Developing cartridge

Abstract

The utility model relates to a developing box which is detachably arranged on imaging equipment provided with a main assembly, a supporting piece and an equipment side contact part, the equipment side contact part is arranged on the supporting piece, and the supporting piece is movably arranged relative to the main assembly; the developing box comprises a shell, a developing roller and an end cover, the first positioning part and the second positioning part are arranged at the longitudinal tail end of the shell in the longitudinal direction and are used for positioning the developing box on the supporting piece; a cartridge-side contact portion including a first power receiving member that supplies power to at least the developing roller, and an electrical contact portion that establishes a communication connection with the image forming apparatus; when observed in the longitudinal direction, at least one part of the first positioning part and / or at least one part of the second positioning part are / is located outside an area, and the area is the maximum area defined by the connecting line of the edge of the box side contact part and the center of the developing roller; the structure enables the electrical connection between the box-side contact part and the corresponding device-side contact part to be stably maintained.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of electrophotographic imaging, especially to a developing box which can be detachably installed on an electrophotographic imaging device. BACKGROUND

[0002] The developing box is a container for containing a developer, which includes a developing roller for carrying the developer, the developing roller being used to contact a photosensitive drum outside the developing box and supply the developer to the photosensitive drum, so that an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is developed. When the developing box does not need to develop, in order to prevent damage to the developing roller and the photosensitive drum caused by their long-term contact, a separation mechanism which can receive a separation force from the imaging device is provided in the developing box, and the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are forced to separate from each other by using the separation mechanism.

[0003] Generally, the developing box also needs to receive power from the imaging device. For this purpose, the developing box also needs to form an electrical connection with the imaging device in the state of being installed in the imaging device. The power output for supplying power to the developing box in the imaging device is arranged on a support for supporting the developing box. In the process of separating the developing roller and the photosensitive drum, in order to ensure the stable retention of the electrical connection, the support will move together with the developing box.

[0004] At the same time, the support is also used to cooperate with a positioning member provided in the developing box, so that the developing box is positioned on the support. As described in European Patent EP3144739B1, when viewed along the rotational axis of the developing roller, the center of the developing roller and each contact part in the developing box for electrical contact with the imaging device enclose a maximum area U1, and the positioning member is located in the area U1.

[0005] In actual use, the electrical connection between each contact part and the imaging device in the developing box with the above structure has the defect of being unstable. Specifically, when the imaging device or the developing box in the state of being installed in the imaging device is hit by an external force, the positioning member may move or shake in the support, which further causes the electrical connection state to change more easily, so that the electrical connection state becomes more unstable.

[0006] In addition, a plurality of power receiving members for receiving power from the imaging device are provided in the developing box, which will cause the structure of the side where the plurality of power receiving members are arranged in the developing box to become complex. UTILITY MODEL CONTENTS

[0007] Therefore, the utility model provides a developing box adopting the following technical scheme to improve the stability of the electrical connection between the developing box and the imaging device, specifically:

[0008] A developing cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus provided with a main assembly, a support and an apparatus-side contact portion provided on the support movably relative to the main assembly, the developing cartridge comprising:

[0009] a housing for accommodating toner;

[0010] a developing roller rotatably provided in the housing for carrying the toner and having a rotational axis extending in a longitudinal direction;

[0011] an end cap provided at a longitudinal end of the housing;

[0012] a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion provided at the longitudinal end of the housing in the longitudinal direction for positioning the developing cartridge on the support;

[0013] a cartridge-side contact portion for contacting the apparatus-side contact portion, the cartridge-side contact portion including a first power receptacle for supplying power to at least the developing roller and an electrical contact portion for establishing a communication connection with the image forming apparatus;

[0014] at least one of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion is located outside an area enclosed by a line connecting an edge of the cartridge-side contact portion and a center of the developing roller when viewed in the longitudinal direction, the area being a maximum area;

[0015] a line segment s1 connecting an edge of the power receptacle and a center of the developing roller, a line segment s2 connecting an edge of the electrical contact portion and the center of the developing roller, and a line segment s3 connecting the edge of the electrical contact portion and the edge of the power receptacle;

[0016] In some embodiments, at least one of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion is located outside the area.

[0017] In some embodiments, the developing cartridge further includes a drive force receptacle for receiving a drive force from the image forming apparatus, the developing roller being rotatable directly or indirectly by the drive force received by the drive force receptacle, the drive force receptacle being provided with a left end and a right end opposite to the left end in the longitudinal direction;

[0018] the first positioning portion includes a first left positioning portion provided at the left end and a first right positioning portion provided at the right end;

[0019] the second positioning portion includes a second left positioning portion provided at the left end and a second right positioning portion provided at the right end;

[0020] at least one of the first left positioning portion, the second left positioning portion, the first right positioning portion and the second right positioning portion is located outside the area when viewed in the longitudinal direction.

[0021] In some embodiments, the developing cartridge further comprises a driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force from the image forming device, the developing roller rotates directly or indirectly receiving the driving force of the driving force receiving member, and the developing cartridge is provided with one end of the driving force receiving member as a left end and an opposite end of the left end as a right end along the longitudinal direction;

[0022] The first positioning portion comprises a first right positioning portion arranged at the right end, and a fourth right positioning portion connected with the first right positioning portion, and the fourth right positioning portion extends from the first right positioning portion towards the direction close to the electrical contact portion along the arrangement direction of the electrical contact portion and the first right positioning portion.

[0023] In some embodiments, the image forming device further comprises a photosensitive drum rotatably arranged in the main assembly, and the developing roller is configured to supply toner to the photosensitive drum.

