Developing box

Abstract

The utility model discloses a developing box. The developing box comprises a shell, a developing roller; a coupling member; the stress rod is operably connected to the shell and can move relative to the shell; the elastic piece can be deformed in response to the movement of the stress rod relative to the shell, and the elastic piece is configured to be capable of applying a first force on the stress rod and applying a second force on the shell; the chip is provided with an electric contact surface, the electric contact surface is arranged at the second end of the shell in the first direction, and the electric contact surface is arranged at the downstream tail end of the shell and faces the downstream side of the mounting direction in the mounting direction in which the developing box is mounted in the image forming equipment; the developing box further comprises a covering part, and when the stress rod and the electric contact surface are positioned at the lower end of the developing box and observation is conducted in the first direction, the lower tail end of the stress rod is not lower than the lower tail end of the covering part.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In traditional imaging equipment, the processing unit (i.e., the developing cartridge) that acts on the photosensitive drum and the photosensitive drum are integrated into a cartridge. The cartridge is detachably installed on the imaging equipment. Depending on the type of cartridge, the user can perform maintenance operations on the device without relying on service personnel, thereby significantly improving operability. Therefore, this type of cartridge is widely used in imaging equipment.

[0003] In the prior art, a developing cartridge is disclosed, which includes a housing for containing developer, a developing roller supported on the housing, a coupling member, and a force-bearing rod. The coupling member is axially extendable and can receive the rotational driving force of the imaging device. The coupling member can transmit the rotational driving force to the developing roller, causing the developing roller to rotate. The force-bearing rod is located at the lower end of the housing and protrudes from the housing. The force-bearing rod can receive the pushing force of the imaging device and move relative to the housing. An elastic member is also provided between the force-bearing rod and the housing. When the force-bearing rod is pushed to move closer to the developing roller, the elastic member deforms and applies the resulting elastic force to the housing, causing the developing roller supported on the housing to be squeezed closer to the photosensitive drum, so that the two can maintain close contact and ensure that the developer on the developing roller can be stably delivered to the photosensitive drum, thereby enabling the printing operation to proceed normally.

[0004] However, existing developing cartridges also have some problems. On the one hand, for retractable coupling components, when the developing cartridge is installed into the imaging device, the coupling success rate between the coupling component, whose axial position is uncertain, and the imaging device will be reduced, and there is a certain probability that the two will be difficult to couple. On the other hand, for the force-bearing rod protruding from the lower end of the housing, when the developing cartridge is transported, the force-bearing rod is easily damaged by the impact of external forces, or when the developing cartridge is placed on the support surface, part of the weight of the developing cartridge will be supported by the force-bearing rod, which can easily cause the force-bearing rod to deform and be damaged, thereby affecting the printing work of the developing cartridge. Utility Model Content

[0005] To solve the above problems, this utility model provides a new developing cartridge, which is mainly achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A developing cartridge, comprising:

[0007] The housing has a first end and a second end that are separated from each other in a first direction;

[0008] A developing roller, supported on the housing and rotatable about a developing roller rotation axis extending in the first direction; a coupling member, disposed at the first end of the housing in the first direction, and capable of receiving external driving force and transmitting driving force to the developing roller;

[0009] A force-bearing rod, operably connected to the housing and movable relative to the housing;

[0010] An elastic element that can deform in response to movement of the force-bearing rod relative to the housing, the elastic element being configured to apply a first force on the force-bearing rod and a second force on the housing;

[0011] The chip has an electrical contact surface, which is disposed at the second end of the housing in the first direction, and in the mounting direction in which the developing cartridge is mounted into the imaging device, the electrical contact surface is arranged at the downstream end of the housing and facing the downstream side of the mounting direction.

[0012] The developing cartridge also includes a covering portion. When the force-bearing rod and the electrical contact surface are positioned at the lower end of the developing cartridge and observed along the first direction, the lower end of the force-bearing rod is positioned no lower than the lower end of the covering portion.

[0013] Furthermore, the developing cartridge also includes a first cover disposed at the first end of the housing in the first direction, the first cover covering at least a portion of the coupling member, the covering portion being disposed on the first cover and integrally formed with the first cover.

[0014] Furthermore, in the first direction, the end of the coupling member away from the housing has a distance P from the covering portion, wherein 7mm≦P≦16mm.

[0015] Furthermore, in the first direction, the covering portion has a thickness S, wherein 0.1 mm ≦ S ≦ 3 mm.

