Developing device

Abstract

The utility model provides a developing device which is suitable for an image forming device provided with a device main body and a main body joint part. The developing device comprises an accessory and a developer container for accommodating a developer, and the accessory is detachably connected with the developer container; the attachment includes: a developer discharge portion for forming a passage through which the developer is discharged from the developer container toward the attachment; a first developer discharge port provided on the developer discharge portion; a second developer discharge port for cooperating with the first developer discharge port, the developer in the developer container flowing outside the developing device through the first developer discharge port and the second developer discharge port; a contact portion for directly or indirectly forcing the attachment to move relative to the developer container; according to the scheme, the developing device can be applied to image forming devices with different structures, and the production cost can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrophotographic imaging, and in particular to a developing device. Background Technology

[0002] Patent JP2024039771A discloses a developing apparatus for an image forming apparatus. The developing apparatus includes a developer container, a discharge port for discharging developer from the developer container, and an opener / closer for opening and closing the discharge port. The opener / closer has a blocking portion for closing the discharge port and a discharge path communicating with the discharge port and allowing developer to be discharged. When the developing apparatus is not installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the main body joint portion and the opener / closer contact portion of the developing apparatus are not in contact, and the discharge port is sealed by the blocking portion. During the installation of the developing apparatus onto the main body of the image forming apparatus, the main body joint portion and the opener / closer contact portion come into contact with each other, and through the installation operation linkage, the opener / closer moves, and the discharge path communicates with a part of the discharge port, thereby allowing developer to be discharged.

[0003] JP2024039773A also discloses this developing apparatus, which is further provided with a positioning component for positioning the main body of the developing apparatus relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0004] In the prior art, in order to differentiate products sold to different regions, the designers of developing devices and image forming devices usually set the outlet positions of developing devices sold to different regions differently. Correspondingly, the positions of the main body joints are also different, which requires the production of different developing devices for different image forming devices, resulting in high production costs. Utility Model Content

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a developing apparatus that employs the following technical solution, enabling the developing apparatus to be applicable to image forming apparatuses with different structures, thereby reducing costs.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention specifically adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A developing apparatus, suitable for an image forming apparatus having an apparatus body and a body joint; the developing apparatus includes an accessory and a developer container for containing developer; the accessory is detachably connected to the developer container, and the accessory includes:

[0008] The developer discharge section is used to form a channel for the developer to be discharged from the developer container toward the accessory;

[0009] The first developer outlet is located on the developer discharge section;

[0010] The second developer outlet is used to cooperate with the first developer outlet, through which the developer in the developer container flows into the outside of the developing device;

[0011] A contact portion, the contact portion being used to directly or indirectly force the accessory to move relative to the developer container.

[0012] Furthermore, the developer container has a center line parallel to the arrangement direction of the accessory and the developer container, and the first developer outlet is located on one side of the center line.

[0013] Furthermore, the developer container has a center line parallel to the arrangement direction of the accessory and the developer container, and the center line passes through the first developer outlet.

[0014] Furthermore, the developing apparatus is suitable for an image forming apparatus having an apparatus body and a body joint; the developing apparatus includes:

[0015] Developer container, used to hold developer;

[0016] The attachment is movable relative to the developer container;

[0017] The developer discharge section is integrally formed with the developer container and is used to form a channel for the developer to be discharged from the developer container to the accessory;

[0018] Multiple first developer outlets are provided on the developer discharge section;

[0019] Multiple second developer outlets are provided for cooperating with multiple first developer outlets, through which developer in the developer container flows into the outside of the developing apparatus;

[0020] A contact portion, the contact portion being used to directly or indirectly force the accessory to move relative to the developer container.

[0021] Furthermore, the accessory also includes a blocking portion having a blocking portion body, and a plurality of second developer outlets are disposed on the blocking portion body.

