Storage assembly and installable unit

Abstract

The utility model discloses a storage assembly. The storage assembly can be independently installed in imaging equipment with electric contact points relative to a developing box. Wherein the storage assembly comprises a chip, information of the developing box is stored in the chip, and the chip is provided with an electric contact surface; a bracket for supporting the electrical contact surface; the elastic component is arranged on the bracket and is used for forcibly pushing the electric contact surface; compared with the prior art, the processing box has the advantages that the storage component is detachably mounted on the drum box, and when the processing box is used, the storage component on the drum box can be independent of the developing box to establish communication connection with the imaging equipment, so that the processing box can be normally used even if the developing box is not provided with the storage component, and the processing box is more convenient to use; on the other hand, the same storage assembly can be matched with a plurality of developing boxes for use, the storage assembly does not need to be replaced frequently, and the use economy of the drum box is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electronic photographic imaging, in particular to a storage component and an installable unit. Background Art

[0002] The processing cartridge in the prior art generally includes a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge installed in the drum cartridge, wherein the developing cartridge is equipped with a storage unit for identification by the imaging device. However, generally speaking, the service life of the drum cartridge and the storage unit is significantly longer than that of the developing cartridge. For example, for some models of processing cartridges, the service life of the drum cartridge and the storage unit can match the service life of multiple developing cartridges. Therefore, when the developer in the developing cartridge is consumed, a new developing cartridge needs to be replaced. At this time, the storage unit installed in the developing cartridge will be discarded together with the developing cartridge. On the one hand, this causes great waste. On the other hand, because the storage unit is relatively expensive, frequent replacement of the storage unit will increase the printing cost. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a new processing box, which is mainly achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0004] A storage assembly capable of being independently mounted relative to a developing cartridge in an imaging device having electrical contacts; wherein the storage assembly comprises:

[0005] a chip storing information of the developing cartridge, wherein the chip has an electrical contact surface;

[0006] a bracket for supporting the electrical contact surface;

[0007] An elastic member is provided on the bracket for forcing the electrical contact surface.

[0008] Furthermore, the elastic member can expand and contract in a direction intersecting the electrical contact surface, so as to move the electrical contact surface toward the electrical contact point.

[0009] Furthermore, the elastic member is provided between the bracket and the electrical contact surface, and the electrical contact surface can move relative to the bracket according to the expansion and contraction of the elastic member.

[0010] Furthermore, the bracket includes a first bracket and a second bracket, the first bracket is used to support the electrical contact surface, and the first bracket is movable relative to the second bracket.

[0011] Furthermore, the first bracket is provided with an elastic buckle, and the second bracket is provided with a slide groove; or the second bracket is provided with the elastic buckle, and the first bracket is provided with the slide groove, and the elastic buckle is adapted to the slide groove.

[0012] Furthermore, in a second direction intersecting the electrical contact surface, a chip accommodating portion for accommodating the chip is provided on one side of the bracket, and the elastic member is provided on the other side of the bracket.

[0013] The utility model further provides a storage assembly, which can be installed in an imaging device having electrical contacts independently of a developing cartridge, wherein the developing cartridge has a rotatable developing roller extending in a first direction, and the storage assembly comprises:

[0014] a chip storing information of the developing cartridge, the chip having an electrical contact surface capable of being electrically connected to the electrical contact;

[0015] a bracket, used for supporting the chip;

[0016] In a state in which the storage assembly and the developing cartridge are mounted in the image forming apparatus, the electrical contact surface is spaced apart from the developing roller in the first direction.

[0017] Furthermore, the developing box has a first side surface and a second side surface separately arranged in the first direction, and when the storage assembly and the developing box are both installed in the imaging device, in the first direction, at least a portion of the electrical contact surface is farther away from the second side surface of the developing box than the first side surface of the developing box.

[0018] Furthermore, it also includes a drum cartridge installed in the imaging device, the drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a drum frame supporting the photosensitive drum, and the storage assembly is provided with a supported surface;

[0019] The drum frame is provided with a supporting surface, and the supported surface can be supported by the supporting surface;

[0020] In a direction intersecting the electrical contact surface, the supported surface is arranged on a side of the bracket away from the electrical contact surface.

[0021] Furthermore, the bracket has a connecting portion connected to the drum frame, and when the storage assembly is positioned so that the electrical contact surface is placed upward in the up-down direction: the connecting portion is located below the electrical contact surface in the up-down direction.

[0022] Furthermore, the drum frame has a first side and a second side separated from each other in the first direction, and the drum frame includes a supporting protrusion protruding outward from the first side, and the bracket can be supported by the supporting protrusion.

[0023] Furthermore, the support protrusion is provided with a surface facing the electrical contact surface, and a positioning protrusion protruding outward is provided on the surface. The bracket is provided with a mounting hole, and the bracket can be positioned and installed on the drum frame through the matching installation of the mounting hole and the positioning protrusion.

