Developing box

Abstract

A developing cartridge includes: a housing for accommodating a developer, the housing having a first side and a second side separated from each other in a first direction; a developing roller rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in a first direction; the driving gear is used for receiving external driving force and driving the developing roller to rotate, and the driving gear is positioned on the first side of the shell; a stirrer; an agitator gear; the idle wheel is used for transmitting the driving force of the driving gear to the stirrer gear; a developed memory having an electrical contact surface; the driving gear further comprises a forced-pushed protrusion, and the forced-pushed protrusion is located between the driving gear axis of the driving gear and the electric contact surface in the second direction intersecting with the first direction. The stirrer gear is a single-layer gear, and the stirrer gear is meshed with the idle gear; according to the developing box, the size of the developing box can be set to be smaller, and the shapes and the positions of the bulges can be set in a more diversified manner.

Description

[0001] This utility model is a divisional application of an application filed on January 17, 2024, with application number 202420126849.2 and titled “A Development Box”. Technical Field

[0002] The utility model relates to a developing box used in an image forming device. Background Art

[0003] The prior art discloses a developer cartridge that can be installed in a drum cartridge. The developer cartridge includes a developer roller extending in a first direction; an agitator configured to agitate a developer; an agitator gear; a protrusion; and a developer storage unit. The agitator gear includes a large-diameter gear and a small-diameter gear. The large-diameter gear is positioned farther from one end of the housing in the first direction than the small-diameter gear is from one end of the housing. In a developer cartridge having such a structure, since the agitator gear is configured such that the large-diameter gear portion is farther from one end of the housing than the small-diameter gear, in order to maintain normal operation of the developer cartridge, the size of the gear end of the developer cartridge must be designed to be larger to reserve sufficient space to accommodate the agitator gear, resulting in a large overall size of the developer cartridge. A developer cartridge having such a structure is not conducive to the current demand for miniaturization of developer cartridges; and since the size of the gear end is large, the position and shape of the protrusion are restricted, which is not conducive to the demand for diversified and liberalized design of developer cartridge structures. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the above problems in the prior art developing cartridge, a developing cartridge with greater miniaturization and design freedom is provided. The present invention provides a developing cartridge comprising:

[0005] a housing for accommodating a developer, the housing having a first side and a second side separated from each other in a first direction;

[0006] a developing roller rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in the first direction;

[0007] a driving gear, configured to receive an external driving force and drive the developing roller to rotate, wherein the driving gear is located on the first side of the housing;

[0008] an agitator, for agitating the developer inside the housing, wherein the agitator is located inside the housing;

[0009] an agitator gear, capable of receiving the driving force of the driving gear to rotate the agitator, wherein the agitator gear is connected to the agitator;

[0010] an idler gear for transmitting the driving force of the drive gear to the agitator gear;

[0011] a development memory having an electrical contact surface, the electrical contact surface being located on the first side of the housing;

[0012] further comprising a forced pushing protrusion, wherein the forced pushing protrusion is located between the driving gear axis of the driving gear and the electrical contact surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction;

[0013] The agitator gear is configured as a single-layer gear and is meshed with the idler gear.

[0014] Furthermore, the diameter of the first gear portion is greater than the diameter of the second gear portion.

[0015] Further, at least a portion of the developing storage overlaps with the agitator gear when viewed in the first direction.

[0016] Furthermore, the developing box further includes a forced pushing protrusion, and in the second direction, the forced pushing protrusion is located between the driving gear axis of the driving gear and the electrical contact surface.

[0017] Furthermore, the developing box is further provided with a power receiving portion for receiving power from the image forming device, and at least a portion of the power receiving portion is exposed to the second side of the housing.

[0018] Furthermore, the developing box further includes a second protrusion, which protrudes outward from the second side of the shell in the first direction, and the second protrusion is located between the agitator axis and the driving gear axis in the second direction.

[0019] Furthermore, the developing cartridge further includes a retainer for supporting the electrical contact surface and the developing storage, and the retainer is positioned on the gear cover located on the first side of the housing.

[0020] Further, the holder is configured to hold the electrical contact surface on the first side of the housing in the first direction.

[0021] Furthermore, the retainer is configured to be movable relative to the gear cover.

[0022] Furthermore, the retainer is fixed to one side of the gear cover.

