Developing box

Abstract

The utility model discloses a developing box, which can be detachably mounted on a drum box, and comprises a shell, the shell is provided with a first side and a second side arranged at an interval with the first side in a first direction, and the shell is provided with a third side and a fourth side arranged at an interval with the third side in a second direction; a developing roller; a driving gear; a forcibly pushed protrusion; a chip having an electrical contact surface; the chip frame is used for positioning the electric contact surface; in the second direction, the drive gear is located between the forced-pushed protrusion and the electrical contact surface. The chip rack is fixedly installed on the first side of the shell in the first direction or the chip rack and the shell are integrally formed. According to the developing box disclosed by the utility model, the problem that a chip supported on the imaging device is disconnected from an electric contact head of imaging equipment after the imaging device shakes in an imaging process is solved, and the electric connection stability of the electric contact surface of the chip and the electric contact head of the imaging device is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electronic photographic imaging, in particular to a developing box. Background Art

[0002] The developing cartridge is a consumable material used in electronic photographic imaging devices. After the developer in the developing cartridge is exhausted, the user can replace it by himself without the help of professionals after purchasing a new developing cartridge. The developing cartridge can be installed into the electronic photographic imaging device together with the drum cartridge; the developing cartridge includes a shell for accommodating the developer, a developing roller for conveying the developer, and a storage chip for storing the developing cartridge information; the drum cartridge includes a drum frame for accommodating the developing cartridge, and a photosensitive drum installed on the front side of the drum frame in the front-to-back direction; when the developing cartridge is installed to the drum cartridge, the pushing portion of the drum cartridge applies a pushing force to the pushing protrusion of the developing cartridge to bring the developing roller into contact with the photosensitive drum.

[0003] The prior art discloses a developing box, which also includes a holder arranged on one side of the shell for supporting a storage chip. The storage chip can contact the electronic photographic imaging device to establish a communication connection with the electronic photographic imaging device. However, the holder can move within a certain range relative to the shell, and the storage chip supported on the holder will also move with the movement of the holder, which causes the electrical connection between the storage chip and the electronic photographic imaging device to be misaligned, so that the electronic photographic imaging device reports an error due to the inability to detect the developing box, resulting in it being unusable; and during the imaging operation, the electrical connection between the storage chip that moves relative to the shell and the electronic photographic imaging device becomes unstable, and there is a probability of disconnection. Therefore, these situations are obviously not what manufacturers and users want to see. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, the present invention provides a developing cartridge to solve the above technical problems, which is mainly achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0005] A developing cartridge is detachably mounted to a drum cartridge and can be detachably mounted together with the drum cartridge in an electrophotographic imaging device having a slot and an electrical contact, the developing cartridge comprising:

[0006] a housing, the housing having a first side in a first direction and a second side spaced apart from the first side, and a third side in a second direction and a fourth side spaced apart from the third side;

[0007] a developing roller rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller being located on a third side of the housing in a second direction;

[0008] a driving gear including a coupling portion configured to receive a driving force from outside the developing cartridge and rotatable about a driving gear axis extending in a first direction, the driving gear being located on a first side of the housing in the first direction;

[0009] a forced pushing protrusion, wherein when the developing cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the forced pushing protrusion cooperates with the drum cartridge to move the developing roller close to the photosensitive drum of the drum cartridge;

[0010] a chip having an electrical contact surface, the electrical contact surface being located on a first side of the housing in a first direction;

[0011] Chip holder, which is used to position the electrical contact surfaces;

[0012] In the second direction, the driving gear is located between the forced pushing protrusion and the electrical contact surface;

[0013] The chip frame is fixedly mounted on the first side of the housing in a first direction or the chip frame and the housing are integrally formed.

[0014] Furthermore, the chip frame includes an abutting protrusion, and an extending direction of the abutting protrusion intersects with the electrical contact surface;

[0015] In a state where the developing cartridge is mounted to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the electrical contact surface is electrically connected to the electrical contact head, and the abutting protrusion abuts against the inner wall of the groove.

[0016] Furthermore, the abutting protrusion is fixedly connected to the chip frame or the abutting protrusion and the chip frame are integrally formed.

[0017] Furthermore, the electrical contact surface is closer to the fourth side of the housing than to the third side of the housing in the second direction.

[0018] Furthermore, the developing box also includes an electrode for receiving electricity outside the developing box, and the electrode has a first force receiving surface. When the developing box is installed to the drum box, the first force receiving surface can receive the force of the drum box to make the developing roller close to the photosensitive drum.

[0019] Further, the forced urging protrusion has a second force receiving surface, and in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge, the second force receiving surface can receive the force of the drum cartridge to force the developing roller close to the photosensitive drum;

[0020] The second force receiving surface is located between the developing roller and the driving gear in the second direction.

[0021] Furthermore, when viewed along the first direction, the second force receiving surface faces the Q direction, the electrical contact surface faces the P direction, and the angle between the Q direction and the P direction is α, wherein 40°<α<60°.

