Processing box

Abstract

The processing box provided by the utility model comprises a developing unit and a photosensitive unit, the developing unit comprises a rotatably arranged developing roller, and the photosensitive unit comprises a photosensitive shell; the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller is the left-right direction, the processing box comprises a driving assembly for receiving driving force from the outside, one end provided with the driving assembly is a driving end in the left-right direction, and the other end is a non-driving end; the processing box comprises a first end cover, a chip, a chip support and an installation space, the chip support is arranged on the first end cover or the photosensitive shell, the chip support is communicated with the installation space, and the chip is installed to the chip support from the installation space; when the chip support is arranged at the driving end, the installation space is located between the chip support and the non-driving end. When the chip support is arranged at the non-driving end, the installation space is located between the chip support and the driving end. According to the processing box, in the chip installation process, the chip cannot interfere with other parts, and the installation freedom degree and the operable space of the chip are increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electronic photographic imaging, and in particular to a processing box detachably installed in an electronic photographic imaging device. Background Art

[0002] The processing box can be installed to the imaging device in a detachable manner. The processing box includes a developing unit and a photosensitive unit combined with each other. 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. The developing roller is used to 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. The developer is transported to the surface of the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image.

[0003] At least one end cover is provided at both ends of the processing box in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller, and the developing unit and the photosensitive unit can be combined with each other through the end cover; the processing box also includes a chip for storing processing box parameter information, and the chip can form a communication connection with the imaging device so that the information of the processing box can be known by the imaging device; the processing box is also provided with a chip holder for mounting the chip on the end cover. After the chip is installed on the chip holder, the chip and the fixed parts on the photosensitive shell are abutted in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller. Such a structural setting will result in no avoidance space when the chip is installed on the chip holder, and the chip can only be forcibly installed on the chip holder.

[0004] During the installation process of the chip, on the one hand, the installation method is not only difficult to install; on the other hand, because there is no avoidance space, a large force is required when installing the chip to ensure that the chip can be installed on the chip holder. This may easily cause at least one of the chip, chip holder and photosensitive housing to be deformed or even damaged due to excessive force, or the information stored on the chip may be destroyed, affecting the subsequent use of the chip. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The process cartridge provided by the present invention can solve at least one of the above technical problems, and the specific technical solutions are as follows:

[0006] The processing box is detachably mounted to the imaging device and 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 photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive housing and a photosensitive drum rotatably arranged in the photosensitive housing. The surface of the photosensitive drum can form an electrostatic latent image. The developing housing is used to accommodate the developer, and the developing roller is used to supply the developer to the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0007] The direction parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller is the left-right direction, the direction from the side where the developing roller and photosensitive drum are not installed to the side where the developing roller and photosensitive drum are installed is the downward direction, the direction opposite to the downward direction is the upward direction, the left-right direction intersects with the up-down direction, and the direction intersecting with both the left-right direction and the up-down direction is the front-back direction, and the developing unit is located behind the photosensitive unit; the processing box also includes a driving assembly for receiving driving force from the imaging device to drive the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to rotate, and along the left-right direction, one end where the driving assembly is provided is the driving end, and the other end is the non-driving end.

[0008] The processing box also includes a first end cover, a chip, a chip holder and an installation space. The first end cover is arranged at one end of the processing box in the left and right directions. The chip includes a substrate, a protrusion and at least one electrical contact portion. The electrical contact portion and the protrusion are arranged on the substrate, and the electrical contact portion is used to form an electrical connection with the imaging device; the chip holder is arranged on the first end cover or the photosensitive shell, the chip holder is connected to the installation space, and the chip is installed from the installation space to the chip holder; when the chip holder is arranged at the driving end, the installation space is located between the chip holder and the non-driving end; when the chip holder is arranged at the non-driving end, the installation space is located between the chip holder and the driving end.

[0009] In the front-to-rear direction, the installation space opens toward the rear.

[0010] The processing box / developing unit is also provided with a protective cover and a bracket arranged in the left-right direction, and the driving assembly includes a first driving member for driving the developing roller to rotate around a first rotation axis, and a portion of the first driving member is covered by the protective cover and supported by the bracket; in the front-to-back direction, the installation space extends backward to form a first area, and when viewed from top to bottom, at least a portion of at least one of the protective cover and the bracket is located in the installation space or in the first area.