[0022] Furthermore, the developing apparatus is applicable to image forming apparatuses with different apparatus bodies, each image forming apparatus corresponding to a first developer outlet and a second developer outlet.

[0023] Furthermore, at least one of the accessories or the developer container is provided with a chip for storing information related to the developing device and an identification part for detecting whether the developing device is allowed to be installed on the main body of the device. At least one of the chip and the identification part is fixedly disposed or detachably installed on the accessories or the developer container.

[0024] Furthermore, the developing apparatus is also provided with a first positioning part and a second positioning part for positioning the developing apparatus relative to the main body of the apparatus.

[0025] Furthermore, the developer container has a center line parallel to the arrangement direction of the accessory and the developer container, and the chip and the identification part are both located on one side of the center line; or, the chip and the identification part are respectively located on both sides of the center line.

[0026] Furthermore, the developer container has a center line parallel to the arrangement direction of the accessory and the developer container, and the center line passes through at least one of the chip and the identification part. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of the developing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model after it has been installed in the image forming apparatus.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a simplified diagram of a developing apparatus having the first modified structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention installed in an image forming apparatus.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a simplified diagram of a developing apparatus having the second modified structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention after being installed in an image forming apparatus.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a simplified diagram of the developing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a simplified diagram of the developing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of this utility model after it has been installed in the image forming apparatus. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To better understand the technical solution of this application, the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] like Figures 1-3As shown, the developing apparatus (1a, 1b, 1c) is detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus body (9a, 9b, 9c) (hereinafter referred to as the "apparatus body"). The apparatus body (9a, 9b, 9c) is provided with a main body joint (90a, 90b, 90c) for applying force to the developing apparatus (1a, 1b, 1c). The developing apparatus (1a, 1b, 1c) includes accessories (10a, 10b, 10c) for discharging developer to the developing assembly and a developer container 20 for containing developer. The developing assembly includes a housing and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the housing. The developing roller is used to carry developer. The developer container 20 has a center line L parallel to the arrangement direction of the accessories (10a, 10b, 10c) and the developer container 20. The center line L passes through the accessories (10a, 10b, 10c). The accessories (10a, 10b, 10c) are detachably connected to the developer container 20.

[0035] The attachments (10a, 10b, 10c) include an attachment body and a blocking part 120. The blocking part 120 is movably configured relative to the attachment body. In this embodiment, the attachment body is configured as a developer discharge part 110. The developer discharge part 110 is used to form a channel for the developer to be discharged from the developer container 20 to the attachments (10a, 10b, 10c). The developer discharge part 110 is connected to the developer container 20. The developer discharge part 110 is provided with a first developer outlet 111. The blocking part 120 is used to control the opening and closing of the first developer outlet 111.

[0036] The blocking part 120 includes a blocking part body 121 and a second developer outlet 122 formed on the blocking part body 121. The second developer outlet 122 is used to cooperate with the first developer outlet 111, so that the developer in the attachments (10a, 10b, 10c) flows into the developing assembly outside the developing apparatus (1a, 1b, 1c). The attachments (10a, 10b, 10c) are also provided with a contact part 123 for contacting the main body joint (90a, 90b, 90c). The contact part 123 is used to directly or indirectly force the attachments (10a, 10b, 10c) to move relative to the developer container 20, such as by rotation or sliding.

[0037] In this embodiment, the accessories (10a, 10b, 10c) are detachably mounted on the developer container 20. Depending on the different main body of the device, only different accessories (10a, 10b, 10c) need to be replaced. The accessories (10a, 10b, 10c) are all provided with a first developer outlet 111. The position of the first developer outlet 111 on different accessories relative to the center line L is different.

[0038] The developing apparatus (1a, 1b, 1c) also includes a chip 30 for storing information related to the developing apparatus 1 and an identification part 40 for detecting whether the developing apparatus is allowed to be installed on the main body of the apparatus. The chip 30 and the identification part 40 can be disposed on the developer container 20 or on the accessories (10a, 10b, 10c). The developing apparatus also includes a first positioning part 51 and a second positioning part 52 for positioning the developing apparatus relative to the main body of the apparatus.

