Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses a processing box and an image forming device, the processing box is detachably installed in an image processing device body, the processing box is provided with a box body, a chip installed on the box body and a waste powder discharge pipe, and the waste powder discharge pipe protrudes from the box body and is provided with a discharge port for discharging waste powder. When the processing box is installed in the image processing device body, the position of the chip is higher than the position of the discharge port. In the structure of the utility model, redundant carbon powder is not easy to scatter and accumulate on the surface of the chip contact point, and the risk of unstable chip connection is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a processing box and an image forming device. Background Art

[0002] Currently, an image forming apparatus such as an image forming device has a detachable process cartridge for image formation installed therein. The process cartridge has a process cartridge chip installed thereon. After the process cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus, the process cartridge chip needs to communicate data with the image forming apparatus.

[0003] During the imaging process, however, not all toner is transferred to the paper for imaging. Any toner remaining on the drum surface is collected in a waste toner box. The waste toner box's lifespan varies from that of the process cartridge and may require separate replacement. During this process, a small amount of toner is scattered. If this scattered toner accumulates near the chip and contacts, it can affect the chip's contact stability and interfere with the process cartridge's proper functioning. Utility Model Content

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a process cartridge is provided, which is detachably mounted in an image processing apparatus body, and is characterized in that the process cartridge comprises:

[0005] Box body;

[0006] A chip is mounted on the box body;

[0007] A waste toner discharge pipe protrudes from the box body and has a discharge port for discharging waste toner;

[0008] When the process cartridge is installed in the image processing apparatus body, the chip is located at a position higher than the discharge port.

[0009] Optionally, when the processing box is installed in the image processing device body, the connection point of the chip is oriented opposite to the discharge port.

[0010] Optionally, the chip is mounted on the upper surface of the processing box, and the discharge port is located below the discharge pipe.

[0011] Optionally, the chip is enclosed inside the box body, and a conductive member is provided on the processing box. The conductive member is connected to the chip and has a contact portion exposed on the surface of the processing box.

[0012] Optionally, the conductive part is stamped from a whole piece of conductive plate, including a contact portion located in the middle section and a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion respectively bent at both ends of the contact portion, and a mounting portion for the conductive part to pass through is provided on the box body.

[0013] Optionally, the end of the first clamping portion is bent to form a first bent portion, and the first bent portion is used to abut against the chip to establish a connection with the chip.

[0014] Optionally, the end portion of the second clamping portion is bent to form a second bent portion, and the second bent portion hooks the inner surface of the box body, thereby preventing the conductive member from falling out of the mounting portion.

[0015] Optionally, the middle section of the first clamping portion has a stamped elastic arm, and the mounting portion is correspondingly provided with a locking portion. When the conductive member is mounted on the box body, the elastic arm cooperates with the locking portion to fix the conductive member on the box body.

[0016] Optionally, a switch plate is provided on the waste powder discharge pipe, and the switch plate controls the opening and closing of the discharge port.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming device is provided, comprising a main body and the aforementioned processing box installed in the main body, a control board is provided on the main body, and a chip is electrically connected to the control board. The device is characterized in that the main body is provided with a grounding component, and when the processing box is installed in the main body, the grounding component is electrically connected to the chip.

[0018] With the processing box and the image forming device provided by the utility model, excess carbon powder is not easily scattered and accumulated on the surface of the chip contact point, thereby reducing the risk of unstable chip connection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an image forming device in one embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the working principle of an image forming device in one embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of a powder cartridge in one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of a processing box in one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the structure of the processing box after the box body is hidden is shown.

[0024] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of a waste toner box in one embodiment.

[0025] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the location of the discharge port in one embodiment.

[0026] Figure 8 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the installation and cooperation between the conductive member and the box body in one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of a conductive member in one embodiment.

[0028] Figure 10 FIG. 4 is a side view of a conductive member in one embodiment.