[0024] Furthermore, the mounting hole and the electrical contact surface have an overlapping portion in a direction intersecting the electrical contact surface.

[0025] The present invention further provides a mounting unit, comprising a storage assembly and a developing cartridge, wherein the developing cartridge can be independently mounted relative to the storage assembly in an imaging device having electrical contacts, wherein the imaging device has a first accommodating area and a second accommodating area, the developing cartridge is accommodated in the first accommodating area, and the storage assembly is accommodated in the second accommodating area, the first accommodating area and the second accommodating area being adjacently arranged in a first direction, the first accommodating area having a photosensitive drum, the second accommodating area having electrical contacts, the storage assembly comprising a chip having an electrical contact surface, and the chip storing information of the developing cartridge;

[0026] The developing box includes:

[0027] a housing for containing a developer;

[0028] a developing roller rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in the first direction;

[0029] In a state where the developing cartridge and the storage assembly are mounted to the imaging device,

[0030] The electrical contact surface is spaced apart from the developing roller in the first direction.

[0031] Further, when the storage assembly and the developer box are both installed in the imaging device, in the first direction, at least a portion of the electrical contact surface is farther away from the end of the side of the housing closer to the electrical contact surface than the end of the developer roller.

[0032] Furthermore, the developing box further includes an input gear capable of receiving an external driving force, and in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the electrical contact surface is further away from the developing roller than the input gear.

[0033] The utility model realizes that the storage component is detachably mounted on the drum cartridge. When the processing cartridge is in use, the storage component on the drum cartridge can establish a communication connection with the imaging device independently of the developing cartridge. In this way, even if the storage component is not provided on the developing cartridge, the processing cartridge can be used normally, making the use of the processing cartridge more convenient. In addition, after the developer in the developing cartridge is exhausted, only the developing cartridge needs to be processed, such as adding developer or replacing a new developing cartridge, without replacing the storage component. On the other hand, the same storage component can be used with multiple developing cartridges, and the storage component does not need to be replaced frequently, which is conducive to improving the economic efficiency of the drum cartridge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a developer cartridge installed at a certain angle in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0035] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a developer cartridge separated from a drum cartridge at a certain angle in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another angle of view of the developing cartridge installed in the drum cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0037] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of another angle of the developing cartridge separated from the drum cartridge in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a storage assembly installed on a drum frame at a certain angle in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0039] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a certain angle of the storage assembly separated from the drum frame in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0040] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another angle when the storage unit mounting bracket is installed on the drum frame in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0041] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram from another angle showing the storage assembly separated from the drum frame in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the storage assembly installed on the drum frame in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0043] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another angle of the storage assembly and the developing cartridge installed in the drum cartridge in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of another angle showing the storage assembly and the developing cartridge installed in the drum cartridge in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of a storage unit mounting frame at a certain angle in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0046] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the storage unit mounting bracket in Example 1 of the present utility model from another angle;

[0047] Figure 14 It is a schematic diagram of the storage unit mounting frame and the storage unit and storage unit connector in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0048] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a storage assembly installed in a drum frame in Example 2 of the present utility model;

[0049] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the storage component after being disassembled in Example 2 of the present utility model;

[0050] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the storage assembly installed in the drum frame in Example 3 of the present utility model;

[0051] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the storage component after being disassembled in Example 3 of the present utility model;

[0052] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the storage assembly and the drum cartridge in the installed state in Example 4 of the present utility model;

[0053] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of a storage assembly installed on a drum cartridge at a certain angle in Example 4 of the present utility model;

[0054] Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram of another angle of installation of the storage assembly to the drum cartridge in Example 4 of the present utility model;

[0055] Figure 22 This is a schematic diagram of a storage unit installed on a storage unit mounting frame at a certain angle in Example 4 of the present utility model;

[0056] Figure 23 It is a schematic diagram of the longitudinal cross-sectional structure of the joint portion of the storage unit mounting frame and the drum cartridge in the installed state in Example 4 of the present utility model;

[0057] Figure 24 It is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the joint portion of the storage unit mounting frame and the drum cartridge in the installed state in Example 4 of the present utility model;

[0058] Figure 25 It is a schematic diagram of the longitudinal cross-section structure of the mounting groove in the state where the storage unit mounting frame and the drum cartridge are installed in Example 4 of the present utility model;

[0059] Figure 26 It is a partial side view of the guide frame when the drum box and the imaging device are installed in Example 4 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Example 1

[0061] like Figure 1-14 As shown, a storage component 199, an installable unit and a processing box of the present invention are shown, the processing box includes a drum box A and a developing box B which are separately arranged, the storage component 199 and the developing box B can be independently and detachably installed in the drum box A, and the storage component 199, the developing box B and the drum box A can be installed in the imaging device as an integral unit.