[0022] Furthermore, the chip rack further includes a fixing portion, which is located on the second side of the chip rack close to the housing in the first direction; the fixing portion cooperates with the housing to fix the chip rack.

[0023] Furthermore, the fixing portion includes an elastic buckle, which is connected to the limiting hole of the shell.

[0024] Furthermore, the fixing portion includes a first elastic buckle and a second elastic buckle, the first elastic buckle and the second elastic buckle extend in the first direction, and the first elastic buckle and the second elastic buckle are spaced apart in the second direction.

[0025] Furthermore, the developing cartridge further comprises a protective cover for covering at least a portion of the driving gear, the chip holder being located on an outer side of the protective cover away from the housing in the first direction, and a limiting groove being formed between the chip holder and the protective cover;

[0026] When the developing cartridge is engaged with the drum cartridge, the limiting groove may cooperate with the drum frame of the drum cartridge to limit movement of the developing cartridge relative to the drum cartridge.

[0027] The present invention also provides a developing cartridge that can be detachably mounted to a drum cartridge and can be detachably mounted together with the drum cartridge in an electrophotographic imaging device having a slot and an electrical contact head. The developing cartridge includes:

[0028] a housing, the housing having a first side in a first direction and a second side spaced apart from the first side, and a third side in a second direction and a fourth side spaced apart from the third side;

[0029] a developing roller rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller being located on a third side of the housing in a second direction;

[0030] a driving gear including a coupling portion configured to receive a driving force from outside the developing cartridge and rotatable about a driving gear axis extending in a first direction, the driving gear being located on a first side of the housing in the first direction;

[0031] a forced pushing protrusion, wherein when the developing cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the forced pushing protrusion cooperates with the drum cartridge to move the developing roller close to the photosensitive drum of the drum cartridge;

[0032] a chip having an electrical contact surface, the electrical contact surface being located on a first side of the housing in a first direction;

[0033] Chip holder, which is used to position the electrical contact surfaces;

[0034] The chip rack is fixedly mounted on the first side of the housing;

[0035] The chip frame includes an abutment protrusion, wherein an extension direction of the abutment protrusion intersects with the electrical contact surface;

[0036] In a state where the developing cartridge is mounted to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the electrical contact surface is electrically connected to the electrical contact head, and the abutting protrusion abuts against the inner wall of the groove.

[0037] Furthermore, the abutting protrusion is fixedly connected to the chip frame or the abutting protrusion and the chip frame are integrally formed.

[0038] Further, in the second direction, the driving gear is located between the forced pushing protrusion and the electrical contact surface;

[0039] the electrical contact surface being closer in the second direction to the fourth side of the housing than to the third side of the housing;

[0040] The chip frame is fixedly mounted on the first side of the housing in a first direction.

[0041] Furthermore, in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, a distance between the electrical contact surface and the end of the abutting protrusion is L, wherein 24.6 mm≤L≤32 mm.

[0042] Furthermore, it also includes an electrode having an electrical contact portion, wherein the electrical contact portion is located on the second side of the housing in a first direction and is farther away from the electrical contact surface than the rotation axis of the driving gear in a second direction.

[0043] Furthermore, the chip rack extends in a third direction, and the third direction intersects the first direction and the second direction;

[0044] The electrical contact surface and the abutting protrusion are arranged opposite to each other at two ends of the chip frame in the third direction.

[0045] Furthermore, the chip rack further includes a fixing portion, and the fixing portion is located on the second side of the chip rack close to the housing in the first direction;

[0046] The fixing portion is used to connect the chip frame and the housing.

[0047] Furthermore, the fixing portion includes an elastic buckle, which is connected to the limiting hole of the shell.

[0048] Furthermore, the fixing portion includes a first elastic buckle and a second elastic buckle, the first elastic buckle and the second elastic buckle extend in the first direction, and the first elastic buckle and the second elastic buckle are spaced apart in the second direction.

[0049] Furthermore, the developing cartridge further comprises a protective cover for covering at least a portion of the driving gear, the chip holder being located on an outer side of the protective cover away from the housing in the first direction, and a limiting groove being formed between the chip holder and the protective cover;

[0050] When the developing cartridge is engaged with the drum cartridge, the limiting groove may cooperate with the drum frame of the drum cartridge to limit movement of the developing cartridge relative to the drum cartridge.