[0011] The process box further includes a holding member for holding the chip on the chip holder, and at least a portion of the holding member is located in the installation space.

[0012] The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the electrical contact portion is arranged on the first surface, and the protrusion is arranged to protrude from the first surface / second surface toward a direction away from the substrate; when the chip is mounted on the chip holder, the protrusion is located in the mounting space.

[0013] When the chip is mounted on the chip holder, the substrate includes a first surface, a second surface and a third surface, the first surface and the second surface are arranged opposite to each other, the electrical contact portion is arranged on the first surface, the third surface faces the installation space, and in the up and down directions, the third surface is located between the first surface and the second surface; the retaining member includes a first abutting portion and a second abutting portion connected to each other, the first abutting portion is used to abut against the third surface, and the second abutting portion is used to abut against the first surface.

[0014] The processing box further comprises a gripping portion for users to grip easily, and the installation space is located between the chip support and the gripping portion.

[0015] The photosensitive housing has a third side plate, which is closer to the driving end / non-driving end in the left and right direction compared to the gripping portion. The third side plate has a fourth surface facing the installation space, and the retaining member is configured to extend from the photosensitive housing or the fourth surface or the first end cover; the installation space is located between the chip holder and the third side plate.

[0016] The photosensitive drum includes a drum barrel extending in the left-right direction, and the driving assembly includes a second driving member for driving the photosensitive drum to rotate around a second rotation axis. The drum barrel and the second driving member are combined with each other, and the drum barrel and the developing roller are arranged opposite to each other. When projected from top to bottom, the projection of the fourth surface falls within the projection range of the drum barrel.

[0017] The substrate includes a first part and a second part separated by a virtual dividing line. When the chip is mounted on the chip holder, the first part is located to the right of the second part, and at least a part of the electrical contact part is located on the second part; the chip holder includes a supporting part and at least one limiting part, the supporting part is at least used to support at least a part of the second part of the chip; in the left and right directions, the protrusion is opposite to the supporting part / limiting part.

[0018] After the processing box is assembled, a laser port is formed between the developing unit and the photosensitive unit. When the processing box is installed on the imaging device, the laser port is used to allow the laser emitted by the imaging device to pass through and reach the drum, so that the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum is developed. When the imaging device is imaging, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are in contact; when the developing roller and the drum are in contact with each other, at least a part of the support part coincides with the laser port along the left and right direction.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the processing box provided by the present invention is provided with an installation space, and the installation space is located between the chip holder and the third side plate / gripping portion. During the installation of the chip, the existence of the installation space prevents the chip from interfering with other components, and the installation freedom and operable space of the chip are increased, so that the chip can be assembled smoothly and easily, thereby reducing the difficulty of chip assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1A and Figure 1B It is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 It is an exploded view of the process cartridge according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3A and Figure 3BIt is a three-dimensional diagram of a chip related to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3C It is a plan view viewed from a side where no electrical contact portion is provided, along a direction perpendicular to the plane where the electrical contact portion of the chip according to the present invention is located.

[0024] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram of the chip mounted on the chip holder according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 It is a plan view projected from top to bottom along the vertical direction when the developing roller and the photosensitive drum in the processing box involved in the present invention are in a state of contact with each other.

[0026] Figure 6A and Figure 6B The present invention relates to a schematic diagram of a chip holder, a retaining member and an installation space when the chip is not installed on the chip holder.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the driving end of the process cartridge according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] [Processing cartridge]

[0030] The process cartridge 100 can be detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus, such as Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 2 As shown, the processing box 100 includes a developing unit 10 and a photosensitive unit 20 that are combined with each other, the developing unit 10 includes a developing housing 11 and a developing roller 12 rotatably arranged in the developing housing 11, and the photosensitive unit 20 includes a photosensitive housing 21 and a photosensitive drum 22 rotatably arranged in the photosensitive housing 21, the developing housing 11 is used to accommodate the developer, and an electrostatic latent image can be formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22. The developing roller 12 is used to supply the developer to the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 to develop the electrostatic latent image on its surface.

