Waste powder bin, processing box and electrophotographic imaging equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a waste powder bin, a processing box and electrophotographic imaging equipment, the waste powder bin is provided with a first end wall and a second end wall which are distributed along a first direction, the first end wall is provided with a first mounting hole penetrating through the first end wall along the first direction, and the second end wall is provided with a second mounting hole penetrating through the second end wall along the first direction, a bearing part is integrally formed on the first end wall, surrounds the first mounting hole and extends towards the second end wall in the first direction, the bearing part is provided with an inwards-concave avoiding opening, and the inwards-concave avoiding opening is concavely formed from the outer circumferential surface of the bearing part to the inner part of the bearing part, so that the outer circumferential surface of the bearing part is a non-cylindrical surface; the bearing part is inserted into the annular groove of the photosensitive drum gear, and a storage cavity is defined by the bearing part and the annular groove; the electrophotographic imaging equipment comprises the processing box, the processing box is provided with the waste powder bin, and the waste powder bin is large in lubricating grease storage amount, good in photosensitive drum supporting performance and capable of effectively preventing the photosensitive drum from jumping and avoiding lubricating grease pollution.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electrophotographic imaging, and in particular to a waste powder bin, a process cartridge provided with the waste powder bin, and an electrophotographic imaging device provided with the process cartridge. BACKGROUND

[0002] The imaging assembly, as a core component of the process cartridge, comprises a waste powder bin, a photosensitive drum and a connecting piece. The waste powder bin has a first end wall and a second end wall. The first end wall is provided with a first mounting hole penetrating the first end wall in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The second end wall is provided with a second mounting hole penetrating the second end wall in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The photosensitive drum comprises a drum body and a photosensitive drum gear. The photosensitive drum gear is installed at the first end of the drum body. The photosensitive drum gear is rotatably connected to the first mounting hole around the shaft center of the photosensitive drum. The connecting piece passes through the second mounting hole and is connected to the second end of the drum body, so that the photosensitive drum can rotate relative to the waste powder bin around the shaft center thereof. When the photosensitive drum gear is driven by a driving force, it will drive the photosensitive drum to rotate relative to the waste powder bin. At this time, friction will occur between the photosensitive drum gear and the hole wall of the first mounting hole, thereby accelerating the wear speed of the first mounting hole and / or the photosensitive drum gear. In order to slow down the wear speed of the first mounting hole and the photosensitive drum gear and improve the rotation efficiency and smoothness of the photosensitive drum, the existing method is to apply lubricating grease to the first mounting hole and the photosensitive drum gear. However, due to the small gap between the first mounting hole and the photosensitive drum gear, the storage of lubricating grease is extremely limited. During the working process of the imaging assembly, the lubricating grease is consumed all the time, so that after the imaging assembly has worked for a period of time, the first mounting hole and / or the photosensitive drum gear will still be rapidly worn.

[0003] To this end, the existing researchers propose an improvement method, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 a recessed part 911 is arranged on the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole 91. The recessed part 911 is recessed away from the photosensitive drum gear 92 from the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole 91. When the photosensitive drum gear 92 is installed into the first mounting hole 91, the recessed part 911 and the outer peripheral wall of the photosensitive drum gear 92 form an accommodating groove for accommodating lubricating grease. Although this improvement method can increase the storage amount of lubricating grease, it has the following defects:

[0004] In order to ensure that the lubricating grease has sufficient storage amount, either the recessed depth of the recessed part 911 needs to be deep enough, or the distribution length of the recessed part 911 along the first mounting hole 91 needs to be long enough, or the first end wall of the waste powder bin needs to be thick enough.

[0005] When the recess depth of the recess 911 is deep, the lubricating grease can be less flowable, especially for the more viscous lubricating grease, and the structural strength of the first end wall of the waste powder bin can be poor; and when the recess depth of the recess 911 is shallow, the storage amount of the lubricating grease can be too small.

[0006] When the distribution length of the recess 911 along the first mounting hole 91 is long, the imaging quality can be affected by the jump of the photosensitive drum in the circumferential direction of the first mounting hole 91 during the rotation of the photosensitive drum; and when the distribution length of the recess 911 along the first mounting hole 91 is short, the storage amount of the lubricating grease can be too small.