[0051] The developer box of the present invention fixes the chip on one side of the shell so that the position of the electrical contact surface of the chip and the shell remains unchanged. When the developer box is installed on the imaging device, the electrical contact surface and the imaging device are more accurately positioned, which can avoid the electrical connection between the chip and the electronic photographic imaging device from being misaligned. In addition, during the imaging operation, the stable connection between the electrical contact surface and the imaging device also avoids the disconnection of the chip and the electrical contact head of the imaging device, thereby improving the electrical connection stability between the electrical contact surface of the chip and the electrical contact head of the imaging device. In addition, the electrical contact surface of the chip is arranged at a position away from other structures, which reduces the interference that the electrical contact surface may receive during the electrical connection process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structure diagram of the drum box in Example 1 of the present utility model

[0053] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the developing cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0054] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the developing cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model from another angle;

[0055] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the left side structure of the developing cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model when viewed from the left and right directions;

[0056] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the right side structure of the developing cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model when viewed from the left and right directions;

[0057] Figure 6 It is a vertical cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0058] Figure 7 This is a partially exploded schematic diagram of the end cover and the main body in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0059] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the left end portion of the developing cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0060] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the left end portion of the developing cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model from another angle;

[0061] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the right side structure of the embodiment 1 of the present invention when the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge are in a joined state, viewed along the left-right direction;

[0062] Figure 11 This is a left structural diagram of the embodiment 1 of the present invention, when the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge are in a joined state and viewed from the left and right directions;

[0063] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the developing cartridge in Example 2 of the present utility model;

[0064] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the chip rack in Example 2 of the present utility model;

[0065] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the left side structure of the chip rack in Example 2 of the present utility model;

[0066] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the mounting groove in Example 2 of the present utility model;

[0067] Figure 16 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mounting groove in Example 2 of the present utility model;

[0068] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the left side structure of the chip holder in the state of being engaged with the mounting groove in Example 2 of the present invention;

[0069] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a drum cartridge that cooperates with a developing cartridge in Example 3 of the present utility model;

[0070] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the developing cartridge in Example 3 of the present utility model;

[0071] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the chip rack, chip and housing in Example 3 of the present utility model;

[0072] Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the left end portion of the developing cartridge in Example 3 of the present utility model;

[0073] Figure 22 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the chip rack in Example 3 of the present utility model;

[0074] Figure 23 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the chip rack in Example 3 of the present invention from another angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and technical effect of the embodiment of the present invention more clear, the technical solution of the process cartridge of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiment described is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, not the only embodiment. Based on the embodiment of the present invention, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Example 1

[0076] like Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a drum cartridge 50 that cooperates with a developer cartridge 100 of the present invention. The two can be installed as a whole in an electronic photographic imaging device (hereinafter referred to as the "imaging device"). The interior of the imaging device is provided with a mounting groove 11 for accommodating a chip holder and a chip on the developer cartridge 100 and an electrical contact head 12 for electrically connecting to an electrical contact surface on the chip. The drum cartridge 50 includes a drum frame 51, a photosensitive drum 52, a locking portion 54, and a pushing portion 55. The drum frame 51 is used to accommodate the developer cartridge 100, and the photosensitive drum 52 is used to receive signals from the imaging device and form an electrostatic latent image. The photosensitive drum 52 can be rotatably supported on the drum frame 51 around a photosensitive drum axis extending in the length direction, and the locking portion 54 is provided on one side of the drum frame 51 in the width direction, for locking the developing box 100 in the drum frame 51, thereby preventing the developing box 100 from falling off the drum box 52; when the developing box 100 is installed to the drum box 50, the length direction of the drum box 50 is the same as or at least approximately the same as the left-right direction of the developing box 100; when the developing box 100 is installed to the drum box 50, the width direction of the drum box 50 intersects with the front-to-back direction of the developing box 100.

[0077] The urging portion 55 is disposed on the rear side of the drum frame 51 in the width direction. When the developer cartridge 100 is mounted on the drum cartridge 50, the urging portion 55 is used to apply a forward urging force to the developer cartridge 100, thereby bringing the developer roller 120 into contact with the photosensitive drum 52. The urging portion 55 includes a first urging portion 55a and a second urging portion 55b. The first urging portion 55a is located on the left side of the drum cartridge 50 in the longitudinal direction, and the second urging portion 55b is located on the right side of the drum cartridge 50 in the longitudinal direction. The drum cartridge 50 also includes a power supply component. When the drum cartridge 50 is mounted on the imaging device, the power supply component connects to a power supply member (not shown) in the imaging device to receive power from the imaging device and transmit power to the developer cartridge 100. Preferably, in this embodiment, the second pushing portion 55b serves as a part of the power supply component. When the developer box 100 is installed to the drum box 50, the second pushing portion 55b is electrically connected to the developer box 100 to provide power to the developer box 100. At least a part of the second pushing portion 55b is made of conductive material. Preferably, at least a part of the second pushing portion 55b is made of conductive resin material.