[0029] In the picture:

[0030] 00. Image forming device;

[0031] 10. Paper feeding module; 20. Imaging module; 30. Laser scanning module; 40. Fixing module; 50. Transport module; 60. Control panel;

[0032] 21. Toner cartridge; 22. Processing box; 23. Waste toner box;

[0033] 221, box body; 221a, locking portion; 222, chip; 223, waste powder discharge pipe; 224, discharge port; 225, switch plate; 226, conductive member;

[0034] 231, receiving port;

[0035] 261. First clamping portion; 262. First bending portion; 263. Second clamping portion; 264. Second bending portion; 265. Elastic arm; 266. Contact portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is apparent that the embodiments described are only a portion of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are also within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Therefore, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of this utility model, "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0038] In this utility model, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection, electrical connection, or communication; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two elements or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise specified. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "on" or "under" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium.

[0040] In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as features of different embodiments or examples, unless they are mutually inconsistent.

[0041] like Figure 1 The image forming device 00 is shown as a schematic diagram of the overall structure and Figure 2 As shown in the working principle diagram of the image forming apparatus 00 , the image forming apparatus 00 generally includes a paper feeding module 10 , an imaging module 20 , a laser scanning module 30 , a fixing module 40 , a conveying module 50 and a control panel 60 .

[0042] Structurally, the image forming device 00 includes an outer shell, and a frame is arranged inside the outer shell. The frame is the skeleton part of the entire machine. The above-mentioned paper feeding module 10, imaging module 20, laser scanning module 30, fixing module 40 and conveying module 50 are assembled in the internal frame. The frame provides fixed support for the installation, positioning and circuit connection of each module component.

[0043] The user operates the control panel 60 to coordinate the various modules to complete a print task. First, upon receiving a print control command, the laser scanning module 30 uses a laser to scan the imaging module 20, forming the image to be printed. The transport module 50 removes the print medium (typically paper) from the paper feed module 10 and transports it to the imaging module 20, where the image to be printed is transferred to the print medium. The transport module 50 then transports the paper with the image to the fixing module 40 for fixing, fixing the image on the paper surface before ejection.

[0044] Specifically, the key components of the imaging module 20 include a toner cartridge 21, a photosensitive drum, a charging component, a developing roller, and a cleaning component. The specific imaging steps include:

[0045] The first step is charging: the photosensitive drum rotates, and the charging element (such as a charging roller) charges the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum.

[0046] The second step is writing (exposure): the laser scanning module 30 emits a laser beam carrying digital information to scan the surface of the photosensitive drum to generate discharge, making the potential of the image area and the blank area different, and forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0047] The third step is development: In the developer assembly, the powder cartridge 21 supplies toner to the developer roller. A developer, initially formed by a mixture of toner and carrier, is attracted to the surface of the developer roller. Controlled by the powder blade, a uniform layer of developer is formed on the roller surface. As the photosensitive drum and developer roller rotate parallel to each other, the toner supplied by the developer assembly is attracted to the imaged areas of the drum surface, while the blank areas remain untouched. This transforms the latent image on the drum surface into a visible toner image.

[0048] The fourth step is transfer: The photosensitive drum carrying the image rotates and meets the paper at the same speed. The transfer roller applies a positive voltage to the back of the paper and presses the paper against the photosensitive drum, transferring the toner image to the paper.

[0049] Step 5: Fixing: The paper carrying the toner image enters the fixing module 40, which consists of a heating roller and a pressure roller. Under the action of heat and pressure, the toner particles are melted and fixed to the fibers of the paper, forming the printed document we see.

[0050] Step 6: Cleaning: Since not all the toner on the drum surface is transferred to the paper, the remaining toner on the OPC needs to be removed with a cleaning scraper and collected in the waste toner bin for subsequent operations.

[0051] The seventh step is discharge. After the transfer, there is still a small amount of charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The charging roller uses its surface static to eliminate it so that the next cycle of development can be carried out.

[0052] The imaging module 20 is a consumable material and is configured to be detachably mounted in the frame. Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the imaging module 20 is composed of three parts: a toner cartridge 21 , a processing box 22 and a waste toner box 23 .

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the powder barrel 21 is filled with carbon powder and provided with a stirring screw. The stirring screw is driven to rotate in the powder barrel 21 to stir the toner to prevent it from sticking to the inner wall of the powder barrel 21 and to enable it to be smoothly discharged from the powder outlet.