[0016] Furthermore, the elastic element is a tension spring, and the force-bearing rod, after being subjected to force, can overcome the elastic force of the elastic element and rotate or slide relative to the housing.

[0017] Furthermore, the coupling element is rotatably supported on the housing and is immovable relative to the housing in the first direction.

[0018] Furthermore, the housing includes a main body portion capable of containing developer, and a first cover disposed at one end of the main body portion in the first direction, the first cover covering at least a portion of the coupling member. The housing also includes a bearing member disposed between the main body portion and the first cover in the first direction, the bearing member having a positioning plate disposed thereon, the positioning plate being able to maintain contact with one end of the coupling member to restrict the coupling member from moving toward the housing in the first direction.

[0019] Furthermore, the positioning plate has a receiving groove that can accommodate at least a portion of the coupling member, and the groove can accommodate lubricant.

[0020] Furthermore, in the direction intersecting the first direction, the positioning plate has openings at both ends, and in the first direction, the openings penetrate the bearing component.

[0021] A developing cartridge, comprising:

[0022] The housing has a first end and a second end that are separated from each other in a first direction;

[0023] A developing roller, supported on the housing and rotatable about a developing roller rotation axis extending in the first direction; a coupling member, disposed at the first end of the housing in the first direction, and capable of receiving external driving force to transmit driving force to the developing roller;

[0024] A force-bearing rod, operably connected to the housing and movable relative to the housing;

[0025] An elastic element that can deform in response to movement of the force-bearing rod relative to the housing, the elastic element being configured to apply a first force on the force-bearing rod and a second force on the housing;

[0026] The chip has an electrical contact surface, which is disposed at the second end of the housing in the first direction, and in the mounting direction in which the developing cartridge is mounted into the imaging device, the electrical contact surface is arranged at the downstream end of the housing and facing the downstream side of the mounting direction.

[0027] The developing cartridge also includes a covering portion, which covers the force-bearing rod and the electrical contact surface when the force-bearing rod and the electrical contact surface are positioned at the lower end of the developing cartridge and observed along the first direction, so that the force-bearing rod is not exposed.

[0028] On the one hand, the developing cartridge of this utility model has a covering part on the first cover, which can cover the force-bearing rod, and the force-bearing rod will not protrude downward from the covering part, thus reducing the probability of damage to the force-bearing rod; on the other hand, the developing cartridge has a positioning plate on the bearing plate, which prevents the coupling member from moving in the first direction, stabilizes the position of the coupling member in the first direction, and avoids the problem of difficulty in coupling the coupling member with the driving force application component of the imaging device. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge from the first angle in this utility model;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a second-angle schematic diagram of the developing cartridge in this utility model;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a third-angle schematic diagram of the developing cartridge in this utility model;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a fourth-angle schematic diagram of the developing cartridge in this utility model;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth angle of the developing cartridge after the first cover of the developing cartridge has been separated in this utility model;

[0034] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the second end of the developing cartridge housing of this utility model;

[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge after the first cover of the housing of this utility model has been separated;

[0036] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge at a certain angle after the components at the first end of the housing of this utility model are separated.

[0037] Figure 9 This is another angle view of the developing cartridge after the components at the first end of the housing of this utility model have been separated;

[0038] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the first end of the developing cartridge housing of this utility model;

[0039] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the bearing plate of the developing cartridge of this utility model;

[0040] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge of this utility model from the fifth angle;

[0041] Figure 13 This is a fifth-angle schematic diagram of the developing cartridge after the first cover has been separated from the present invention;

[0042] Figure 14This is a sixth-angle schematic diagram of the developing cartridge of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To facilitate the description of the developing cartridge 100, the present invention will define the orientation of the developing cartridge 100. Specifically, the length direction of the developing cartridge 100 is the first direction, which is also the direction in which the rotation axis of the developing roller 102 extends. In the first direction, the housing 101 has a first end and a second end. The coupling member 110 is disposed at the first end of the housing 101, and the electrical contact surface 150a of the chip 150 is disposed at the second end of the housing 101.