[0024] The developing cartridge further comprises an acting mechanism for receiving a coupling force and a separating force from the image forming device, the coupling force is configured to force the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to approach each other, and the separating force is configured to force the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to separate from each other.

[0025] When the developing cartridge receives the separating force, the support moves with the developing cartridge relative to the photosensitive drum.

[0026] When viewed along the longitudinal direction, the acting member in the acting mechanism for receiving the coupling force and the separating force is blocked by the end cover.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first positioning portion comprises a first left positioning portion arranged at one end of the housing and a first right positioning portion arranged at the other end of the housing, and the second positioning portion comprises a second left positioning portion arranged at one end of the housing and a second right positioning portion arranged at the other end of the housing, the first left positioning portion and the second left positioning portion are integrally formed and connected with the housing or the end cover through the elastic member.

[0028] In some embodiments, at least one of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion is arranged to be telescopic along the longitudinal direction.

[0029] In some embodiments, the developing cartridge further comprises a powder outlet blade fixedly arranged in the housing and configured to adjust the thickness of the toner layer on the surface of the developing roller, and the first electrical power receiving member is configured to supply electrical power to the developing roller and the powder outlet blade simultaneously.

[0030] In some embodiments, the support comprises a first support and a second support arranged opposite to each other, a developing cartridge accommodating portion for accommodating the developing cartridge is formed between the first support and the second support, and the first support and the second support are respectively provided with a first movable limiting body and a second movable limiting body.

[0031] The first positioning part comprises a first left positioning part arranged at one end of the shell and a first right positioning part arranged at the other end of the shell, and the second positioning part comprises a second left positioning part arranged at one end of the shell and a second right positioning part arranged at the other end of the shell; when the developing cartridge is installed into the developing cartridge accommodating part, the first limiting body is located between the first left positioning part and the second left positioning part, and the second limiting body is located between the first right positioning part and the second right positioning part.

[0032] In some embodiments, a longitudinal positioning part is further included, which is formed in extension from at least one of the first left positioning part and the second left positioning part, and comprises an abutting part for abutting against a device-side positioning member, and the abutting regions of the two are formed into an abutting area Sb along the longitudinal direction,

[0033] The support part is provided with a guide rail, and when the developing cartridge is in a state of being installed into a predetermined position of the image forming device, a contact point of the second left positioning part or the abutting part with the guide rail is P6, another contact point of the second left positioning part with the guide rail is P7, a contact point of the first left positioning part with the guide rail is P3, a straight line L2 passes through the points P6 and P7, a straight line L3 passes through the point P3 and is parallel to the straight line L2, a straight line L5 passes through the point P6 and is perpendicular to the straight line L2, a straight line L4 passes through the point P7 and is parallel to the straight line L5, and the straight lines L2, L3, L4 and L5 enclose a virtual area Sc;

[0034] The abutting area Sb is located outside the range of the virtual area Sc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of the components of the image forming device to which the developing cartridge of the present application is applicable.

[0036] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is a perspective view of the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present application, viewed from another angle.

[0038] Figure 4A is a plan view of the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present application, viewed along the longitudinal direction.

[0039] Figure 4B is a plan view of the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present application, viewed along the longitudinal direction after the developing cartridge is installed into a predetermined position of the image forming device.

[0040] Figure 5A is a perspective view of the conductive end of the developing cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present application.

[0041] Figure 5BIt is the plan view of the developing box related to the embodiment two of the utility model along the longitudinal direction.

[0042] Figure 6A And Figure 6B It is the perspective view of the developing box related to the embodiment three of the utility model.

[0043] Figure 7 It is the plan view of the developing box related to the embodiment three of the utility model along the longitudinal direction.

[0044] Figure 8A It is the plan view of the developing box related to the embodiment three of the utility model when the developing box and the photosensitive drum are separated from each other along the longitudinal direction.

[0045] Figure 8B It is the perspective view of the developing box related to the embodiment three of the utility model when the developing box and the photosensitive drum are separated from each other, and the state of the developing box and the photosensitive drum.

[0046] Figure 9A It is the perspective view of the driving end of the developing box related to the embodiment four of the utility model.

[0047] Figure 9B It is the perspective view of the conductive end of the developing box related to the embodiment four of the utility model.

[0048] Figure 10 It is the plan view of the developing box related to the embodiment four of the utility model along the longitudinal direction.

[0049] Figure 11 It is the plan view of the developing box related to the embodiment five of the utility model along the longitudinal direction.

[0050] Figure 12A It is the perspective view of the longitudinal positioning part related to the embodiment six of the utility model.

[0051] Figure 12B It is the perspective view of the longitudinal positioning part combined with the equipment side positioning member related to the embodiment six of the utility model.

[0052] Figure 13 It is the plan view of the longitudinal positioning part related to the embodiment six of the utility model along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0053] Figure 14 It is the plan view of the longitudinal positioning part combined with the equipment side positioning member related to the embodiment six of the utility model along the longitudinal direction.

[0054] Figure 15 It is the plan view of the longitudinal positioning part combined with the equipment side positioning member related to the embodiment seven of the utility model along the longitudinal direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] [Imaging equipment]

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, the imaging device includes a main component (not shown), a photosensitive drum 200, and a support member. The photosensitive drum 200 is rotatably disposed relative to the main component and is used to form an electrostatic latent image on its surface. When the photosensitive drum 200 receives toner supplied by the developing roller 21, the electrostatic latent image is developed. The support member is movable relative to the main component and includes a first support member 201 and a second support member 202 disposed at a relative interval. A developing cartridge receiving portion 200a is formed between the first support member 201 and the second support member 202.

