Developing unit

Abstract

The utility model provides a developing unit. The developing unit comprises a developing shell for accommodating a developing agent and a developing roller rotationally arranged in the developing shell, the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller is the left-right direction, and the direction parallel to the left-right direction is the front-back direction; the developing shell comprises an upper shell body and a lower shell body which are arranged in the vertical direction, the upper shell body comprises a first shell body and a second shell body which are connected with each other, the lower shell body comprises a third shell body and a fourth shell body which are connected with each other, and in the front-back direction, the first shell body is located in front of the second shell body, and the third shell body is located in front of the fourth shell body. The first accommodating part is positioned between the first housing and the third housing, the second accommodating part is positioned between the second housing and the fourth housing, and the first accommodating part is closer to the developing roller than the second accommodating part in the front-back direction; the capacity of the developing agent accommodating cavity is increased, the service life of the developing unit can be prolonged, and the frequency of replacing the developing unit / processing box by a user is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electronic photographic imaging, in particular to a developing unit which is detachably installed in an electronic photographic imaging device. Background Art

[0002] The processing box can be detachably installed to the electronic photographic imaging device, and the processing box includes a developing unit and a photosensitive unit. The developing unit includes a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably arranged in the developing housing. The developing housing is used to accommodate the developer, and the developing roller is used to carry the developer and supply the developer to the photosensitive unit; the photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive housing and a photosensitive drum rotatably arranged in the photosensitive housing. The surface of the photosensitive drum is used to form an electrostatic latent image, and the developing roller transports the developer to the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image.

[0003] The amount of developer that can be accommodated in the developing housing is fixed. As the imaging action of the imaging device continues, the developer in the developing housing is continuously consumed. After the developer is consumed, the developing unit or the processing box needs to be replaced. Reducing the number of times the developing unit or the processing box is replaced can reduce the user's usage cost; alternatively, after the developer is consumed, the user can also fill the developing housing with developer, but such a setting will increase the number of user operations and the difficulty of operation, affecting the user's experience. Utility Model Content

[0004] The developing unit provided by the present invention can solve at least one of the above technical problems. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0005] The developing unit includes a developing housing for accommodating a developer and a developing roller rotatably arranged in the developing housing; the developing roller is used to supply the developer to the outside of the developing unit, the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller is the left-right direction, the direction parallel to the left-right direction is the front-back direction, at least a portion of the developing roller is exposed forward to the outside of the developing housing, and the direction intersecting both the left-right direction and the front-back direction is the up-down direction.

[0006] The developing shell includes an upper shell and a lower shell arranged in the up and down direction, the upper shell includes a first shell and a second shell connected to each other, and the lower shell includes a third shell and a fourth shell connected to each other. In the front-to-back direction, the first shell is located in front of the second shell, and the third shell is located in front of the fourth shell. The first accommodating portion is located between the first shell and the third shell, and the second accommodating portion is located between the second shell and the fourth shell. The first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion are connected to each other and are both used to accommodate developer. In the front-to-back direction, the first accommodating portion is closer to the developing roller than the second accommodating portion; a first gripping portion is provided on the second shell, and a second gripping portion is provided on the fourth shell. The first gripping portion and the second gripping portion are used for users to take and place the developing unit.

[0007] The first gripping portion has a first gripping surface, a first auxiliary surface and a second auxiliary surface. In the left and right directions, the first auxiliary surface and the second auxiliary surface are respectively connected to the first gripping surface. Along the direction intersecting with the front and back directions, the first auxiliary surface and the second auxiliary surface are not located in the same plane as the first gripping surface.

[0008] The first gripping portion and the second gripping portion are arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction.

[0009] The second shell is also provided with a first avoidance portion and a second avoidance portion. In the left-right direction, the first avoidance portion is located on the right side of the first auxiliary surface, and the second avoidance portion is located on the left side of the second auxiliary surface. The first avoidance portion and the second avoidance portion are both used to avoid components in the imaging device.

[0010] The second gripping portion is configured as a recessed portion on the fourth housing. The second gripping portion has a first surface facing away from the second accommodating portion, and the first surface is recessed toward the second accommodating portion.