[0062]

Developer box

[0063] The developing box B includes a developing frame 130 that can accommodate the developer, and a developing roller 131 that is rotatably supported on the developing frame 130. The developing box B also includes a developing box driving portion 135 arranged at the left end of the developing frame 130. The developing box driving portion 135 can receive a driving force from the outside of the developing box B and drive the developing roller 131 to rotate around the developing roller axis extending in the left and right directions. In addition, the developing box B also includes a detection protrusion 150 and an electrode contact portion 160 arranged at the right end of the developing frame 130. The detection protrusion 150 and The electrode contact portion 160 is arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction, and the electrode contact portion 160 is closer to the axis of the developing roller than the detection protrusion 150 in the front-to-back direction, that is, the electrode contact portion 160 is arranged on the front side of the detection protrusion 150 in the front-to-back direction. The electrode contact portion 160 can receive electricity from the imaging device to power the developing roller 131, and the detection protrusion 150 can be detected by the imaging device to form a detection signal. The imaging device can determine whether the developing box B is a new box and the capacity of the developing box B and other information by identifying the detection signal.

[0064]

Drum box

[0065] Drum cartridge A, used in conjunction with the developer cartridge B, includes a drum frame 140 having a developer cartridge accommodating portion for accommodating the developer cartridge B. A pair of urging protrusions 147 are provided on the left and right ends of the rear side of the frame 140. When the developer cartridge B is installed in the drum cartridge A, the urging protrusions 147 elastically urge the developer cartridge B, allowing the developer roller 131 to move toward the photosensitive drum 141, ensuring close contact between the developer roller 131 and the photosensitive drum 141. A locking protrusion 148 is also provided on the right end of the rear side of the drum frame 140. This locking protrusion 148 can be used to lock the developer cartridge B in the drum cartridge A when the developer cartridge B is installed, preventing the developer cartridge B from detaching from the drum cartridge A. Drum cartridge A also includes a photosensitive drum 141 rotatably supported on a drum frame 140. When developer cartridge B is installed in drum cartridge A and the process cartridge is in an operating state, developer cartridge B is in a contact position, where the developer roller 131 and photosensitive drum 141 maintain close contact. When developer cartridge B is installed in drum cartridge A and the process cartridge is in an inoperative state, developer cartridge B is in a separated position, where the developer roller 131 and photosensitive drum 141 are separated from each other. This prevents the developer roller 131 from maintaining close contact with the photosensitive drum 141 for an extended period of time when the process cartridge is in the inoperative state, which could cause material on the developer roller 131 to precipitate and contaminate the smooth photosensitive drum 141. In other words, to avoid the aforementioned drawbacks, developer cartridge B is required to swing around drum cartridge A between a contact position and a separated position. During the transition from the operating state to the inoperative state, the urging protrusion 147 receives a urging force from the imaging device, causing developer cartridge B to swing a certain distance around drum cartridge A, thereby separating the developer roller 131 disposed on developer cartridge B from the photosensitive drum 141 disposed on drum cartridge A. A drum cartridge driving portion 142 is also installed on the left front side of the photosensitive drum 141. The drum cartridge driving portion 142 can receive driving force in the imaging device to rotate the photosensitive drum 141 so that the photosensitive drum 141 can rotate around a photosensitive drum rotation axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0066] Storage Components

[0067] As a storage component 199 provided in this embodiment, the storage component 199 can be detachably mounted on the drum box A independently of the above-mentioned developing box B. The storage component 199 includes a storage unit mounting frame 110 detachably mounted on the drum frame 140 and a storage unit 120 mounted on the storage unit mounting frame 110.

[0068] The position of the electrical contact surface 120b of the storage unit 120 in the drum frame 140 in this embodiment is different from that in the above-mentioned embodiment. Specifically, the electrical contact surface 120b is arranged on the left side of the drum frame 140 in the left-right direction and on the rear side of the drum frame 140 in the front-back direction, and the electrical contact surface 120b is arranged to face the upper side of the drum frame 140, wherein the storage unit 120 includes a substrate that is roughly constructed in a plate shape, and the substrate includes a first surface and a second surface that are arranged opposite to each other. In the description below, when the storage component 199 is installed in the drum cartridge A, it is defined that the first surface is arranged to face the lower end of the drum frame 140, and the second surface is arranged to face the drum At the upper end of the frame 140, an electrical contact surface 120b is provided on the first surface of the substrate. The electrical contact surface 120b can be electrically connected to the imaging device and is arranged on the front side of the drum frame 140 in the front-to-back direction and on the left side of the drum frame 140 in the left-to-right direction. A storage unit is also provided on the second surface of the substrate. The storage unit stores relevant parameter information of the drum box A or the developer box B, such as the model. The storage unit 120 also includes an electrical connection part (not shown) that electrically connects the electrical contact surface 120b and the storage part so that the two maintain electrical connection. The storage unit 120 can identify the relevant parameter information in the storage part through the electrical contact between the electrical contact surface 120b and the imaging device. Alternatively, the storage unit 120 in this embodiment does not need to be entirely disposed at the left end of the drum frame 140. Alternatively, only the electrical contact surface 120b of the storage unit 120 may be disposed at the left end of the drum frame 140, while the storage portion may be disposed at a location other than the left end of the drum frame 140. The electrical contact surface 120b and the storage portion may be connected via an electrical connection portion made of a conductive material, allowing the electrical contact surface 120b to transmit power received from the imaging device to the storage portion. The structure of the storage unit mounting bracket 110 and the structure of the drum cartridge A that cooperates therewith will be described in detail below.