[0078] like Figure 2-7 As shown, a developing cartridge 100 of the present invention is shown, the developing cartridge 100 includes a housing 110, the housing 110 has a driving side and a conductive side spaced apart from the driving side in the left-right direction, and the housing 110 has a front side and a rear side spaced apart from the front side in the front-back direction; in this embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The left side of the developing box 100 is the driving side. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The right side of the developing box 100 described in FIG. 1 is the conductive side. The housing 110 includes a powder hopper 111 for accommodating developer and an end cover 112 detachably mounted on the left side of the powder hopper 111. The end cover 112 can cover at least a portion of the gear train of the developer cartridge 100 to protect the gear train. The gear train includes but is not limited to a drive gear 150 (coupling gear), a developing roller gear 121, a powder feed roller gear 131, a stirring frame gear 141, and a plurality of connecting gears. The drive gear 150 (coupling gear) is located at the left end of the developer cartridge 100. The drive gear 150 includes a coupling portion exposed to the driving side of the housing 110 in the left-right direction. When the developer cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the drive gear 150 is used to receive a driving force from outside the developer cartridge 100 so that the drive gear 150 rotates around a drive gear axis extending in the left-right direction. Specifically, the coupling portion is used to receive a driving force from outside the developer cartridge 100 so that the drive gear 150 rotates around the drive gear axis extending in the left-right direction. The drive gear 150 can drive the developing roller gear 121, the powder feed roller gear 131, and the stirring frame gear 141 to rotate. Specifically, in this embodiment, the driving gear 150 is meshed with the powder feeding roller gear 131, and the powder feeding roller gear 131 is meshed with the developing roller gear 121 through the first connecting gear 151. The driving gear 150 is meshed with the stirring frame gear 141 through the second connecting gear 152, so that the powder feeding roller gear 121, the developing roller gear 131 and the stirring frame gear 141 can receive the driving force of the driving gear 150 and rotate. The developing box 100 also includes a developing roller 120, a powder feeding roller 130 and a stirring frame 140 supported on the housing 110, and the left ends thereof are respectively connected to the developing roller gear 121, the powder feeding roller gear 131 and the stirring frame gear 140. Each gear drives the developing roller 120, the powder feeding roller 130 and the stirring frame 140 to rotate around their respective axes extending in the left-right direction. The developing roller 120 is located at the front end of the housing 110 in the front-to-back direction. When the developing box 100 is installed on the drum box 50, the pushing portion 55 Under the action of , the developing roller 120 of the developing box 100 contacts the photosensitive drum 52 of the drum box 50. During the specific operation of the developing box 100, the rotating stirring frame 140 stirs the developer inside the developing box 100 and transports the developer to the powder feeding roller 130. The powder feeding roller 130 rotates while feeding the developer to the developing roller 120. Then, the developing roller 120 contacts the photosensitive drum 52 and transports the developer carried on it to the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 52.

[0079] The developing box 100 also includes a separated portion and a forced pushing portion, which are both arranged on both sides of the developing box 100 in the left and right directions. After the developing box 100 and the drum box 50 are installed together in the imaging device, the separated portion can receive the force of the drum box 50 or the imaging device to keep the developing roller 120 away from the photosensitive drum 52; the forced pushing portion can receive the force of the pushing portion 55 in the drum box 50 to keep the developing roller 120 in contact with the photosensitive drum 52. Specifically, the separated portion can receive external force to drive the developing roller 120 to move between a first position in contact with the photosensitive drum 52 and a second position where at least a portion is separated from the photosensitive drum 52. The separated portion includes a first separated portion 112a located on the left side of the developing box 100 and a second separated portion 111a located on the right side of the developing box 100, and the forced pushing portion includes a first forced pushing portion 112b located on the left side of the developing box 100 and a second forced pushing portion 111b located on the right side of the developing box 100; in the front-to-back direction of the developing box 100, the first separated portion 112a is closer to the developing roller 120 than the first forced pushing portion 112b, and the second separated portion 111a is farther away from the second forced pushing portion 111b than the driving gear 150, and the projections of the first forced pushing portion 112b and the second forced pushing portion 111b in the left-right direction at least partially overlap. The developing box 100 is also provided with an electrode 160, and the electrode 160 includes an electrical connection portion 161 that contacts the power supply component of the drum box 50 after the developing box 100 is installed to the drum box 50. Preferably, in this embodiment, the electrical connection portion 161 and the second forced pushing portion 111b can be constructed as a whole, that is, one component has the functions of both at the same time (for the convenience of subsequent explanation, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, the electrical connection portion 161 refers to the above two). After the developing box 100 is installed to the drum box 50, the electrode 160 contacts the second forced pushing portion 55b of the power supply component, so that the electrode 160 is electrically connected through the second forced pushing portion 55b in the drum box 50, and supplies power to the developing roller 120 and the powder feeding roller 130 to ensure that the developer can be stably transported.