[0058] The first support member 201 is provided with a first guide rail 201c, and the second support member 202 is provided with a second guide rail 202c and multiple device-side contact portions. The developing cartridge can be guided, supported and positioned by the first guide rail 201c and the second guide rail 202c. The multiple device-side contact portions are used to form an electrical connection with the developing cartridge. Specifically, the multiple device-side contact portions are provided on the support member and include power output components and contact pins 202d. The power output components include a first power output component 202a and a second power output component 202b distributed on both sides of the second guide rail 202c.

[0059] Furthermore, each support component is also equipped with a movable limiting body, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the first support member 201 further includes a first limiting body 201f, which can move between an entry position into the first guide rail 201c and an exit position out of the first guide rail 201c by contacting an elastic member 201g; the second support member 202 further includes a second limiting body 202f, which can move between an entry position into the second guide rail 202c and an exit position out of the second guide rail 202c by contacting an elastic member 202g.

[0060] [Developer Box]

[0061] (Example 1)

[0062] The developing cartridge 100 includes a housing 1, a developing roller 21, a toner discharge blade 22, a first end cap 11, and a second end cap 12. The housing 1 is used to contain toner. The developing roller 21 is rotatably disposed in the housing 1 to carry toner and has a rotation axis L extending in the longitudinal direction. The toner discharge blade 22 is fixedly disposed on the housing 1 to adjust the thickness of the toner layer on the surface of the developing roller 21. The first end cap 11 and the second end cap 12 are respectively located at the two longitudinal ends of the housing 1.

[0063] Further, the developing cartridge 100 further comprises a driving force receiving member 3, a chip 5, a positioning assembly (comprising a first positioning part 6 and a second positioning part 8), the driving force receiving member 3 is arranged at one end of the housing 1 for receiving driving force from the image forming device, the developing roller 21 directly or indirectly receives the driving force of the driving force receiving member 3 to rotate, hereinafter, along the longitudinal direction, the end provided with the driving force receiving member 3 is the driving end F (left end), and the end opposite to the driving end is the conductive end E (right end); the chip 5 is provided with a plurality of electrical contact parts 52 for contacting the stylus 202d to enable the developing cartridge 100 to establish a communication connection with the image forming device, the chip 5 / electrical contact part 52 can be arranged at the driving end F or the conductive end E or any position between the driving end F and the conductive end E according to design requirements, the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 are used for positioning the developing cartridge 100 on the support member, at the same time, the first positioning part 6 is also used for pushing the support member to move together with the developing cartridge 100 relative to the photosensitive drum 200.

[0064] Specifically, the positions of the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 in the developing cartridge 100 should not be limited, for example, the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 are both arranged on the end cover, or the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 are both arranged on the housing 1, or one of the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 is arranged on the end cover, and the other is arranged on the housing 1.

[0065] Preferably, along the longitudinal direction, the first positioning part 6 comprises a first left positioning part 61 arranged at the left end and a first right positioning part 62 arranged at the right end, and the second positioning part 8 comprises a second left positioning part 81 arranged at the left end and a second right positioning part 82 arranged at the right end.

[0066] In an embodiment, the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81 arranged at the driving end F are integrally formed, and the driving end F has a greater vibration amplitude when the developing cartridge 100 is developing relative to the conductive end E, and the integrally formed first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81 will be beneficial to reduce the vibration amplitude of the driving end of the developing cartridge.

[0067] In an embodiment, the integrally formed first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81 can also be connected with the housing 1 or the first end cover 11 through an elastic member 13 (such as a tension spring, as shown) to be movable relative to the housing 1, which can make the developing cartridge 100 more smoothly installed and more smoothly taken out. Figure 3

[0068] ​Further, the developing cartridge 100 further comprises a power input 7 arranged at the electrically conductive end E, the power input 7 has a power input portion 70 for contacting with a power output portion to receive power, at the same time, the power input 7 also supplies power to at least the developing roller 21, the power input portion 70 and the electric contact portion can be collectively referred to as cartridge side contact portion, the cartridge side contact portion is used to contact with a device side contact portion to form an electric connection.

[0069] Further, the developing cartridge 100 further comprises an acting mechanism 4, in the state that the developing cartridge 100 is installed to the image forming device, when the developing cartridge 100 needs to develop, the acting mechanism 4 receives a binding force applied from the image forming device to force the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 200 to approach each other, when the developing cartridge 100 does not need to develop, the acting mechanism 4 receives a separating force from the image forming device, then the separating force is transmitted to the support through the housing 1, the end cover and the first positioning portion 6, so as to realize the separating of the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 200 from each other, at the same time, the support moves relative to the photosensitive drum 200 along with the developing cartridge 100, with the movement of the support, a sensing member arranged in the image forming device is sensed, the signal that the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 200 are separated from each other can be known by the image forming device, according to which, the image forming device can perform subsequent operations, for example, cleaning the photosensitive drum 200, checking the main assembly, etc.

[0070] As shown in Figure 3 , the acting mechanism 4 comprises a first acting member 41 and a first reset member 43 arranged at the driving end F, and a second acting member 42 and a second reset member 44 arranged at the electrically conductive end E, the first acting member 41 is used to receive a binding force applied by the image forming device in one direction and a separating force applied in another direction, the second acting member 42 is also used to receive a binding force applied by the image forming device in one direction and a separating force applied in another direction, the one direction and the another direction are opposite, the first reset member 43 and the second reset member 44 are respectively used to force the first acting member 41 and the second acting member 42 to reset.

