Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of printing consumables, in particular to a processing box and an image forming device, the processing box comprises a developing frame, a developing roller, a driving device and a driving device, a photosensitive frame having a photosensitive drum; a first force receiving portion located at an end portion of the developing roller; a second force receiving portion located at an end portion of the photosensitive drum; and the gear end cover is mounted at the end part, close to the first force receiving part, of the developing frame, and when the process cartridge is mounted in the mounting groove, the gear end cover partially abuts against the first supporting part, so that the developing frame moves from a far position to a close position relative to the photosensitive frame. The processing box can be installed behind the image forming equipment and the supporting frame, and the developing roller is located at a fixed position relative to the photosensitive drum. In addition, the processing box is supported through the first limiting part, the second limiting part and the like in multiple aspects, and the situation that the processing box is broken due to the single positioning part is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of printing consumables, in particular to a processing box and image forming equipment. Background Art

[0002] Image forming devices are devices that form images on recording materials (such as paper) using the principles of electrophotographic imaging. Examples include electrophotographic copiers, laser printers, electrophotographic printers (such as laser printers and LED printers), fax machines, and word processors. These devices typically include a process cartridge that is removably attached to the main body of the image forming device.

[0003] Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses using electrophotographic imaging, a photosensitive drum and a photosensitive unit associated with the drum are integrally assembled into a process cartridge. Consequently, a widely adopted type of process cartridge, which is attachable and detachable to the main body of the imaging apparatus, is a contact development method, in which the elastic layer of a developing roller contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum to form an image. In this case, the developing roller must maintain uniform contact with the photosensitive drum in the direction of its rotational axis.

[0004] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the image forming apparatus includes four (first through fourth) process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK). The four process cartridges P can be mounted on a support frame 70 that can be extended and retracted in the illustrated direction. The support frame 70 supports the four process cartridges P and has four mounting slots for receiving the process cartridges P. Each mounting slot has a first support member and a second support member. When the process cartridges P are installed in the mounting slots, portions of the process cartridges P abut against the first and second support members within the slots. After the process cartridges are installed in the image forming apparatus, the developing roller swings into position close to the photosensitive drum. However, due to the poor positioning of the positioning portion 24 of the process cartridge on the support frame, even after installation, the developing unit swings relative to the photosensitive drum during vibrations generated by the operation of the image forming apparatus, causing the developing roller to separate from the photosensitive drum, thus affecting electrophotographic imaging. Furthermore, the positioning portion 24 extends along the side of the side cover and needs to support the weight of the entire process cartridge, making it susceptible to breakage. Utility Model Content

[0005] Compared with the existing processing cartridges, the processing cartridge and image forming device provided by the embodiments of the present invention can be installed behind the support frame of the image forming device, with the developing roller in a fixed position relative to the photosensitive drum and not easily separated due to shaking generated during normal operation of the device; in addition, the processing cartridge is supported in multiple aspects such as the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion, so that the processing cartridge will not break due to a single positioning component, thereby ensuring that the image forming device can be used normally.

[0006] An embodiment of the utility model provides a process cartridge, wherein the process cartridge is detachably mounted on an image forming device, wherein the image forming device includes a support frame capable of relative movement relative to the image forming device, the support frame having a mounting slot, a first supporting member, and a second supporting member; the process cartridge includes:

[0007] a developing frame having a developing roller rotatable relative to the developing frame;

[0008] a photosensitive frame having a photosensitive drum, wherein the photosensitive drum is rotatable relative to the photosensitive frame;

[0009] a first force receiving portion located at an end portion of the developing roller to receive a force from the image forming apparatus to rotate the developing roller;

[0010] a second force receiving portion located at an end portion of the photosensitive drum to receive a force from the image forming apparatus to rotate the photosensitive drum;

[0011] a gear end cover mounted on an end portion of the developing frame adjacent to the first force receiving portion, wherein when the process cartridge is mounted to the mounting groove, the gear end cover partially abuts against the first supporting member, causing the developing frame to move from a distanced position to a close position relative to the photosensitive frame, thereby causing the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to move from a separated state to a close contact state;

[0012] Wherein, the photosensitive frame further includes at least one second limiting portion, which is arranged at the end of the photosensitive frame. When the processing box is installed in the installation slot, the second limiting portion abuts against the second supporting component, thereby limiting the position of the photosensitive frame.

