Chip assembly and developing box

Abstract

The chip assembly provided by the utility model can be detachably mounted on the imaging equipment provided with the electric contact pin along with the developing box, the chip assembly comprises a chip, a connecting mechanism and a positioning mechanism, the connecting mechanism is movably connected with the positioning mechanism, and the chip is fixedly mounted on the positioning mechanism and can be switched between an electric connection state and an electric disconnection state; the chip comprises a plurality of electric contact parts which are electrically connected with the electric contact pins; the connecting mechanism can be switched between a first state and a second state relative to the positioning mechanism, when the connecting mechanism is in the first state, the chip is in an electric connection state, and when the connecting mechanism is in the second state, the chip is in an electric disconnection state; the connecting mechanism comprises a base and a connecting piece installed on the base, the chip is at least located above the base, the connecting piece is used for electrically connecting the electric contact part and the electric contact pin, the connecting piece is installed on the base in the direction intersecting with the vertical direction, the installation mode is simple and rapid, and the installation difficulty of the connecting piece is reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0002] The developing box is a consumable that can be detachably installed to an imaging device. The developing box is provided with a chip assembly to realize communication connection with the imaging device. The chip assembly comprises a chip that can be electrically connected with an electrical contact pin of the imaging device.

[0003] During the installation of the developing box, different terminals of the chip are electrically connected with the electrical contact pin at different times, which may cause the chip to be damaged by high voltage of the imaging device. To solve the problem, the prior art proposes to provide a connecting piece in the developing box for electrically connecting the chip and the electrical contact pin. The connecting piece comprises at least one contact end for electrically connecting with the electrical contact pin. The connecting piece is movably arranged relative to the developing housing of the developing box. In this way, the connecting piece is not disturbed by the posture of the developing box, and different contact ends can be electrically connected with the electrical contact pin at the same time.

[0004] In the above-mentioned developing box, at least part of the connecting piece needs to be installed from top to bottom in the height direction of the developing box. This not only causes difficulty in installing the connecting piece, but also increases the manufacturing cost of the connecting piece. SUMMARY

[0005] The chip assembly and the developing box provided by the utility model can solve at least one of the above technical problems. The specific technical solutions are as follows:

[0006] The chip assembly can be detachably installed to an imaging device provided with an electrical contact pin. The chip assembly comprises a chip, a connecting mechanism and a positioning mechanism. The connecting mechanism is movably connected with the positioning mechanism. The chip is fixedly installed on the positioning mechanism. The chip is used for storing parameter information of the developing box and can be converted between an electrically connected state and an electrically disconnected state. The chip comprises a plurality of electrical contact parts for electrically connecting with the electrical contact pin. In the electrically connected state, the electrical contact parts are electrically connected with the electrical contact pin. In the electrically disconnected state, the electrical contact parts are disconnected from the electrical contact pin.

[0007] The connecting mechanism can be converted between a first state and a second state relative to the positioning mechanism. When the connecting mechanism is in the first state, the chip is in the electrically connected state. When the connecting mechanism is in the second state, the chip is in the electrically disconnected state. The connecting mechanism comprises a base and a connecting piece installed on the base. The chip is located above the base at least. The connecting piece is used for electrically connecting the electrical contact parts and the electrical contact pin. The connecting piece can be converted between the first state and the second state along with the base. The connecting piece is installed to the base along a direction intersecting the up-down direction.

[0008] The connecting piece comprises a mounted part, a first connecting part and a second connecting part, the first connecting part and the second connecting part are electrically connected, the mounted part is located between the first connecting part and the second connecting part, in the up-down direction, the first connecting part is located above the second connecting part; the mounted part is used for cooperating with the base to guide the connecting piece to be mounted to the base; the first connecting part is used for forming electrical connection / electrical contact with the electrical contact part, and the second connecting part is used for forming electrical connection / electrical contact with the electrical contact pin.

[0009] The mounted part is a notch formed between the first connecting part and the second connecting part, and the notch is clamped with the part in the base during the mounting process of the connecting piece.

[0010] One of the first connecting part and the second connecting part is provided as a vertebral body.

[0011] One of the first connecting part and the second connecting part is provided as a cylindrical body.

