 467 connected to the bump 462. The end protruding portion 467 may also function to separate the driving portion 180h and the braking portion 203a. Preferably, the end protruding portion 467 and the bump 462 are integrally formed. Therefore, the end protruding portion 467 may also be regarded as a part of the bump 462. At this time, the end protruding portion 467 is located at the end of the bump 462.

[0358] [Embodiment Twenty-five]

[0359] Different from Embodiment Twenty-four, in this embodiment, along the rotation axis L21, the end of the bump 462 is still not lower than the flange portion 47.

[0360] As Figure 51 shown, along the rotation axis L21, there is a second gap between the flange end and the pressing surface 481. The first gap is larger than the second gap. That is to say, compared with the second driving force receiving member in Embodiment Twenty-four, in the second driving force receiving member of this embodiment, along the rotation axis L21, the flange portion 47 is arranged closer to the connecting portion 41, which can make the braking portion 203a more stably located between the flange portion 47 and the pressing surface 481.

[0361] Although the driving surface 464 is still not lower than the flange portion 47, generally, the area of the driving surface 464 can be appropriately reduced. On the premise of ensuring that the driving surface 464 stably receives the driving force, the material used for the bump 462 can be reduced.

[0362] [Embodiment Twenty-six]

[0363] As Figure 52 shown, as described above, the flange portion 47 also functions to guide the braking portion 203a toward the guiding surface 463. During the combination of the second driving force receiving member 4 and the force output member 203, if the braking portion 203a abuts against the flange end of the flange portion 47, as the force output member 203 rotates, when the braking portion 203a rotates to the guiding groove 472 formed between the two flange portions 47, the braking portion 203a is no longer pressed by the flange portion 47, but is guided along the guiding surface 463 to between the flange portion 47 and the pressing surface 481.

[0364] In this embodiment, the flange portion 47 is cancelled. During the combination of the second driving force receiving member 4 and the force output member 203, the braking portion 203a will be directly guided by the guiding surface 463. This design can simplify the structure of the joint portion 44 / second driving force receiving member 4.

[0365] [Embodiment Twenty-Seven]

[0366] Contrary to Embodiment Twenty-Six, in this embodiment, the guiding surface 463 is no longer provided on the joint portion 44 / the second driving force receiving member 4, but the flange portion 47 is retained. As Figure 53 shown, the two flange portions 47 are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the second driving force receiving member 4, and two guiding grooves 472 are formed between the two flange portions 47.

[0367] When observed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L21, the bump 462 faces the guiding groove 472. When the braking portion 203a enters the guiding groove 472 from being supported by the flange portion 47, the braking portion 203a can interfere with the bump 462 and be squeezed by the bump 462 to enter between the flange portion 47 and the pressing surface 481.

[0368] As Figure 54 shown, along the rotation axis L21, the bump 462 in this embodiment does not have to be set higher than the flange portion 47.

[0369] [Embodiment Twenty-Eight]

[0370] As Figure 55 shown, in this embodiment, the flange portion 47 and the base portion 461 for forming the guiding surface 463 are integrally provided. Thus, the flange end of the flange portion 47 will be connected to the guiding surface 463. In this way, after the braking portion 203a slides on the flange portion 47 (flange end), it can directly enter the guiding surface 463, making the combination process of the second driving force receiving member 4 and the force output member 203 smoother.

[0371] Preferably, along the radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L21, the radially outer end of the flange portion 47 is flush with the radially outer end of the guiding surface 463, which can increase the area of the flange end. Thus, the braking portion 203a can slide more stably at the flange end.

[0372] As Figure 56 shown, along the rotation axis L21, the bump 462 in this embodiment does not have to be set higher than the flange portion 47.