[0007] When the first end wall of the waste powder bin is thick, the recovery amount of the waste powder bin to the printing waste powder can be small, and the first end wall after forming can be prone to quality problems such as shrinkage holes, so that the structural strength of the first end wall is also weakened; and when the first end wall of the waste powder bin is thin, the storage amount of the lubricating grease can be too small, and the supporting effect on the photosensitive drum can be affected.

[0008] Furthermore, the lubricating grease of the improved imaging assembly is also prone to flow to the surface of the drum body, which can cause the drum body, the developing roller, the printing medium (such as paper) and the like to be contaminated, and affect the imaging quality. SUMMARY

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the main purpose of the present application is to provide a waste powder bin which can store a large amount of lubricating grease, has good supporting effect on the photosensitive drum, can effectively prevent the photosensitive drum from jumping, and can avoid contamination of the lubricating grease.

[0010] Another purpose of the present application is to provide a process cartridge provided with the above waste powder bin.

[0011] Still another purpose of the present application is to provide an electrophotographic imaging device provided with the above process cartridge.

[0012] In order to achieve the main purpose of the present application, the present application provides a waste powder bin, which has a first end wall and a second end wall distributed along a first direction, the first end wall has a first mounting hole penetrating itself along the first direction, and the second end wall has a second mounting hole penetrating itself along the first direction, wherein the first end wall is integrally formed with a bearing portion, the bearing portion surrounds the first mounting hole and extends to the second end wall in the first direction, the bearing portion has two or more recessed avoiding openings so that the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion is a non-cylindrical surface; when the first end wall is assembled with a photosensitive drum gear, the photosensitive drum gear is rotatably installed in the first mounting hole, the bearing portion is inserted into an annular groove provided on the photosensitive drum gear, and the recessed avoiding openings are in communication with the annular groove and form a storage cavity with the annular groove.

[0013] As can be seen from the above, the storage cavity formed by the inner recessed relief on the bearing part and the annular groove on the photosensitive drum gear is used for storing lubricating grease, and the design of the inner recessed relief on the bearing part enables the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole to retain the cylindrical surface design, thereby ensuring the support effect of the first mounting hole on the photosensitive drum gear and better inhibiting the vibration of the photosensitive drum during rotation, ensuring the imaging quality. Secondly, the design of the bearing part and the inner recessed relief thereon is conducive to better increasing the storage amount of lubricating grease without affecting the rotation of the first end wall, the photosensitive drum, the automatic supply of lubricating grease, and the like, thereby ensuring that the imaging assembly will not be ablated or damaged during long-term operation, and ensuring smooth rotation of the photosensitive drum. Furthermore, the bearing part cooperates with the annular groove designed on the photosensitive drum gear to achieve more stable and reliable support for the first end of the photosensitive drum, and the bearing part serves as a reinforcing rib to improve the structural strength of the first end wall, thereby facilitating a thinner thickness of the first end wall and improving the recovery capacity of the waste powder bin for waste powder.

[0014] One preferred scheme is that the inner recessed relief penetrates the bearing part in the thickness direction of the bearing part.

[0015] As can be seen from the above, the design enables the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing part to be effectively lubricated between the two side groove walls of the annular groove, and also enables the photosensitive drum gear and the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole to be effectively lubricated, thereby ensuring smooth rotation of the photosensitive drum and better preventing ablation or damage of the first mounting hole, the bearing part, the photosensitive drum gear, and the like.

[0016] A further scheme is that the first opening of the inner recessed relief close to the outer periphery of the bearing part is greater than the second opening of the inner recessed relief close to the inner periphery of the bearing part.

[0017] As can be seen from the above, since the outer peripheral length of the bearing part is greater than the inner peripheral length, the above design can enable the first mounting hole, the bearing part, and the photosensitive drum gear to be more fully lubricated while ensuring the stability and reliability of the support of the bearing part on the photosensitive drum gear and the smoothness of the rotation of the photosensitive drum gear.

[0018] A still further scheme is that the outer peripheral surface of the bearing part is two or more first combined surfaces distributed along the circumferential direction of the bearing part, the first combined surface includes a first circular arc surface and two first planes, the first circular arc surface is connected between the two first planes, and adjacent two first combined surfaces form the inner recessed relief; or the outer peripheral surface of the bearing part is two or more second circular arc surfaces distributed along the circumferential direction of the bearing part, and adjacent two second circular arc surfaces form the inner recessed relief.