[0012] The base comprises a mounting body and at least one mounting part for fixing the mounting of the connecting piece, at least one mounting cavity for accommodating at least a part of the connecting piece is formed between the mounting body and the mounting part; the mounting part further comprises a positioning part for cooperating with the mounted part of the connecting piece, and the positioning part extends in the direction of pushing the connecting piece into the mounting cavity along the direction intersecting the up-down direction.

[0013] The mounting part further comprises a limiting part and a limiting cavity, the limiting cavity is used for accommodating at least a part of the second connecting part, the limiting cavity is communicated with the mounting cavity, and the limiting cavity is located on both sides of the mounting cavity in the direction intersecting the up-down direction; the limiting part is used for limiting the connecting piece / second connecting part from being separated from the mounting cavity in the direction opposite to the pushing direction of the connecting piece, and the limiting part is located upstream of the limiting cavity in the pushing direction.

[0014] The connecting piece is provided as a spring.

[0015] The developing box can be detachably mounted to the image forming equipment provided with the electrical contact pin, the developing box comprises a developing shell, an end cover and the above-mentioned chip assembly, the developing shell and the end cover are detachably connected, and at least one of the end cover and the developing shell is connected with the chip assembly.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, in the developing box provided by the utility model, the connecting piece is mounted to the mounting cavity of the base along the direction intersecting the up-down direction, such mounting mode is simple and fast, and the mounting difficulty of the connecting piece is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is the perspective view of the developing box.

[0018] Figure 2AIs the exploded view of part components of the developing box of the utility model.

[0019] Figure 2B Is the perspective view of connecting piece of the developing box of the utility model.

[0020] Figure 3 Is the perspective view of base of the developing box of the utility model.

[0021] Figure 4 Is the perspective view of connecting mechanism of the developing box of the utility model.

[0022] Figure 5 Is the perspective view of connecting mechanism and chip combination of the developing box of the utility model.

[0023] Figure 6 And Figure 7 Is the side view of connecting mechanism of the developing box of the utility model in second state, along left and right direction.

[0024] Figure 8 Is the side view of connecting mechanism of the developing box of the utility model in first state, along left and right direction. Specific implementation

[0025] The embodiment of the utility model is described in detail below in combination with the drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 Is the perspective view of the developing box of the utility model.

[0027] As Figure 1 Indicated, developing box 10 can be directly or indirectly detachably mounted to the imaging device provided with electric contact pin, developing box 10 includes developing housing 1 and rotatably arranged developing roller in developing housing 1, the powder bin 11 for accommodating developer is formed in developing housing 1, developing roller is used to carry developer and supply developer to the outside of developing box 10, with the length direction of developing box 10 as left and right direction, the width direction of developing box 10 is front and rear direction, the height direction of developing box 10 is up and down direction.

[0028] Figure 2A Is the exploded view of part components of the developing box of the utility model.

[0029] As Figure 1 And Figure 2AAs shown, the developing cartridge 10 includes a driving component 2 for receiving and transmitting driving force from the imaging device. One end of the developing cartridge 10 where the driving component 2 is disposed is defined as the driving end and the other end as the non-driving end. The driving end and the non-driving end are disposed opposite each other in the left-right direction. The developing cartridge 10 also includes an end cap 3 detachably connected to the developing housing 1. The end cap 3 is located at the driving end and covers at least a portion of the driving component 2.

[0030] In some embodiments, the end cap 3 is located at the non-driving end.

[0031] like Figure 2A As shown, the developing cartridge 10 also includes a chip assembly 4 for establishing a communication connection between the developing cartridge 10 and the imaging device. The chip assembly 4 is connected to at least one of the end cap 3 and the developing housing 1. The chip assembly 4 can also be installed as an independent component to the end cap 3 or the developing housing 1. The chip assembly 4 includes a chip 41, a connecting mechanism 42, and a positioning mechanism 45. The chip 41 is used to store parameter information of the developing cartridge 10 (such as the service life of the developing cartridge 10, product model, etc.). The chip 41 is fixedly installed in the positioning mechanism 45. The chip 41 includes a substrate 411 and a plurality of electrical contacts 412. The electrical contacts 412 are used to form an electrical connection with the electrical contact pin directly or indirectly, thereby enabling the imaging device to obtain the parameter information of the developing cartridge 10. When the electrical contact 412 forms an electrical connection with the electrical contact pin, the chip 41 is in an electrically connected state. When the electrical contact 412 is disconnected from the electrical contact pin, the chip 41 is in an electrically disconnected state. The chip 41 can switch between the electrically connected state and the electrically disconnected state.