[0031] In the following, for the convenience of description, the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 12 is defined as the left-right direction, the direction from the side where the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 22 are not installed to the side where the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 22 are installed is defined as the downward direction, the direction opposite to the downward direction is the upward direction, the left-right direction intersects with the up-down direction, and the direction intersecting with both the left-right direction and the up-down direction is the front-to-back direction, the developing unit 10 and the photosensitive unit 20 are arranged in the front-to-back direction, and the developing unit 10 is located behind the photosensitive unit 20.

[0032] like Figure 1A and Figure 1BAs shown, in the left-right direction, a driving assembly is provided at one end of the processing box 100, and the driving assembly includes a first driving member 30 and a second driving member 40 arranged adjacent to each other. The first driving member 30 and the second driving member 40 are both used to receive driving force from the imaging device. The driving force received by the first driving member 30 is used to drive the developing roller 12 to rotate around the first rotation axis L1, and the driving force received by the second driving member 40 is used to drive the photosensitive drum 22 to rotate around the second rotation axis L2; ​​in the left-right direction, one end of the processing box 100 where the driving assembly is provided is the driving end, and the other end is the non-driving end.

[0033] The photosensitive drum 20 includes a drum barrel 23 extending in the left-right direction, and the drum barrel 23 is used to receive the developer supplied by the developing roller. The drum barrel 23 is arranged opposite to the developing roller 12, and the drum barrel 23 is combined with the second driving member 40; the processing box 100 also includes a gripping portion 24 for facilitating the user to grip the processing box 100, and the gripping portion 24 is arranged on the photosensitive housing 21.

[0034] like Figure 1A and Figure 2 As shown, the processing box 100 is provided with a first end cover 50 at the driving end, and the developing unit 10 and the photosensitive unit 20 can be combined with each other through the first end cover 50. The first end cover 50 can be formed separately from the developing housing 11 and the photosensitive housing 21, or the first end cover 50 is formed integrally with the developing housing 11 or the photosensitive housing 21. This arrangement makes the structure of the processing box 100 simpler; in some embodiments, the first end cover 50 can also be provided at the non-driving end.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the processing box 100 / developing unit 10 is also provided with a protective cover 13 and a bracket 14 arranged in the left and right directions. The first driving member 30 includes a third part 31 and a transmission part 322 that are combined with each other. The third part 31 is used to receive the driving force from the imaging device, and the transmission part 322 is used to transmit the driving force to other parts of the processing box 100 / developing unit 10. A part of the first driving member 30 is covered by the protective cover 13, and at least a part of the transmission part 322 is supported by the bracket 14.

[0036] After the processing box 100 is assembled, a laser port 15 is formed between the developing unit 10 and the photosensitive unit 20. When the processing box 100 is installed on the imaging device, the laser port 15 is used to allow the laser emitted by the imaging device to pass through and reach the drum 23, so that the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 23 is developed. When the imaging device is performing imaging, the developing roller 12 and the drum 23 are in contact; the processing box 100 also includes a separating member for separating the developing unit 10 and the photosensitive unit 20. When the imaging device is not performing imaging, the imaging device outputs a separating force to the separating member, and the separating member causes one of the developing unit 10 and the photosensitive unit 20 to move relative to the other, and the developing roller 12 and the drum 23 are separated from each other; when the developing roller 13 and the drum 23 are in contact with each other, the size of the laser port 15 in the front-to-back direction is greater than the size of the laser port 15 in the front-to-back direction when the developing roller 13 and the drum 23 are separated from each other.

[0037] In some embodiments, no separation member is provided in the process cartridge 100 , and the developing roller 13 and the drum 23 are always in contact.

[0038] [chip]

[0039] like Figure 1A 、 Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3C As shown, the processing box 100 also includes a chip 60 for storing its parameter information and a chip holder 70 for mounting the chip 60. The chip 60 includes a substrate 61, a protrusion 62 and at least one electrical contact portion 63. The substrate 61 has a first surface 611 and a second surface 612 relative to each other. The electrical contact portion 63 is arranged on the first surface 611. The electrical contact portion 63 is used to form an electrical connection with the imaging device. The protrusion 62 is set as a storage portion for storing parameter information of the processing box 100 or a battery for powering the chip 60.