[0071] In one embodiment, the first reset member 43 and the second reset member 44 are both provided as tension springs, specifically, one end of the first acting member 41 is provided with a rotating shaft for rotation of the first acting member 41, and the other end is used for receiving the force applied by the imaging device, one end of the second acting member 42 is provided with a rotating shaft for rotation of the second acting member 42, and the other end is used for receiving the force applied by the imaging device, the first reset member 43 is connected between the two ends of the first acting member 41, and the second reset member 44 is connected between the two ends of the second acting member 42, when the first acting member 41 and the second acting member 42 receive the separation force, the first reset member 43 and the second reset member 44 are elongated, and the rotating shaft can be provided as a solid shaft, a through hole or a blind hole; when viewed along the longitudinal direction, the first acting member 41 is shielded by the first end cover 11, and the second acting member 42 is shielded by the second end cover 12, so that the first acting member 41 and the second acting member 42 can be more effectively protected.

[0072] As shown in Figure 4A , the power input member 7 in the embodiment includes a first power receiving member 7a and a power transmission member for supplying power to at least the developing roller 21, specifically, the first power receiving member 7a is used to contact the first power output member 202a to receive power, the power transmission member includes a first power transmission part 71 for transmitting power to the powder outlet blade 22 and a second power transmission part 72 for transmitting power to the developing roller 21, the first power transmission part 71 connects the powder outlet blade 22 and the first power receiving member 7a, and the second power transmission part 72 connects the developing roller 21 and the first power receiving member 7a, so that only one power receiving member 7a needs to be provided, and power supply to the developing roller 21 and the powder outlet blade 22 can be simultaneously realized.

[0073] Continuing as shown in Figure 4A , when viewed along the longitudinal direction, at least one of the first positioning part 6 (including the first left positioning part 61 and the first right positioning part 62) and the second positioning part 8 (including the second left positioning part 81 and the second right positioning part 82) is located outside the region U1, the region U1 is the largest area enclosed by the connecting line of the edge of the cartridge side contact part and the center 21z of the developing roller 21, specifically, the line segment s1 connects the edge of the first power receiving member 7a and the center 21z of the developing roller, the line segment s2 connects the edge of the electrical contact part 52 and the center 21z of the developing roller, and the line segment s3 connects the edge of the electrical contact part 52 and the edge of the first power receiving member 7a.

[0074] As shown in Figure 4BAs shown, after the developing cartridge 100 is installed into the imaging device, or in other words, when the developing cartridge 100 is accommodated by the developing cartridge receiving part 200a, when viewed from the conductive end E, the second limiting body 202f enters between the first right positioning part 62 and the second right positioning part 82. In this way, the developing cartridge 100 can be positioned in the imaging device. When the second actuating member 42 receives a separation force, the separation force is transmitted to the first right positioning part 62. Then, the first right positioning part 62 pushes the second support member 202 to move by pushing the second limiting body 202f. Similarly, at the driving end F, the first limiting body 201f is located between the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81. The first left positioning part 61 can push the first support member 201 to move by pushing the first limiting body 201f.

[0075] As can be extended from this, the first actuating member 41 and the second actuating member 42 can not only be disposed on the housing 1, but also on the end cap.

[0076] The beneficial effects of this embodiment are:

[0077] 1. When the developing cartridge 100 or the imaging device is subjected to an external impact, even if the positioning component vibrates, the impact on the cartridge-side contact portion can be reduced, thereby ensuring that the electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact portion and the corresponding device-side contact portion is stably maintained.

[0078] 2. The conductive terminal E is simplified by only needing to set up a power receiver 7 / 7a.

[0079] 3. For example Figure 1 As shown, when the first power output component 202a, the second power output component 202b, and the rotating part 201d are projected along the longitudinal direction, the distance between the second power output component 202b and the rotating part 201d will be greater than the distance between the first power output component 202a and the rotating part 201d. When the support member rotates around the rotating part 201d, the moving distance of the second power output component 202b will be greater than the moving distance of the first power output component 202a. In this embodiment, the power receiving component only needs to contact the first power output component 202a and does not need to contact the second power output component 202b. Therefore, the risk of the power input component 7 (first power receiving component 7a) and the first power output component 202a becoming detached from contact can be reduced in this embodiment.

[0080] (Example 2)

[0081] like Figure 5BAs shown, in the embodiment, the power input member 7 includes a second power receiving member 7b and a power transmission member for supplying power to at least the developing roller 21, specifically, the second power receiving member 7b is configured to contact the second power output member 202b to receive power, and the power transmission member includes a third power transmission part 73 for transmitting power to the powder outlet blade 22 and a fourth power transmission part 74 for transmitting power to the developing roller 21, the third power transmission part 73 connects the powder outlet blade 22 and the second power receiving member 7b, and the fourth power transmission part 74 connects the developing roller 21 and the second power receiving member 7b, thus, only one power receiving member 7b needs to be provided, and power supply to the developing roller 21 and the powder outlet blade 22 can be simultaneously achieved.

[0082] As shown, Figure 5A As shown, when viewed along the longitudinal direction, at least one of the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 is located outside a region U2, the region U2 is a largest area enclosed by a line connecting the edge of the cartridge-side contact part and the center 21z of the developing roller 21, specifically, a line segment s1 connects the edge of the second power receiving member 7b and the center 21z of the developing roller, a line segment s2 connects the edge of the electrical contact part 52 and the center 21z of the developing roller, and a line segment s3 connects the edge of the electrical contact part 52 and the edge of the second power receiving member 7b.