[0019] As can be seen from the above, the above designs can ensure that the bearing part stably supports the photosensitive drum gear, and can maximize the storage cavity as much as possible.

[0020] Another preferred solution is that the inner recessed relief is formed in the bearing portion from the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion.

[0021] From the above, the design can better support the photosensitive drum gear by the first mounting hole and the bearing portion, so as to ensure the stability of the rotation of the photosensitive drum.

[0022] Further, the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion has two or more third arc surfaces and two or more second planes, the third arc surfaces and the second planes are alternately distributed, and the inner recessed relief is formed at the second plane; or the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion has a fourth arc surface and a second combined surface, the fourth arc surface and the second combined surface are connected end to end, the second combined surface includes a plurality of third planes distributed along the circumference of the bearing portion, adjacent two third planes are bent, and the inner recessed relief is formed at the third plane; when the waste powder bin is in the mounted position, the fourth arc surface is located on the upper side of the second combined surface, and the circular angle of the bearing portion corresponding to the fourth arc surface is greater than or equal to 150°; or in the axial direction, the projection of the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion is a first polygon, the projection of the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion is a second polygon, and the inner recessed relief is formed at each side of the first polygon.

[0023] From the above, the above designs can stably support the photosensitive drum gear by the bearing portion, ensure the stable rotation of the photosensitive drum, and maximize the storage cavity as much as possible.

[0024] Further, the first end wall is extended in the first direction to form an extension part away from the second end wall, and at least a part of the extension part is located on the lower side of the first mounting hole when the waste powder bin is in the mounted position.

[0025] From the above, the design of the extension part can better avoid the leakage of the lubricating grease from the gap between the first mounting hole and the photosensitive drum gear, and the extension part can appropriately block and receive the dripping lubricating grease, so as to avoid the dripping lubricating grease into the electrophotographic imaging equipment.

[0026] In order to achieve another purpose of the utility model, the utility model provides a process cartridge, which comprises a connecting piece and a photosensitive drum, the photosensitive drum comprises a drum body and a photosensitive drum gear, and the photosensitive drum gear is installed at the first end of the drum body, wherein the process cartridge further comprises the waste powder bin, the connecting piece is connected with the second end of the drum body after penetrating through the second mounting hole; the photosensitive drum gear is provided with an annular groove, the annular groove is open towards the first end wall, the bearing portion is inserted into the annular groove, the inner recessed relief is communicated with the annular groove and encloses the storage cavity with the annular groove.

[0027] From the above, the processing box provided with the imaging assembly has a longer service life, better imaging quality and a larger waste powder bin capacity; in addition, due to the presence of the annular groove, the lubricating grease can be effectively prevented from flowing to the surface of the drum body of the photosensitive drum, thereby preventing the drum body, the developing roller, the printing medium (such as paper) and the like from being contaminated, and the imaging quality is ensured

[0028] A further solution is that, in the axial direction, the extending end of the bearing portion has a spacing from the bottom of the annular groove.

[0029] From the above, the extending end of the bearing portion has a spacing from the bottom of the annular groove, which can effectively expand the storage capacity of the lubricating grease.

[0030] Another preferred solution is that the imaging assembly further comprises a driving force receiving head; the driving force receiving head is integrally formed at the end of the photosensitive drum gear away from the drum body, or the driving force receiving head is slidably installed on the side of the photosensitive drum gear away from the drum body in the axial direction, or the driving force receiving head is ball-hinged to the end of the photosensitive drum gear away from the drum body.

[0031] From the above, the driving force receiving head is designed so that the photosensitive drum can receive external driving force to rotate, which is conducive to the cleaning of the photosensitive drum; and the assembly mode between the driving force receiving head and the photosensitive drum gear has diversity, so that the imaging assembly can be adapted to different types of electrophotographic imaging equipment, different assembly environments and assembly requirements, and the like, thereby improving the practicability of the imaging assembly and expanding the application range of the imaging assembly.

[0032] In order to achieve another purpose of the present application, the present application provides an electrophotographic imaging equipment, comprising a machine body, a processing box mounting cavity is arranged in the machine body, wherein the processing box mounting cavity is mounted with the processing box.

[0033] From the above, the electrophotographic imaging equipment is provided with the processing box, so that the service life is longer, the imaging quality is better, and the use and maintenance cost is lower. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is a partial structure diagram of the waste powder bin of the existing imaging assembly.