[0040] The protrusion 62 is configured to protrude from the second surface 612 toward a direction away from the substrate 61 , or to protrude from the first surface 611 toward a direction away from the substrate 61 .

[0041] The substrate 61 includes a first part 613 and a second part 614 separated by a virtual dividing line M. The relative positions of the various components of the chip 60 described below are based on the posture of the chip 60 installed on the chip holder 70. The first part 613 and the second part 614 are arranged in the left-right direction, and the first part 613 is located to the right of the second part 614; when observed in a direction perpendicular to the first surface 611, the substrate 61 extends in the left-right direction and the front-to-back direction, and the total dimension of the substrate 61 extending in the left-right direction is greater than the total dimension of the substrate 61 extending in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, the side of the substrate 61 extending in the left-right direction can be called the long side, and the side of the substrate 61 extending in the front-to-back direction can be called the short side; the dividing line M is parallel to the short side of the substrate 61, and at the same time, the dividing line M also passes through the line or point at the leftmost end of the protrusion 62.

[0042] The protrusion 62 is located on the first part 613, and at least a portion of the electrical contact portion 63 is located on the second part 614. When the chip 60 is installed on the chip holder 70, the substrate 61 / first part 613 has a third surface 6131 facing to the right, and the third surface 6131 faces the following installation space 80. In the up and down directions, the third surface 6131 is located between the first surface 611 and the second surface 612; in some embodiments, in the up and down directions, at least a portion of the protrusion 62 does not overlap with the electrical contact portion 63.

[0043] [Chip holder]

[0044] The chip holder 70 is disposed on the first end cap 50 or the photosensitive housing 21. Hereinafter, the chip holder 70 is disposed on the first end cap 50 as an example. The chip holder 70 includes a supporting portion 71 and at least one limiting portion 72. The supporting portion 71 is supported by the first end cap 50 and is used to support at least a portion of the second portion 614 of the chip 60. Figure 5 As shown, when the developing roller 12 and the drum 23 contact each other, at least a portion of the support portion 71 overlaps with the laser port 15 along the left-right direction, so that the chip 60 / electrical contact portion 63 can be stably set in the chip holder 70 / processing box 100.

[0045] The protrusion 62 and the supporting portion 71 / limiting portion 72 are opposite to each other in the left-right direction. Specifically, when the electrical contact portion 63 and the protrusion 62 are both arranged on the first surface 611, the protrusion 62 is opposite to the limiting portion 72 in the left-right direction. When the electrical contact portion 63 and the protrusion 62 are arranged on different surfaces, that is, the protrusion 62 is located on the second surface 612, the protrusion 62 is opposite to the supporting portion 71 in the left-right direction. A more preferred embodiment is that the protrusion 62 and the supporting portion 71 / limiting portion 72 abut against each other in the left-right direction to prevent the chip 60 from falling out of the chip holder 70 to the left.

[0046] like Figure 6B As shown, the limiting portion 72 is provided on the first end cover 50, and the limiting portion 72 includes a fifth portion 722 and a sixth portion 723 that are connected to each other. The fifth portion 722 is used to limit the upward movement of the chip 60 / electrical contact portion 63. The fifth portion 722 has a limiting surface 721 for abutting against the first surface 611, and the sixth portion 723 is used to limit the chip 60 from moving to the left or to the right. In some embodiments, the limiting portion 72 can also serve to guide the installation of the chip 60.

[0047] [Installation space]

[0048] like Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, an installation space 80 is formed between the chip holder 70 and the non-driving end to facilitate the installation of the chip 60 to the chip holder 70. The installation space 80 is connected to the chip holder 70. Specifically, in the left and right directions, the installation space 80 is located between the gripping portion 24 and the chip holder 70.

[0049] In some embodiments, when the chip 60 is mounted on the chip holder 70 , the protrusion 62 is located in the mounting space 80 , which not only simplifies the structure of the support portion 71 but also reduces the difficulty of mounting the chip 60 .