[0013] Furthermore, the photosensitive frame and the at least one second limiting portion are integrally formed.

[0014] Furthermore, the second limiting portion is divided into two groups, namely a second limiting portion A and a second limiting portion B. The second limiting portion A and the second limiting portion B are respectively installed at both ends of the photosensitive frame along the left and right directions.

[0015] Furthermore, when viewed along the front-to-back direction of the process cartridge, the limiting surface of the second limiting portion A and the limiting surface of the second limiting portion B have different heights in the up-down direction.

[0016] Furthermore, when viewed along the front-to-back direction of the process cartridge, the limiting surface of the second limiting portion A is higher than the limiting surface of the second limiting portion B in the up-down direction.

[0017] Furthermore, the limiting surface of the second limiting portion A and the limiting surface of the second limiting portion B are plane surfaces and / or arc surfaces.

[0018] Furthermore, a first limiting portion is provided on the gear end cover, and a limiting surface of the first limiting portion can abut against the first supporting component, so that the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are moved from a separated state to a close contact state.

[0019] Furthermore, the limiting surface of the first limiting portion is a plane and / or an arc surface.

[0020] Furthermore, the process cartridge further includes at least one side cover, and the side cover is mounted on the end portions of the developing frame and the photosensitive frame.

[0021] Furthermore, along the left-right direction, at least a portion of the gear cover is located between the side cover and the developing frame, and is movable relative to the side cover and following the developing frame.

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention also provides an image forming device, comprising a support frame capable of moving relative to the image forming device, the support frame having a mounting slot, a first support component and a second support component, and the image forming device is adapted to the processing box as described above.

[0023] Therefore, compared with the existing processing box, the processing box provided by the embodiment of the present invention can be installed behind the support frame of the image forming device, and the developing roller is in a fixed position relative to the photosensitive drum, and is not easily separated due to the shaking generated during the normal operation of the graphic device; in addition, by supporting the processing box in multiple aspects such as the first limiting part and the second limiting part, the processing box will not break due to the single positioning component, thereby ensuring that the image forming device can be used normally. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present utility model, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments.

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an image forming device in the prior art;

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a processing box in the prior art;

[0027] Figure 3 An exploded view of a process cartridge provided in one embodiment of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 (a) is a structural diagram of the process of installing the processing box to the support frame provided by one embodiment of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 5 (b) is a structural diagram of the process of installing the processing box to the support frame provided by one embodiment of the utility model;

[0030] Figure 6 A front view (a) of the process of installing the processing cartridge to the support frame according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7 A front view (b) of the process of installing the processing cartridge to the support frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 8 A side view (a) of the process of installing the processing cartridge to the support frame according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 9 (b) is a side view of the process of installing the processing box to the support frame provided by one embodiment of the utility model;

[0034] Figure 10 This is a schematic structural diagram of a gear end cover of a processing box provided by one embodiment of the present utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] It will be understood that when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” indicate the presence of described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0037] It should also be understood that the terms used in this utility model specification are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the utility model. As used in this utility model specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0038] It should be further understood that the term “and / or” used in the present specification and the appended claims refers to any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and includes these combinations.

[0039] It should be further understood that the left-right direction used in the present utility model specification and the appended claims is the width direction of the processing box / image forming device, the up-down direction is the height direction of the processing box / image forming device, and the front-back direction is the length direction of the processing box / image forming device.