[0035] Figure 2 is a structure diagram of the existing imaging assembly after omitting part of the assembly.

[0036] Figure 3 is a structure diagram of the first embodiment of the processing box of the present application.

[0037] Figure 4 is a partial structure diagram of the first embodiment of the processing box of the present application.

[0038] Figure 5is a structure view of the waste powder bin of the first embodiment of the processing box of the utility model.

[0039] Figure 6 is a structure view of the photosensitive drum of the first embodiment of the processing box of the utility model.

[0040] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the partial structure after omitting partial components of the first embodiment of the processing box of the utility model.

[0041] Figure 8 is Figure 5 is an enlarged view of A in the figure.

[0042] Figure 9 is a sectional view of the processing box of the utility model after omitting partial components of the first embodiment.

[0043] Figure 10 is a partial structure view of the waste powder bin of the second embodiment of the processing box of the utility model.

[0044] Figure 11 is a sectional view of the partial structure after omitting partial components of the second embodiment of the processing box of the utility model.

[0045] Figure 12 is a partial structure view of the waste powder bin of the third embodiment of the processing box of the utility model.

[0046] Figure 13 is a sectional view of the partial structure after omitting partial components of the third embodiment of the processing box of the utility model.

[0047] Figure 14 is a partial structure view of the waste powder bin of the fourth embodiment of the processing box of the utility model.

[0048] Figure 15 is a sectional view of the partial structure after omitting partial components of the fourth embodiment of the processing box of the utility model.

[0049] Figure 16 is a partial structure view of the waste powder bin of the fifth embodiment of the processing box of the utility model.

[0050] Figure 17 is a sectional view of the partial structure after omitting partial components of the fifth embodiment of the processing box of the utility model.

[0051] The utility model is further explained below in combination with the drawings and embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] First embodiment of processing box

[0053] Referring to Figure 3 , the processing box 100 comprises an imaging assembly 101 and a developing unit 102.

[0054] In combination Figure 4 The imaging assembly 101 comprises a waste powder bin 1, a photosensitive drum 2, a connecting piece 3, a driving force receiving head 4, and the like. It should be noted that other related parts of the imaging assembly 101 (such as a charging roller, a cleaning device, and the like) are the same as the corresponding parts of the existing imaging assembly 101, and thus, the details of such parts are not described herein.

[0055] In combination Figure 5 The waste powder bin 1 has a first end wall 11 and a second end wall 12, which are distributed along a first direction (i.e., the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2) and are located at the two ends of the photosensitive drum 2. The first end wall 11 is provided with a first mounting hole 111, which penetrates the first end wall 11 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2. The first end wall 11 has a bearing portion 112 on the side facing the second end wall 12, which extends out of the second end wall 12 (i.e., extends out of the drum body 21 of the photosensitive drum 2) in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2. The bearing portion 112 is integrally formed with the first end wall 11 and is arranged around the first mounting hole 111. Preferably, the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion 112 is flush or substantially flush with the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole 111. The second end wall 12 is provided with a second mounting hole 121, which is arranged substantially coaxially with the first mounting hole 111 and penetrates the second end wall 12 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2.

[0056] In combination Figure 6 And Figure 7 The photosensitive drum 2 comprises a drum body 21 and a photosensitive drum gear 22, which is installed at the first end of the drum body 21. The photosensitive drum gear 22 is provided with an annular groove 221, the opening of which faces the first end wall 11. When the photosensitive drum 2 is assembled with the waste powder bin 1, the photosensitive drum gear 22 passes through the first mounting hole 111 in the first end wall 11 and is rotationally connected with the first mounting hole 111, and the bearing portion 112 in the first end wall 11 is inserted into the annular groove 221 of the photosensitive drum gear 22. Preferably, the photosensitive drum gear 22 abuts or has a slight gap with the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole 111, the outer circumferential wall of the bearing portion 112 abuts or has a slight gap with the outer ring side groove wall of the annular groove 221, and the inner circumferential wall of the bearing portion 112 abuts or has a slight gap with the inner ring side wall of the annular groove 221. The slight gap does not affect the stability of the rotation of the photosensitive drum gear 22, i.e., does not cause the photosensitive drum 2 to jump during rotation. In addition, the connecting piece 3 (such as a pin) passes through the second mounting hole 121 from the outer side of the second end wall 12 (i.e., the side of the second end wall 12 facing away from the first end wall 11) and is connected with the second end of the drum body 21, so that the drum body 21 can rotate relative to the connecting piece 3.