[0373] [Embodiment Twenty-Nine]

[0374] Different from the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the base portion 461 is provided on the pressing portion 48. As Figure 57 and Figure 58 shown, the pressing portion 48 further includes a guiding body 48e connected to the mounting body 48a or the extension body 48b, and the guiding surface 463 is provided on the guiding body 48e. Thus, the guiding body 48e can also be regarded as the base portion 461.

[0375] When the driving body 4t and the pressing portion 48 are combined, in the radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L21, the bump 462 provided with the driving surface 464 is still farther from the rotation axis L21 than the base portion 461, and the driving surface 464 is farther from the rotation axis L21 than the guiding surface 463. The guiding surface 463 still serves to guide the braking portion 203a between the flange portion 47 and the pressing surface 481.

[0376] As Figure 59 shown, along the rotation axis L21, the bump 462 in this embodiment does not have to be provided beyond the flange portion 47.

[0377] [Embodiment Thirty]

[0378] Based on the above embodiments, in this embodiment, the structure of the driving force receiving member is further optimized. In this embodiment, the driving body 4t and the pressing portion 48 are still formed separately. As described above, the pressing portion 48 is rotatably supported by the support member 308, and the pressing portion 48 is used to force the braking portion 203a to retract (the braking portion is in the second position).

[0379] As Figure 60A and Figure 61 shown, the coupling portion 44 includes a mating portion 45 and a driving force receiving portion 46 located radially outside the mating portion. The mating portion 45 is used to cooperate with the positioning post 180i. The driving force receiving portion 46 includes a base portion 461 and a bump 462. In the radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L21, the mating portion 45, the base portion 461, and the bump 462 are sequentially farther from the rotation axis L21. The bump 462 has at least a driving surface 464 for receiving the driving force.

[0380] In some embodiments, the bump 462 further has a guiding surface 463 for guiding the force output member 203. Through this guiding surface 463, the bump 462 can enter the third space K3 more smoothly.

[0381] Furthermore, the driving force receiving portion 46 further includes the above-mentioned flange portion 47. Along the rotation direction r of the driving force receiving member 4, a plurality of flange portions 47 are arranged at intervals, and a guiding groove 472 is formed between two adjacent flange portions 47. Along the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis L21, at least a part of the guiding groove 472 faces the bump 462. As Figure 60B shown, along the rotation direction r, the flange portion 47 has a circumferential end surface 473, and the circumferential end surface 473 is located upstream of the driving surface 464 and is spaced from each other to ensure that the braking portion 203a can smoothly enter the guiding groove 472. As Figure 60C shown, along the rotation axis L21, the driving surface 464 is flush with the flange portion 47. Specifically, the end of the driving surface 464 is flush with the end (flange end) of the flange portion 47 that is farthest from the connecting portion 41.

[0382] In some embodiments, along the rotation axis L21, the end of the base 461 is lower than the end of the bump 462. In other words, the end of the base 461 farthest from the connecting portion 41 does not exceed the end of the bump 462 farthest from the connecting portion 41. Therefore, a clearance space 468 will be formed between the end of the base 461 farthest from the connecting portion 41 and the end of the bump 462 farthest from the connecting portion 41, which can prevent the base 461 from contacting the braking portion 203a, thereby preventing the combination of the driving force receiving member 4 and the force output member 203.

[0383] The structure of the pressing portion 48 is the same as that described in the twenty-first embodiment, and will not be repeated here. However, along the rotation axis L21, the pressing surface 481 is not lower than the end of the base 461 farthest from the connecting portion 41 to further prevent the base 461 from interfering with the combination of the driving force receiving member 4 and the force output member 203.

[0384] As Figure 62A shown, during the combination of the driving force receiving member 4 and the force output member 203, the bump 462 may contact the driving portion 180h. At this time, the bump 462 cannot enter the third space K3, and the driving force receiving member 4 cannot receive the force output by the force output member 203. As the force output member 203 rotates in the direction shown by r, as Figure 62B shown, along the rotation axis L21, the driving portion 180h and the bump 462 are no longer in contact with each other, and the braking portion 203 contacts the flange portion 47. Specifically, the second braking end surface 208y contacts the flange portion 47.