[0083] Different from the first embodiment, in the embodiment, the first right positioning part 62 is configured to reciprocate along the longitudinal direction, during installation of the developing cartridge 100, the first right positioning part 62 is in abutment with the second support member 202 to retract; when the developing cartridge 100 is installed to a predetermined position, the first right positioning part 62 is no longer in abutment to extend and abut against the second pushed part 202e on the second support member 202, at this time, at the electrically-conductive end E, the developing cartridge 100 is positioned by the first right positioning part 62 and the second right positioning part 82, and at the driving end F, the first left positioning part 61 can be configured as the structure described in the first embodiment or as the structure described in the embodiment.

[0084] The embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0085] 1. When the developing cartridge 100 or the image forming apparatus is impacted by external force, even if the positioning assembly vibrates, the influence on the cartridge-side contact part can be reduced, and thus, the electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact part and the corresponding apparatus-side contact part can be stably maintained.

[0086] 2. The electrically-conductive end E only needs to be provided with one power receiving member 7 / 7b to become simple.

[0087] (Embodiment three)

[0088] As shown, Figure 6AAs shown, the power input device 7 in this embodiment is equipped with both the first power receiver 7a and the second power receiver 7b. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the first power receiver 7a contacts the first power output device 202a to receive power, and the second power receiver 7b contacts the second power output device 202b to receive power. Subsequently, the first power receiver 7a supplies power to one of the developing roller 21 and the powder exiting blade 22, and the second power receiver 7b supplies power to the other of the developing roller 21 and the powder exiting blade 22. However, it should be understood that the structure of the power input device 7 in the above embodiments one and two is also applicable to this embodiment.

[0089] In this embodiment, the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 are separately arranged, such as Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown, the first positioning part 6 includes a first left positioning part 61 disposed at the driving end F and a first right positioning part 62 disposed at the conductive end E. The second positioning part 8 includes a second left positioning part 81 disposed at the driving end F and a second right positioning part 82 disposed at the conductive end E. At the driving end F, the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81 are separately disposed. At the conductive end E, the first right positioning part 62 and the second right positioning part 82 are separately disposed. The first right positioning part 62 is configured to reciprocate along the longitudinal direction to facilitate the smooth installation of the developing cartridge 100.

[0090] like Figure 1 As shown, the first support member 201 is provided with a first pushed part 201b, and the second support member 202 is provided with a second pushed part 202e. During the installation of the developing cartridge 100, the second left positioning part 81 and the second right positioning part 82 enter the first guide rail 201c and the second guide rail 202c respectively. The first left positioning part 81 passes over the first pushed part 201b, and the first right positioning part 82 abuts against the second support member 202 and retracts. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the predetermined position, at least a portion of the first left positioning part 81 reaches a position closer to the photosensitive drum 200 than the first pushed part 201b, and the first right positioning part 82 is no longer abutted and extends out. At this time, the first left positioning part 81 and the first pushed part 201b may or may not be in contact, and the first right positioning part 82 and the second pushed part 202e may or may not be in contact. Furthermore, each cartridge-side contact part contacts the corresponding device-side contact part, such as... Figure 8A As shown, the electrical contact 52 of the chip contacts the contact pin 202d, the first power receiver 7a contacts the first power output unit 202a, and the second power receiver 7b contacts the second power output unit 202b.

[0091] like Figure 7As shown, at least one of the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 is located outside a region U3 when viewed along the longitudinal direction, the region U3 being a largest area enclosed by a line connecting the edge of the cartridge-side contact part and the center 21z of the developing roller 21, specifically, a line segment s1 connecting the edge of the first power receiving member 7a and the center 21z of the developing roller, a line segment s2 connecting the edge of the electrical contact part 52 and the center 21z of the developing roller, a line segment s3 connecting the edge of the electrical contact part 52 and the edge of the second power receiving member 7b, and a line segment s4 connecting the edge of the first power receiving member 7a and the edge of the second power receiving member 7b.

[0092] The embodiment has the beneficial effects that:

[0093] 1. When the developing cartridge 100 or the image forming apparatus is impacted by an external force, even if the positioning assembly is vibrated, the cartridge-side contact part can be less affected, so that the electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact part and the corresponding apparatus-side contact part can be stably maintained.

[0094] 2. The first left positioning part 61 and the first pushed part 201b are in contact by abutting against each other, and the first left positioning part 61 and the first pushed part 201b are clamped to each other in a direction in which the developing cartridge 100 is away from the photosensitive drum 200, so that the first support member 201 can be more stably pushed.

[0095] When the image forming apparatus applies a separation force to the acting mechanism 4, as shown, Figure 8B the first left positioning part 61 moves together with the housing 1 in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 200, and at the same time, the first left positioning part 61 pushes the first pushed part 201b, and the first right positioning part 62 also moves together with the housing 1 in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 200, and at the same time, the first right positioning part 62 pushes the second pushed part 202e, so that the first support member 201 and the second support member 202 also move together with the housing 1 in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 200, and the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 200 are separated from each other.

[0096] In some embodiments, the moving manner of the support member is rotation, as shown, Figure 1 the first support member 201 is further provided with a rotating part 201d; in other realizable manners, the moving manner of the support member can also be translation.

[0097] In some embodiments, the acting mechanism 4 can also be configured such that at least one of the first acting member 41 and the second acting member 42 is not blocked by the corresponding end cover when viewed along the longitudinal direction.

[0098] In some embodiments, the first left positioning part 61 and the first right positioning part 62 can both be integrally formed with the corresponding end cap, or one of the first left positioning part 61 and the first right positioning part 62 can be separately formed with the corresponding end cap. In this case, the first left positioning part 61 and the first right positioning part 62 can be telescopically arranged relative to the housing 1, or fixedly arranged relative to the housing 1.