[0057] The bearing portion 112 on the first end wall 11 can cooperate with the annular groove 221 on the photosensitive drum gear 22 to achieve more stable and reliable support for the first end of the photosensitive drum 2. At the same time, the bearing portion 112 can also function as a reinforcing rib to improve the structural strength of the first end wall 11, thereby facilitating a thinner thickness of the first end wall 11 to expand the waste powder recovery capacity of the waste powder bin 1.

[0058] In combination Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the bearing portion 112 on the first end wall 11 has an inner recessed avoiding mouth 1120, the number of inner recessed avoiding mouths 1120 is preferably two or more, the two or more inner recessed avoiding mouths 1120 are distributed along the circumference of the bearing portion 112, the inner recessed avoiding mouth 1120 is recessed from the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion 112 into the bearing portion 112, so that the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion 112 is a non-cylindrical surface, thereby facilitating the storage of a larger amount of lubricating grease; when the photosensitive drum 2 is assembled with the waste powder bin 1, the inner recessed avoiding mouth 1120 is in communication with the annular groove 221 and surrounds the annular groove 221 to form a storage cavity 20, the storage cavity 20 is used to store lubricating grease. Wherein, the inner recessed avoiding mouth 1120 preferably penetrates the bearing portion 112 in the first direction.

[0059] By providing the bearing portion 112 and the inner recessed avoiding mouth 1120 on the bearing portion 112, it is beneficial to better increase the storage amount of lubricating grease without affecting the rotation of the first end wall 11, the photosensitive drum 2, the automatic supply of lubricating grease, etc., to ensure that the first mounting hole 111, the bearing portion 112, the photosensitive drum gear 22, etc. will not be ablated or damaged during long-term operation of the imaging assembly 101, and to ensure smooth rotation of the photosensitive drum 2. This design effectively solves the technical problems of the existing design (the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole 111 is recessed outward of the first mounting hole 111 to form a recess for accommodating lubricating grease), such as poor support effect on the photosensitive drum 2, resulting in easy jumping and unstable rotation of the photosensitive drum 2 during rotation, small lubricant storage capacity, affecting the waste powder recovery capacity of the waste powder bin 1, etc.

[0060] In addition, the design of the inner recessed avoiding mouth 1120 on the bearing portion 112 allows the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole 111 to retain a cylindrical surface design, thereby ensuring the support effect of the first mounting hole 111 on the photosensitive drum gear 22, better inhibiting the movement of the photosensitive drum 2 during rotation, and ensuring the imaging quality. Furthermore, due to the presence of the annular groove 221 of the photosensitive drum 2, the flow of lubricating grease to the surface of the drum body 21 of the photosensitive drum 2 is effectively prevented, thereby preventing the drum body 21, the developing roller, the printing medium (such as paper), etc. from being contaminated, and ensuring the imaging quality.

[0061] In the embodiment, the inner recessed clearance 1120 of the bearing portion 112 penetrates the bearing portion 112 in the thickness direction of the bearing portion 112, that is, the inner recessed clearance 1120 penetrates the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion 112. This design enables effective lubrication between the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion 112 and the outer ring side wall of the annular groove 221, and between the inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion 112 and the inner ring side wall of the annular groove 221; at the same time, the lubricating grease can also flow to the space between the photosensitive drum gear 22 and the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole 111 through the inner recessed clearance 1120, so that the space between the photosensitive drum gear 22 and the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole 111 is also effectively lubricated, thereby further ensuring the smooth rotation of the photosensitive drum 2 and better preventing the first mounting hole 111, the bearing portion 112, the photosensitive drum gear 22 and the like from being ablated and damaged.

[0062] Preferably, the first opening of the inner recessed clearance 1120 near the outer periphery of the bearing portion 112 is larger than the second opening of the inner recessed clearance 1120 near the inner periphery of the bearing portion 112; since the outer peripheral length of the bearing portion 112 is larger than the inner peripheral length, the above design of the inner recessed clearance 1120 can enable the first mounting hole 111, the bearing portion 112 and the photosensitive drum gear 22 to be more fully lubricated, while ensuring the stability and reliability of the support of the bearing portion 112 to the photosensitive drum gear 22 and the smooth rotation of the photosensitive drum gear 22.