[0385] As the force output member 203 continues to rotate in the direction shown by r, the braking portion 203 is guided by the flange portion 47 and gradually approaches the guide groove 472. As Figure 62C shown, along the rotation axis L21, when the braking portion 203 is opposite to the guide groove 472, under the elastic force of the second spring 211, the braking portion 203 enters the clearance space 468. At the same time, the braking portion 203 (specifically, the first braking engagement member 204) moves toward the pressing surface 481 under the guiding action of the guiding surface 463. Along the rotation direction r, or in other words, along the circumferential direction of the driving force receiving member 4, the driving portion 180h and the braking portion 203 are gradually separated, and the bump 462 enters the third space K3.

[0386] As Figure 62DAs shown, along the rotation axis L21, the braking part 203 (specifically, the first braking end face 204y) abuts against the pressing surface 481 and retracts to the second position. Along the rotation direction r, the driving force output surface 180d faces the driving surface 464. At this time, the driving force output surface 180d and the driving surface 464 can either abut against each other or be spaced apart from each other. The driving force receiving member 4 and the force output member 203 are combined. As the force output member 203 continues to rotate in the direction shown by r, the driving force output by the driving part 180h is transmitted to the driving surface 464 through the driving force output surface 180d.

[0387] [Example Thirty - One]

[0388] As Figure 63 shown, the present utility model further provides a protection member 33 detachably combined with the processing cartridge 100. The protection member is at least used to protect the photosensitive drum 21 and prevent the photosensitive drum 21 from being damaged before the processing cartridge 100 is used.

[0389] The protection member 33 includes a protection main body 34, a left protection plate 35 and a right protection plate 36 connected to the protection main body 34. The left protection plate 35 is located on the left side of the protection main body 34 and is used to protect at least part of the components of the driving end C1 on the left side of the processing cartridge C. The right protection plate 36 is located on the right side of the protection main body 34 and is used to protect at least part of the components of the non - driving end C2 on the right side of the processing cartridge 100. It can be realized that the protection member 33 and the processing cartridge 100 can be combined by at least one of the ways such as snap - fitting, abutting, magnetic connection, etc.

[0390] In this embodiment, the protection member 33 further includes a separating member 38. As the protection member 33 is combined with the processing cartridge C, the separating member 38 enters between the charging member 24 and the photosensitive drum 21. Thus, at least part of the charging member 24 and at least part of the photosensitive drum 21 are no longer in contact with each other but are separated from each other until the protection member 33 is removed from the processing cartridge C. The setting of the separating member 38 enables the processing cartridge C not to worry about the long - term contact between the charging member 24 and the photosensitive drum 21, resulting in damage or contamination of the two before use.

[0391] In some embodiments, the separating member 38 is formed in a protruding shape, and the separating member 38 can extend from at least one of the protection main body 34, the left protection plate 35, and the right protection plate 36.

[0392] The number of the separating members 38 need not be limited as long as the charging member 24 and the photosensitive drum 21 can be separated from each other. For example, when the separating member 38 is provided as one, when the protective member 33 is installed on the processing cartridge C, the distance between the charging member 24 and the photosensitive drum 21 gradually increases or decreases in the left - right direction. Or, in the case where the separating member 38 is provided as only one, by increasing the size of the separating member 38 in the direction intersecting the left - right direction, when the single separating member 38 enters between the charging member 24 and the photosensitive drum 21, the charging member 24 and the photosensitive drum 21 can also be sufficiently separated from each other. Another example is that the separating members 38 are provided as two spaced apart in the left - right direction. In this way, both ends of the charging member 24 will be sufficiently separated from the photosensitive drum 21.