[0050] The photosensitive housing 21 has a third side plate 212. Compared with the gripping portion 24, the third side plate 212 is closer to the driving end in the left and right direction. The third side plate 212 can be used to enhance the strength of the photosensitive housing 21; the installation space 80 is formed between the third side plate 212 and the chip holder 70; the third side plate 212 has a fourth surface 2121 facing the driving end, and the fourth surface 2121 faces the installation space 80, and is projected from top to bottom. The projection of the fourth surface 2121 falls within the projection range of the drum 23.

[0051] In some embodiments, the third side panel 212 is provided as part of the grip portion 24 .

[0052] like Figure 5 As shown, in the front-to-back direction, the installation space 80 extends rearward to form a first area N. Viewed from top to bottom, at least a portion of at least one of the protective cover 13 and the bracket 14 is located in the installation space 80 or in the first area N.

[0053] In some embodiments, as Figure 1A 、 Figure 4A and Figure 5As shown, in the front-to-back direction, the installation space 80 opens toward the rear, and a portion of the bracket 14 / a portion of the protective cover 13 can also enter the installation space 80, which can increase the function of the bracket 14 / protective cover 13, thereby increasing the design freedom of the bracket 14 / protective cover 13.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first end cover 50 has a first side plate 51, which is closer to the developing housing 11 / photosensitive housing 21 than the leftmost end of the first end cover 50, and the chip holder 70 is connected to the first side plate 51; a second side plate 211 is provided in the photosensitive housing 21 to connect the first side plate 51 and the third side plate 212, and the second side plate 211 is located below the third side plate 212. In the left and right directions, the second side plate 211 is located between the first side plate 51 / chip holder 70 and the third side plate 212, and the second side plate 211 can further enhance the strength of the photosensitive housing 21.

[0055] In some embodiments, a plane passing through the rear end surface of the second side plate 211 can be regarded as the rear end of the installation space 80 .

[0056] In some embodiments, the plane is perpendicular to the anterior-posterior direction.

[0057] [Retaining parts]

[0058] like Figure 2 、 Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B 、 Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown, the processing box 100 also includes a retaining member 90 for retaining the chip 60 on the chip holder 70, at least a portion of the retaining member 90 is located in the installation space 80, and the retaining member 90 is configured as an elastic member. Further, the retaining member 90 is configured as a "U" shape, a "V" shape, or a "W" shape.

[0059] The retaining member 90 is configured to extend from the photosensitive housing 21 or the fourth surface 2121 or the first end cover 50. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining member 90 is formed as a cantilever. The following description will take the retaining member 90 extending from the fourth surface 2121 as an example.

[0060] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, when viewed along the front-to-back direction, at least one of the protective cover 13 and the bracket 14 overlaps with at least a portion of the retaining member 90.

[0061] The retaining member 90 includes a first abutting portion 91 and a second abutting portion 92 which are connected to each other. The first abutting portion 91 is used to abut against the first part 613 of the substrate 60. Specifically, the first abutting portion 91 abuts against the third surface 6131, so that the substrate 60 has a tendency to move to the left, thereby enabling the chip 60 to be more stably mounted on the chip holder 70; the second abutting portion 92 is also used to abut against the first part 613. Specifically, the second abutting portion 92 has a fifth surface 921, and the fifth surface 921 abuts against the first surface 611. Therefore, as a whole, under the abutting action of the second abutting portion 92, the first part 613 also has a tendency to move downward, and the second part 614 has a tendency to move upward, so that the electrical contact portion 63 can be more tightly electrically connected to the imaging device.

[0062] In some embodiments, the fifth surface 921 and the first surface 611 are parallel to each other. This configuration allows the fifth surface 921 to fit more closely with the first surface 611 .

[0063] In some embodiments, the retaining member 90 is configured as a spring, one end of the spring is positioned on the third side plate 212 / gripping portion 24, and the other end of the spring is used to abut against the chip 30 / first part 613 / third surface 6131 in the left and right directions so that the chip 60 can be stably mounted on the chip holder 70.

