Developer box

Abstract

A developer cartridge includes a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, a transport path member, and a developer transport device for connecting the developer accommodating portion and the transport path member, the transport path member including a flow passage and a developer conveying portion, a developer transport device having a developer conveying portion connected to the flow passage, the developer transport device including a developer transport member for connecting the developer accommodating portion and the developer conveying portion to transport the developer from the developer accommodating portion to the developer conveying portion; wherein the developer transporting member is provided as a flexible member / elastic member. The flexible piece / elastic piece has an elastic deformation space, so that friction during rotation can be reduced, and heat productivity is reduced.

Description

[0001] The utility model claims the priority of the Chinese prior application with the application date of 2023.12.08, the application number of 202323363250.5 and the invention name of "developer box", and the contents of the prior application are cross-referenced in the present application. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The utility model relates to the field of electronic imaging, especially to a developer box which can be detachably installed in an electronic imaging device. BACKGROUND

[0003] The developer box is a component for supplying developer in an electronic imaging device (hereinafter referred to as "imaging device"). Generally, the developer box is provided with a developer accommodating part for accommodating developer and a developer conveying member for conveying developer out of the developer accommodating part.

[0004] In the prior art, in order to make the conveying process of the developer more stable, the developer conveying member is generally made of hard material. During the conveying process, the developer conveying member generates heat due to friction, causing the developer to melt and adhere to the place where the developer conveying member contacts the developer accommodating part, resulting in the developer conveying member unable to continue to operate and the developer unable to be supplied to the imaging device. SUMMARY

[0005] The utility model provides a kind of developer box to solve the above technical problems. Specifically as follows:

[0006] The developer box comprises a developer accommodating part, a conveying path member and a developer conveying device. The developer accommodating part is used to accommodate developer. The developer conveying device is used to connect the developer accommodating part and the conveying path member. The conveying path member comprises a flow channel and a developer conveying part. The developer conveying part is connected to the flow channel. The developer conveying device comprises a developer conveying member. The developer conveying member is used to connect the developer accommodating part and the developer conveying part to convey developer from the developer accommodating part to the developer conveying part.

[0007] The developer conveying member is a flexible member / elastic member.

[0008] Further, the flexible member / elastic member has a space for elastic deformation, which can reduce friction during rotation.

[0009] Further, the developer conveying device further comprises a driving device. The developer conveying member is driven by the driving device to convey developer from the developer accommodating part to the developer conveying part.

[0010] Further, the developer conveying member is a conveying belt.

[0011] Further, the developer transport member is a sponge.

[0012] Further, the driving device further comprises a shaft member and a connecting shaft, the conveying belt is arranged on the shaft member and the connecting shaft, and the conveying belt is used for connecting the developer accommodating portion and the developer conveying portion.

[0013] Further, the driving device further comprises a shaft member, the sponge is arranged on the shaft member, and the sponge is used for connecting the developer accommodating portion and the developer conveying portion.

[0014] Further, when the driving device is not in driving operation, the developer transport member can prevent the developer from leaking from the developer conveying portion.

[0015] Further, the pump member is further arranged, the developer conveying portion is connected with the flow channel through the pump member, and the flow air generated by the pump member is used for conveying the developer transported to the developer conveying portion out of the flow channel.

[0016] Further, the pump member comprises a bellows member, a pump driving gear and a pump driving reciprocating motion member, the bellows member is arranged between the pump driving gear and the pump driving reciprocating motion member along the Y direction, and the bellows member can be compressed and expanded in the Y direction to realize volume change.

[0017] The developer transport member is arranged as a flexible member / elastic member with elasticity, on one hand, the flexible member / elastic member has a space for elastic deformation, can reduce friction and thus reduce heat generation, on the other hand, even if the developer is adhered to the developer transport member due to high-temperature melting, the flexible member / elastic member can be normally rotated through elastic deformation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an imaging device.

[0019] Figure 2 is Figure 3 is a sectional view along the cutting line L2 and observed in the Z direction.

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a developer cartridge according to the present application.

[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a developer cartridge according to the present application.

[0022] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a pump member according to the present application.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the developer cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model when viewed along the X direction.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the developer cartridge according to Embodiment 2 of this utility model when viewed along the X direction. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the imaging device involved in this utility model; Figure 2 yes Figure 3 A sectional view taken along the Z direction after cutting along section line L2; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the developer cartridge involved in this utility model when viewed along the Y1 direction; Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the developer cartridge involved in this utility model; Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the pump component involved in this utility model.