[0023] The utility model provides a developing box, which innovatively arranges various components such as protrusions, agitator gears, and a developing storage unit in a shell, so that the size of the developing box can be set to be smaller and the shape and position of the protrusion can be set to be more diverse. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1is a perspective view of a developing cartridge according to Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a developing cartridge according to embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 3 1 is a schematic diagram of a developer cartridge according to Example 1 of the present invention with a side cover and a developer storage unit removed;

[0027] Figure 4 is a side view of embodiment 1 of the present invention, wherein the gear cover is removed;

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the other side according to Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a first side according to embodiment 2 of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a developing cartridge according to Example 2 of the present utility model;

[0031] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of implementation 3 according to the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and technical effect of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solution of the developer cartridge of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] Regarding directions: The direction of the rotational axis of the developing roller in the developing cartridge (developing roller axis) will be referred to as the "first direction," the direction in which the developing roller and the first agitator are arranged will be referred to as the "second direction," and the direction intersecting the first electrical contact surface of the developing cartridge will be referred to as the "third direction." The first, second, and third directions intersect with each other and are preferably orthogonal to each other.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the developing cartridge 10 includes a housing, a developing roller 20 , a developing roller gear 11 , a driving member 13 , a powder feeding roller 21 , a powder feeding roller gear 12 , a first idler gear 14 , a first agitator 23 and a developing storage unit 30 .

[0036] The housing of the developer cartridge of the present invention is configured to accommodate a developer, such as toner. The housing extends in a first direction and has a first sidewall 102 and a second sidewall 101 separated from the first sidewall 102 in the first direction. The housing has a first end in the first direction and a second end opposite the first end in the first direction. The housing has a third end in the second direction and a fourth end opposite the third end in the second direction. The housing has a first outer surface 103 in the third direction and a second outer surface 104 opposite the first outer surface. The developer cartridge also includes a first handle 105, which is positioned at the fourth end of the housing in the second direction.

[0037] The developing roller 20 is located at the third end of the housing in the second direction and is rotatable about an axis A1 extending in the first direction. The developing roller 20 supplies developer in the housing to the outer surface of the photosensitive drum (not shown) of the drum cartridge. The developing roller 20 includes a developing roller body 201 and a developing roller shaft 202. The developing roller body 201 is made of conductive rubber and has a hollow cylindrical shape. The developing roller shaft 202 is made of metal and is arranged radially inward of the developing roller body.

[0038] The powder feed roller 21 is located inside the housing. It contacts the developer roller 20 and is configured to supply developer from the housing to the outer peripheral surface of the developer roller 20. The powder feed roller 21 is rotatable about a powder feed roller axis extending in a first direction. The powder feed roller 21 includes a powder feed roller body 211 and a powder feed roller shaft 212. The powder feed roller body 211 is made of conductive sponge and has a hollow cylindrical shape extending in the first direction. The powder feed roller body 212 contacts the developer roller body 201. The powder feed roller shaft 212 is made of metal and is configured to be positioned radially inward of the powder feed roller body 211.

[0039] The driving member 13 is positioned at the first end of the housing in the first direction. The driving member 13 is positioned between the developing roller axis A1 and the first agitator axis A2 in the second direction. The driving member 13 is capable of rotating around the driving member axis A3 extending in the first direction. The driving member 13 includes a coupling portion 131 and a driving gear portion 132. The coupling portion 131 and the driving gear portion 132 can be formed integrally with each other, or can be formed separately from each other. The driving member 13 has a drive receiving hole that is recessed inwardly in the first direction. The driving member 13 is capable of engaging with a drive head (not shown) of the image forming apparatus to rotate around the driving member axis A3 together with the drive head, and the driving member 13 has a cylindrical shape extending in the first direction. The driving gear portion 132 is capable of rotating together with the coupling portion 131.

[0040] The developing roller gear 11 is positioned at a first end of the housing in the first direction. The developing roller gear 11 is coupled to the developing roller shaft 202 and is rotatable together with the developing roller shaft 202 about the axis A1. The developing roller gear 11 is engaged with the driving member 13.

[0041] The powder feed roller gear 12 is positioned at a first end of the housing in the first direction. The powder feed roller gear 12 is coupled to the powder feed roller shaft 212 and is rotatable together with the supply roller shaft 211. The powder feed roller gear 12 is engaged with a driving member 13.