[0044] The following will refer to Figure 1-14 The developing cartridge 100 of this utility model is described in detail below. The developing cartridge 100 is detachably installed into an imaging device and can cooperate with the imaging device to achieve normal printing operations. The developing cartridge 100 includes a housing 101, which includes a main body portion 101c for containing developer and a first cover 101a and a second cover 101b located at opposite ends of the main body portion 101c in a first direction. Specifically, the first cover 101a is located at the first end of the housing 101, and the second cover 101b is located at the second end of the housing 101. It also includes a rotatable developing roller 102 and a stirring rack (not shown in the figure) supported on the housing 101, and a coupling assembly 113 located at the first end of the housing 101 (which will be described in detail below). The coupling assembly 113 can receive the rotational driving force output by the driving force application component of the imaging device and rotate, and can transmit the rotational driving force to the developing roller 102 and the stirring rack respectively through the developing roller gear 112 provided at one end of the developing roller 102 and the stirring rack gear (not shown in the figure) provided at one end of the stirring rack, thereby driving the developing roller 102 and the stirring rack to rotate.

[0045] The developing cartridge 100 also includes a chip 150 supported on a second cover 101b of the housing 101. The chip 150 includes an electrical contact surface 150a exposed outside the developing cartridge 100 and capable of making electrical contact with the electrical contact 50 of the imaging device. In a first direction, the electrical contact surface 150a is disposed at the second end of the housing 101. In the mounting direction of the developing cartridge 100, the electrical contact surface 150a is arranged such that at least a portion faces the downstream side of the mounting direction to facilitate accurate contact with the electrical contact 50 of the imaging device. The developing cartridge 100 can establish a communication connection with the imaging device through the electrical contact surface 150a and the electrical contact 50, thereby improving the informatization level of the developing cartridge 100.

[0046] The developing cartridge 100 also includes a force-bearing rod 120 operably connected to the housing 101. Preferably, there are at least two force-bearing rods 120, which are respectively disposed at the first end and the second end of the housing 101. This makes the forces on both ends of the developing cartridge 100 relatively balanced in the first direction. Since the structure and position of the force-bearing rods 120 at both ends of the developing cartridge 100 are generally the same, this utility model will specifically describe the force-bearing rod 120 at the first end of the housing 101, and will not elaborate on the force-bearing rod 120 at the second end of the housing 101. The force-bearing rod 120 includes a force-bearing protrusion 120a located at the lower end of the housing 101. The force-bearing protrusion 120a can receive the pushing force of the pushing component of the imaging device, thereby forcing the force-bearing rod 120 to move relative to the housing 101 between the first position and the second position. In the direction intersecting the first direction, compared with the force at the second position, the force-bearing rod 120 is relatively balanced. The force-bearing rod 120, in the first position, is at least partially further away from the developing roller 102. In this invention, the specific movement of the force-bearing rod 120 is not limited. That is, the force-bearing rod 120 can rotate relative to the housing 101, slide, or perform a combination of rotation and sliding. When the force-bearing rod 120 is in the first position, when viewed along the first direction, the coupling member 130 (described below) is located between the force-bearing rod 120 and the developing roller 102. This makes the force-bearing rod 120 far enough away from the developing roller 102 so that when the force-bearing rod 120 is moved from the first position to the second position under force, a smaller pushing force (effort-saving rod) can be used to force the developing roller 102 to maintain close contact with the photosensitive drum 2. More specifically, a virtual line K is made connecting the rotation axis of the force-bearing protrusion 120a and the developing roller 102. This virtual line K passes through the coupling member 110.

[0047] The developing cartridge 100 also includes an elastic element 121, which is disposed between the housing 101 and the force-bearing rod 120. The elastic element 121 can deform in response to the movement of the force-bearing rod 120, thereby generating an elastic force. This elastic force can be applied to the housing 101 to keep the developing roller 102 supported on the housing 101 in close contact with the photosensitive drum 2. On the other hand, the elastic force can also be used to reset the force-bearing rod 120 from the second position to the first position so as to facilitate the smooth operation of the force-bearing rod 120 next time. In the direction intersecting the first direction, at least a portion of the elastic element 121 is further away from the developing roller 102 than the force-bearing rod 120. In this embodiment, the elastic element 121 is preferably a tension spring, that is, the elastic element 121 can be stretched in response to the movement of the force-bearing rod 120. However, the elastic element 121 can also be a compression spring, elastic rubber, or sponge, etc., which can generate an elastic force after being subjected to force. This is not a limitation.