[0040] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the image forming device uses, for example, electrophotographic imaging technology to form an image on a recording material (paper). Image forming devices include, for example, electrophotographic copiers, electrophotographic printers (LED printers), laser printers, electrophotographic printer-type fax machines, and word processors. Image forming devices generally include monochrome image forming devices and color image forming devices. The image forming device includes a plurality of couplings (not shown) as drive output components, each connected to a first force receiving portion 151 and a second force receiving portion 161 of the process cartridge 10. The first force receiving portion 151 is located at the end of the developing roller 16 to receive force from the image forming device to rotate the developing roller 16. The second force receiving portion 161 is located at the end of the photosensitive drum 15 to receive force from the image forming device to rotate the photosensitive drum 15. Specifically, the first force receiving portion 151 receives force from the coupling to drive the developing roller 16 to rotate in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed. The second force receiving portion 161 receives force from another coupling to drive the photosensitive drum 15 to rotate in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed.

[0041] like Figure 4-9 As shown, the installation process of the processing box 10 is as follows: first, the support frame 20 of the image forming device is taken out along the front-to-back direction of the image forming device, and the processing box 10 is installed from top to bottom in the installation groove 23 of the support frame 20 of the image forming device. After the processing box 10 is stably installed, the support frame 20 can be pushed along the front-to-back direction of the image forming device. After the support frame 20 is located in the appropriate position inside the image forming device, multiple connectors of the image forming device will extend and respectively engage with the first force receiving part 151 and the second force receiving part 161 of each processing box 10, completing the above-mentioned rotation of the developing roller 16 and the photosensitive drum 15.

[0042] like Figure 3As shown, the process cartridge 10 includes a developing frame 11, a developing roller 16 located in the developing frame 11, and receiving a force from a coupling of the above-mentioned image forming apparatus via a first force receiving portion 151 provided at an end of the developing roller 16 to rotate; a photosensitive frame 12, a photosensitive drum 15 located in the photosensitive frame 12, and receiving a force from a coupling of the above-mentioned image forming apparatus via a second force receiving portion 161 provided at an end of the photosensitive drum 15 to rotate;

[0043] The developing frame 11 forms a storage area (not shown) for storing developer. The developing frame 11 is roughly in the shape of an elongated box, with end surfaces at both ends. In addition to the developing roller 16, the developing frame 11 also includes a stirring frame and a powder feed roller rotatably supported at both ends of the developing frame 11. The stirring frame, powder feed roller, and developing roller 16 are rotatable by a drive gear assembly, with the stirring frame, powder feed roller, and developing roller 16 all axially oriented along the left-right direction of the developing frame 11. The developer in the storage area is stirred by the stirring frame, preventing the developer from clumping within the powder bin and also transporting the developer toward the powder feed roller. After the powder feed roller delivers the developer to the developing roller 16, it is attracted to the charged developing roller 16. A scraper 17 is provided above the photosensitive drum 16. The scraper 17 is in linear contact with the photosensitive drum 15. The scraper 17 is an elastic rubber scraper 17 extending in the left-right direction of the process cartridge 10. The scraper 17 is held by a supporting metal plate 171 and fixedly mounted on the photosensitive frame 12 by means of the supporting metal plate 171. Some toner remains on the developing roller 15 after transfer, and this toner is scraped off by the scraper 17.

[0044] The length of the photosensitive frame 12 in the left-right direction is the same as the length of the developing frame 11 in the left-right direction. The photosensitive drum 15 is rotatably supported at both ends of the photosensitive frame 12 in the left-right direction, and the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 15 is substantially aligned with the length of the photosensitive frame 12. The developer absorbed by the developing roller 16 can be transferred to the photosensitive drum 15 due to the opposite positive and negative charges between the developing roller 16 and the photosensitive drum 15. The charging roller is used to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 15, so that the photosensitive drum 15 can absorb the developer.