[0026] Imaging device C includes a processing cartridge A and a developer cartridge B. Developer cartridge B contains developer and supplies it to processing cartridge A through an opening 23. Imaging device C has X, Y, and Z directions as shown in the figure. The X direction is the horizontal direction shown in the figure, the Y direction is the vertical direction shown in the figure, and the Z direction is the depth direction shown in the figure; that is, the Z direction is perpendicular to both the X and Y directions. Further, the Y direction includes an upward Y2 direction and a downward Y1 direction. Further, developer cartridge B has the same orientation as imaging device C.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the developer cartridge B includes a frame 40a and a cover 40d. The space formed by the combination of the frame 40a and the cover 40d can be used to contain developer. The developer cartridge B also includes a developer receiving part 22 disposed in the frame 40a. The developer receiving part 22 is used to contain developer. In this embodiment, the developer receiving part 22 is formed by the combination of the frame 40a and the cover 40d.

[0028] The developer cartridge B further comprises a pump member 21, a volume of which is changeable, a pump member 21 for connecting with the transport path member 103, and a developer transport device 100 for connecting the developer accommodating portion 22 and the transport path member 103; the developer cartridge B further comprises at least a part of a supply device (not shown) provided in the developer accommodating portion 22, the supply device for transporting the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 22 to the developer transport device 100, and then transporting the developer to the transport path member 103 through the developer transport device 100, and finally supplying the developer from the opening portion 23 to the process cartridge A through the pump member 21. The developer cartridge B further comprises a tube 104 for connecting the transport path member 103 and the opening portion 23, and a pump cover 48 for protecting the pump member 21.

[0029] Further, the pump member 21 comprises a bellows member 26, a pump drive gear 27, and a pump drive reciprocating member 28, the bellows member 26 is located between the pump drive gear 27 and the pump drive reciprocating member 28 along the Y direction, the bellows member 26 is compressible and expandable in the Y direction to realize the volume change, the bellows member 26 is provided with a volume changeable bellows portion 26a, an engaging portion 26b for engaging with the pump drive reciprocating member 28, and a fixing portion 26c for combining with the transport path member 103, the fixing portion 26c is combined with the transport path member 103 to fix the pump member 21, the gear portion 27a provided on the pump drive gear 27 is used to receive the driving force and rotate around the axis parallel to the Y direction, the pump drive reciprocating member 28 is used to combine with the combining portion 27b provided on the pump drive gear 27 to make the pump drive reciprocating member 28 move along the Y direction to realize the compression and expansion of the bellows member 26 in the Y direction, further, the combining portion 27b can be a protrusion or a groove, when the bellows member 26 is compressed, the pump member 21 can generate flow air to make the developer be ejected from the opening portion 23.

[0030] Further, the transport path member 103 comprises a flow channel 24 and a developer conveying portion 105 (as shown in Figure 6 The flow channel 24 is formed in the tube 104 for connecting the pump member 21 and the opening portion 23 (the process cartridge A), the developer conveying portion 105 is connected with the flow channel 24, after the developer is transported to the developer conveying portion 105, the developer is transported from the flow channel 24 to the opening portion 23 along the direction shown by D1 through the flow air generated by the pump member 21.

[0031] Further, the developer conveying device 100 comprises a developer conveying member 101 and a driving device M, the developer conveying member 101 is driven by the driving device M to convey the developer from the developer accommodating portion 22 to the developer conveying portion 105, the driving device M comprises an input gear 60, a first rotating member 61, a grooved wheel 62 and a shaft member 63, the input gear 60 is used for receiving the driving force provided by the image forming device C and rotating along the direction shown by CW, at the same time, the input gear 60 drives the first rotating member 61 to rotate along the direction shown by CCW, the first rotating member 61 is used for combining with the grooved wheel 62 and driving the grooved wheel 62 to rotate along the direction shown by CW, the grooved wheel 62 is used for combining with the shaft member 63 and driving the shaft member 63 to rotate along the direction shown by CW as the grooved wheel 62 rotates along the direction shown by CW, the shaft member 63 is further used for combining with the developer conveying member 101 to drive the developer conveying member 101 to move, so that the developer is conveyed to the developer conveying portion 105 by the developer conveying member 101.

[0032] Further, the supply device comprises a supply member 42, a supply shaft 43, a swing rotating member 41, a force applying member 46, a second rotating member 45 and an idler 47, the supply member 42 and the supply shaft 43 are arranged in the developer accommodating portion 22, the supply member 42 is a plate member extending along the X direction and the Z direction, the supply member 42 can reciprocate along the direction shown by J1 and the direction shown by J2, the direction shown by J2 is the opposite direction of the direction shown by J1, further, the direction shown by J1 and the direction shown by J2 are parallel to the Z direction, the supply member 42 can carry the developer, along with the reciprocating movement of the supply member 42 in the direction shown by J1 and the direction shown by J2, the developer is supplied to the developer conveying member 101 along the direction shown by J1; the supply shaft 43 is mounted on the frame 40a along the Z direction, the supply shaft 43 is used for driving the reciprocating movement of the supply member 42, further, the swing rotating member 41 is combined with one end of the supply shaft 43; the idler 47 is used for engaging with the input gear 60 to receive the driving force and drive the second rotating member 45 to rotate, the second rotating member 45 is provided with a convex part, the convex part is used for combining with an arm part arranged on the swing rotating member 41, so that the swing rotating member 41 can rotate along the direction shown by CW, the force applying member 46 is arranged on the swing rotating member 41, so as to drive the swing rotating member 41 to rotate along the direction shown by CCW, so that the swing rotating member 41 reciprocates along the direction shown by CW and the direction shown by CCW, in turn, the supply shaft 43 reciprocates to realize the reciprocating movement of the supply member 42 in the direction shown by J1 and the direction shown by J2.