[0048] To address the problem in the prior art where the load-bearing rod 120 protrudes beyond the housing 101, making the load-bearing rod 120 prone to damage, refer to... Figure 6 、 Figure 12-14The developing cartridge 100 also includes a cover portion 130. In a first direction, the cover portion 130 is located at the first end and the second end of the housing 101, respectively. When the force-bearing rod 120 and the electrical contact surface 150a are located at the bottom of the developing cartridge 100, the cover portion 130 (first cover portion) located at the first end of the housing 101 is constructed as a rib protruding downward from the lower end of the first cover 101a, and the cover portion 130 located at the second end of the housing 101 is constructed as a rib protruding outward from the lower end of the second cover 101b. Therefore, the cover portion 130 can also be called a cover plate or a rib plate. Optionally, the cover portion 130 can also be provided on the main body portion 101c of the housing 101, or a component with a generally similar shape can be used, which can be installed or adhered to the housing 101. The same effect can be achieved in the above case. Preferably, the cover portion 130 and the first cover 101a are integrally molded, meaning that only one mold is needed when producing the cover portion 130 and the first cover 101a. This reduces the production cost of the developing cartridge 100, and the two do not need to be reassembled, which improves the overall assembly efficiency of the developing cartridge 100. It is worth noting that the integral molding method of the cover portion 130 and the first cover 101a is not limited to integral injection molding; it can also be an integral molding method of metal and plastic. It is not limited to this. It is also worth noting that the cover portion 130 located at the first end of the housing 101 and the cover portion 130 located at the second end of the housing 101 have largely the same structure and function. Therefore... The following will describe in detail the cover portion 130 located at the first end of the housing 101. The cover portion 130 at the second end of the housing 101 will not be described again. Specifically, when viewed in the first direction, the cover portion 130 is configured to cover the force-bearing protrusion 120a of the force-bearing rod 120. That is, when viewed along the first direction from the first end of the housing 101 towards the second end, the force-bearing protrusion 120a of the force-bearing rod 120 is not visible. In other words, the force-bearing protrusion 120a of the force-bearing rod 120 does not protrude from the cover portion 130, and therefore does not protrude from the lower end of the housing 101. This effectively prevents damage caused by the force-bearing rod 120 protruding outside the housing 101. Furthermore, when the developing cartridge 10... During the installation of the developing cartridge 100 into the imaging device, the structure and position of the developing cartridge 100 are affected by the structure and position of the imaging device. Otherwise, interference will occur, making the developing cartridge 100 difficult or even impossible to install. Therefore, the same applies to the covering part 130. In this invention, the thickness of the covering part 130 in the first direction should be appropriate. On the one hand, it should avoid interference between one side of the covering part 130 and the force-bearing rod 120 in the first direction, and on the other hand, it should avoid interference between the covering part 130 and the imaging device in the first direction. Therefore, in this invention, the covering part 130 is defined to have a thickness S in the first direction, wherein 0.1mm ≤ S ≤ 3mm. Within the above range, the thickness of the covering part 130 is more appropriate, avoiding the situation where S is less than 0.The problem of difficult molding process when S is 1mm is avoided, and the problem of interference with the force rod 120 and imaging device when S is greater than 3mm is also avoided. More preferably, 0.5mm ≤ S ≤ 2mm is preferred. The position of the cover part 130 in the first direction can also be positioned with reference to other structures of the developing cartridge 100. For example, in this utility model, the first end point of the coupling member 110 (that is, the coupling member 110 has a first end point and a second end point in the first direction, and the first end point of the coupling member 110 is farther away from the second end of the housing 101 than the second end point of the coupling member 110) is used as a reference. In the first direction, the first end point of the cover part 130 (that is, the cover part 130 has a first end point and a second end point in the first direction, and the first end point of the cover part 130 is farther away from the second end of the housing 101 than the second end point of the coupling member 110) is positioned with reference to other structures of the developing cartridge 100. The second end point of the shielding part 130 (which is further away from the second end of the housing 101) and the first end point of the coupling member 110 are at a distance P, where 7 mm ≦ P ≦ 16 mm. This allows the position of the shielding part 130 in the first direction to be suitable, avoiding interference between the shielding part 130 and the force-bearing rod 120 and the imaging device. More preferably, 9 mm ≦ P ≦ 13 mm. Furthermore, the developing cartridge 100 also includes a second shielding part (not shown). Taking the force-bearing rod 120 at the first end of the housing 101 as an example, the second shielding part can be used to cover the side of the force-bearing rod 120 facing the second end of the housing 101 (the shielding part 130 can be used to cover the side of the force-bearing rod 120 facing the first end of the housing 101) to further protect the force-bearing rod.