[0054] The processing box 22 is provided with a stirring device, a developing roller, a powder knife, and a photosensitive drum. The stirring device fully mixes the colorant and the carrier in the processing box 22 to form a developer. The photosensitive drum and the developing roller have parallel rotating axes and opposite rotating directions. The powder knife is arranged along the axial direction of the developing roller and is maintained in a position to form a fixed width gap with the surface of the developing roller. After the developing roller is charged, its surface can absorb the developer to form a developer layer. The developer layer has uneven thickness when it is not treated, but it has a uniform thickness after being treated by the gap between the powder knife and the surface of the developing roller. The surface of the photosensitive drum is scanned by the laser scanning unit to form an electrostatic latent image, that is, the area where the image is to be formed is charged. When this area approaches the developer layer on the surface of the developing roller, the colorant is adsorbed in the electrostatic area, and the image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0055] like Figure 4 As shown, the processing box 22 is a box-shaped structure with a cavity formed inside, in which internal devices such as a stirring device, a developing roller, a photosensitive drum, and a powder discharge knife are installed. In one embodiment, the processing box 22 is composed of two parts: a box body 221 with an opening and a cover body. The developing roller, the powder discharge knife, and the stirring device are all installed in the box body 221. The cover body closes the opening of the box body 221, making the interior a relatively sealed cavity. The connection between the cover body and the box body 221 is closed by gluing, ultrasonic welding, or a slot structure. Optionally, a circle of sealing sponge is provided along the inner edge of the connection between the upper cover and the box body 221 to prevent the carrier from leaking from the connection.

[0056] The process cartridge 22 is also equipped with a waste toner discharge pipe 223, which protrudes from the cartridge body 221 and has an outlet 224 for the waste toner. During the sixth cleaning step, the remaining toner (waste toner) removed from the photosensitive drum is transported to the waste toner discharge pipe 223 and then discharged through outlet 224. Typically, to save costs, the waste toner discharge pipe 223 extends from the surface of the process cartridge 22 and is inserted into the receiving port 231 of the waste toner box 23. This allows the waste toner to fall directly into the waste toner box 23, eliminating the need for a separate waste toner transport channel and reducing the risk of waste toner leakage during transportation.

[0057] Optionally, a switch plate 225 is provided on the waste powder discharge pipe 223 , and the switch plate 225 can control the opening and closing of the discharge port 224 .

[0058] In one possible embodiment, the switch plate 225 is sleeved on the waste toner discharge pipe 223. Furthermore, the switch plate 225 is connected to the waste toner discharge pipe 223 via an elastic member. The elastic member provides elastic force to keep the discharge port 224 always closed by the switch plate 225. The discharge port 224 is opened only when the waste toner discharge pipe 223 is inserted into the waste toner box 23 and the switch plate 225 is pushed in the opposite direction.

[0059] In addition, each processing box 22 needs to have a chip 222 for storing information, which is usually used to read information such as whether the model of the processing box 22 matches the model of the image forming device 00, the remaining printing amount, etc.

[0060] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the chip 222 is mounted on the box body 221 , and when the process box 22 is installed in the image processing device body, the position of the chip 222 is higher than the position of the discharge port 224 .

[0061] Under the action of gravity, even if waste powder leaks, it is difficult for it to fly to the higher surface of the chip 222.

[0062] Furthermore, when the process cartridge 22 is installed in the image processing apparatus body, the connection point of the chip 222 faces opposite to the direction of the discharge port 224. For example, the connection point of the chip 222 faces diagonally upward, and the discharge port 224 faces diagonally downward, or the chip 222 is located at the front side of the process cartridge 22, and the discharge port 224 faces the rear side of the process cartridge 22.

[0063] By arranging the chip 222 and the discharge port 224 in opposite directions, the accumulation of scattered carbon powder on the surface of the chip 222 can be reduced, thereby improving the electrical connection stability of the chip 222 .

[0064] In a possible embodiment, the chip 222 is mounted on the upper surface of the processing box 22 with the connection point facing upward, and the discharge port 224 is located below the discharge pipe, which is more conducive to the discharge of waste powder under the action of gravity.

[0065] In another possible embodiment, the chip 222 is enclosed inside the processing box 22, and a conductive member 226 is embedded in the processing box 22 to communicate with the chip 222. The conductive member 226 has a contact portion 266 exposed on the surface of the processing box 22. The chip 222 can be hidden inside the box body 221 through this external conductive sheet, further reducing the exposure of the chip 222, thereby avoiding the accumulation of carbon powder on the chip 222.