[0064] In some embodiments, the retaining member 90 does not contact the chip holder 70 along the left-right direction, and this arrangement can increase the operable space of the chip 60; during the installation of the chip 60, a force can be applied to the second abutting portion 92 to force the retaining member 90 to elastically deform and maintain in a direction away from the chip holder 70 to avoid interference between the chip 60 and the retaining member 90, and then the chip 60 is installed on the chip holder 70, and then the retaining member 90 is released. Along the left-right direction, one end of the retaining member 90 abuts against one end of the substrate 61 of the chip 60, and the chip 60 is stably installed on the chip holder 70.

[0065] In some embodiments, when the chip holder 70 can also be arranged at the non-driving end, in this case, the installation space 80, the retaining member 90 and other related components will also be arranged at the non-driving end.

[0066] [Beneficial Effects]

[0067] Compared with the prior art, the process cartridge 100 provided by the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0068] First, an installation space 80 is provided in the processing box 100, and the installation space 80 is located between the chip bracket 70 and the third side plate 212 / gripping portion 24. During the installation process of the chip 60, the chip 60 will not interfere with other components, and the installation freedom and operable space of the chip 60 are increased, so that the chip 60 can be assembled smoothly and easily, thereby reducing the difficulty of assembling the chip 60.

[0069] Second, during the installation of the chip 60, the installation space 80 can prevent the chip 60 from interfering with other components. Therefore, the force required to install the chip 60 is relatively small, which can reduce the risk of deformation or even damage to the chip 60, the chip bracket 70 and the photosensitive shell 21.

[0070] Third, the processing box 100 is also provided with a retaining member 90 for holding the chip 60 on the chip holder 70. The retaining member 90 can abut against the first surface 611 of the first part 613, so that the first part 613 has a tendency to move downward and the second part 614 has a tendency to move upward. In this way, the chip 60 can be stably positioned while the electrical contact part 63 is more tightly electrically connected to the imaging device.

[0071] Fourth, the chip 60 further includes a protrusion 62 provided on the first portion 613 . In the left-right direction, the protrusion 62 can abut against the support portion 71 / the limit portion 72 , thereby further preventing the chip 60 from detaching to the left from the chip holder 70 .

[0072] Fifth, in the front-to-back direction, the installation space 80 extends in the rearward direction to form a first area N. When viewed from top to bottom, at least a portion of at least one of the protective cover 13 and the bracket 14 is located in the installation space 80 or in the first area N. This can increase the design freedom of the protective cover 13 / bracket 14. For example, in order to prevent the developer or impurities from falling onto the transfer part 322, the protective cover 13 and / or the bracket 14 can be provided with a protective part extending toward the installation space 80, so that the transfer part 322 can be covered / shielded by the protective part. At this time, the protective part can enter the installation space 80.

[0073] Sixth, in the front-to-back direction, the installation space 80 opens toward the rear, which is conducive to the smooth installation of the chip 60 to the chip holder 70 and also allows a portion of the holder 14 / protective cover 13 (such as the protective portion) to smoothly enter the installation space 80.

[0074] Seventh, when the developing roller 12 and the drum 23 contact each other, at least a portion of the support portion 71 overlaps with the laser port 15 along the left-right direction, so that the chip 60 / electrical contact portion 63 is not located at the two ends of the processing box 100 in the front-to-back direction.

[0075] Generally, the front and rear ends and the left and right ends of the processing box are positioned by the imaging device. For example, a pressing portion that can press the processing box from above the processing box is provided in the imaging device. Although the chip 60 / electrical contact portion 63 involved in the present invention is not provided at the two ends in the front and rear directions, the size of the processing box in the front and rear directions is much larger than the size of the processing box in the front and rear directions. Therefore, the chip 60 / electrical contact portion 63 can also be stably positioned. Accordingly, the contact pin used for electrical contact with the electric contact portion 63 in the imaging device will not interfere with the pressing portion. Thus, the design difficulty of the imaging device can be reduced.