[0099] In some embodiments, the second positioning part 8 may also be configured to reciprocate along the longitudinal direction, thereby facilitating the smooth installation of the developing cartridge 100. That is, at least one of the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 may be configured to reciprocate along the longitudinal direction.

[0100] In some embodiments, when at least one of the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 is configured to reciprocate along the longitudinal direction, a triggering mechanism (not shown) may also be provided in the developing cartridge 100. Before the developing cartridge 100 is installed, or during the installation process, at least one of the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 is in a retracted state. When the developing cartridge 100 reaches a predetermined position, the triggering mechanism is triggered, and at least one of the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 moves from the retracted state to the extended state. When the developing cartridge 100 needs to be removed, the triggering mechanism is triggered again, and at least one of the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 moves from the extended state to the retracted state. It can be seen that at least one of the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 is configured to extend and retract along the longitudinal direction.

[0101] (Example 4)

[0102] like Figure 9A As shown, the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81 are integrally formed. The developing cartridge 100 also includes a longitudinal positioning part 9 extending from at least one of the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81. In the arrangement direction of the developing roller 21 and the actuating mechanism 4, the longitudinal positioning part 9 extends toward the developing roller 21. As described above, the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81 can reduce the vibration amplitude of the developing cartridge drive end. Specifically, the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81 are used to limit the swing of the developing cartridge 100 in the direction perpendicular to the installation direction. The longitudinal positioning part 9 is used to limit the movement of the developing cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction, thereby ensuring that the developing cartridge 100 can be stably positioned in the imaging device.

[0103] like Figure 9BAs shown, the developing cartridge 100 involved in this embodiment is provided with at least three positioning parts on the conductive end, namely a first right positioning part 62, a second right positioning part 82 and a third right positioning part 63. The third right positioning part 63 can be regarded as a part of the first positioning part 6 or a part of the second positioning part 8. The three positioning parts are arranged at intervals. Through the cooperation of the three positioning parts with the imaging device, the developing cartridge 100 can be stably positioned.

[0104] like Figure 10 As shown, when viewed along the longitudinal direction, a portion of the second right positioning part 82 is located within region U4. It can be understood that as long as a portion of the second positioning part 82 is located outside region U4, it can be considered that the second positioning part 8 is located outside region U4. At least one of the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 (first left positioning part 61, second left positioning part 81, first right positioning part 62, second right positioning part 82, and third right positioning part 63) is located outside region U4. Alternatively, it can be said that the first left positioning part 61, the second left positioning part 81, the first right positioning part 62, and the second right positioning part 83 are all located outside region U4. At least one of the second and third right positioning portions 63 is located outside the region U4. It is understood that at least a portion of the first positioning portion 6 and / or at least a portion of the second positioning portion 8 is located outside the region U4, which is the maximum area enclosed by the line connecting the edge of the cartridge side contact portion and the center 21z of the developing roller 21. Specifically, line segment s1 connects the edge of the first power receiver 7a and the center 21z of the developing roller, line segment s2 connects the edge of the electrical contact portion 52 and the center 21z of the developing roller, and line segment s3 connects the edge of the electrical contact portion 52 and the edge of the first power receiver 7a.

[0105] The beneficial effects of the developing cartridge involved in this embodiment can be found in the description of Embodiment 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0106] (Example 5)

[0107] like Figure 11 As shown, compared with Embodiment 4, the first positioning part 6 in this embodiment further includes a fourth right positioning part 64 and a fifth right positioning part 65 connected to the first right positioning part 62. Along the arrangement direction of the chip 5 / electrical contact part 52 and the first right positioning part 62, the fourth right positioning part 64 extends from the first right positioning part 62 toward the chip 5 / electrical contact part 52, and the fifth right positioning part 65 extends from the first right positioning part 62 toward the distance from the chip 5 / electrical contact part 52. Therefore, the fourth right positioning part 64 and the fifth right positioning part 65 can also be regarded as part of the first positioning part 6. With this arrangement, the first right positioning part 62 can be positioned more stably. The fourth right positioning part 64 can also make the contact between the electrical contact part 52 and the stylus more stable. The fifth right positioning part 65 can also effectively prevent the developing cartridge 100 from swinging around the first right positioning part 62.

[0108] Similarly, when viewed along the longitudinal direction, at least one of the first positioning part 6 and the second positioning part 8 is located outside the region U5, which is the maximum area enclosed by the line connecting the edge of the cartridge side contact part and the center 21z of the developing roller 21. Specifically, line segment s1 connects the edge of the first power receiver 7a and the center 21z of the developing roller, line segment s2 connects the edge of the electrical contact part 52 and the center 21z of the developing roller, and line segment s3 connects the edge of the electrical contact part 52 and the edge of the first power receiver 7a.

[0109] (Example 6)

[0110] This embodiment will focus on the longitudinal positioning part 9. To more clearly observe and describe the longitudinal positioning part 9, Figure 12A It is along Figure 9A A three-dimensional image after sectioning along the AA direction, as shown below. Figure 12A As shown, the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81 are integrally formed, and the longitudinal positioning part 9 is formed as a rib extending from at least one of the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81. In the following description of this embodiment, along the arrangement direction of the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81, the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81 are simultaneously connected to the longitudinal positioning part 9.