[0032] In the vertical direction, at least a portion of the chip 41 is located above the connecting mechanism 42. The connecting mechanism 42 can switch between a first state and a second state relative to the positioning mechanism 45. In the first state, the chip 41 is in an electrically connected state, and in the second state, the chip 41 is in an electrically disconnected state.

[0033] The connecting mechanism 42 includes a base 4b and a connector 4a mounted on the base 4b. The connector 4a can switch between a first state and a second state with the base 4b. The connector 4a is used to electrically connect the electrical contact 412 and the electrical pin. The connector 4a is made of conductive material. The base 4b and the connector 4a are formed separately or integrally. In the vertical direction, at least a portion of the chip 41 is located above the base 4b. In this embodiment, the base 4b and the connector 4a are formed separately. The connector 4a is configured as a spring, and the connector 4a is mounted from the side of the base 4b, or in other words, the connector 4a is mounted to the base 4b along a direction intersecting the vertical direction.

[0034] Figure 2BIs the utility model relates to the connecting piece's perspective view of developing box.

[0035] Continuing as Figure 2A And Figure 2B Show, connecting piece 4a includes being installed part 4a1, first connecting part 4a2 and second connecting part 4a3, first connecting part 4a2 and second connecting part 4a3 electric connection, being installed part 4a1 is located between first connecting part 4a2 and second connecting part 4a3;Developing box 10 is installed to imaging equipment, in up-down direction, first connecting part 4a2 is located above second connecting part 4a3, first connecting part 4a2 is provided with first electric contact 4a4 for forming electric connection / electric contact with chip 41 electric contact part 412, second connecting part 4a3 is provided with second electric contact 4a5 for forming electric connection / electric contact with imaging equipment electric contact needle;Developing box 10 is installed to imaging equipment, in up-down direction, first electric contact 4a4 is located above second electric contact 4a5.

[0036] The installed part 4a1 is used for mutually cooperating with the base 4b, to guide connecting piece 4a installs to the base 4b, in some embodiments, the installed part 4a1 is the notch formed between first connecting part 4a2 and second connecting part 4a3, in the installation process of connecting piece 4a, the notch is clamped with the component in the base 4b.

[0037] In some embodiments, one of first connecting part 4a2 and second connecting part 4a3 is set as a vertebral body.

[0038] In some embodiments, one of first connecting part 4a2 and second connecting part 4a3 is set as a cylindrical body.

[0039] In some embodiments, at least one of first connecting part 4a2 and second connecting part 4a3 can be set as a conical spring or a cylindrical spring.

[0040] In some embodiments, when first connecting part 4a2 is set as a conical spring, adjacent first connecting part 4a2 can be avoided by first connecting part 4a2 contact, causing short circuit.

[0041] In some embodiments, first connecting part 4a2 and second connecting part 4a3 can be formed integrally.

[0042] Figure 3 Is the utility model relates to the base's perspective view of developing box.

[0043] As Figure 3As shown, the base 4b includes a mounting body 4b1 and at least one mounting portion 4b2 connected with each other, the mounting portion 4b2 is used for fixing the mounting connector 4a, the mounting portion 4b2 includes a first extension portion 4b3 and a second extension portion 4b4, the first extension portion 4b3, the second extension portion 4b4 and the mounting body 4b1 enclose a mounting cavity 4b5, the mounting cavity 4b5 is used for accommodating at least a part of the connector 4a, an opening is formed on the side of the mounting cavity 4b5 opposite to the mounting body 4b1, forming a mounting entrance, in the embodiment, the mounting entrance of the base 4b faces the front and the rear, in some embodiments, the connector 4a is mounted to the base 4b along the left and / or right direction, at this time, the mounting entrance faces the left and the right.