[0069] The storage unit mounting frame 110 includes a storage unit accommodating portion 112 for mounting a storage unit 120. The storage unit 120 can be adhered to the storage unit accommodating portion 112 by, for example, gluing. However, this is not a limitation. The storage unit 120 can also be mounted on the storage unit accommodating portion 112 by providing an elastic buckle structure on the storage unit mounting frame 110. There are many ways to implement this, as long as the storage unit 120 can be firmly mounted on the storage unit accommodating portion 112. The storage unit mounting frame 110 also includes a positioning portion 113, which can not only be used to correctly position and mount the storage unit mounting frame 110 on the drum frame 140, but also prevent the storage unit mounting frame 120 from easily detaching from the drum frame 140. The specific structure of the positioning portion 113 can vary depending on the specific structure of the drum frame 140, and this is not a limitation. For ease of description, the present invention will now select a preferred embodiment to introduce it. Specifically, the drum frame 140 is provided with a supporting surface, and the storage unit mounting frame 110 is provided with a supported surface, which can be supported by the supporting surface. In addition, the drum frame 140 is provided with a supporting protrusion 143, and the storage unit mounting frame 110 is provided with a positioning portion 113 configured as a supported protrusion. Hereinafter, the positioning portion 113 may be considered as an embodiment of the supported protrusion, with the supporting surface being a surface of the supporting protrusion 143, and the supported surface being a surface of the positioning portion 113 that cooperates with the supporting protrusion 143. The storage unit mounting frame 110 is supported on the supporting protrusion 143 via the positioning portion 113, thereby being mounted on the drum frame 140. More specifically, the drum frame 140 has a first side surface 151 at the left end and a second side surface 152 at the right end. The support protrusion 143 is configured as a protrusion protruding leftward from the first side surface 151. A surface 153a facing the electrical contact surface 120b is provided on the support protrusion 143. This surface 153a is provided with an outwardly protruding positioning protrusion 143c. The positioning protrusion 143c has a pyramidal shape and has inclined surfaces 143f facing the front, right, left, and right sides of the drum frame 140, respectively. As a structure for mounting the positioning protrusion 143c on the storage unit mounting frame 110, the storage unit mounting frame 110 is provided with a mounting hole 113c. The mounting hole 113c is arranged to overlap with the electrical contact surface 120b in a direction perpendicular to the electrical contact surface 120b, thereby reducing shaking of the storage unit mounting frame 110 and enhancing the positioning stability of the storage unit mounting frame 110.During the process of installing the storage unit mounting frame 110 onto the drum frame 140 along the installation direction from left to right, the positioning protrusion 143c can squeeze the outer wall of the storage unit mounting frame 110 and force it to deform, so as to allow the positioning protrusion 143c to be smoothly inserted into the mounting hole 113c. That is to say, the storage unit mounting frame 110 can undergo elastic deformation after being subjected to force. After the positioning protrusion 143c and the mounting hole 113c are installed in coordination, the storage unit mounting frame 110 can be more stably installed on the drum frame 140, preventing the storage unit mounting frame 110 from easily detaching from the drum frame 140.

[0070] In order to further enhance the installation stability of the storage unit mounting frame 110, a positioning protrusion configured as a supported protrusion is further provided on the storage unit mounting frame 110. Preferably, the supported protrusion includes a first positioned protrusion 113a and a second positioned protrusion 113b, and the first positioned protrusion 113a and the second positioned protrusion 113b are adjacent and spaced apart in the front-to-back direction. As a structure on the drum frame 140 that is mounted in conjunction with the first positioned protrusion 113a and the second positioned protrusion 113b, a first positioning hole 143a and a second positioning hole 143b are provided on the supporting protrusion 143 on the drum frame 140; when the storage unit mounting frame 110 is mounted on the drum frame 140, the first positioned protrusion 113a and the second positioned protrusion 113b can be respectively matched and installed in the first positioning hole 143a and the second positioning hole 143b of the drum frame 140, thereby stably positioning the storage unit mounting frame 110. Optionally, the storage unit mounting frame 110 includes a clamping portion for positioning, and the number of the clamping portions is variable. The storage unit mounting frame 110 can also be positioned by only providing any one or both of the first positioned protrusion 113a and the second positioned protrusion 113b. After adopting the above structure, the storage unit mounting frame 110 of the process cartridge in the present invention is installed in a direction substantially parallel to the left-right direction. More specifically, the storage unit mounting frame 110 is installed from left to right. However, this installation direction is also not fixed. It is still possible to adopt other positioning structures to achieve the storage unit mounting frame 110 being installed in, for example, the front-to-back direction or the up-down direction.