[0080] like Figure 8-9As shown, the developer cartridge 100 further includes a chip rack 200, which supports the chip 180. The chip rack 200 is fixedly disposed on the left side of the housing 110 in the left-right direction. Alternatively, the chip rack 200 may extend from the left side of the housing 110 in the left-right direction, that is, the chip rack 200 extends from right to left to the left side of the end cover 112 in the left-right direction. In other optional embodiments, the chip rack 200 may also extend from right to left in the left-right direction from the left end of the housing powder bin 111. The chip rack 200 includes a main body 210, a fixing portion 220, a chip mounting slot 230, and a limiting protrusion 240. The fixing portion 220 is connected between the main body 210 and the end cover 112 in the left-right direction, and the fixing portion 220 extends in the left-right direction. The main body 210 is located on the left side of the end cover 112. The upper surface of the main body 210 is recessed downward to form a chip mounting groove 230. The chip 180 is mounted in the chip mounting groove 230. The chip 180 includes an electrical contact surface 181 and a storage portion (not shown). The electrical contact surface 181 is exposed and fixed to the top of the chip rack 200, and the electrical contact surface 181 can be connected to the electrical contact head 12 in the imaging device. The storage portion stores information such as the model of the developing box 100, and the storage portion is electrically connected to the electrical contact surface 181. When the developer cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the developer cartridge 100 is electrically connected to the electrical contact head 12 of the imaging device via the electrical contact surface 181, allowing the imaging device to read the information in the storage portion, thereby establishing a communication link between the developer cartridge 100 and the imaging device, thereby allowing the imaging device to determine information such as the model of the developer cartridge 100. When the service life of the developer cartridge 100 is about to end, the imaging device can prompt the user to replace the developer cartridge 100 with a new one through a display device such as an operation panel or an indicator light. The left side of the main body 210 extends from right to left to form a limiting protrusion 240. The limiting protrusion 240 is configured to correspond to the concave portion of the imaging device and is used to guide the installation of the developer cartridge 100 and limit the position of the chip holder 200. The upper surface of the fixing portion 220 is also recessed to form a limiting groove 250. The limiting groove 250 is located between the main body 210 and the end cover 112 and is configured to correspond to the convex portion of the imaging device. It is understandable that the chip rack 200 can also be set as a split structure with the shell 110, and the chip rack 200 can be fixed to the left side of the shell 110 by screws or snaps, so that the chip 180 of the developer box 100 can be replaced and upgraded.

[0081] like Figure 1-2As shown, the chip 180 and its electrical contact surface 181 are closer to the rear side of the shell 110 relative to the front side of the shell 110 in the front-to-back direction, and the chip 180 and its electrical contact surface 181 are closer to the left side of the shell 110 relative to the right side of the shell 110 in the left-to-right direction; correspondingly, the electrode 160 and its electrical connection portion 161 are closer to the front side of the shell 110 than the rear side of the shell 110 in the front-to-back direction, and the electrical contact portion 161 is farther away from the electrical contact surface 181 than the rotation axis of the drive gear 150 in the front-to-back direction, and the electrode 160 and its electrical connection portion 161 are closer to the right side of the shell 110 relative to the left side of the shell 110 in the left-to-right direction; in this way, the electrical contact surface 181 is arranged away from the electrode 161 in both the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, thereby avoiding interference of the electrical connection between the electrode 160 and the drum box 110 and the imaging device with the communication link between the chip 180 and the imaging device. In the front-to-back direction, the forced pushing portion (i.e., the first forced pushing portion 112b and the second forced pushing portion 111b) is located between the electrical contact surface 181 and the developing roller 120; when the developing box 100 is installed to the drum box 50, the forced pushing portion can receive the force of the drum box 50 to ensure the engagement between the developing box 100 and the drum box 50, and will not interfere with the electrical contact surface 181 when the drum box 50 applies force to the forced pushing portion.

[0082] like Figure 10-11 As shown, the right side schematic diagram and the left side schematic diagram of the developer cartridge 100 and the drum cartridge 50 are shown. For the convenience of the following description, the width direction of the drum cartridge 50 and the direction perpendicular to the width direction are used as the reference for description after the developer cartridge 100 is installed on the drum cartridge 50. Figure 10 As shown, the second separation portion 111a and the second forced urging portion 111b are both located between the developing roller 120 and the electrical contact surface 181 in the width direction. When the developing cartridge 100 is mounted on the drum cartridge 50, the second forced urging portion 55b of the drum cartridge 50 applies an external force to the second forced urging portion 111b (electrical connection portion 161) of the developing cartridge 100, so that the developing roller 120 contacts the photosensitive drum 52. Figure 11As shown, the first forced pushing portion 112a has a force receiving surface for receiving the force from the outside of the developer cartridge 100, and the force receiving surface is located between the developer roller 120 and the electrical contact surface 181 in the front-to-back direction. After the developer cartridge 100 is installed on the drum cartridge 50, the force receiving surface of the first forced pushing portion 55a of the drum cartridge 50 applies a force F in the Q direction, which is substantially the same as the front-to-back direction of the drum cartridge 50, to the first forced pushing portion 112a of the developer cartridge 50, so as to make the developer roller 120 of the developer cartridge 100 contact the photosensitive drum 52; when the developer cartridge 100 is installed on the drum cartridge 50, the electrical contact surface 181 faces the P direction, which is an embodiment. Thus, when viewed from the left side of the developer cartridge 100, the P direction and the Q direction form an angle α; wherein the angle a is an acute angle, preferably 40°<α<60°, that is, the electrical contact surface 181 of the chip 180 faces the P direction. Figure 11 As shown, at an angle above the side close to the photosensitive drum 52, the pushing direction of the drum box 50 on the developing box 100 is consistent with the direction of the electrical contact surface 181 and the electrical contact head 12 of the imaging device, and the connection between the electrical contact surface 181 and the electrical contact head 12 in the imaging device is more stable.