[0044] The number of the mounting cavities 4b5 is determined according to the number of the connectors 4a, and the number of the connectors 4a is determined according to the number of the electrical contact portions 412, in the embodiment, four mounting cavities 4b5 are formed on the base 4b, and two of the mounting cavities 4b5 are arranged opposite to each other.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first extension portion 4b3 and the second extension portion 4b4 are both arranged to protrude from the mounting body 4b1 towards a direction intersecting with the up-down direction.

[0046] The base 4b further includes at least one first matching portion 4b6 and at least one second matching portion 4b7, the first matching portion 4b6 is used for matching with the positioning mechanism 45, so that the connecting mechanism 42 / the base 42 is movably connected with the positioning mechanism 45; the second matching portion 4b7 is also used for matching with the positioning mechanism 45, so that the connecting mechanism 42 is positioned in the positioning mechanism 45.

[0047] In some embodiments, the base 4b further includes a third extension portion 4b8 protruding from the mounting body 4b1, in the front-rear direction, the third extension portion 4b8 is located between the two first extension portions 4b3, when the base 4b is projected along the up-down direction, the first matching portion 4b6 is arranged to protrude from the third extension portion 4b8 towards a direction away from the mounting cavity 4b5.

[0048] In some embodiments, the second matching portion 4b7 is arranged on the first extension portion 4b3, and the second matching portion 4b7 is arranged to protrude from the first extension portion 4b3 towards a direction away from the mounting cavity 4b5.

[0049] The mounting portion 4b2 includes a positioning portion 4b9, a limiting portion 4b10 and a limiting cavity 4b11. The positioning portion 4b9 extends along the pushing direction of the connecting member 4a, and is used to cooperate with the mounted portion 4a1 of the connecting member 4a, so that the connecting member 4a can be smoothly mounted to the mounting cavity 4b5. During the mounting process of the connecting member 4a, the mounted portion 4a1 is aligned with the positioning portion 4b9, and the connecting member 4a is pushed from the side of the base 4b along the positioning portion 4b9. In the direction intersecting the up-down direction, at least a part of the mounted portion 4a1 overlaps with the positioning portion 4b9.

[0050] In some embodiments, the positioning portion 4b9 is arranged in pairs. In the direction intersecting the up-down direction, the two positioning portions 4b9 are arranged opposite to each other, and the mounting cavity 4b5 is located between the two positioning portions 4b9. One positioning portion 4b9 is arranged on the first extension portion 4b3, and the other positioning portion 4b9 is arranged on the second extension portion 4b4.

[0051] The limiting cavity 4b11 is arranged at least one. The limiting cavity 4b11 is used to accommodate at least a part of the second connecting portion 4a3, so as to prevent the connecting member 4a / second connecting portion 4a3 from being separated from the mounting cavity 4b5. The limiting cavity 4b11 is in communication with the mounting cavity 4b5, and in the direction intersecting the up-down direction, the 4b11 is located on both sides of the mounting cavity 4b5.

[0052] In some embodiments, the limiting cavity 4b11 is arranged on the first extension portion 4b3 and / or the second extension portion 4b4.

[0053] The limiting portion 4b10 is arranged at least one. The number of the limiting portion 4b10 corresponds to the number of the 4b11. The limiting portion 4b10 is used to limit the connecting member 4a / second connecting portion 4a3 from being separated from the mounting cavity 4b5 in the direction opposite to the pushing direction. In the pushing direction, the limiting portion 4b10 is located upstream of the 4b11. In the direction intersecting the up-down direction, at least a part of the limiting portion 4b10 overlaps with the 4b11.

[0054] In some embodiments, the limiting portion 4b10 is arranged on the first extension portion 4b3 and / or the second extension portion 4b4.

[0055] In some embodiments, the positioning mechanism 45 is arranged on the end cover 3 or the developing housing 1. The chip assembly 4 can also be arranged independently of the end cover 3 and the developing housing 1. In this embodiment, the positioning mechanism 45 is arranged on the end cover 3, which is described and illustrated.

[0056] As Figure 2AAs shown, the positioning mechanism 45 includes a first side plate 451, a second side plate 452, and a third side plate 453, the third side plate 453 is used to connect the first side plate 451 and the second side plate 452, the first side plate 451 and the second side plate 452 are spaced apart and opposite in the direction intersecting the up-down direction, the first side plate 451, the second side plate 452, and the third side plate 453 enclose a first accommodating cavity 454 and a second accommodating cavity 455 which are in communication with each other, the first accommodating cavity 454 is used to install the connecting mechanism 42, and the second accommodating cavity 455 is used to install the chip 41, the first accommodating cavity 454 is below the second accommodating cavity 455 in the up-down direction.