[0042] The first agitator 23 is disposed in the housing and is configured to stir the developer in the housing and is capable of rotating around a first agitator axis A2 extending in a first direction. The first agitator 23 includes a first agitator shaft 231 and a first agitator blade 232. The first agitator 23 extends along the agitator axis A2, and the first agitator blade 232 is connected to the agitator shaft 231. The first agitator shaft 231 and the first agitator blade 232 are capable of rotating around the first agitator axis A2. The rotation of the first agitator blade 232 causes the developer in the housing to be stirred, and can evenly stir the developer located in the housing while preventing the developer from clumping. The first agitator blade 232 is configured to be, for example, made of resin or in the form of a film.

[0043] The first agitator gear 15 is positioned at the first end of the housing in the first direction. The first agitator gear 15 is coupled to the agitator shaft 231 of the first agitator. The first agitator gear 15 is rotatable together with the first agitator 23 about the agitator axis A2. The first agitator gear 15 is configured as a primary gear. The gear teeth on the outer circumference of the first agitator gear 15 mesh with the first idler gear 14. Furthermore, the first agitator gear 15 meshes with the small-diameter gear portion of the first idler gear 14.

[0044] The first idler gear 14 is located at a first end of the housing in the first direction and is rotatable about an idle axis extending in the first direction. The first idler gear 14 includes a first gear portion 142 and a second gear portion 141. In the first direction, the first gear portion 142 is located between the second gear portion 141 and the first side wall 102 of the housing. The diameter of the second gear portion 141 is larger than that of the first gear portion 142. The second gear portion 142 meshes with the drive member 13.

[0045] The housing also includes a first protrusion 50, which is located at the first end of the housing in the first direction. The first protrusion 50 protrudes outward from the first side wall 102 of the housing in the first direction. The first protrusion 50 is located between the first agitator axis A2 and the drive member axis A3 in the second direction, and further, the first protrusion 50 is located between the first idler axis A4 and the first agitator axis A2. The first protrusion 50 is capable of moving together with the housing, and the first protrusion 50 can be formed integrally with the housing, or can be formed separately from the housing. The first protrusion 50 is configured to receive a driving force directed from the fourth end of the housing to the third end in the second direction, so that when the developer cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the first protrusion 50 is pushed toward the photosensitive drum through the drum cartridge in the second direction, so that the developing roller on the developer cartridge is closer to the photosensitive drum on the drum cartridge.

[0046] The gear cover 40 covers the drive member 13, the powder feed roller gear 12, the developer roller gear 11, the first idler gear 14, and the first agitator gear 15. Alternatively, the gear cover 40 need not cover all of each gear, but may cover a portion of each gear. The gear cover 40 is fixed to the first end of the housing in the first direction. The gear cover 40 is also provided with a developer storage unit mounting portion to receive the developer storage unit 30.

[0047] The developing memory unit 30 includes an electrical contact surface 31, a developing memory 32, and a holder 33. The developing memory 32 may store various information about the developing cartridge, such as identification information of a serial number and life information.

[0048] The developer storage unit 30 is located at the first end of the gear cover 40 in the first direction. More specifically, the developer storage unit 30 is mounted on the gear cover 40. In this embodiment, one end of the electrical contact surface 31 of the developer storage unit can be in contact with the image forming device, and the other end of the electrical contact surface 31 is electrically connected to the developer storage 32. The electrical contact surface 31 and the developer storage 32 are both located in a holder 33, and the holder 33 is positioned on the gear cover 40. The holder 33 is configured to keep the electrical contact surface 31 and the developer storage 32 at the first end in the first direction. The holder 33 can also be configured to be movable relative to the gear cover 40, or it can be fixed to the gear cover 40. Alternatively, the holder can also be directly fixed to the housing, for example, to the first side wall 102 of the housing, as long as the holder 32 can maintain the function of the electrical contact surface 31 being located in the developer box. Although in this embodiment, the electrical contact surface 31 and the developer storage 32 are configured as an integrated chip, optionally, the electrical contact surface and the developer storage can also be provided separately, and the two are connected by a wire. As Figure 4As shown, in this embodiment, in the first direction, at least a portion of the developer storage unit 30 is located outside the first agitator gear 15, and when viewed along the first agitator axis A2, at least a portion of the developer storage unit 30 overlaps with the first agitator gear 15. More specifically, the retainer 32 overlaps with the first agitator gear 15, but the electrical contact surface 31 does not overlap with the first agitator gear 15. The electrical contact surface 31 is located outside the first agitator gear 15, and in the third direction, the electrical contact surface 31 is located between the first outer surface 103 and the second outer surface 104 of the housing. Furthermore, the electrical contact surface 31 is located between the first outer surface 103 and the first protrusion 50.