[0083] Optionally, in other embodiments, the power supply component and the second forced pushing portion 55b of the drum box 50 can also be arranged as a split structure; the second forced pushing portion 112b and the electrical connection portion 161 of the developing box 100 can also be respectively constructed as multiple components, and the electrical connection portion 161 is electrically connected to the power supply component and supplies power to the developing roller 120 and the powder feeding roller 130. Example 2

[0084] like Figure 12-18 FIG. 1 shows a developer cartridge 100 according to Example 2. The parts identical to those in the above-mentioned embodiments are not described here. The difference from the above-mentioned embodiments lies in the chip holder in this embodiment, which is different from that in Example 1. A chip holder 300 for supporting a chip 180 is provided on the left side of the developer cartridge 100. An electrical contact 12 is disposed on one side of a mounting slot 11 in its extending direction and is exposed within the mounting slot 11. When the developer cartridge 100 is mounted to the imaging device, the mounting slot 11 extends in the same direction as, or at least substantially in the same direction as, the vertical direction of the developer cartridge 100. A stopper surface 11a is provided on the side of the mounting slot 11 away from the electrical contact 12, for contacting the chip holder 300. The stopper surface 11a is configured in a stepped manner. The mounting slot 11 also includes a boss 11b and a stopper plate 11c located on one side of the electrical contact 12. The boss 10b is located to the left of the electrical contact 12 in the left-right direction, while the stopper plate 11c is located to the right of the electrical contact 12 in the left-right direction.

[0085] The chip rack 300 includes a main body 310, a fixing portion 320, a chip mounting groove 330, a limiting protrusion 340 and abutting protrusion 350. The chip mounting groove 330 is located above the chip rack 300 in the up and down directions. The chip 180 is located in the chip mounting groove 330, and the electrical contact surface 181 of the chip 180 faces the top of the chip rack 300. The fixing portion 320 is used to connect the chip rack 300 with the end cover 112. Preferably, the chip rack 300 is connected to the left side of the end cover 112 by an elastic buckle 321 or a screw. Optionally, in other implementations of this embodiment, the chip rack 200 can also be integrally formed with the end cover 112; the limiting protrusion 340 is located on the left side of the chip rack 300. When the chip rack 300 is installed in the mounting groove 11, the limiting protrusion 340 cooperates with the protrusion 11b to prevent the electrical contact head 12 from contacting the chip during the installation process. The main body 310 of the chip rack 300 collides with each other and causes damage to each other; the abutment protrusion 350 is below the chip rack 300 in the up-down direction, and the abutment protrusion 350 is close to the rear side of the chip rack 300 in the front-to-back direction. The electrical contact surface 181 of the chip 180 and the abutment protrusion 350 are arranged on both sides of the chip rack 300 opposite to each other in the up-down direction, and the electrical contact surface 181 is exposed on the side of the chip rack 300 away from the abutment protrusion 350 in the up-down direction. More specifically, the abutment protrusion 350 extends in a direction perpendicular to the electrical contact surface 181, or it can be said that the abutment protrusion 350 and the chip rack 300 are integrally formed. When the developing box 100 is installed in the device, the electrical contact surface 181 is electrically connected to the electrical contact head 12, and the abutment protrusion 350 abuts against the inner wall of the mounting groove 11, thereby making the electrical contact surface 181 closer to the electrical contact head 12.

[0086] When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the chip 180 and the chip holder 300 are simultaneously installed into the installation groove 11 . The user places the developer box 100 into the imaging device from back to front (it should be noted that the developer box 100 and the imaging device are described here with the direction of the developer box 100 as a reference, the gravity direction of the imaging device is roughly the same as the front-to-back direction of the developer box 100, and the downstream of the gravity direction is the front of the developer box 100 in the front-to-back direction). At this time, the chip 180 and the chip frame 300 are engaged with the mounting groove 11 roughly from back to front. During the installation of the developer box 100 to the imaging device, the limiting protrusion 340 of the chip frame 300 contacts the internal boss 11b of the mounting groove 11, so that the chip frame 300 moves along one side of the boss 11b toward the inside of the mounting groove 11, and the chip frame 300 is installed to the mounting groove 11. The abutment protrusion 350 of the chip frame 300 moves to the front side of the limiting surface 11a. At this time, the stepped limiting surface 11a abuts against the abutment protrusion 350 and applies a thrust to the limiting surface 11a under the action of gravity. Then, the limiting protrusion 340 is moved to the front side of the boss 11b so that the limiting protrusion 340 is engaged between the boss 11b and the bottom surface of the mounting groove 11; under the action of the limiting surface 11a on the abutting protrusion 350, the electrical contact surface 181 of the chip 180 maintains contact with the electrical contact head 12, thereby ensuring the electrical connection between the developing box 100 and the imaging device, thereby ensuring the communication connection between the developing box 100 and the imaging device.