[0045] like Figure 3 and 10As shown, the process cartridge 10 further includes a gear end cover 14, which is mounted on the end of the developing frame 11 near the first force receiving portion 151. When the process cartridge 10 is mounted on the mounting groove 23, the gear end cover 14 partially abuts against the first supporting member 22, causing the developing frame 11 to move from a distant position to a close position relative to the photosensitive frame 12, thereby causing the developing roller 16 and the photosensitive drum 15 to move from a separated state to a close contact state. Specifically, the gear end cover 14 is fixedly mounted on the end of the developing frame 11 near the first force receiving portion 151, and a portion of the first force receiving portion 151 passes through the hole 142 of the gear end cover 14 to connect with the coupling of the image forming device. At the same time, during the installation process of the developing frame 11, the gear end cover 14 can swing along with the swing of the developing frame 11.

[0046] like Figure 3-10 As shown, further, the gear end cover 14 has a first limiting portion 141, and the first limiting portion 141 has a limiting surface. When the processing box 10 is installed to the installation groove 23 of the support frame 20, the limiting surface can follow the swing of the gear end cover 14 and abut against the first supporting component 22 of the support frame 20 to keep the developing frame 11 fixed on part of the support frame 20, to ensure that even after the processing box 10 is installed in place, the developing frame 11 of the developing unit will not swing relative to the photosensitive drum 15 during the vibration generated by the operation of the image forming device, thereby keeping the developing roller 16 in close contact with the photosensitive drum 15.

[0047] like Figure 4-9 As shown, to further prevent the process cartridge 10 from shaking after installation, the photosensitive frame 12 further includes at least one second limiting portion. In this embodiment, two second limiting portions are provided: a second limiting portion A121 and a second limiting portion B122. The second limiting portions A121 and B122 are respectively installed at the left and right ends of the photosensitive frame 12. When the process cartridge 10 is installed in the installation slot 23, the second limiting portions abut against the second supporting member 21, thereby limiting the position of the photosensitive frame 12. While preventing the developing frame 11 from moving, the position of the photosensitive frame 12 is also limited, further ensuring that the developing roller 16 and the photosensitive drum 15 do not separate during the vibration generated by the operation of the image forming apparatus.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, in order to facilitate the processing of the photosensitive frame, the second limiting part A121 and the second limiting part B122 are integrally extended from the left and right ends of the photosensitive frame by injection molding, that is, the second limiting part A121 and the second limiting part B122 are integrally molded with the photosensitive frame, which can facilitate the demolding of the photosensitive frame and also reduce the assembly of parts, making assembly easier.

[0049] like Figure 6-7 As shown, when viewed along the front-to-back direction of the process cartridge 10, the limiting surface of the second limiting portion A121 and the limiting surface of the second limiting portion B122 are at different heights in the vertical direction. Specifically, when viewed along the front-to-back direction of the process cartridge 10, the limiting surface of the second limiting portion A121 is higher in the vertical direction than the limiting surface of the second limiting portion B122. This accommodates the different height differences between the two sets of second support members 21 in the support frame 20. In this way, the photosensitive frame 12 of the process cartridge 10 can simultaneously contact both sets of second support members 21 during the final stage of installation, ensuring the parallelism of the process cartridge 10 and avoiding tilting or uneven contact. This ensures that the contact line between the developing roller 16 and the photosensitive drum 15 is parallel to the left-right direction of the process cartridge 10.

[0050] In order to ensure that the first limiting portion 141 and the second limiting portion can stably contact the first supporting part 22 and the second supporting part 21, the limiting surface of the first limiting portion 141 and the limiting surface of the second limiting portion (including the limiting surface of the second limiting portion A121 and the limiting surface of the second limiting portion B122) are set to a plane, an arc surface or a plane and an arc surface, thereby increasing the contact area between the limiting surface of the first limiting portion 141 and the limiting surface of the second limiting portion (including the limiting surface of the second limiting portion A121 and the limiting surface of the second limiting portion B122) and the first supporting part 22 and the second supporting part 21, ensuring that the processing box 10 can be stable and not move after installation, and the hand force surface of the processing box 10 and the support frame 20 is wider.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, at least one side cover 13 is further provided at the ends of the developing frame 11 and the photosensitive frame 12. In this embodiment, two side covers 13 are provided, one mounted on each end of the developing frame 11 and the photosensitive frame 12 in the left-right direction. This prevents the developing frame 11 from swinging excessively, thereby ensuring structural stability. A gap exists between the side cover 13 and the developing frame 11 near the first force receiving portion 151 and the second force receiving portion 161. This gap is sufficient to accommodate a portion of the gear end cover 14, so that the gear end cover 14 is confined between the side cover 13 and the developing frame 11. As the gear end cover 14 swings with the developing frame 11, the side cover 13 can remain fixed, ensuring the stability of the process cartridge 10.