[0393] Since the separating member 38 is provided as a part of the protective member 33, when the protective member 33 is installed on the processing cartridge C to form a processing cartridge kit, the separating member 38 can also force the charging member 24 and the photosensitive drum 21 to be separated from each other simultaneously. This is beneficial to reducing the number of components of the processing cartridge kit and reducing the assembly steps of the processing cartridge kit.

[0394] Continue as Figure 63 As shown, the first unit housing 1 includes a bottom case 1s and a top cover 1t, and a cavity for accommodating the developer is formed between them. In one embodiment, the bottom case 1s and the top cover 1t are joined to each other by welding, as Figure 63 shown, the bottom case 1s and the top cover 1t are joined to each other in the front - rear direction, and the joint surface between them is parallel to the left - right direction.

[0395] [Embodiment Thirty - Two]

[0396] As Figure 64 shown, the processing cartridge C further includes a chip assembly 26. The chip assembly 26 includes a chip seat 261 and a chip 262. The chip 262 is carried by the chip seat 261. Among them, the chip 262 includes a substrate 2621 and an electrical contact portion 2622 provided on the substrate 2621. The electrical contact portion 2622 is used for electrical contact with the imaging device, so that the processing cartridge C establishes a communication connection with the imaging device. The chip seat 261 includes a mounting body 2610 and a first blocking portion 2611, a second blocking portion 2612 and a chip accommodating portion 2613 provided on the mounting body 2610. The first blocking portion 2611 and the second blocking portion 2612 are arranged on opposite sides of the chip accommodating portion 2613, and at least one of the first blocking portion 2611 and the second blocking portion 2612 is provided to be elastically deformable.

[0397] When installing the chip 262, one end of the substrate 2621 is first installed into the chip receiving portion 2613, and then the other end of the substrate 2621 is pressed, causing at least one of the first blocking portion 2611 and the second blocking portion 2612 to elastically deform. Thus, the chip 262 can be successfully installed into the chip receiving portion 2613.

[0398] In some embodiments, the chip holder 261 is disposed on at least one of the first end cap 300 and the second unit housing 2 in a non-removable manner. For example, at least one of the first end cap 300 and the second unit housing 2 is integrally formed with the chip holder 261.

[0399] In some embodiments, the chip holder 261 is disposed on at least one of the first end cap 300 and the second unit housing 2 in a removable manner. Such a setting facilitates replacing the chip assembly 26 or upgrading the chip 262.

[0400] In some embodiments, the chip 262 is installed in the chip receiving portion 2613 in a removable manner. Such a setting is also conducive to replacing the chip assembly 26 or upgrading the chip 262.

[0401] In an actual product, the chip assembly 26 can be disposed at any position of the processing cartridge C according to design requirements. For example, at least a part of the chip assembly 26 is disposed at the driving end C1, or at least a part of the chip assembly 26 is disposed at the non-driving end C2, or at least a part of the chip assembly 26 is disposed between the driving end C1 and the non-driving end C2.

[0402] Continue as Figure 64 As shown, the processing cartridge C further includes a conductive assembly 27. The conductive assembly 27 includes at least one conductive member for receiving power from the imaging device and supplying it to at least the developing roller 11.

[0403] In some embodiments, the conductive assembly 27 includes a first conductive member 271 and a second conductive member 272. Among them, the first conductive member 271 is used to supply the power from the imaging device to the developing roller 11, and the second conductive member 272 is used to supply the power from the imaging device to the powder feeding roller 12 and the developer regulating member. The developer regulating member is fixedly disposed on the first unit housing 1 and contacts the developing roller 11 for regulating the thickness of the developer on the surface of the developing roller 11.

[0404] In some embodiments, the conductive assembly 27 may also be provided with only the first conductive member 271. The first conductive member 271 is used to supply the power from the imaging device to the developing roller 11, and then the power is supplied from the developing roller 11 to the powder feeding roller 12 and the developer regulating member.