[0011] The fourth shell is also provided with a fourth avoidance portion and a fifth avoidance portion, both of which are used to avoid components in the imaging device. In the left-right direction, the fourth avoidance portion is located on the right side of the second gripping portion, and the fifth avoidance portion is located on the left side of the second gripping portion; the fourth avoidance portion and the fifth avoidance portion are both arranged to be recessed portions located on the fourth shell, and along the up-down direction, the fourth avoidance portion is opposite to the first avoidance portion, and the fifth avoidance portion is opposite to the second avoidance portion.

[0012] In the left-right direction, at least one of the right side of the first escape portion, the left side of the second escape portion, the right side of the fourth escape portion, and the left side of the fifth escape portion is blocked / closed.

[0013] In the left-right direction, at least one of the right side of the first escape portion, the left side of the second escape portion, the right side of the fourth escape portion, and the left side of the fifth escape portion is not blocked / closed.

[0014] The fourth escape portion has a second surface, and the fifth escape portion has a third surface. In the up-down direction, the second surface and the third surface are located above the first surface.

[0015] The fourth avoidance portion has a second surface, the fifth avoidance portion has a third surface, and when viewed in the left-right direction, the first surface, the second surface, and the third surface are located in the same plane.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, in the developing unit provided by the present invention, the developer accommodating chamber 113 includes a first accommodating portion and a second accommodating portion which are interconnected, and in the front-to-back direction, the first accommodating portion is located in front of the second accommodating portion; the second accommodating portion is located between the second shell and the fourth shell, and the developing unit is provided with a first gripping portion on the second shell, and a second gripping portion on the fourth shell, and the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion are used for the user to take and place the developing unit; with the developing unit provided in this way, not only the capacity of the developer accommodating chamber is increased, but also it is convenient for the user to grip the developing unit, so that the service life of the developing unit / processing box can be extended, thereby reducing the frequency of the user replacing the developing unit / processing box, reducing the user's usage cost, or reducing the frequency of the user filling new developer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 1C It is a three-dimensional diagram of the developing unit involved in the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B 、 Figure 2C and Figure 2D It is a three-dimensional view of a developing housing of a developing unit involved in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The embodiments of the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] The processing box can be detachably mounted on the imaging device, and the processing box includes a photosensitive unit and a developing unit 10 combined with each other; the photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive housing, a photosensitive drum rotatably arranged in the photosensitive housing, and the surface of the photosensitive drum is used to form an electrostatic latent image; Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the developing unit 10 includes a developing housing 11 for accommodating a developer and a developing roller 12 rotatably arranged in the developing housing 11. The developing roller 12 is used to supply the developer to the photosensitive drum outside the developing unit 10 to develop the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The processing box involved in the present invention can be an integrated processing box or a split processing box. The integrated processing box means that the photosensitive unit and the developing unit 10 are installed and disassembled as a whole and need to be replaced together. The split processing box means that the photosensitive unit and the developing unit 10 are installed and disassembled as a whole, or are installed and disassembled separately and do not need to be replaced together.

[0021] The direction parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 12 is the left-right direction, the direction intersecting the left-right direction is the front-back direction, at least a portion of the developing roller 12 is exposed forward to the outside of the developing housing 11, and the direction intersecting both the left-right direction and the front-back direction is the up-down direction.

[0022] Continue as Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the developing housing 11 includes an upper housing 111, a lower housing 112 and a developer accommodating chamber 113 formed between the upper housing 111 and the lower housing 112. The upper housing 111 and the lower housing 112 are arranged in the up and down direction, and the developer accommodating chamber 113 is used to accommodate developer.

[0023] In order to solve the problems existing in the background technology, the utility model changes the structure of the developing housing 11, thereby changing the structure of the developer accommodating chamber 113, so that the developer accommodating chamber 113 can accommodate more developer, thereby extending the service life of the developing unit 10 / processing box, reducing the frequency of users replacing the developing unit 10 / processing box, or reducing the frequency of users filling the developing housing 11 with developer.

[0024] The developing unit 10 also includes a driving assembly 13 and a counting assembly 14, which are respectively arranged at the left and right ends of the developing housing 11. The driving assembly 13 is used to receive a driving force from the outside, for example: a driving force from an imaging device, and the driving force is at least used to drive the developing roller 12 to rotate; the counting assembly 14 is used to determine the model and life of the developing unit / processing box.