[0071] In order to further improve the positioning stability of the storage unit mounting frame 110 and prevent the storage unit mounting frame 110 from separating from the drum frame 140, the storage unit mounting frame 110 is installed on the drum frame 140 in an interference fit manner. The interference fit between the two can be achieved through the above-mentioned first positioned protrusion 113a and the second positioned protrusion 113b and the first positioning hole 143a and the second positioning hole 143b. That is, the first positioned protrusion 113a and the second positioned protrusion 113b are respectively installed in the first positioning hole 143a and the second positioning hole 143b in an interference fit manner.

[0072] Furthermore, an elastic component 180 is provided between the storage unit mounting frame 110 and the storage unit 120. The elastic component 180 is constructed to be compressed and deformed into the storage unit mounting frame 110 after the storage unit 120 receives external force such as the storage unit connector 99 of the imaging device, and at least a part of the elastic force generated by the compression deformation can push the storage unit 120 toward the storage unit connector 99, thereby maintaining the elastic abutment between the storage unit 120 and the storage unit connector 99. This can not only effectively avoid the situation where the storage unit 120 and the storage unit connector 99 make hard contact during the installation process and damage the storage unit 120 and the storage unit connector 99, but also avoid the situation where the actual installation position of the storage unit 120 deviates greatly from the correct installation position due to manufacturing errors of the storage unit mounting frame 110, resulting in the storage unit 120 being unable to be electrically connected to the storage unit connector 99 or the two interfering with each other during installation. That is, the electrical contact surface 120b in this embodiment is movable relative to the photosensitive drum 141.

[0073] It is worth mentioning that, to prevent the storage unit mounting frame 110 or the storage unit 120 from obstructing the installation of the developer cartridge B and thereby interfering with the installation of the developer cartridge B, a clearance space 170 is provided on at least one of the storage unit mounting frame 110 and the developer frame 130. This prevents the developer cartridge B from interfering with the storage assembly 199 and thereby obstructing the installation of the developer cartridge B during installation of the developer cartridge B into the drum cartridge A. Furthermore, when both the storage assembly 199 and the developer cartridge B are installed in the drum cartridge A, at least a portion of the electrical contact surface 120b is positioned further away from the right end of the drum frame 140 in the left-right direction than the left end of the developer cartridge driving portion 135. In other words, at least a portion of the electrical contact surface 120b is positioned further outward in the left-right direction than the left end of the developer cartridge driving portion 135. This allows the electrical contact surface 120b to be as far away from the electrode contact portion 160 as possible in the left-right direction, thereby reducing the possibility of electrical interference between the two during operation of the process cartridge.

[0074]

Mountable units

[0075] The present invention also provides an installable unit, which includes a developing box B and a storage component 199 that can be independently installed in the above-mentioned drum box A. When the user uses the developing box B and the storage component 199 for the first time, the storage component 199 in the installable unit can be installed in the drum box A first, and then the developing box B can be installed in the drum box A. Finally, the three can be installed as a whole in the imaging device.