[0111] Along the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal positioning part 9 has a left surface 9a facing left and a right surface 9b facing right. Alternatively, the left surface 9a faces away from the developing housing 1, and the right surface 9b faces the developing housing 1. Along the arrangement direction of the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81, the longitudinal positioning part 9 has a first end 91 and a second end 92 spaced apart. The first end 91 and the second end 92 are located at opposite ends of the longitudinal positioning part 9. The longitudinal dimension d of the longitudinal positioning part 9 gradually increases from the first end 91 to the second end 92. Overall, the longitudinal positioning part 9 is trumpet-shaped. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed towards the imaging device, the first end 91 is located in front of the second end 92. That is, along the installation direction of the developing cartridge 100, the longitudinal dimension d of the longitudinal positioning part 9 gradually increases. Specifically, the left surface 9a is parallel to the installation direction, and the right surface 9b is inclined relative to the installation direction. Figure 13 As shown, the distance d between the right surface 9b and the left surface 9a along the longitudinal direction gradually increases in the direction from the first left positioning part 61 to the second left positioning part 81.

[0112] Furthermore, the longitudinal positioning part 9 also includes an abutment part 93 for abutting against the equipment-side positioning member 203, such as... Figure 12BAs shown, since the longitudinal positioning part 9 is formed in a trumpet shape, during the installation of the developing cartridge 100, when the device-side positioning member 203 is opposite to the first end 91 in the longitudinal direction, the device-side positioning member 203 does not contact the right surface 9b of the longitudinal positioning part. Therefore, the resistance of the developing cartridge 100 during installation can be reduced. As the developing cartridge 100 continues to be installed, the device-side positioning member 203 gradually begins to contact the right surface 9b of the longitudinal positioning part in the longitudinal direction. Finally, the device-side positioning member 203 abuts against the abutting part 93, and the developing cartridge 100 is positioned in the longitudinal direction.

[0113] like Figure 14 As shown, when the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the predetermined position of the imaging device, the contact points between the second left positioning part 81 and the first guide rail 201c are P6 and P7, the contact point between the first left positioning part 61 and the first guide rail 201c is P3, the straight line L2 passes through points P6 and P7, the straight line L3 passes through point P3 and is parallel to the straight line L2, the straight line L5 passes through point P6 and is perpendicular to the straight line L2, and the straight line L4 passes through point P7 and is parallel to the straight line L5. The straight lines L2, L3, L4 and L5 enclose a virtual area Sc. Along the longitudinal direction, the contact area between the device side positioning member 203 and the contact part 93 forms a contact area Sb, and the contact area Sb is located outside the range of the virtual area Sc.

[0114] Furthermore, the developing cartridge 100 of this utility model also includes a positioning hole 14. When the developing cartridge 100 is assembled, the first end cap 11 is positioned relative to the developing housing 1 through the positioning hole 14. Along the arrangement direction of the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81, the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81 are both located in front of the positioning hole 14. Along the arrangement direction, the positioning hole 14, the second left positioning part 81 and the first left positioning part 61 are arranged in sequence. When the driving force receiving member 3 is projected toward the straight line where the arrangement direction is located, the second left positioning part 81 is closer to the driving force receiving member 3 than the positioning hole 14. In this way, the possible swaying of the developing cartridge 100 during the developing process can be more effectively suppressed.

[0115] The developing cartridge 100 of this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0116] 1. By setting the contact area Sb outside the range of the virtual area Sc, the positioning of the developing cartridge 100 by the first left positioning part 61 and the second left positioning part 81 does not overlap with the contact area Sb. As a result, the area of ​​the developing cartridge 100 that is positioned is larger, and finally, the developing cartridge 100 can be positioned more stably.

[0117] 2. Compared with the virtual area Sc, the abutment area Sb is farther away from the driving force receiving member 3. When the driving force receiving member 3 receives the driving force, the side of the developing cartridge 100 away from the driving force receiving member 3 is positioned by the abutment of the device side positioning member 203 and the abutment portion 93. Even if the driving force receiving member 3 vibrates, the developing cartridge 100 can be stably positioned.

[0118] 3. Compared with the virtual area Sc, the abutment area Sb is farther away from the acting mechanism 4. When the acting mechanism 4 receives the binding force or the separating force, the vibration of the developing cartridge 100 can also be effectively suppressed, so that the developing cartridge 100 can be stably positioned.

[0119] (Eighth Embodiment)

[0120] On the basis of the sixth embodiment, the present embodiment provides another longitudinal positioning portion 9. As shown in the figure, along the arrangement direction of the first left positioning portion 61 and the second left positioning portion 81, the longitudinal positioning portion 9 is not connected with the first left positioning portion 61, but is connected with the second left positioning portion 81. The longitudinal positioning portion 9 is located outside the virtual area Sc, and correspondingly, the abutment area Sb is also located outside the range of the virtual area Sc. Figure 15

[0121] When the developing cartridge 100 related to the present embodiment is installed to the predetermined position of the image forming device, the second left positioning portion 81 and the first guide rail 201c will only have one contact point P7. The contact point P6 formed by the contact of the second left positioning portion 81 and the first guide rail 201c in the sixth embodiment will become the contact point formed by the abutment of the abutment portion 93 and the first guide rail 201c. As shown in the figure, the first end portion 91 of the abutment portion 93 abuts against the first guide rail 201c. Specifically, the front end corner of the abutment portion 93 abuts against the first guide rail 201c to form the contact point P6 along the front direction of the second end portion 92 pointing to the first end portion 91. Figure 15

[0122] As described above, the contact point P6 and the contact point P7 in the present embodiment are respectively located on two different components. Through the contact point P6 and the contact point P7, the developing cartridge 100 can be more stably positioned in the image forming device.