Claims

1. A process cartridge, removably mounted to an imaging device, comprising a developing unit and a photosensitive unit, wherein the developing unit comprises a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing housing; the photosensitive unit comprises a photosensitive housing and a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed in the photosensitive housing, wherein an electrostatic latent image can be formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, the developing housing is used to contain a developer, and the developing roller is used to supply the developer to the surface of the photosensitive drum; The direction parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller is the left-right direction, the direction from the side where the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are not installed to the side where the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are installed is the downward direction, the direction opposite to the downward direction is the upward direction, the left-right direction intersects with the up-down direction, and the direction intersecting with both the left-right direction and the up-down direction is the front-back direction, and the developing unit is located behind the photosensitive unit; The process cartridge further includes a drive assembly for receiving a driving force from the imaging device to drive the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to rotate, wherein one end provided with the drive assembly is a driving end and the other end is a non-driving end in the left-right direction; It is characterized in that The process box also includes a first end cover, a chip, a chip holder and an installation space. The first end cover is arranged at one end of the process box in the left and right directions. The chip includes a substrate, a protrusion and at least one electrical contact portion. The electrical contact portion and the protrusion are arranged on the substrate. The electrical contact portion is used to form an electrical connection with the imaging device. The chip holder is arranged on the first end cover or the photosensitive housing. The chip holder is connected to the installation space. The chip is installed from the installation space to the chip holder. When the chip holder is arranged at the driving end, the installation space is located between the chip holder and the non-driving end; When the chip holder is arranged at the non-driving end, the installation space is located between the chip holder and the driving end.

2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein In the front-to-rear direction, the installation space opens toward the rear.

3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The processing box / developing unit is also provided with a protective cover and a bracket arranged in the left-right direction, and the driving assembly includes a first driving member for driving the developing roller to rotate around a first rotation axis, and a portion of the first driving member is covered by the protective cover and supported by the bracket; in the front-to-back direction, the installation space extends backward to form a first area, and when viewed from top to bottom, at least a portion of at least one of the protective cover and the bracket is located in the installation space or in the first area.

4. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The process box further includes a holding member for holding the chip on the chip holder, and at least a portion of the holding member is located in the installation space.

5. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the electrical contact portion is arranged on the first surface, and the protrusion is arranged to protrude from the first surface / second surface toward a direction away from the substrate; when the chip is mounted on the chip holder, the protrusion is located in the mounting space.

6. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein: When the chip is mounted on the chip holder, the substrate includes a first surface, a second surface and a third surface, the first surface and the second surface are arranged opposite to each other, the electrical contact portion is arranged on the first surface, the third surface faces the installation space, and in the up and down directions, the third surface is located between the first surface and the second surface; the retaining member includes a first abutting portion and a second abutting portion connected to each other, the first abutting portion is used to abut against the third surface, and the second abutting portion is used to abut against the first surface.

7. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein: The processing box further comprises a gripping portion for users to grip easily, and the installation space is located between the chip support and the gripping portion.

8. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: The photosensitive housing has a third side plate, which is closer to the driving end / non-driving end in the left and right direction compared to the gripping portion. The third side plate has a fourth surface facing the installation space, and the retaining member is configured to extend from the photosensitive housing or the fourth surface or the first end cover; the installation space is located between the chip holder and the third side plate.

9. The process cartridge according to claim 8, wherein The photosensitive drum includes a drum barrel extending in the left-right direction, and the driving assembly includes a second driving member for driving the photosensitive drum to rotate around a second rotation axis. The drum barrel and the second driving member are combined with each other, and the drum barrel and the developing roller are arranged opposite to each other. When projected from top to bottom, the projection of the fourth surface falls within the projection range of the drum barrel.

10. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The substrate includes a first portion and a second portion separated by a virtual dividing line, and when the chip is mounted on the chip holder, the first portion is located to the right of the second portion, and at least a portion of the electrical contact portion is located on the second portion; the chip holder includes a supporting portion and at least one limiting portion, the supporting portion being used to support at least a portion of the second portion of the chip; The protruding portion is opposed to the supporting portion / restricting portion in the left-right direction.

11. The process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein: After the processing box is assembled, a laser port is formed between the developing unit and the photosensitive unit. When the processing box is installed on the imaging device, the laser port is used to allow the laser emitted by the imaging device to pass through and reach the drum, so that the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum is developed. When the imaging device is imaging, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are in contact; when the developing roller and the drum are in contact with each other, at least a part of the support part coincides with the laser port along the left and right direction.

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