[0076] Example 2

[0077] Next, we will combine Figure 15-16Introducing Example 2 of the present invention, this Example 2 provides a storage component, a mountable unit and a processing box. The parts that are the same as those in the above-mentioned Example 1 will not be repeated in this Example 2. The difference is that the structure of the storage unit mounting frame 310 in this embodiment is different from that in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0078] Specifically, the storage unit mounting frame 310 includes a first storage unit mounting frame 310a and a second storage unit mounting frame 310b, which are separately arranged and interconnected. The first storage unit mounting frame 310a supports the storage unit 320 or the electrical contact surface, and the second storage unit mounting frame 310b is mounted on the drum frame 340. An elastic component 380 is connected between the first storage unit mounting frame 310a and the second storage unit mounting frame 310b, allowing the first storage unit mounting frame 310a to elastically move relative to the second storage unit mounting frame 310b. Preferably, the elastic component 380 is a spring. Alternatively, the elastic component 380 may be a sponge, an elastic sheet, or other elastic component. When the drum box A is installed in the imaging device, the storage unit 320 contacts and is pressed by the storage unit connector 99 of the imaging device, which can drive the first storage unit mounting frame 310a to move toward the second storage unit mounting frame 310b, so that the elastic component 380 is compressed and deformed to generate an elastic force, and the elastic force pushes the storage unit 320 to move toward the storage unit connector 99, thereby maintaining the elastic contact between the storage unit 320 and the storage unit connector 99. This can not only effectively avoid the situation where the storage unit 320 and the storage unit connector 99 make hard contact during the installation process and damage the storage unit 320 and the storage unit connector 99, but also avoid the situation where the actual installation position of the storage unit 320 deviates significantly from the correct installation position due to manufacturing errors of the storage unit mounting frame 310, resulting in the storage unit 320 being unable to be electrically connected to the storage unit connector 99 or the two interfering with each other during installation. The first storage unit mounting frame 310a is provided with a fastening portion 310a1, preferably a slide groove, and the second storage unit mounting frame 310b is provided with a fastening portion 310b1, preferably an elastic buckle. The fastening portion 310b1 can be fastened to the fastened portion 310a1, thereby connecting the first storage unit mounting frame 310a and the second storage unit mounting frame 310b to prevent them from being separated from each other, and allowing the first storage unit mounting frame 310a to move relative to the second storage unit mounting frame 310b according to a predetermined movement path. Preferably, each of the fastening portion 310a1 and the fastening portion 310b1 is provided in pairs, with the pair of fastening portions 310a1 being disposed oppositely on different walls of the first storage unit mounting frame 310a, and the pair of fastening portions 310b1 being disposed oppositely on the second storage unit mounting frame 310b. The relative arrangement of the two facilitates improved movement stability of the storage unit mounting frames. Alternatively, the slide groove is provided on the second storage unit mounting frame 310b, and the elastic buckle is provided on the first storage unit mounting frame 310a, which is the opposite of the above embodiment. In other words, the slide groove is provided on one of the first storage unit mounting frame 310a and the second storage unit mounting frame 310b, and the elastic buckle is provided on the other, but this is not a limitation.

[0079] Example 3

[0080] Next, we will combine Figure 17-18 Introducing Example 3 of the present invention, this Example 3 provides a storage component, a mountable unit and a processing box. The parts that are the same as those in the above-mentioned Examples 1-2 will not be repeated in this Example 3. The difference is that the structure of the storage unit mounting frame 510 in this embodiment is different from that in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0081] The storage unit mounting frame 510 also includes a first storage unit mounting frame 510a and a second storage unit mounting frame 510b that are separately arranged and interconnected, wherein the first storage unit mounting frame 510a supports a storage unit 520 or an electrical contact surface, the second storage unit mounting frame 510b is installed on the drum frame 540, and an elastic component 580 is connected between the first storage unit mounting frame 510a and the second storage unit mounting frame 510b, so that the first storage unit mounting frame 510a can move elastically relative to the second storage unit mounting frame 510b, and the structure of the mutual connection between the first storage unit mounting frame 510a and the second storage unit mounting frame 510b is similar to that of Example 2, and will not be repeated here. The difference is that the positioning structure of the second storage component mounting frame 510b installed on the drum frame 540 is different. In this embodiment, the positioning structure of the second storage unit mounting frame 510b is similar to the positioning structure of the second storage unit mounting frame 510b in the above embodiment, that is, the second storage unit mounting frame 510b is provided with a pair of first elastic buckles 513a and second elastic buckles 513b spaced apart in the front-to-back direction, and the two can be matched and buckled on the drum frame 540, which will not be repeated here.

[0082] Example 4

[0083] like Figure 19-26 As shown, Example 4 of the present invention provides a storage component, an installable unit and a processing box, the processing box includes a developing box 80 and a drum box 10, the developing box 80 and the storage component can be detachably installed in the drum box 10, the developing box 80, the drum box 10 and the storage component can be detachably installed in the imaging device as a whole, and each of them will be described in detail below.

[0084]

Drum box

[0085] like Figure 19-21As shown, the drum box 10 includes a drum frame 11 for accommodating the developer box 80, and a photosensitive drum 12 for forming an electrostatic latent image and a drum box driving part (not shown) that can receive the driving force of the imaging device to rotate the photosensitive drum 12 are rotatably supported on the front side of the drum frame 11. The photosensitive drum 12 can rotate along the photosensitive drum axis extending in the left and right directions. A drum storage 13 for storing drum box information is provided on the rear side of the left end of the drum frame 11. The drum box storage 13 has a drum box electrical contact surface 14. An upwardly extending support part 20 is provided on the left side of the drum frame 11. In the front-to-back direction, the support part 20 is located between the photosensitive drum 12 and the drum box electrical contact surface 14. The support part 20 is generally in the shape of a right trapezoid. The two ends of the support part 20 in the front-to-back direction are respectively a first support surface 20a and a second support surface 20b. The right side of the support part 20 is provided with an inwardly recessed fixing part 21.