[0066] Existing chips 222 typically have more contacts, resulting in a smaller contact surface and more connection gaps or uneven surfaces. Providing a conductive sheet can change the structure of the conductive sheet to make the exposed conductive connection points of the process cartridge 22 have a larger and smoother contact area, which is beneficial for stable electrical connection.

[0067] In one embodiment, the conductive member 226 is stamped from a whole piece of conductive plate, including a contact portion 266 located in the middle section and a first clamping portion 261 and a second clamping portion 263 respectively bent at both ends of the contact portion 266. A mounting portion for the conductive member 226 to pass through is provided on the box body 221, and the mounting portion provides support for fixing the conductive member 226 on the box body 221.

[0068] In one embodiment, if Figure 8 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the mounting portion is a through hole opened on the box body 221, and a recess is provided on the side wall of the through hole to form a locking portion 221a.

[0069] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the conductive part 226 is punched and bent from a whole piece of conductive material to form a "J"-shaped structure. The contact portion 266 in the middle is a plane. The end of the first clamping portion 261 is bent to form a first bending portion 262. The end of the second clamping portion 263 is bent to form a second bending portion 264. The middle section of the first clamping portion 261 has a stamped elastic arm 265.

[0070] The second bent portion 264 is hooked upward and locked to the inner surface of the box body 221 , and the elastic arm 265 is protruded outward and locked in the locking portion 221 a . The locking forces of the second bent portion 264 and the elastic arm 265 are opposite.

[0071] The first bent portion 262 abuts against the chip 222 , thereby establishing an electrical connection with the chip 222 .

[0072] Optionally, the first bent portion 262 has a plane at the portion abutting against the chip 222 , and abuts against the surface of the chip 222 under the elastic action of the material, thereby improving the stability of the connection.

[0073] Another aspect of the present invention provides an image forming device 00, including a main body and the aforementioned processing box 22 installed in the main body, a control board is provided on the main body, and the chip 222 is electrically connected to the control board. It is characterized in that the main body is provided with a grounding component, and when the processing box 22 is installed in the main body, the grounding component is electrically connected to the chip 222.

[0074] The above descriptions are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A processing cartridge, detachably mounted in an image processing apparatus body, characterized in that: The process box has: Box body; A chip is mounted on the box body; a waste toner discharge pipe, the waste toner discharge pipe protruding from the box body and having a discharge port for discharging waste toner; When the process cartridge is installed in the image processing device body, the chip is located at a position higher than the discharge port.

2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein When the process cartridge is mounted in the image processing apparatus body, the connection point of the chip faces in a direction opposite to the discharge port.

3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The chip is mounted on the upper surface of the process box, and the discharge port is located below the discharge pipe.

4. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The chip is wrapped inside the box body, and a conductive member is provided on the processing box. The conductive member is communicated with the chip and has a contact portion exposed on the surface of the processing box.

5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein The conductive member is formed by stamping a whole piece of conductive plate, including the contact portion located in the middle section and the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion respectively located at both ends of the contact portion and bent. The box body is provided with a mounting portion for the conductive member to pass through.

6. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein The end of the first clamping portion is bent to form a first bent portion, and the first bent portion is used to abut against the chip to establish a connection with the chip.

7. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein The end portion of the second clamping portion is bent to form a second bent portion, and the second bent portion hooks the inner surface of the box body, thereby preventing the conductive member from falling off from the mounting portion.

8. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein The middle section of the first clamping portion has a stamped elastic arm, and the mounting portion is correspondingly provided with a locking portion. When the conductive member is mounted on the box body, the elastic arm cooperates with the locking portion to securely mount the conductive member on the box body.

9. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The waste powder discharge pipe is provided with a switch plate, and the switch plate controls the opening and closing of the discharge port.

10. An image forming device comprising a main body and a process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9 installed in the main body, wherein a control board is provided on the main body, and the chip is electrically connected to the control board, wherein: The main body is provided with a grounding component, and when the processing box is installed on the main body, the grounding component is electrically connected to the chip.

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