[0063] In order to ensure that the bearing portion 112 stably supports the photosensitive drum gear 22 and at the same time maximize the storage cavity 20, as a preferred solution, the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion 112 is two or more first combined surfaces 1121 distributed along the circumferential direction of the bearing portion 112, wherein the first combined surface 1121 includes a first circular arc surface 11211 and two first planes 11212, the first circular arc surface 11211 is connected between the two first planes 11212, and adjacent two first combined surfaces 1121 form the inner recessed clearance 1120; as in the embodiment, the first combined surface 1121 is four, so that the outer peripheral contour of the bearing portion 112 is approximately a rounded rectangular shape.

[0064] Further, in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2, the protruding end of the bearing portion 112 and the bottom of the annular groove 221 have a spacing L, which can further expand the storage amount of the lubricating grease.

[0065] Further, the first end wall 11 is extended to form an extension 113 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2, which is away from the drum body 21. When the imaging assembly 101 is in the installed position (i.e., the waste toner cartridge 1 is in the installed position), at least a portion of the extension 113 is located below the photosensitive drum gear 22. The extension 113 is designed to block and receive the leaked lubricating grease, so as to prevent the lubricating grease from dropping into the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0066] The driving force receiving head 4 is mounted on the photosensitive drum gear 22 and extends out of the first mounting hole 111 in the first end wall 11 and extends out of the first end wall 11 (i.e., the side of the first end wall 11 away from the second end wall 12). The driving force receiving head 4 can receive external driving force to rotate the photosensitive drum 2, thereby facilitating the cleaning of the photosensitive drum 2. In the present embodiment, the driving force receiving head 4 is slidingly mounted on the side of the photosensitive drum gear 22 away from the drum body 21 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2, and a resilient member (e.g., a compression spring) is arranged between the driving force receiving head 4 and the photosensitive drum gear 22 to force the driving force receiving head 4 to move away from the drum body 21 of the photosensitive drum 2.

[0067] Of course, as other optional solutions, in other embodiments, the driving force receiving head 4 can also be designed to be integrally formed on the end of the photosensitive drum gear 22 away from the drum body 21, or the driving force receiving head 4 can be designed to be ball-joint connected to the end of the photosensitive drum gear 22 away from the drum body 21. It can be seen that the assembly mode between the driving force receiving head 4 and the photosensitive drum gear 22 has diversity, so that the imaging assembly 101 can be adapted to different types of electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, different assembly environments and assembly requirements, etc., thereby improving the practicability of the imaging assembly 101 and expanding the application range of the imaging assembly 101.

[0068] The developing unit 102 includes a developing frame 1021 and a developing roller, etc., which is rotatably mounted on the developing frame 1021 and is substantially parallel to the photosensitive drum 2. It should be noted that other related components (e.g., a powder feeding roller, a powder discharging doctor blade, a transmission gear set, etc.) of the developing unit 102 are the same as the corresponding components of the existing developing unit 102, and thus will not be described in detail herein. When the imaging assembly 101 is assembled with the developing unit 102, the waste toner cartridge 1 is connected with the developing frame 1021; when the process cartridge 100 is in the printing state, the photosensitive drum 2 is in close contact with the developing roller, and the photosensitive drum gear 22 is engaged with the developing roller gear on the developing roller; when the process cartridge 100 is in the non-printing state, the photosensitive drum 2 is separated from the developing roller, and the photosensitive drum gear 22 is disengaged from the developing roller gear on the developing roller.

[0069] In summary, the design of the processing cartridge 100 makes the service life of the processing cartridge 100 longer, the imaging quality better, and the capacity of the waste powder bin 1 larger.

[0070] Second embodiment of processing cartridge

[0071] Reference Figure 10 and Figure 11 The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment of the processing cartridge is the structure of the bearing part. Specifically, in the present embodiment:

[0072] The outer circumferential surface of the bearing part is no longer two or more first combined surfaces distributed along the circumference of the bearing part, but is designed as follows:

[0073] The outer circumferential surface of the bearing part is two or more second circular arc surfaces 511 distributed along the circumference of the bearing part; wherein the adjacent two second circular arc surfaces 511 form an inwardly recessed avoiding gap 510.