[0086] Storage Components

[0087] like Figure 20-22 As shown, a storage assembly in this embodiment is shown, which includes a storage unit mounting frame 30 and a storage unit 70 for storing information such as the model of the developing cartridge 80. The storage unit 70 is provided with an electrical contact surface 71 for electrically contacting the imaging device. When the storage assembly is installed in the drum cartridge 10, the electrical contact surface 71 is arranged at a position closer to the axis of the photosensitive drum in the front-to-back direction than the electrical contact surface 14 of the drum cartridge. The drum frame 11 is provided with a supporting surface, and the storage unit mounting frame 30 is provided with a supported surface that can be supported by the supporting surface. The storage unit mounting frame 30 includes a support portion 20 for contacting the supporting portion 20. 0 and a mounting groove 50 for mounting the storage unit 70, and a connecting portion 60 for connecting the connecting portion 40 and the mounting groove 50. The connecting portion 40 is configured as a right-angled trapezoid that matches the support portion 20. A groove 41 is defined at the bottom of the connecting portion 40. The groove 41 is configured as a first groove 41a and a second groove 41b at its ends in the front-to-back direction. The first groove 41a mates with the first supporting surface 20a, and the second groove 41b mates with the second supporting surface 20b. An elastic buckle 42 is provided at the lower left side of the connecting portion 40 as a fastening portion for fastening the support portion 20. A protrusion 51 is provided inside the mounting groove 50 for supporting the storage unit 70. The end of the connecting portion 60, which is closest to the mounting groove 50, protrudes away from the drum cartridge 10 in the left-right direction to prevent interference between the storage unit mounting frame 30 and the developer cartridge 80.

[0088] [Process of installing the storage unit mounting bracket onto the drum cartridge]

[0089] like Figure 20As shown, before using the imaging device, the user needs to install the developing cartridge 80 and the storage assembly onto the drum cartridge 10, and then install the drum cartridge 10 into the imaging device for imaging operation. In order to complete the installation of the storage unit mounting frame 30, during the production process of the storage unit mounting frame 30, the user installs the storage unit 70 inside the mounting groove 50 by adhesive. After the user takes the storage unit mounting frame 30 with the storage unit 70 installed, as shown in FIG. Figure 20-21 As shown, the first groove 41a of the engaging portion 40 is aligned with the first supporting surface 20a of the supporting portion 20 in the up-down direction of the drum cartridge 10, while the second groove 41b is aligned with the second supporting surface 20b; Figure 21 As shown, after the alignment is completed, the user pushes down the storage unit mounting frame 30 so that the engaging portion 40 is sleeved on the outer edge surface of the supporting portion 20 through the groove 41; Figure 23 As shown, during the process of the storage unit mounting rack 30 being pushed downward, the elastic buckle 42 abuts against the support portion 20 and is deformed in the left and right directions under the continuous action of the pushing force, so that the elastic buckle 42 enters the interior of the fixing portion 21, thereby preventing the storage unit mounting rack 30 from falling off.

[0090] [Separation of the storage unit mounting frame and the drum cartridge]

[0091] When the storage unit 70 needs to be replaced, the user only needs to pull the storage unit mounting frame 30 upwards. The elastic buckle 42 located on one side of the joint 40 is subjected to an upward pulling force and deformed to the left, causing the joint 40 to fall off from the support portion 20. Thereafter, the storage unit mounting frame 30 moves from bottom to top under the action of the pulling force, thereby completing the separation of the storage unit 70 from the drum box 10.

[0092]

Connection between storage unit and imaging device

[0093] like Figure 21-22 As shown, when installing the storage unit 70, the user places the storage unit 70 into the interior of the mounting groove 50 from the X direction in the figure, and securely connects the storage unit 70 to the mounting groove 50 through an adhesive; the storage unit 70 is secured to the interior of the mounting groove 50 by a protrusion 51 provided therein, and the position of the storage unit 70 is limited under the support of the protrusion 51, thereby ensuring that the storage unit 70 has a stable electrical connection with the imaging device through the electrical contact surface 71.

[0094] A guide frame 90 for fixing the drum cartridge 10 is provided on one side of the interior of the imaging device, and a storage unit connector 91 is provided above the guide frame 90. When in use, the user installs the drum cartridge 10 together with the storage unit mounting frame 30 on which the storage unit 70 is mounted into the interior of the imaging device under the guidance of the guide frame 90; after entering the interior of the imaging device, the electrical contact surface 71 located on the top of the storage unit 70 contacts the storage unit connector 91 inside the imaging device, thereby forming an electrical connection, and the imaging device can read and store information from the storage unit 70.

[0095] Beneficial effects

[0096] The utility model realizes that the storage component is detachably mounted on the drum cartridge. When the processing cartridge is in use, the storage component on the drum cartridge can establish a communication connection with the imaging device independently of the developing cartridge. In this way, even if the storage component is not provided on the developing cartridge, the processing cartridge can be used normally, making the use of the processing cartridge more convenient. In addition, after the developer in the developing cartridge is exhausted, only the developing cartridge needs to be processed, such as adding developer or replacing a new developing cartridge, without replacing the storage component. On the other hand, the same storage component can be used with multiple developing cartridges, and the storage component does not need to be replaced frequently, which is conducive to improving the economic efficiency of the drum cartridge.