[0052] Compared with the existing processing box 10, the processing box 10 provided by the embodiment of the present invention can be installed on the support frame 20 of the image forming device, and the developing roller 16 is in a fixed position relative to the photosensitive drum 15, and is not easily separated due to the shaking generated during the normal operation of the graphic device; in addition, the processing box 10 is supported in multiple aspects such as the first limiting portion 141 and the second limiting portion, and the processing box 10 will not be broken due to the single positioning component, thereby ensuring that the image forming device can be used normally.

[0053] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and such modifications or substitutions are intended to be within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A process cartridge, wherein the process cartridge is detachably mounted on an image forming device, wherein the image forming device comprises a support frame capable of relative movement relative to the image forming device, the support frame having a mounting slot, a first support member, and a second support member; wherein: The processing box includes: a developing frame having a developing roller rotatable relative to the developing frame; a photosensitive frame having a photosensitive drum, wherein the photosensitive drum is rotatable relative to the photosensitive frame; a first force receiving portion located at an end portion of the developing roller to receive a force from the image forming apparatus to rotate the developing roller; a second force receiving portion located at an end portion of the photosensitive drum to receive a force from the image forming apparatus to rotate the photosensitive drum; a gear end cover mounted on an end portion of the developing frame adjacent to the first force receiving portion, wherein when the process cartridge is mounted to the mounting groove, the gear end cover partially abuts against the first supporting member, causing the developing frame to move from a distanced position to a close position relative to the photosensitive frame, thereby causing the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to move from a separated state to a close contact state; Wherein, the photosensitive frame further includes at least one second limiting portion, which is arranged at the end of the photosensitive frame. When the processing box is installed in the installation slot, the second limiting portion abuts against the second supporting component, thereby limiting the position of the photosensitive frame.

2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The photosensitive frame and the at least one second limiting portion are integrally formed.

3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The second limiting portion comprises two groups, namely a second limiting portion A and a second limiting portion B. The second limiting portion A and the second limiting portion B are respectively installed at two ends of the photosensitive frame along the left and right directions.

4. The process cartridge according to claim 3, wherein: When viewed along the front-to-rear direction of the process cartridge, the limiting surface of the second limiting portion A and the limiting surface of the second limiting portion B have different heights in the upper and lower directions.

5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein: When viewed along the front-to-rear direction of the process cartridge, the limiting surface of the second limiting portion A is higher than the limiting surface of the second limiting portion B in the up-down direction.

6. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein: The limiting surface of the second limiting portion A and the limiting surface of the second limiting portion B are plane surfaces and / or arc surfaces.

7. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The gear end cover is provided with a first limiting portion, and a limiting surface of the first limiting portion can abut against the first supporting component, so that the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are moved from a separated state to a close contact state.

8. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: The limiting surface of the first limiting portion is a plane and / or an arc surface.

9. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The process cartridge further includes at least one side cover mounted on end portions of the developing frame and the photosensitive frame.

10. The process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein At least a portion of the gear cover is located between the side cover and the developing frame in the left-right direction, and is movable relative to the side cover and following the developing frame.

11. An image forming device, comprising a support frame capable of moving relative to the image forming device, the support frame having a mounting slot, a first support member, and a second support member, wherein: The image forming apparatus is adapted to the process cartridge according to claims 1 to 10.

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