[0039] In some embodiments, along a first direction, a first positioning part 51 and a second positioning part 52 are respectively disposed at the free end of the attachments (10a, 10b, 10c) and the free end of the developer container 20.

[0040] As shown above, depending on the different main body of the device, the developer container 20 needs to be combined with different accessories. The following describes three main accessories with reference to the attached drawings.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, a first type of accessory 10a is installed to a developer container 20 to form a first type of developing device 1a. This first type of developing device 1a is suitable for a device body 9a with a first type of structure (hereinafter referred to as "the first type of device body"). The center line L passes through the second developer outlet 122. Along the center line L, the second developer outlet 122 is located at the end of the first type of accessory 10a near the developer container 20. The identification part 40 is closer to the second developer outlet 122 than the chip 30.

[0042] Before the first developing apparatus 1a is installed onto the first apparatus body 9a, the first accessory 10a is installed onto the developer container 20. At this time, the blocking part body 121 blocks the first developer outlet 111. Subsequently, the first developing apparatus 1a is moved along... Figure 1 The first direction / installation direction (the direction from developer container 20 to accessory 10) is shown in the figure. The first body joint 90a contacts the contact part 123, thereby applying a force opposite to the first direction / installation direction to the first accessory 10a, causing a part of the first accessory 10a to move relative to the developer container 20. This causes the blocking part body 121 to no longer block the first developer outlet 111, and the second developer outlet 122 is opposite to the first developer outlet 111, allowing the developer to flow into the developing assembly.

[0043] like Figure 2As shown, the second type of accessory 10b is installed to the developer container 20 to form a second type of developing device 1b. This second type of developing device 1b is suitable for the device body 9b with a second structure (hereinafter referred to as "second type of device body"). The center line L passes through the second developer outlet 122. Along the center line L, the second developer outlet 122 is located at the end of the second type of accessory 10b away from the developer container 20. The identification part 40 is closer to the second developer outlet 122 than the chip 30.

[0044] Before the second type of developing apparatus 1b is installed onto the second type of apparatus body 9b, the second type of accessory 10b is installed onto the developer container 20. At this time, the blocking part body 121 blocks the first developer outlet 111. Subsequently, the second type of developing apparatus 1b is moved along... Figure 2 The second device body 9b is installed in the first direction / installation direction shown. The second body joint 90b contacts the contact part 123, thereby applying a force opposite to the first direction / installation direction to the second accessory 10b, causing a part of the second accessory 10b to move relative to the developer container 20. This causes the blocking part body 121 to no longer block the first developer outlet 111, and the second developer outlet 122 to be opposite to the first developer outlet 111, allowing the developer to flow into the developing assembly.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, the third accessory 10c is installed on the developer container 20 to form a third developing device 1c. This third developing device 1c is suitable for a device body 9c with a third structure (hereinafter referred to as "the third device body"). The center line L passes through the second developer outlet 122. Along the center line L, the second developer outlet 122 is located at the end of the third accessory 10c away from the developer container 20. The chip 30 is closer to the second developer outlet 122 than the identification part 40.

[0046] Before the third developing device 1c is installed onto the third device body 9c, the third accessory 10c is installed onto the developer container 20. At this time, the blocking part body 121 blocks the first developer outlet 111. Subsequently, the third developing device 1c is moved along... Figure 3 The third device body 9c is installed in the first direction / installation direction shown. The third body joint 90c contacts the contact part 123, thereby applying a force opposite to the first direction / installation direction to the third accessory 10c, causing a part of the third accessory 10c to move relative to the developer container 20. This causes the blocking part body 121 to no longer block the first developer outlet 111, and the second developer outlet 122 to be opposite to the first developer outlet 111, allowing the developer to flow into the developing assembly.