[0087] The developer box 100 of the present invention fixes the chip 180 on one side of the shell 110 so that the position of the electrical contact surface 181 of the chip 180 and the shell 110 remains unchanged, avoiding the problem of the chip supported thereon being disconnected from the electrical contact head 12 of the imaging device when the imaging device shakes during the imaging process, thereby improving the electrical connection stability between the electrical contact surface 181 of the chip 180 and the electrical contact head 12 of the imaging device; in addition, the electrical contact surface 181 of the chip 180 is set at a position away from other structures, reducing the interference that the electrical contact surface 181 may receive during the electrical connection process.

[0088] Furthermore, the maximum distance between the abutting protrusion 350 of the chip rack 300 and the electrical contact surface 181 in the vertical direction is L, wherein the value range of L is 24.6 mm-31 mm. Example 3

[0089] like Figure 19-23As shown, a developing box 100 in Example 3 is shown. The parts that are the same as the developing boxes in the above embodiments are not repeated here. The difference from the above embodiments is that the arrangement of the chip holder is different from that in the above embodiments 1-2. The left side of the developing box 100 in this embodiment includes a protective cover 112 for protecting the gear system of the developing box 100, and the developing box 100 also includes a chip holder 400 detachably mounted on one side of the protective cover 112.

[0090] Specifically, the chip rack 400 includes a main body 410 and a fixing portion 420 connected to the shell body 110. A chip mounting portion 430 is provided on the top of the main body 410, and a cavity 411 connected to the chip mounting portion 430 is provided inside the main body 410; a plurality of elastic buckles 421 extend from the side of the fixing portion 420 close to the shell 110 in the left and right directions toward the shell 110; the lower surface of the fixing portion 420 is recessed inward to form a limiting portion 440, and the limiting portion 440 cooperates with the limiting protrusion 56 on the drum box 50 to limit the movement between the developing box 100 and the drum box 50.

[0091] When the manufacturer produces and assembles the developer box 100, the staff aligns the elastic buckle 421 of the chip frame 400 with the mounting hole 112a of the protective cover 112, and moves the chip frame 400 toward the direction close to the shell 110, so that the elastic buckle 421 is inserted into the mounting hole 112a, thereby conveniently installing the chip frame 400 on the left side of the shell 110; compared with the method of fixing with screws in the prior art, the method of fixing with the elastic buckle 421 is conducive to improving production efficiency.

[0092] Furthermore, two elastic buckles 421 are provided, and the two elastic buckles 421 are respectively provided at both ends of the chip rack 400 in the front-to-back direction, thereby making the connection between the chip rack 400 and the housing 110 more stable. Furthermore, the protruding parts of the two elastic buckles 421 of the chip rack 400 are arranged opposite to each other in the front-to-back direction.

[0093] Optionally, in this embodiment, chip 180 is configured in a "T" shape. Chip 180 includes an electrical contact surface 181 for electrical connection to the imaging device, a storage portion (not shown) for storing developer cartridge information, and a power source, here a button battery, to power the storage portion. In other words, chip 180 in this embodiment has a built-in power source, resulting in more stable performance compared to conventional chips without built-in power sources. A cavity 411 within chip holder 400 accommodates the chip's storage portion / power source. The provision of cavity 411 allows chip holder 400 to accommodate different types of chips, improving its versatility.

[0094] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments can still be modified, or some of the technical features thereof can be replaced by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A developer cartridge, detachably mounted to a drum cartridge and detachably mounted together with the drum cartridge in an electrophotographic imaging device having a slot and electrical contacts, the developer cartridge comprising: a housing, the housing having a first side in a first direction and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the housing having a third side in a second direction and a fourth side spaced apart from the third side; a developing roller rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller being located on the third side of the housing in the second direction; a driving gear including a coupling portion configured to receive a driving force from outside the developing cartridge and rotatable about a driving gear axis extending in the first direction, the driving gear being located on the first side of the housing in the first direction; a forced pushing protrusion, wherein when the developing cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the forced pushing protrusion cooperates with the drum cartridge to bring the developing roller close to the photosensitive drum of the drum cartridge; a chip having an electrical contact surface, wherein the electrical contact surface is located on the first side of the housing in the first direction; a chip holder for positioning the electrical contact surface; characterized in that, in the second direction, the driving gear is located between the forced pushing protrusion and the electrical contact surface; The chip rack is fixedly mounted on the first side of the housing in the first direction, or the chip rack and the housing are integrally formed.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The chip frame includes an abutment protrusion, and an extension direction of the abutment protrusion intersects with the electrical contact surface; In a state where the developing cartridge is mounted to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the electrical contact surface is electrically connected to the electrical contact head, and the abutting protrusion abuts against an inner wall of the groove.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The abutting protrusion is fixedly connected to the chip frame or the abutting protrusion and the chip frame are integrally formed.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The electrical contact surface is closer to the fourth side of the housing relative to the third side of the housing in the second direction.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The developing box also includes an electrode for receiving electricity outside the developing box, and the electrode has a first force receiving surface. When the developing box is installed to the drum box, the first force receiving surface can receive the force of the drum box to make the developing roller close to the photosensitive drum.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The forced pushing protrusion has a second force receiving surface, and when the developing cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge, the second force receiving surface can receive the force of the drum cartridge to force the developing roller to approach the photosensitive drum; The second force receiving surface is located between the developing roller and the driving gear in the second direction.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, wherein: Observing along the first direction, the second force receiving surface faces the Q direction, the electrical contact surface faces the P direction, and the angle between the Q direction and the P direction is α, wherein 40°<α<60°.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The chip rack further includes a fixing portion, which is located on the second side of the chip rack close to the housing in the first direction; the fixing portion cooperates with the housing to fix the chip rack.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 8, wherein: The fixing portion includes an elastic buckle, and the elastic buckle is connected to the limiting hole of the shell.