[0074] Preferably, as in the present embodiment, the number of second circular arc surfaces 511 is four, which makes the bearing part discontinuous annular, wherein the discontinuous part is the inwardly recessed avoiding gap 510.

[0075] Third embodiment of processing cartridge

[0076] Reference Figure 12 and Figure 13 The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment of the processing cartridge is the structure of the bearing part. Specifically, in the present embodiment:

[0077] The inwardly recessed avoiding gap is no longer designed to penetrate the bearing part in the thickness direction of the bearing part, but is designed as follows:

[0078] The inwardly recessed avoiding gap 530 is formed inwardly recessed from the outer circumferential surface of the bearing part but does not penetrate the bearing part. As a preferred solution, the outer circumferential surface of the bearing part has two or more third circular arc surfaces 52 and two or more second flat surfaces 53, the third circular arc surfaces 52 and the second flat surfaces 53 are alternately distributed, and the inwardly recessed avoiding gap 530 is formed at the second flat surface 53. As in the present embodiment, the number of third circular arc surfaces 52 and second flat surfaces 53 is four, which makes the outer circumferential profile of the bearing part substantially a rounded rectangular shape. In addition, the grease can also enter the tiny gap between the photosensitive drum gear and the first mounting hole, the inner circumferential surface of the bearing part, to ensure the lubrication between the photosensitive drum gear and the first mounting hole, the inner circumferential surface of the bearing part. In addition, this design makes the photosensitive drum gear better supported by the first mounting hole and the bearing part, to ensure the stability of the photosensitive drum rotation.

[0079] Fourth embodiment of processing cartridge

[0080] Reference Figure 14 and Figure 15The difference between the present embodiment and the third embodiment of the process cartridge is the structure of the bearing portion. Specifically, in the present embodiment:

[0081] The outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion is no longer two or more third arc surfaces and two or more second planes, but is designed as follows:

[0082] The outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion is a fourth arc surface 54 and a second combined surface 55, the fourth arc surface 54 and the second combined surface 55 are connected end to end; wherein the second combined surface 55 includes a plurality of third planes 551 distributed along the circumference of the bearing portion, the adjacent two third planes 551 are bent, the second combined surface 55 can be regarded as part of the side surface of a multi-prism, and an inner recessed relief 550 is formed at each third plane 551. In addition, when the imaging assembly is in the installed position, the fourth arc surface 54 is preferably located on the upper side of the second combined surface 55 to better support the photosensitive drum gear 56. Preferably, the circular angle a of the bearing portion corresponding to the fourth arc surface 54 is greater than or equal to 150°, such as in the present embodiment, the circular angle a of the bearing portion corresponding to the fourth arc surface 54 is 180°.

[0083] Fifth embodiment of the process cartridge

[0084] Referring to Figure 16 and Figure 17 The difference between the present embodiment and the third embodiment of the process cartridge is the structure of the bearing portion. Specifically, in the present embodiment:

[0085] The outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion is no longer two or more third arc surfaces and two or more second planes, but is designed as follows:

[0086] The outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion is a first multi-prism side surface, and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion is a second multi-prism side surface; that is, in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the projection of the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion is a first polygon 57, and the projection of the inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion is a second polygon 58; wherein the inner recessed relief 570 is formed at each edge of the first polygon 57; in addition, the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole 50 can also be cylindrical, or can also be second multi-prismatic.

[0087] When the photosensitive drum gear 59 is assembled with the first mounting hole 50 and the bearing part, the photosensitive drum gear 59 is matched with the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole 50 and the inner circumferential surface of the bearing part respectively; wherein, when the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole 50 is in the second polygonal shape, the photosensitive drum gear 59 is tangentially matched with the side surface of the inner hole wall of the first mounting hole 50, and the photosensitive drum gear 59 is tangentially matched with the side surface of the inner circumferential surface of the bearing part; in addition, the photosensitive drum gear 59 is preferably also in contact with the side edge of the outer circumferential surface of the bearing part. This design is conducive to storing a larger amount of lubricating grease, at this time, the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing part and the photosensitive drum gear 59 can also be used to store lubricating grease, but there may be a deficiency that the support effect of the first mounting hole 50 and the bearing part on the photosensitive drum gear 59 is relatively weak.