[0405] Generally, an imaging device has power output members corresponding to the number of conductive members. As described above, when the conductive assembly 27 includes a first conductive member 271 and a second conductive member 272, a first power output member corresponding to the first conductive member 271 and a second power output member corresponding to the second conductive member 272 will be provided in the imaging device. In a state where the processing cartridge C is installed in the imaging device, the first conductive member 271 is in electrical contact with the first power output member, and the second conductive member 272 is in electrical contact with the second power output member; when only the first conductive member 271 is provided in the conductive assembly 27, in a state where the processing cartridge C is installed in the imaging device, the first conductive member 271 can be in electrical contact with either the first power output member or the second power output member.

[0406] It should be understood that the forming material of the conductive assembly 27 should not be limited as long as the conductive assembly 27 can achieve the above-mentioned conductive function. For example, at least a part of the conductive assembly 27 is formed by injection molding of conductive plastic, or at least a part of the conductive assembly 27 is made of a metal material.

Claims

1. A processing cartridge detachably mounted in an image forming apparatus provided with a force output member and a separation control mechanism, the force output member including a driving portion, a braking portion, a braking member, and a braking transmission member, the driving portion and the braking portion rotating in the same direction, the braking member capable of generating a braking force and connected to the braking transmission member, the braking portion capable of moving between a first position connected to the braking transmission member and a second position disconnected from the braking transmission member, characterized in that, The processing cartridge includes: A first unit, including: A first unit housing; A developing roller rotatably provided in the first unit housing; A second unit, including: A second unit housing; A photosensitive drum rotatably provided in the second unit housing; A second driving force receiving member, including: A driving body for receiving a driving force from a force output member to drive the photosensitive drum to rotate; A pressing portion for forcing a braking portion to move from a first position to a second position, and when the combination of the driving force receiving member and the force output member is completed, the braking portion is located at the second position; A separation contact mechanism for receiving an acting force applied by a separation control mechanism to move the developing roller and the photosensitive drum closer to or away from each other; An end cap mounted at at least one end of the processing cartridge in the left - right direction; A locking mechanism including a locking portion and a locked portion that can be switched between a mutually locked state and a mutually unlocked state. In the mutually locked state, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are kept in a mutually separated state, At least one of the locking portion and the locked portion is immovable relative to the first unit housing.

2. The processing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, The processing cartridge further includes a support member, and the pressing portion is rotatably supported by the support member; The support member is directly or indirectly mounted on the first unit housing or the second unit housing or the end cap, or the support member is integrally formed with the first unit housing or the second unit housing or the end cap.

3. The processing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The driving body and the pressing portion are separately provided.

4. The processing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, One of the locking portion and the locked portion is provided on the end cap. When the separation contact mechanism receives an acting force, the first unit moves in a reference plane intersecting the left - right direction.

5. The processing cartridge according to claim 4, wherein One of the locking portion and the locked portion is provided to move in a straight line.

6. The processing cartridge according to claim 5, wherein One of the locking portion and the locked portion is provided to be movable in a direction away from or close to the first unit housing.

7. The processing cartridge according to claim 5, wherein One of the locking portion and the locked portion is provided to move in a direction intersecting the left - right direction.

8. The processing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, One of the locking portion and the locked portion is provided on the end cap, and one of the locking portion and the locked portion is provided to move along the left - right direction as a whole with the first unit.

9. The processing cartridge according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that The processing cartridge further includes a first driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force from an imaging device to drive the developing roller to rotate; The first unit further includes a cover fixedly connected to the first unit housing, and the first driving force receiving member passes through the cover; The locking portion is provided on the first unit housing or the cover, and the locked portion is provided on the end cap.

10. The processing cartridge according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The processing cartridge further includes a first driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force from an imaging device to drive the developing roller to rotate. In the left - right direction, the end cap and the first driving force receiving member are respectively located at both ends of the processing cartridge; The locking portion is provided on the first unit housing, and the locked portion is provided on the end cap.

Images