Claims

1. A storage component, characterized in that: The storage assembly can be independently mounted relative to the developing cartridge in an imaging device having electrical contacts; wherein the storage assembly comprises: a chip storing information of the developing cartridge, wherein the chip has an electrical contact surface; a bracket for supporting the electrical contact surface; An elastic member is provided on the bracket for forcing the electrical contact surface.

2. The storage component according to claim 1, wherein: The elastic member is capable of expanding and contracting in a direction intersecting the electrical contact surface to move the electrical contact surface toward the electrical contact point.

3. The storage component according to claim 1, wherein: The elastic member is provided between the bracket and the electrical contact surface, and the electrical contact surface is movable relative to the bracket according to expansion and contraction of the elastic member.

4. The storage component according to claim 1, wherein: The bracket includes a first bracket and a second bracket, the first bracket is used to support the electrical contact surface, and the first bracket is movable relative to the second bracket.

5. The storage assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The first bracket is provided with an elastic buckle, and the second bracket is provided with a slide groove; or the second bracket is provided with the elastic buckle, and the first bracket is provided with the slide groove, and the elastic buckle is adapted to the slide groove.

6. The storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein: In a second direction intersecting the electrical contact surface, a chip receiving portion for receiving the chip is provided on one side of the bracket, and the elastic member is provided on the other side of the bracket.

7. A storage component, characterized in that: The storage assembly is installable in an image forming apparatus having electrical contacts independently of a developing cartridge, the developing cartridge having a rotatable developing roller extending in a first direction, the storage assembly comprising: a chip storing information of the developing cartridge, the chip having an electrical contact surface capable of being electrically connected to the electrical contact; a bracket, used for supporting the chip; In a state in which the storage assembly and the developing cartridge are mounted in the image forming apparatus, the electrical contact surface is spaced apart from the developing roller in the first direction.

8. The storage assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The developing box has a first side surface and a second side surface separately arranged in the first direction, and when the storage assembly and the developing box are both installed in the imaging device, in the first direction, at least a portion of the electrical contact surface is farther away from the second side surface of the developing box than the first side surface of the developing box.

9. The storage assembly according to claim 7, wherein: Also included is a drum cartridge installed in the imaging device, the drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a drum frame supporting the photosensitive drum, and the storage assembly is provided with a supported surface; The drum frame is provided with a supporting surface, and the supported surface can be supported by the supporting surface; In a direction intersecting the electrical contact surface, the supported surface is arranged on a side of the bracket away from the electrical contact surface.

10. The storage assembly according to claim 9, wherein: The bracket has a connection portion connected to the drum frame, and when the storage assembly is positioned so that the electrical contact surface faces upward in the up-down direction, the connection portion is located below the electrical contact surface in the up-down direction.

11. The storage assembly according to claim 9, wherein: The drum frame has a first side and a second side spaced apart in the first direction, and the drum frame includes a support protrusion protruding outward from the first side, and the bracket can be supported by the support protrusion.

12. The storage assembly according to claim 11, wherein: The support protrusion is provided with a surface facing the electrical contact surface, and a positioning protrusion protruding outward is provided on the surface. The bracket is provided with a mounting hole, and the bracket can be positioned and installed on the drum frame through the matching installation of the mounting hole and the positioning protrusion.

13. The storage assembly according to claim 12, wherein: The mounting hole and the electrical contact surface have an overlapping portion in a direction intersecting the electrical contact surface.

14. A mountable unit comprising a storage assembly and a developer cartridge, characterized in that: The developing cartridge can be independently mounted relative to the storage assembly in an imaging device having electrical contacts, the imaging device having a first accommodating area and a second accommodating area, the developing cartridge being accommodated in the first accommodating area, the storage assembly being accommodated in the second accommodating area, the first accommodating area and the second accommodating area being adjacent to each other in a first direction, the first accommodating area having a photosensitive drum, the second accommodating area having electrical contacts, the storage assembly comprising a chip having an electrical contact surface, the chip storing information of the developing cartridge; The developing box includes: a housing for containing a developer; a developing roller rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in the first direction; In a state where the developing cartridge and the storage assembly are mounted to the imaging device, The electrical contact surface is spaced apart from the developing roller in the first direction.

15. The mountable unit according to claim 14, wherein: When the storage assembly and the developing cartridge are both mounted in the image forming apparatus, at least a portion of the electrical contact surface is farther from an end of the housing closer to the electrical contact surface than an end of the developing roller in the first direction.

16. The mountable unit according to claim 14, wherein: The developing cartridge further includes an input gear capable of receiving an external driving force, and the electrical contact surface is further away from the developing roller than the input gear in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

Images