[0049] The developer cartridge of this embodiment also includes a second protrusion 80 that protrudes outward from the second end of the housing in the first direction. The second protrusion 80 is located in the second direction and is also located between the first agitator axis A2 and the drive member axis A3. The second protrusion 80 is configured to receive a driving force directed from the third end of the housing to the fourth end in the second direction, so that when the developer cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the second protrusion 80 is pushed toward the photosensitive drum through the drum cartridge in the second direction, so that the developer roller on the developer cartridge is closer to the photosensitive drum on the drum cartridge. The second protrusion 80 is capable of moving with the housing, and the second protrusion 80 can be formed integrally with the housing, or can be formed separately from the housing. For example, the second protrusion 80 can be integrally formed with the bearing 70 provided at the second end of the housing.

[0050] In this embodiment, the bearing 70 is configured to rotatably support the second end of the developing roller shaft 202 and the second end of the powder feeding roller shaft 212. Alternatively, the bearing 70 can also be configured to only support the powder feeding roller shaft 212 or only support the developing roller shaft 202.

[0051] A locking protrusion 90 is also provided at the second end in the first direction of the shell. The locking protrusion 90 can cooperate with the locking rod in the photosensitive drum box to lock the developing box to a fixed position of the drum box. The locking protrusion 90 is constructed to be integrally formed with the second side wall of the shell, or it can be formed separately from the second side wall.

[0052] The developer cartridge of this embodiment is further provided with a power receiving portion 60 at the second end in the first direction. The power receiving portion 60 is configured to contact a power supply unit in the image forming device to receive power from the image forming device. The developer cartridge may also be provided with a conductive connection portion to transmit the power received by the power receiving portion 60 to the developer roller 11, thereby causing the developer roller to generate a corresponding voltage during the image forming process. In this embodiment, the power receiving portion 60 is configured as a U-shaped metal wire disposed at the second end of the housing. In this embodiment, the conductive connection portion includes a steel wire integrally formed with the U-shaped metal wire, which spans the first and second side walls of the housing. The conductive connection portion of the developer cartridge also includes a second conductive bearing 62 disposed at the first end of the housing in the first direction. The second conductive bearing supports the second ends of the developer roller and the powder feed roller. The developer roller receives power from the image forming device via the power receiving portion 60 and transmits the power to the developer roller shaft 202 through the conductive connection portion. Although the power receiving portion 60 of this embodiment is configured as a U-shaped conductive wire, the conductive connection portion is configured to include the wire and the second conductive bearing. However, the power receiving portion 60 can also be constructed in other shapes and electrically connect the power received by the power receiving portion to the developer roller in other ways. For example, the power receiving portion can transmit the power received from the second end of the housing to the developer roller shaft via the powder feed roller shaft, or transmit the power to the developer roller shaft via other forms of conductive connectors. However, alternatively, the power receiving portion of the developer cartridge of the present invention can also be constructed of a conductive resin, for example, the power receiving portion can be integrally formed with the bearing 70 disposed at the second end of the housing, so that the power receiving portion is only disposed at the second end of the housing and directly transmits power to the developer roller only through the bearing 70 disposed at the second end. Therefore, the material and shape of the power receiving portion can be diverse, and the shape, material, and location of the conductive connector can also be diverse. The power receiving portion of the developer cartridge of the present invention is disposed on the opposite side of the drive member 13 from the electrical contact surface 31 of the developer storage unit in the first direction. In the first direction, the developer cartridge can contact the supply unit in the image forming device from both sides of the housing. This avoids the problem of overcrowding on one side of the developer cartridge housing and interference between the various components caused by locating the power receiving portion on the same side of the drive member and the developer storage unit, thereby making the developer cartridge structure more reasonable and compact.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] The similarities between this embodiment and embodiment 1 will not be described in detail. This embodiment only describes the differences from the first embodiment. The developing box in embodiment 1 is only provided with one agitator, while the developing box in this embodiment also includes a second agitator 24, so the developing box in this embodiment has two agitators in total. The developing box in this embodiment is suitable for accommodating a large amount of developer. Providing two agitators can increase the stirring efficiency of the powder box, improve the developer conveying efficiency, and also better prevent the developer in the developing box from agglomerating. The second agitator 24 in this embodiment is configured to stir the developer in the shell. Figure 7 As shown, the second agitator is positioned in the housing and is capable of rotating about a second agitator axis extending in a first direction. The second agitator includes a second agitator shaft and a second blade. The second agitator shaft extends along the agitator axis, and the second blade is coupled to the second agitator shaft. The second agitator shaft and the second blade are capable of rotating about the agitator axis.