[0047] In this embodiment, the accessories (10a, 10b, 10c) are detachably installed in the developer container 20. For different device bodies, the first developer outlet 111 is located at different positions in the developer outlet 110 in different accessories (10a, 10b, 10c). This allows the user to install the corresponding accessories into the developer container 20 according to the structure / model of the device body to form a developing device that is suitable for the device body.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first developer outlet 111 is located on one side of the centerline L.

[0049] In some implementations, the centerline L passes through the first developer outlet 111.

[0050] Furthermore, the chip 30 and the identification unit 40 can be installed as accessories in different positions in the accessories (10a, 10b, 10c) or the developer container 20, which not only increases the configuration freedom of the developing apparatus (1a, 1b, 1c) and reduces production costs, but also helps to improve the space management layout of the developing apparatus (1a, 1b, 1c).

[0051] In some embodiments, at least one of the chip 30 and the identification unit 40 is fixedly disposed in the accessory (10a, 10b, 10c) or the developer container 20.

[0052] In some embodiments, at least one of the chip 30 and the recognition unit 40 is detachably mounted in the accessory (10a, 10b, 10c) or the developer container 20. Depending on the structure of the image forming apparatus, the chip 30 and the recognition unit 40 are disposed in different positions in the accessory (10a, 10b, 10c) or the developer container 20, which can make the accessory also universal. Examples are given below:

[0053] When both chip 30 and identification unit 40 are provided in the accessory, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, both chip 30 and recognition unit 40 are located on one side of center line L.

[0054] When both chip 30 and identification unit 40 are provided in the accessory, such as Figure 3 As shown, chip 30 and recognition unit 40 are located on both sides of center line L.

[0055] When both chip 30 and identification unit 40 are provided in the accessory, the center line L can also pass through at least one of chip 30 and identification unit 40.

[0056] In some embodiments, along the first direction, chip 30 is closer to the free end (the end away from developer container 20) of the attachments (10a, 10b, 10c) than the first developer outlet 111, and the first developer outlet 111 is closer to container 20 than chip 30.

[0057] In some embodiments, along the first direction, the first developer outlet 111 is closer to the free end of the attachments (10a, 10b, 10c) than the chip 30, and the chip 30 is closer to the container 20 than the first developer outlet 111.

[0058] In some embodiments, along the first direction, the first developer outlet 111 is closer to the free end of the attachments (10a, 10b, 10c) than the identification part 40, and the identification part 40 is closer to the container 20 than the first developer outlet 111; as described above, the relative positions of the first developer outlet 111 and the chip 30 also have the above-described variations, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0059] Example 2

[0060] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the following will introduce Embodiment 2 of this application. The parts that are the same as those in Embodiment 1 will not be repeated in this embodiment. The difference is that the developer discharge section 110 and the developer container 20 are integrally formed in this embodiment.

[0061] The developer discharge section 110 is provided with a plurality of first developer discharge ports 111. The accessory 10 includes a blocking section 120 for controlling the opening and closing of the plurality of first developer discharge ports 111. The blocking section 120 has a blocking section body 121 and a plurality of second developer discharge ports 122 formed on the blocking section body 121 for corresponding cooperation with the plurality of developer discharge ports 111. In this embodiment, the blocking section body 121 is the accessory body. The accessory 10 also includes a contact section 123 for contacting the main body joint 90. The contact section 123 is used to directly or indirectly force the blocking section 120 to move relative to the developer container 20. The movement can be, for example, rotation or sliding. The plurality of first developer discharge ports 111 are respectively suitable for device bodies 9 with different structures.

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, when the developing device 1 is not installed on the main body 9, the blocking part main body 121 blocks multiple first developer outlets 111. At this time, multiple second developer outlets 122 are not opposite to any one of the multiple first developer outlets 111.