[0025] The developing unit 10 also includes a first end cover 15 and a second end cover 16 respectively located at the left and right ends of the developing housing 11. The first end cover 15 and the second end cover 16 are detachably combined with the developing housing 11. The first end cover 15 and the driving assembly 13 are located at the left end of the developing housing 11. In the left-right direction, at least a portion of the driving assembly 13 is covered by the first end cover 15; the second end cover 16 and the counting assembly 14 are located at the right end of the developing housing 11. In the left-right direction, at least a portion of the counting assembly 14 is covered by the second end cover 16.

[0026] In some embodiments, a powder filling port 114 is further provided on the developing housing 11, and the powder filling port 114 is provided on the upper housing 111 or the lower housing 112. The opening of the powder filling port 114 is parallel to the left and right directions. When the developer in the developer accommodating chamber 113 is consumed, the user can fill the developer into the developer accommodating chamber 113 through the powder filling port 114, so that the developing unit 10 / processing box can continue to be used.

[0027] In some embodiments, in the left-right direction, the powder filling port 114 and the counting assembly 14 are located on the same side of the developing housing 11 . This arrangement can make the layout of the left and right ends of the developing unit more reasonable.

[0028] The developer accommodating chamber 113 includes a first accommodating portion 115 and a second accommodating portion 116 that are interconnected. In the front-to-back direction, the first accommodating portion 115 is located in front of the second accommodating portion 116, or in other words, compared with the second accommodating portion 116, the first accommodating portion 115 is closer to the developing roller 12 along the front-to-back direction; the upper shell 111 includes a first shell 117 and a second shell 118 that are interconnected, and the lower shell 112 includes a third shell 119 and a fourth shell 120 that are interconnected. In the front-to-back direction, the first shell 117 is located in front of the second shell 118, and the third shell 119 is located in front of the fourth shell 120. The first accommodating portion 115 is located between the first shell 117 and the third shell 119, and the second accommodating portion 116 is located between the second shell 118 and the fourth shell 120.

[0029] like Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 2A As shown, the developing unit 20 is further provided with a first gripping portion 30 and a second gripping portion 40 for the user to take and place the developing unit 10 / processing box, and the first gripping portion 30 and the second gripping portion 40 are arranged / arranged relatively in the up and down directions. Specifically, the first gripping portion 30 is located on the second shell 118, and the second gripping portion 40 is located on the fourth shell 120; the first gripping portion 30 has a first gripping surface 31, a first auxiliary surface 32 and a second auxiliary surface 33. In the left and right directions, the first auxiliary surface 32 and the second auxiliary surface 33 are respectively connected to the first gripping surface 31, and along the direction intersecting with the front and rear directions, the first auxiliary surface 32 and the second auxiliary surface 33 are not located on the same plane as the first gripping surface 31. Specifically, in the up and down directions, the first auxiliary surface 32 and the second auxiliary surface 33 both extend upward or both extend downward.

[0030] In some embodiments, in the up and down directions, the first auxiliary surface 32 and the second auxiliary surface 33 are both located below the first gripping surface 31, so that a space for accommodating the developer can be formed below the first gripping surface 31, thereby increasing the space of the developer accommodating chamber 113 / the second accommodating portion 116.

[0031] In some embodiments, at least one rib 34 is further provided on the first gripping surface 31 , and the rib 34 is used to increase the roughness of the first gripping surface 31 to increase the friction between the user's hand and the first gripping surface 31 , so that the user can grip the developing unit 10 more stably.

[0032] The second shell 118 is also provided with a first avoidance portion 35 and a second avoidance portion 36. In the left and right directions, the first avoidance portion 35 and the second avoidance portion 36 are spaced apart. The first avoidance portion 35 is located on the right side of the first auxiliary surface 32, and the second avoidance portion 36 is located on the left side of the second auxiliary surface 33. The first avoidance portion 35 and the second avoidance portion 36 are both used to avoid components in the imaging device so that the developing unit 10 / processing box can be correctly and stably installed to the imaging device; the first avoidance portion 35 and the second avoidance portion 36 are both set as gaps located on the second shell 118.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first avoidance portion 35 and the second avoidance portion 36 also have the function of identifying the model of the developing unit 10 / processing cartridge. For example, the positions or shapes of the first avoidance portion 35 and the second avoidance portion 36 corresponding to different models of developing units 10 / processing cartridges are set differently.