[0088] Electrophotographic image forming apparatus embodiment

[0089] The electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprises a machine body, a processing cartridge installation cavity is arranged in the machine body, and the processing cartridge installation cavity is installed with the processing cartridge described above; wherein, the processing cartridge is the processing cartridge described in any one of the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment of the processing cartridge. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided with the processing cartridge described above, so that the service life is longer, the imaging quality is better, and the use and maintenance cost is lower.

[0090] Finally, it should be emphasized that the above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present application, and is not used to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can have various changes and modifications, and any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A waste powder bin, comprising a first end wall and a second end wall distributed along a first direction, the first end wall having a first mounting hole penetrating through itself along the first direction, the second end wall having a second mounting hole penetrating through itself along the first direction, characterized in that: the first end wall is integrally formed with a bearing portion, the bearing portion surrounds the first mounting hole and extends towards the second end wall in the first direction, the bearing portion has an inner recessed clearance, the inner recessed clearance is recessed from an outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion to form a non-cylindrical surface of the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion; when the first end wall is assembled with a photosensitive drum gear, the photosensitive drum gear is rotatably mounted in the first mounting hole, the bearing portion is inserted into an annular groove provided on the photosensitive drum gear, and the inner recessed clearance is in communication with the annular groove and encloses a storage cavity with the annular groove. 2.The waste powder bin according to claim 1, characterized in that: the inner recessed clearance penetrates through the bearing portion in a thickness direction of the bearing portion. 3.The waste powder bin according to claim 2, characterized in that: a first opening of the inner recessed clearance close to a first opening of the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion is larger than a second opening of the inner recessed clearance close to a second opening of the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion. 4.The waste powder bin according to claim 3, characterized in that: the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion comprises two or more first combined surfaces distributed along a circumferential direction of the bearing portion, the first combined surfaces comprise a first circular arc surface and two first planes, the first circular arc surface is connected between the two first planes, and adjacent two of the first combined surfaces form the inner recessed clearance; or the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion comprises two or more second circular arc surfaces distributed along the circumferential direction of the bearing portion, and adjacent two of the second circular arc surfaces form the inner recessed clearance. 5.The waste powder bin according to claim 1, characterized in that: the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion comprises two or more third circular arc surfaces and two or more second planes, the third circular arc surfaces and the second planes are alternately distributed, and the inner recessed clearance is formed at the second planes; or the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion comprises a fourth circular arc surface and a second combined surface, the fourth circular arc surface is connected to the second combined surface in a head-to-tail manner, the second combined surface comprises a plurality of third planes distributed along the circumferential direction of the bearing portion, adjacent two of the third planes are bent, the inner recessed clearance is formed at the third planes, the fourth circular arc surface is located above the second combined surface when the waste powder bin is in a mounted position, and a circular angle of the bearing portion corresponding to the fourth circular arc surface is greater than or equal to 150°; or in the first direction, a projection of the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion is a first polygon, a projection of an inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion is a second polygon, and the inner recessed clearance is formed at each side of the first polygon. 6.The waste powder bin according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: the first end wall is formed with an extension portion extending away from the second end wall in the first direction, and at least a part of the extension portion is located below the first mounting hole when the waste powder bin is in the mounted position. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 7. A process cartridge, comprising: a connecting member; a photosensitive drum including a drum body and a photosensitive drum gear mounted to a first end of the drum body; characterized in that: the process cartridge further comprises the waste powder reservoir according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the connecting member is connected to a second end of the drum body after passing through the second mounting hole; the photosensitive drum gear is provided with an annular groove, an opening of the annular groove faces the first end wall, the bearing portion is inserted into the annular groove, and the inner recessed clearance communicates with the annular groove and encloses a storage cavity with the annular groove.

8. The process cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that: in the first direction, there is a spacing between the extended end of the bearing portion and the bottom of the annular groove.

9. The process cartridge according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: the process cartridge further comprises a driving force receiving head; the driving force receiving head is integrally formed at an end of the photosensitive drum gear away from the drum body, or the driving force receiving head is slidingly mounted to a side of the photosensitive drum gear away from the drum body in the first direction, or the driving force receiving head is ball-hinged to an end of the photosensitive drum gear away from the drum body.

10. An electrophotographic imaging device, comprising a body, wherein the body has a processing box mounting cavity, characterized in that, the process cartridge installation cavity is provided with the process cartridge according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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