[0049] Furthermore, the following refers to Figure 7-11The coupling assembly 113 of the developing cartridge 100 and its cooperating structure are described in detail below. The coupling assembly 113 includes a coupling member 110, a connecting member 114, a coupling gear 111, and a retaining member 115. The coupling member 110 has a pair of spaced and oppositely arranged coupling protrusions 110a that can receive the rotational driving force output by the driving force component of the imaging device, and a cam portion (not shown) that is closer to the second end of the housing 101 than the coupling protrusions 110a in a first direction. In the first direction from the first end of the housing 101 toward the second end, the coupling member 115 is arranged to pass through the housing 101 in sequence. A first hole 101a1 is formed on the first cover 101a, a second hole is formed on the connector 114, and a third hole is formed on the coupling gear 111, and are operably connected to the coupling gear 111. That is, when the coupling member 110 receives a rotational driving force, the coupling member 110 can drive the coupling gear 111 to rotate, i.e., the coupling gear 111 can rotate in response to the rotation of the coupling member 110. The coupling gear 111 is configured to contact and mesh with the developing roller gear 112 so as to transmit the rotational driving force to the developing roller gear 112, thereby driving the developing roller 102 to rotate, and coupling... Gear 111 can also drive the stirring frame gear to rotate via at least one transmission gear, thereby driving the stirring frame to rotate; the retainer 115 is constructed as a torsion spring and has at least two, with one end of each retainer 115 sleeved and mounted on the connector 114, and the other end abutting against the cam portion of the coupling member 110, so that the coupling member 110 is held in a predetermined position in its own rotation direction, thereby ensuring that the opening formed between the pair of coupling protrusions 110a can have the maximum area in the development cartridge 100 mounting direction, thereby minimizing the impact of the coupling protrusions 110a on the imaging device during the installation of the development cartridge 100. The probability of interference between the driving force applied to the components is reduced, thereby improving the coupling success rate between the two. Furthermore, in order to ensure the position of the coupling member 110 in the coupling assembly 113 and to prevent the coupling member 110 from accidentally detaching from the coupling assembly 113 and from moving in the coupling assembly 113 in the first direction, the developing cartridge 100 is also provided with an anti-detachment part 116. The anti-detachment part 116 can be used to prevent the coupling member 110 from accidentally detaching from the coupling assembly 113. Preferably, the anti-detachment part 116 is a retaining spring, but the anti-detachment part 116 is not limited to a retaining spring, and can also be a structure such as an elastic buckle. This is not a limitation.Furthermore, as mentioned above, the coupling member 110 is positioned and maintained in a stable position within the coupling assembly 113. However, the position of the coupling assembly 110 at the first end of the housing 101 of the developing cartridge 100 also needs to be maintained. Within the developing cartridge 100, the position of the coupling assembly 113 in the first direction away from the second end of the housing 101 can be achieved by the connector 114 abutting against the first cover 101a. Similarly, the position of the coupling assembly 113 in the first direction closer to the second end of the housing 101 needs to be positioned by other structures. Specifically, the housing 101 also includes a bearing plate 125, at least a portion of which is arranged in the first direction. Between the main body 101c of the housing 101 and the first cover 101a, a bearing plate 125 is used to rotatably support components such as the coupling assembly 113 and the developing roller gear 112. The bearing plate 125 includes a positioning plate 126. One end of the coupling member 110, near the second end of the housing 101 in the first direction, can abut against the positioning plate 126, thereby ensuring that the coupling assembly 113 is positioned in the first direction near the second end of the housing 101. Furthermore, the position of the coupling assembly 113 in the first direction is ensured by its common limiting with the first cover 101a, preventing the coupling assembly 113 from moving in the first direction. Further, the bearing plate 125 also includes... An opening 128 is formed on at least one side of the positioning plate 126 in a direction intersecting the first direction. The opening 128 penetrates the bearing plate 125 in the first direction. Preferably, openings 128 are provided on both sides of the positioning plate 126. With this structure, the positioning plate 126 has a certain elastic force when subjected to force in the first direction. Therefore, even if the coupling member 110 is manufactured to be slightly longer than the standard length or positioned in the coupling assembly 113 at least partially closer to the second end of the housing 101 than the predetermined position, the coupling member 110 can still abut against the positioning plate 126, causing the positioning plate 126 to undergo slight deformation. This ensures that the coupling member 110 can be properly installed, improving efficiency. The installation tolerance of the coupling element 110; furthermore, a receiving groove 127 is also provided on the positioning plate 126. On the one hand, the receiving groove 127 can be used to position the coupling element 110 in the rotation direction of the coupling element 110. On the other hand, the receiving groove 127 can hold a certain amount of lubricant to improve the smoothness of the coupling element 110 during rotation, avoid large friction between the coupling element 110 and the positioning plate 126, which would increase the rotational torque of the coupling element 110 and reduce the service life of the developing cartridge 100. Optionally, the positioning plate 126 is not limited to being set on the bearing plate 125; it can also be set on the main body 101c of the housing 101 or other components. This is not a limitation.