[0034] In some embodiments, in the left-right direction, at least one of the right side of the first avoidance portion 35 and the left side of the second avoidance portion 36 is not blocked / closed. During the installation of the developing unit 10, such a setting can reduce the interference between the developing unit 10 and other components.

[0035] In some embodiments, in the left-right direction, at least one of the right side of the first escape portion 35 and the left side of the second escape portion 36 is blocked / closed.

[0036] Preferably, in the above embodiment, in the left-right direction, at least one of the rightmost side of the first avoidance portion 35 and the leftmost side of the second avoidance portion 36 is not blocked / closed.

[0037] In some embodiments, a third avoidance portion 37 is further provided on the second shell 118. In the left-right direction, the third avoidance portion 37 is located to the right of the first avoidance portion 35, and in the up-down direction, the third avoidance portion 37 is located below the first avoidance portion 35. The third avoidance portion 37 is used to cooperate with components in the imaging device so that the developing unit 10 / processing box can be correctly installed.

[0038] like Figure 1C and Figure 2B As shown, the second gripping portion 40 is configured as a recessed portion located on the fourth shell 120, and the second gripping portion 40 has a first surface 41 facing away from the second accommodating portion 116 / developer accommodating chamber 113, and the first surface 41 is recessed toward the second accommodating portion 116. When the user grips the developing unit 10, this configuration is beneficial for the user to grip the developing unit 10, and the developing unit 10 is not easy to slip from the user's hands.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first surface 41 is configured as an arc surface, so that the shape of the second gripping portion 40 fits better with the user's hand, and the user can hold the developing unit 10 more stably.

[0040] A fourth avoidance portion 42 and a fifth avoidance portion 43 are also provided on the fourth shell 120. In the left and right directions, the fourth avoidance portion 42 and the fifth avoidance portion 43 are spaced apart. The fourth avoidance portion 42 is located on the right side of the second gripping portion 40, and the fifth avoidance portion 43 is located on the left side of the second gripping portion 40. The fourth avoidance portion 42 and the fifth avoidance portion 43 are both used to avoid components in the imaging device so that the developing unit 10 / processing box can be correctly and stably installed to the imaging device. The fourth avoidance portion 42 and the fifth avoidance portion 43 are both set as recesses located on the fourth shell 120; along the up and down directions, the fourth avoidance portion 42 and the first avoidance portion 35 are opposite to each other, and the fifth avoidance portion 43 and the second avoidance portion 36 are opposite to each other, so that the top and bottom of the developing unit 10 can be positioned, which is conducive to keeping the developing unit more stably in the imaging device.

[0041] In some embodiments, the fourth avoidance portion 42 and the fifth avoidance portion 43 also have the function of identifying the model of the developing unit 10 / processing cartridge.

[0042] In some embodiments, the at least one recessed portion opens downward and rearward, and in the left-right direction, at least one of the right side of the fourth avoidance portion 42 and the left side of the fifth avoidance portion 43 is blocked / closed.

[0043] In some embodiments, at least one of the right side of the fourth avoidance portion 42 and the left side of the fifth avoidance portion 43 is not blocked / enclosed.

[0044] Preferably, in the above embodiment, in the left-right direction, at least one of the rightmost side of the fourth avoidance portion 42 and the leftmost side of the fifth avoidance portion 43 is not blocked / closed.

[0045] The fourth avoidance portion 42 has a second surface 44, and the fifth avoidance portion 43 has a third surface 45. The second surface 44 and the third surface 45 both face away from the second accommodating portion 116 / developer accommodating chamber 113. In some embodiments, in the up and down directions, the second surface 44 and the third surface 45 are located above the first surface 41.

[0046] In some embodiments, as Figure 2CAs shown, the fourth avoidance portion 42 and the fifth avoidance portion 43 are connected in the left-right direction, and the two ends of the first surface 41 are respectively connected to the second surface 44 and the third surface 45. When viewed along the left-right direction, the first surface 41, the second surface 44 and the third surface 45 are located in the same plane. Through such a setting, when the user holds the developing unit 10, he can hold a larger area, and the developing unit 10 is not easy to slip out of his hand; in addition, the developing unit 10 set in this way has a higher recognition.