[0055] The second agitator gear 17 is located at a first end of the housing in the first direction. The second agitator gear is coupled to the agitator shaft of the second agitator and is rotatable together with the second agitator around the agitator axis.

[0056] The second idler gear 16 is positioned at one end of the housing in the first direction. The second idler gear 16 includes a third gear portion 161 and a fourth gear portion 162. The diameter of the third gear portion 161 is smaller than the diameter of the fourth gear portion 162. In the first direction, the fourth gear portion 162 is located between the third gear portion 161 and the first side wall 102 of the housing. The third gear portion 161 and the fourth gear portion 162 are capable of rotating integrally with each other. Preferably, the third gear portion 161 and the fourth gear portion 162 are formed integrally. Alternatively, the third gear portion 161 and the fourth gear portion 164 can also be formed separately from each other. The second idler gear 16 is arranged between the first agitator axis A2 and the second agitator axis A4 in the second direction.

[0057] Example 3

[0058] The similarities between this embodiment and embodiment 2 are not described here, and only the differences from embodiment 2 are described here. Figure 8As shown, the structures of the first idler gear 18, the first agitator gear 19, the second idler gear 25 and the second agitator gear 26 are different from those in embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the first idler gear 18 is constructed as a two-stage gear, including a large-diameter gear portion 181 and a small-diameter gear portion 182, and the small-diameter gear portion 182 is located between the large-diameter gear portion 181 and the first side wall 102; the first agitator gear 19 is constructed as a two-stage gear, including a small-diameter gear portion 191 and a large-diameter gear portion 192, and the large-diameter gear portion 192 is located between the large-diameter gear portion 181 and the first side wall 102. Between the small-diameter gear 191 and the first side wall 102 of the housing, the large-diameter gear portion 192 of the first agitator gear meshes with the small-diameter gear portion 182 of the first idler gear to receive the driving force from the driving member. The small-diameter gear portion 191 of the first agitator gear meshes with the second idler gear 25. The second idler gear 25 is configured as a primary gear and meshes with the second agitator gear 26. As a result, the second agitator gear 26 receives the driving force from the driving member 13 via the first idler gear 18, the first agitator gear 19, and the second idler gear 25. In this embodiment, since the first agitator gear is arranged with the large-diameter gear portion closer to the inside of the housing and the portion closest to the outermost side of the housing is the small-diameter gear portion, this structure allows a smaller protective cover to cover a portion of the gear, thereby reducing the size of the developer cartridge as a whole.

[0059] The utility model provides a developing box, which innovatively arranges various components such as protrusions, agitator gears, and a developing storage unit reasonably on both sides of the shell, so that the size of the developing box can be set smaller and the shape and position of the protrusion can be set more diversely.

[0060] 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 developing cartridge, comprising: a housing for accommodating a developer, the housing having a first side and a second side separated from each other in a first direction; a developing roller rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in the first direction; a driving gear, configured to receive an external driving force and drive the developing roller to rotate, wherein the driving gear is located on the first side of the housing; an agitator, for agitating the developer inside the housing, wherein the agitator is located inside the housing; an agitator gear, capable of receiving the driving force of the driving gear to rotate the agitator, wherein the agitator gear is connected to the agitator; an idler gear for transmitting the driving force of the drive gear to the agitator gear; a development memory having an electrical contact surface, the electrical contact surface being located on the first side of the housing; The invention is characterized in that it further comprises a forced pushing protrusion, wherein the forced pushing protrusion is located between the driving gear axis of the driving gear and the electrical contact surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction; The agitator gear is configured as a single-layer gear and is meshed with the idler gear.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein At least a portion of the developing storage as viewed in the first direction overlaps with the agitator gear.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The developing cartridge is further provided with a power receiving portion that receives power from the image forming device, and at least a portion of the power receiving portion is exposed at the second side of the housing.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The developing cartridge further includes a second protrusion that protrudes outward from the second side of the housing in the first direction, the second protrusion being located between the agitator axis and the drive gear axis in the second direction.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The developing cartridge further includes a holder for supporting the electrical contact surface and the developing storage, the holder being positioned on a gear cover located on the first side of the housing.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: The holder is configured to hold the electrical contact surface at the first side of the housing in the first direction.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: The retainer is configured to be movable relative to the gear cover.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: The retainer is fixed to one side of the gear cover.

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