[0050] In summary, on the one hand, the developing cartridge of this utility model has a covering part on the first cover, which can cover the force-bearing rod, and the force-bearing rod will not protrude downward from the covering part, thus reducing the probability of damage to the force-bearing rod; on the other hand, the developing cartridge has a positioning plate on the bearing plate, which prevents the coupling member from moving in the first direction, stabilizes the position of the coupling member in the first direction, and avoids the problem of difficulty in coupling the coupling member with the driving force application component of the imaging device.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge, comprising: The housing has a first end and a second end that are separated from each other in a first direction; The developing roller is supported on the housing and is rotatable about a developing roller rotation axis extending in the first direction; A coupling element, in the first direction, is disposed at the first end of the housing and can receive external driving force to transmit the driving force to the developing roller; A force-bearing rod, operably connected to the housing and movable relative to the housing; An elastic element that can deform in response to movement of the force-bearing rod relative to the housing, the elastic element being configured to apply a first force on the force-bearing rod and a second force on the housing; The chip has an electrical contact surface, which is disposed at the second end of the housing in the first direction, and in the mounting direction in which the developing cartridge is mounted into the imaging device, the electrical contact surface is arranged at the downstream end of the housing and facing the downstream side of the mounting direction. The developing cartridge is characterized in that it further includes a covering portion, wherein when the force-bearing rod and the electrical contact surface are positioned at the lower end of the developing cartridge and observation is performed along the first direction, the lower end of the force-bearing rod is positioned not lower than the lower end of the covering portion.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developing cartridge further includes a first cover disposed at the first end of the housing in the first direction, the first cover covering at least a portion of the coupling member, the covering portion being disposed on the first cover and integrally formed with the first cover.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the first direction, the end of the coupling member away from the housing has a distance P from the covering portion, wherein 7mm≦P≦16mm.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the first direction, the covered portion has a thickness S, wherein 0.1 mm ≦ S ≦ 3 mm.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element is a tension spring, and the force-bearing rod, after being subjected to force, can overcome the elastic force of the elastic element and rotate or slide relative to the housing.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coupling element is rotatably supported on the housing and is immovable relative to the housing in the first direction.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that, The housing includes a main body portion for containing developer and a first cover disposed at one end of the main body portion in the first direction, the first cover covering at least a portion of the coupling member. The housing also includes a bearing member disposed between the main body portion and the first cover in the first direction, the bearing member having a positioning plate disposed thereon, the positioning plate being in contact with one end of the coupling member to restrict movement of the coupling member toward the housing in the first direction.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that, The positioning plate has a receiving groove that can accommodate at least a portion of the coupling member, and the groove can accommodate lubricant.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that, In a direction intersecting the first direction, the positioning plate has openings at both ends, and in the first direction, the openings penetrate the bearing component.

10. A developing cartridge, comprising: The housing has a first end and a second end that are separated from each other in a first direction; The developing roller is supported on the housing and is rotatable about a developing roller rotation axis extending in the first direction; A coupling element, in the first direction, is disposed at the first end of the housing and can receive an external driving force to transmit the driving force to the developing roller; A force-bearing rod, operably connected to the housing and movable relative to the housing; An elastic element that can deform in response to movement of the force-bearing rod relative to the housing, the elastic element being configured to apply a first force on the force-bearing rod and a second force on the housing; The chip has an electrical contact surface, which is disposed at the second end of the housing in the first direction, and in the mounting direction in which the developing cartridge is mounted into the imaging device, the electrical contact surface is arranged at the downstream end of the housing and facing the downstream side of the mounting direction. The characteristic feature is that the developing cartridge further includes a covering portion, and when the force-bearing rod and the electrical contact surface are positioned at the lower end of the developing cartridge and observed along the first direction, the force-bearing rod is covered by the covering portion and is not exposed.

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