[0047] [Beneficial Effects]

[0048] Compared with the prior art, in the developing unit 10 and the processing box having the developing unit 10 provided by the present invention, the developer accommodating chamber 113 includes a first accommodating portion 115 and a second accommodating portion 116 which are connected to each other. In the front-to-back direction, the first accommodating portion 115 is located in front of the second accommodating portion 116; the second accommodating portion 116 is located between the second shell 118 and the fourth shell 120. The developing unit 10 is provided with a first gripping portion 30 on the second shell 118 and a second gripping portion 40 on the fourth shell 120. The first gripping portion 30 and the second gripping portion 40 are used to facilitate the user to take and place the developing unit 10 / processing box. With the developing unit 10 configured in this way, not only the capacity of the developer accommodating chamber 113 is increased, but also the user is convenient to grab the developing unit 10, thereby extending the service life of the developing unit 10 / processing box, thereby reducing the frequency of the user replacing the developing unit 10 / processing box, reducing the user's usage cost, or reducing the frequency of the user filling new developer.

Claims

1. A developing unit, comprising a developing housing for accommodating a developer and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing housing; the developing roller is configured to supply the developer to an exterior of the developing unit; a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the developing roller is defined as a left-right direction; a direction parallel to the left-right direction is defined as a front-back direction; at least a portion of the developing roller is exposed forwardly to the exterior of the developing housing; and a direction intersecting both the left-right direction and the front-back direction is defined as a top-bottom direction; The developing housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing arranged in a vertical direction, the upper housing includes a first housing and a second housing connected to each other, and the lower housing includes a third housing and a fourth housing connected to each other, in the front-to-back direction, the first housing is located in front of the second housing, and the third housing is located in front of the fourth housing, the first accommodating portion is located between the first housing and the third housing, and the second accommodating portion is located between the second housing and the fourth housing, the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion are communicated with each other and are both used to accommodate developer, and in the front-to-back direction, the first accommodating portion is closer to the developing roller than the second accommodating portion; It is characterized in that The second housing is provided with a first gripping portion, and the fourth housing is provided with a second gripping portion. The first gripping portion and the second gripping portion are used for users to take and place the developing unit.

2. The developing unit according to claim 1, wherein: The first gripping portion has a first gripping surface, a first auxiliary surface and a second auxiliary surface. In the left and right directions, the first auxiliary surface and the second auxiliary surface are respectively connected to the first gripping surface. Along the direction intersecting with the front and back directions, the first auxiliary surface and the second auxiliary surface are not located in the same plane as the first gripping surface.

3. The developing unit according to claim 1, wherein: The first gripping portion and the second gripping portion are arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction.

4. The developing unit according to claim 2, wherein: The second shell is also provided with a first avoidance portion and a second avoidance portion. In the left-right direction, the first avoidance portion is located on the right side of the first auxiliary surface, and the second avoidance portion is located on the left side of the second auxiliary surface. The first avoidance portion and the second avoidance portion are both used to avoid components in the imaging device.

5. The developing unit according to claim 4, wherein: The second gripping portion is configured as a recessed portion on the fourth housing. The second gripping portion has a first surface facing away from the second accommodating portion, and the first surface is recessed toward the second accommodating portion.

6. The developing unit according to claim 5, wherein: The fourth shell is also provided with a fourth avoidance portion and a fifth avoidance portion, both of which are used to avoid components in the imaging device. In the left-right direction, the fourth avoidance portion is located on the right side of the second gripping portion, and the fifth avoidance portion is located on the left side of the second gripping portion; the fourth avoidance portion and the fifth avoidance portion are both arranged to be recessed portions located on the fourth shell, and along the up-down direction, the fourth avoidance portion is opposite to the first avoidance portion, and the fifth avoidance portion is opposite to the second avoidance portion.

7. The developing unit according to claim 6, wherein: In the left-right direction, at least one of the right side of the first escape portion, the left side of the second escape portion, the right side of the fourth escape portion, and the left side of the fifth escape portion is blocked / closed.

8. The developing unit according to claim 6, wherein: In the left-right direction, at least one of the right side of the first escape portion, the left side of the second escape portion, the right side of the fourth escape portion, and the left side of the fifth escape portion is not blocked / closed.

9. The developing unit according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The fourth escape portion has a second surface, and the fifth escape portion has a third surface. In the up-down direction, the second surface and the third surface are located above the first surface.

10. The developing unit according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The fourth avoidance portion has a second surface, the fifth avoidance portion has a third surface, and when viewed in the left-right direction, the first surface, the second surface, and the third surface are located in the same plane.

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