10. The developing cartridge according to claim 8, wherein The fixing portion includes a first elastic buckle and a second elastic buckle, the first elastic buckle and the second elastic buckle extend in the first direction, and the first elastic buckle and the second elastic buckle are spaced apart in the second direction.

11. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The developing box further includes a protective cover for covering at least a portion of the driving gear, wherein the chip holder is located outside the protective cover away from the housing in the first direction, and a limiting groove is formed between the chip holder and the protective cover; When the developing cartridge is engaged with the drum cartridge, the limiting groove may cooperate with the drum frame of the drum cartridge to limit movement of the developing cartridge relative to the drum cartridge.

12. A developer cartridge detachably mounted to a drum cartridge and detachably mounted together with the drum cartridge in an electrophotographic imaging device having a slot and electrical contacts, the developer cartridge comprising: a housing, the housing having a first side in a first direction and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the housing having a third side in a second direction and a fourth side spaced apart from the third side; a developing roller rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller being located on the third side of the housing in the second direction; a driving gear including a coupling portion configured to receive a driving force from outside the developing cartridge and rotatable about a driving gear axis extending in the first direction, the driving gear being located on the first side of the housing in the first direction; a forced pushing protrusion, wherein when the developing cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the forced pushing protrusion cooperates with the drum cartridge to bring the developing roller close to the photosensitive drum of the drum cartridge; a chip having an electrical contact surface, wherein the electrical contact surface is located on the first side of the housing in the first direction; a chip holder for positioning the electrical contact surface; It is characterized in that the chip rack is fixedly mounted on the first side of the housing; The chip frame includes an abutment protrusion, and an extension direction of the abutment protrusion intersects with the electrical contact surface; In a state where the developing cartridge is mounted to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the electrical contact surface is electrically connected to the electrical contact head, and the abutting protrusion abuts against an inner wall of the groove.

13. The developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein: The abutting protrusion is fixedly connected to the chip frame or the abutting protrusion and the chip frame are integrally formed.

14. The developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein: In the second direction, the driving gear is located between the forced pushing protrusion and the electrical contact surface; the electrical contact surface being closer to the fourth side of the housing than to the third side of the housing in the second direction; The chip rack is fixedly mounted on the first side of the housing in the first direction.

15. The developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein: In a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, a distance between the electrical contact surface and a distal end of the abutting protrusion is L, wherein 24.6 mm≤L≤32 mm.

16. The developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein: An electrode is also included, having an electrical contact portion, the electrical contact portion being located on the second side of the housing in the first direction and being further away from the electrical contact surface than the rotation axis of the drive gear in the second direction.

17. The developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein: The chip rack extends in a third direction, and the third direction intersects the first direction and the second direction; The electrical contact surface and the abutting protrusion are disposed opposite to each other at two ends of the chip frame in the third direction.

18. The developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein: The chip rack further includes a fixing portion, and in the first direction, the fixing portion is located on the second side of the chip rack close to the housing; The fixing portion is used to connect the chip frame and the housing.

19. The developing cartridge according to claim 18, wherein: The fixing portion includes an elastic buckle, and the elastic buckle is connected to the limiting hole of the shell.

20. The developing cartridge according to claim 18, wherein The fixing portion includes a first elastic buckle and a second elastic buckle, the first elastic buckle and the second elastic buckle extend in the first direction, and the first elastic buckle and the second elastic buckle are spaced apart in the second direction.

21. The developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein: The developing box further includes a protective cover for covering at least a portion of the driving gear, wherein the chip holder is located outside the protective cover away from the housing in the first direction, and a limiting groove is formed between the chip holder and the protective cover; When the developing cartridge is engaged with the drum cartridge, the limiting groove may cooperate with the drum frame of the drum cartridge to limit movement of the developing cartridge relative to the drum cartridge.

Images