[0057] The positioning mechanism 45 further includes at least one cooperating part 456, the cooperating part 456 is used to cooperate with the first cooperating part 4b6, so that the connecting mechanism 42 is movably connected with the positioning mechanism 45, the number of the cooperating part 456 corresponds to the number of the first cooperating part 4b6; in some embodiments, the cooperating part 456 is arranged on at least one of the first side plate 451 and the second side plate 452.

[0058] In some embodiments, the cooperating part 456 is arranged as a positioning hole penetrating through the first side plate 451 and / or the second side plate 452, the boundary of the positioning hole is a special shape, and the first cooperating part 4b6 can move in the cooperating part 456; as Figure 2A 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the cooperating part 456 includes a fixed part 457 and a movable part, the fixed part 457 is above the movable part in the up-down direction, the shapes of the fixed part 457 and the movable part are different, the shape of the fixed part 457 is matched with the shape of the first cooperating part 4b6, the first cooperating part 4b6 cannot move in the fixed part 457, when the connecting mechanism 42 is in the first state, the first cooperating part 4b6 is in the fixed part 457, and when the connecting mechanism 42 is in the second state, the first cooperating part 4b6 is in the movable part.

[0059] In some embodiments, the movable part includes a first movable part 458 and a second movable part 459, the centers of the fixed part 457, the first movable part 458, and the second movable part 459 form a triangle (as shown by the dashed line in Figure 8 ), which makes the connecting mechanism 42 better electrically connected with the electric contact needle of the imaging device.

[0060] In some embodiments, the cooperating part 456 and the first cooperating part 4b6 can be exchanged.

[0061] The second matching part 4b7 is used to abut against the first side plate 451 and / or the second side plate 452 to prevent the connecting mechanism 42 from being separated from the first accommodating cavity 454; in some embodiments, the matching mode between the second matching part 4b7 and the first side plate 451 and / or the second side plate 452 is an interference fit.

[0062] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2A The positioning mechanism 45 further comprises a blocking part 46 for preventing the chip 41 from being separated from the second accommodating cavity 455, and in some embodiments, the blocking part 46 is formed by extending from the third side plate 453.

[0063] In some embodiments, the blocking part 46 is provided as an elastic arm.

[0064] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connecting mechanism of the developing box involved in the utility model; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the connecting mechanism of the developing box involved in the utility model combined with the chip.

[0065] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 During the installation of the connecting piece 4b, the installed part 4a1 is first aligned with the positioning part 4b9, the connecting piece 4b is pushed along the direction intersecting with the up-down direction until the connecting piece 4b is installed into the installation cavity 4b5, at this time, at least a part of the second connecting part 4a3 is accommodated by 4b11; then, the connecting mechanism 42 is installed into the positioning mechanism 45.

[0066] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a side view of the connecting mechanism of the developing box involved in the utility model in the second state, viewed along the left-right direction; Figure 8 is a side view of the connecting mechanism of the developing box involved in the utility model in the first state, viewed along the left-right direction.

[0067] During the installation of the developing box 10, under the gravity of the connecting mechanism 42 itself, the connecting mechanism 42 is first in the second state, at this time, the chip 41 is in the electrically disconnected state, according to the posture of the developing box 10, the first matching part 4b6 is located in the first movable part 458 (as shown in Figure 6 or the second movable part 459 (as shown in Figure 7When the second electric contact 4a5 of the connecting mechanism 42 abuts against the electric contact pin, the connecting mechanism 42 can avoid upward and be in contact with the electric contact pin under the action of gravity, and when the developing cartridge 10 finally moves downward, the electric contact part 412 is electrically connected with the first electric contact 4a4, the connecting mechanism 42 reaches the first state, and the chip 41 is in the electrically connected state. The plurality of electric contact parts 412 in the embodiment can be electrically connected with the electric contact pin at the same time, and in this way, the problem of burning the chip 41 caused by the time delay of the electric connection of different electric contact parts 412 in sequence can be avoided.