[0123] As shown in the figure, the contact point of the first left positioning portion 61 and the first guide rail 201c is still P3. The straight line L2 passes through the point P6 and the point P7. The straight line L3 passes through the point P3 and is parallel to the straight line L2. The straight line L5 passes through the point P6 and is perpendicular to the straight line L2. The straight line L4 passes through the point P7 and is perpendicular to the straight line L2. That is, the straight line L4 and the straight line L5 are parallel to each other. The straight line L2, the straight line L3, the straight line L4 and the straight line L5 still enclose the virtual area Sc. Figure 15

[0124] ​​​Compared with the embodiment six, the longitudinal positioning portion 9 in the present embodiment is shorter in size along the arrangement direction of the first left positioning portion 61 and the second left positioning portion 81, and therefore, the developing cartridge involved in the present embodiment can have the beneficial effects of the embodiment six and can eliminate the risk of the longitudinal positioning portion 9 abutting against the device-side positioning member 203 during the installation process, so that the developing cartridge 100 can be installed more smoothly.

Claims

1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus provided with a main assembly, a support member and a device side contact portion, the device side contact portion being provided on the support member, the support member being movably provided with respect to the main assembly; characterized in that, The developing cartridge includes: a housing for accommodating toner; a developing roller rotatably disposed in the housing for carrying the toner and having a rotation axis extending in a longitudinal direction; an end cover disposed at a longitudinal end of the housing; a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion disposed at the longitudinal end of the housing in the longitudinal direction for positioning the developing cartridge on a support; a cartridge-side contact portion for contacting with a device-side contact portion, the cartridge-side contact portion including a first power receiving member for supplying power to at least the developing roller and an electrical contact portion for establishing a communication connection with the image forming device; at least a portion of the first positioning portion and / or at least a portion of the second positioning portion is located outside a region enclosed by a line connecting an edge of the cartridge-side contact portion and a center of the developing roller when viewed in the longitudinal direction, the region being a maximum area; a line segment s1 connecting an edge of the power receiving member and the center of the developing roller, a line segment s2 connecting an edge of the electrical contact portion and the center of the developing roller, and a line segment s3 connecting an edge of the electrical contact portion and an edge of the first power receiving member.

2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein At least one of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion is located outside the region.

3. The process cartridge of claim 1, wherein, The developing cartridge further includes a driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force from the image forming device, the developing roller directly or indirectly receiving the driving force of the driving force receiving member to rotate, and one end of the driving force receiving member is disposed at a left end and an opposite end is disposed at a right end in the longitudinal direction; the first positioning portion includes a first left positioning portion disposed at the left end and a first right positioning portion disposed at the right end; the second positioning portion includes a second left positioning portion disposed at the left end and a second right positioning portion disposed at the right end; At least one of the first left positioning portion, the second left positioning portion, the first right positioning portion, and the second right positioning portion is located outside the region when viewed in the longitudinal direction.

4. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The developing cartridge further includes a driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force from the image forming device, the developing roller directly or indirectly receiving the driving force of the driving force receiving member to rotate, and one end of the driving force receiving member is disposed at a left end and an opposite end is disposed at a right end in the longitudinal direction; the first positioning portion includes a first right positioning portion disposed at the right end and a fourth right positioning portion connected to the first right positioning portion, the fourth right positioning portion extending from the first right positioning portion in a direction closer to the electrical contact portion along an arrangement direction of the electrical contact portion and the first right positioning portion.

5. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein, The image forming device further includes a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed in the main assembly, and the developing roller is configured to supply toner to the photosensitive drum; The developing cartridge further includes an acting mechanism for receiving a coupling force and a separation force from the image forming device, the coupling force configured to force the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to approach each other, and the separation force configured to force the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to separate from each other; when the developing cartridge receives the separation force, the support moves relative to the photosensitive drum along with the developing cartridge; when viewed in the longitudinal direction, an acting member in the acting mechanism for receiving the coupling force and the separation force is blocked by the end cover.

6. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The first positioning part comprises a first left positioning part arranged at one end of the shell and a first right positioning part arranged at the other end of the shell, and the second positioning part comprises a second left positioning part arranged at one end of the shell and a second right positioning part arranged at the other end of the shell.

7. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, At least one of the first positioning part and the second positioning part is arranged to be telescopic along the longitudinal direction.

8. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The developing cartridge further comprises a powder discharge blade fixedly arranged at the shell and used for adjusting the thickness of the carbon powder layer on the surface of the developing roller; and the first power receiving member simultaneously supplies power to the developing roller and the powder discharge blade.

9. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The support member comprises first and second support members arranged in opposite directions, and a developing cartridge accommodating part for accommodating the developing cartridge is formed between the first and second support members, and the first and second support members are respectively provided with movable first and second limiting bodies. The first positioning part comprises a first left positioning part arranged at one end of the shell and a first right positioning part arranged at the other end of the shell, and the second positioning part comprises a second left positioning part arranged at one end of the shell and a second right positioning part arranged at the other end of the shell.

10. The process cartridge of claim 9 wherein, The longitudinal positioning part is formed by extending at least one of the first left positioning part and the second left positioning part, and comprises an abutting part for abutting against the device-side positioning member. The support member is provided with a guide track, and when the developing cartridge is in a state of being mounted to a predetermined position of the image forming device, the contact point of the second left positioning part or the abutting part with the guide track is P6, the other contact point of the second left positioning part with the guide track is P7, the contact point of the first left positioning part with the guide track is P3, a straight line L2 passes through the points P6 and P7, a straight line L3 passes through the point P3 and is parallel to the straight line L2, a straight line L5 passes through the point P6 and is perpendicular to the straight line L2, a straight line L4 passes through the point P7 and is parallel to the straight line L5, and the straight lines L2, L3, L4 and L5 enclose a virtual area Sc. The abutting area Sb is located outside the range of the virtual area Sc.

Images