[0033] Embodiment one

[0034] Figure 6 It is the developer box related to the embodiment one of the utility model, the sectional view when observing along the X direction.

[0035] As Figure 6As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the developer transporting member 101 is provided as a flexible member / elastic member, for example, a belt 101 for connecting the developer accommodating portion 22 and the developer conveying portion 105, the drive device M further comprises a connecting shaft 64, the belt 101 is arranged on the shaft member 63 and the connecting shaft 64, with the driving of the drive device M, the belt 101 rotates along the direction shown by CW, and transports the developer T from the developer accommodating portion 22 to the developer conveying portion 105, under the action of the flowing air generated by the pump member 21, the developer T in the developer conveying portion 105 is sprayed from the flowing channel 24 to supply to the process cartridge A.

[0036] When the drive device M is not in driving operation, the belt 101 can also prevent the developer from leaking from the developer conveying portion 105.

[0037] Embodiment two

[0038] Figure 7 It is the developer cartridge related to the embodiment two of the utility model, the sectional view when observing along the X direction.

[0039] As Figure 7 shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the developer transporting member 101 is provided as a flexible member / elastic member, for example, a sponge. The sponge 101 is used to connect the developer accommodating portion 22 and the developer conveying portion 105, and the sponge 101 is arranged on the shaft member 63, with the driving of the drive device M, the sponge 101 rotates along the direction shown by CW, and transports the developer T from the developer accommodating portion 22 to the developer conveying portion 105, under the action of the flowing air generated by the pump member 21, the developer T in the developer conveying portion 105 is sprayed from the flowing channel 24 to supply to the process cartridge A.

[0040] When the drive device M is not in driving operation, the sponge 101 can also prevent the developer from leaking from the developer conveying portion 105.

[0041] The developer transporting member is provided as a flexible member / elastic member with elasticity in this scheme, and the following beneficial effects can be obtained:

[0042] 1. The flexible member / elastic member has a space for elastic deformation, which can reduce the friction during rotation, thereby reducing the heat generation.

[0043] 2. Even if the developer adheres to the developer transporting member due to high temperature melting, the flexible member / elastic member can become normal rotation by elastic deformation.

Claims

1. A developer cartridge comprising a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, a transport path member, and a developer transport device for connecting the developer accommodating portion and the transport path member, characterized in that, the transport path member comprises a flow passage and a developer delivery portion connected to the flow passage, and the developer transport device comprises a developer transport member for connecting the developer accommodating portion and the developer delivery portion to transport the developer from the developer accommodating portion to the developer delivery portion; wherein the developer transport member is provided as a flexible member / elastic member.

2. The developer cartridge of claim 1, wherein, The flexible member / elastic member has a space for elastic deformation, which can reduce friction during rotation.

3. The developer cartridge of claim 1, wherein, The developer transport device further comprises a driving device, and the developer transport member is driven by the driving device to transport the developer from the developer accommodating portion to the developer delivery portion.

4. The developer cartridge of claim 3, wherein, The developer transport member is a conveyor belt.

5. The developer cartridge of claim 3, wherein, The developer transport member is a sponge body.

6. The developer cartridge of claim 4, wherein, The driving device further comprises a shaft member and a connecting shaft, and the conveyor belt is arranged on the shaft member and the connecting shaft, and the conveyor belt is used to connect the developer accommodating portion and the developer delivery portion.

7. The developer cartridge of claim 5, wherein, The driving device further comprises a shaft member, and the sponge body is arranged on the shaft member, and the sponge body is used to connect the developer accommodating portion and the developer delivery portion.

8. The developer cartridge of claim 3, wherein, When the driving device is not in driving operation, the developer transport member can prevent the developer from leaking from the developer delivery portion.

9. The developer cartridge of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising a pump member, the developer delivery portion connects the pump member and the flow passage, and the flow air generated by the pump member carries the developer transported to the developer delivery portion out of the flow passage.

10. The developer cartridge of claim 9, wherein, The pump member comprises a bellows member, a pump driving gear, and a pump driving reciprocating motion member, and along the Y direction, the bellows member is located between the pump driving gear and the pump driving reciprocating motion member, and the bellows member can be compressed and expanded in the Y direction to achieve volume change.

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