[0068] [Advantages]

[0069] Compared with the prior art, the chip assembly 4 and the developing cartridge 10 with the chip assembly 4 have the following advantages:

[0070] In the first aspect, the connecting piece 4a is mounted to the mounting cavity 4b5 of the base 4b along a direction intersecting with the up-down direction, so that the mounting method is simple and fast, and the mounting difficulty of the connecting piece 4a is reduced.

[0071] In the second aspect, the connecting piece 4a is provided as a spring, so that even if the developing cartridge 10 produces slight vibration in the imaging process of the imaging equipment, the first electric contact 4a4 of the connecting piece 4a can keep stable electric connection with the electric contact part 412 of the chip 41, and the second electric contact 4a5 always keeps electric connection with the electric contact pin, so that stable electric connection between the chip 41 and the electric contact pin can be ensured.

[0072] In the third aspect, compared with other conductive materials, the connecting piece 4a is provided as a spring, so that the manufacturing cost of the connecting piece 4a can be reduced.

Claims

1. A chip assembly removably mountable to an image forming apparatus provided with electrical contact pins as a process cartridge, characterized by, The chip assembly comprises a chip, a connecting mechanism and a positioning mechanism, the connecting mechanism is movably connected with the positioning mechanism, the chip is fixedly installed on the positioning mechanism, the chip is used for storing parameter information of the developing cartridge and can be switched between an electrically connected state and an electrically disconnected state, the chip comprises a plurality of electric contact portions used for forming electrical connection with the electric contact pins, in the electrically connected state, the electric contact portions form electrical connection with the electric contact pins, in the electrically disconnected state, the electric contact portions are disconnected from the electric contact pins; The connecting mechanism can be switched between a first state and a second state relative to the positioning mechanism, when the connecting mechanism is in the first state, the chip is in the electrically connected state, when the connecting mechanism is in the second state, the chip is in the electrically disconnected state; The connecting mechanism comprises a base and a connecting piece installed on the base, the chip is at least above the base, the connecting piece is used for electrically connecting the electric contact portions and the electric contact pins, the connecting piece can be switched between the first state and the second state along with the base, and the connecting piece is installed on the base along a direction intersecting the up-down direction.

2. The chip assembly of claim 1, wherein, The connecting piece comprises a mounted portion, a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are electrically connected, and the mounted portion is between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, in the up-down direction, the first connecting portion is above the second connecting portion; The mounted portion is used for cooperating with the base to guide the installation of the connecting piece on the base, the first connecting portion is used for forming electrical connection / electric contact with the electric contact portions, and the second connecting portion is used for forming electrical connection / electric contact with the electric contact pins.

3. The chip assembly of claim 2, wherein, The mounted portion is a notch formed between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, and the notch is clamped with a component in the base during the installation of the connecting piece.

4. The chip assembly of claim 2, wherein, One of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is provided as a vertebra.

5. The chip assembly of claim 2, wherein, One of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is provided as a cylinder.

6. The chip assembly of any of claims 2 to 5, wherein The base comprises a mounting body and at least one mounting portion used for fixedly installing the connecting piece, at least one mounting cavity used for accommodating at least a part of the connecting piece is formed between the mounting body and the mounting portion; The mounting portion further comprises a positioning portion used for cooperating with the mounted portion of the connecting piece, and the positioning portion extends along the direction in which the connecting piece is pushed into the mounting cavity along the direction intersecting the up-down direction.

7. The chip assembly of claim 6, wherein The mounting portion further comprises a limiting portion and a limiting cavity, the limiting cavity is used for accommodating at least a part of the second connecting portion, the limiting cavity is communicated with the mounting cavity, and the limiting cavity is located on both sides of the mounting cavity in the direction intersecting the up-down direction; The limiting portion is used for limiting the connecting piece / second connecting portion from escaping from the mounting cavity in the direction opposite to the direction in which the connecting piece is pushed, and the limiting portion is located upstream of the limiting cavity along the pushing direction.

8. The chip assembly of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein The connecting piece is provided as a spring.

9. A developing cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus provided with an electric contact pin, characterized by, The developing cartridge comprises a developing housing, an end cover and the chip assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the developing housing and the end cover are detachably connected, and at least one of the end cover and the developing housing is connected with the chip assembly.

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