[0063] like Figure 5As shown, during the process of installing the developing apparatus 1 to the apparatus body 9 along the first direction / installation direction shown in the figure, the main body joint 90 provided in the apparatus body 9 comes into contact with the contact portion 123 of the attachment 10. Since the positions or shapes of the main body joints of different image forming apparatuses are different, during the process of the main body joint contacting the contact portion 123 and applying force to the contact portion 123, the moving direction or amount of the blocking portion 120 will be different. This can cause the blocking portion body 121 to move to a position where it no longer blocks one of the first developer outlets 111, ensuring that only one second developer outlet 122 is opposite to the corresponding first developer outlet 111, thereby allowing the developer in the developer container 20 to flow into the developing assembly via the attachment 10.

[0064] Based on the inventive concept of this utility model, the installation orientation of the developing apparatus (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) can have various variations, for example:

[0065] In some embodiments, the mounting direction of the developing apparatus (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) can be along a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0066] In some embodiments, the mounting direction of the developing apparatus (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) can be along a direction opposite to the first direction.

[0067] In some embodiments, the mounting direction of the developing apparatus (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) may be along a direction opposite to the second direction.

[0068] In some embodiments, the developing apparatus (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) may be installed first along a first direction and then along a second direction.

[0069] In summary, the developing apparatus (1, 1a, 1b, 1c) involved in this utility model can be applied to image forming apparatuses with different structures, which is beneficial to reducing production costs.

Claims

1. A developing apparatus, suitable for an image forming apparatus having an apparatus body and a body joint; said developing apparatus includes accessories and a developing agent container for containing developing agent; characterized in that, The accessory is detachably connected to the developer container, and the accessory includes: The developer discharge section is used to form a channel for the developer to be discharged from the developer container toward the accessory; The first developer outlet is located on the developer discharge section; The second developer outlet is used to cooperate with the first developer outlet, through which the developer in the developer container flows into the outside of the developing device; A contact portion, the contact portion being used to directly or indirectly force the accessory to move relative to the developer container.

2. The developing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developer container has a center line parallel to the arrangement direction of the accessory and the developer container, and the first developer outlet is located on one side of the center line.

3. The developing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developer container has a center line parallel to the arrangement direction of the accessory and the developer container, and the center line passes through the first developer outlet.

4. A developing apparatus, suitable for an image forming apparatus having an apparatus body and a body joint; characterized in that, The developing apparatus includes: Developer container, used to hold developer; The attachment is movable relative to the developer container; The developer discharge section is integrally formed with the developer container and is used to form a channel for the developer to be discharged from the developer container to the accessory; Multiple first developer outlets are provided on the developer discharge section; Multiple second developer outlets are provided for cooperating with multiple first developer outlets, through which developer in the developer container flows into the outside of the developing apparatus; A contact portion, the contact portion being used to directly or indirectly force the accessory to move relative to the developer container.

5. The developing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The accessory also includes a blocking part having a blocking part body, and a plurality of second developer outlets are disposed on the blocking part body.

6. The developing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The developing apparatus is applicable to image forming apparatuses with different apparatus bodies, each image forming apparatus corresponding to a first developer outlet and a second developer outlet.

7. The developing apparatus according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, At least one of the accessory or the developer container is further provided with a chip for storing information related to the developing device and an identification part for detecting whether the developing device is allowed to be installed on the main body of the device. At least one of the chip and the identification part is fixedly disposed or detachably mounted on the accessory or the developer container.

8. The developing apparatus according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, The developing apparatus is further provided with a first positioning part and a second positioning part for positioning the developing apparatus relative to the main body of the apparatus.

9. The developing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The developer container has a center line parallel to the arrangement direction of the accessory and the developer container, and the chip and the identification part are both located on one side of the center line; or, the chip and the identification part are respectively located on both sides of the center line.

10. The developing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The developer container has a center line parallel to the arrangement direction of the accessory and the developer container, and the center line passes through at least one of the chip and the identification unit.

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