Developing box

Abstract

The utility model discloses a developing box which comprises a shell used for accommodating a developing agent; a developing roller rotatable along a developing roller axis extending in a first direction; the coupling gear is used for receiving a driving force outside the developing box to drive the developing roller to rotate; a chip having an electrical contact surface; an electrode contactable with a power supply device outside the developing cartridge to receive power outside the developing cartridge; a ground terminal in contact with a ground member inside the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to form an electrical connection in a state in which the developing cartridge is mounted to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; the state of the electrical connection between the ground terminal and the electrode can be switched between an on state and an off state; in the second direction, the distance between the electric contact surface and the grounding terminal is smaller than the distance between the electric contact surface and the developing roller; compared with the prior art, the developing box disclosed by the utility model is not provided with a detected bulge any more, so that the production cost of the developing box is reduced.

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] Existing technology discloses a developing cartridge that can be installed together with a drum cartridge into an electrophotographic imaging apparatus. The developing cartridge includes a developing roller, a powder feeding roller, a chip, a detection protrusion, electrodes, and a coupling gear for receiving driving force. The detection protrusion moves relative to the housing according to the rotation of the coupling gear, thereby transmitting information about the developing cartridge to the electrophotographic imaging apparatus to help it identify the cartridge. Simultaneously, when the developing cartridge is installed in the electrophotographic imaging apparatus, the electrodes are electrically connected to the apparatus to receive power and transmit it to the developing roller or powder feeding roller. This results in the developing roller or powder feeding roller having a stronger adhesion to the developer after being energized, effectively improving the imaging quality of the developing cartridge.

[0003] In the prior art, the electrodes in the developing cartridge and the detection protrusion that can move relative to the housing are located on the same side of the developing cartridge. This technical solution provides limited space for the electrodes, and interference between the electrodes and the detection protrusion is likely to occur during use. This requires the electrodes and the detection protrusion to be manufactured with high precision, which increases the production cost of the developing cartridge. To solve the problem of excessively high production costs, this utility model proposes a new developing cartridge. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, this utility model provides a developing cartridge to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, mainly through the following technical solution:

[0005] A developing cartridge, comprising:

[0006] A housing for containing developer, the housing having a first side and a second side disposed separately from the first side in a first direction, and the housing having a third side and a fourth side disposed separately from the third side in a second direction intersecting the first direction;

[0007] A developing roller, rotatable along a developing roller axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller being located on the third side of the housing in the second direction;

[0008] A coupling gear is used to receive an external driving force from the developing cartridge to drive the developing roller to rotate, and the coupling gear is located on the first side of the housing in the first direction;

[0009] The chip has an electrical contact surface located on the first side of the housing in the first direction;

[0010] The electrode can contact an external power supply device of the developing chamber to receive power from the outside of the developing chamber;

[0011] The grounding terminal, when the developing cartridge is installed in the electrophotographic imaging device, contacts the grounding component inside the electrophotographic imaging device to form an electrical connection;

[0012] The electrical connection between the grounding terminal and the electrode can be switched between an on state and an off state.

[0013] In the second direction, the distance between the electrical contact surface and the grounding terminal is less than the distance between the electrical contact surface and the developing roller.

[0014] Furthermore, the developing cartridge also includes a control unit electrically connected to the electrode, the control unit being used to control the state of the electrical connection between the grounding terminal and the electrode.

[0015] Furthermore, the control element can rotate about an axis extending in the first direction in response to the rotation of the coupling gear.

[0016] Furthermore, the control component is made of a conductive material.

[0017] Furthermore, the electrode is disposed on the second side of the housing in the first direction, and the grounding terminal is disposed on the first side of the housing in the first direction.

[0018] Furthermore, the developing cartridge also includes a conductive element electrically connected to the electrode, the conductive element extending from the first side of the housing to the second side of the housing in the first direction.

[0019] Furthermore, the developing cartridge also includes a powder dispensing blade configured to contact the circumferential surface of the developing roller along the rotational axial direction of the developing roller;

[0020] The conductive component is constructed as the powder discharge blade.

[0021] Furthermore, in the second direction, at least a portion of the grounding terminal is further away from the developing roller than the electrical contact surface.

[0022] Furthermore, the housing also includes a first cover that covers at least a portion of the coupling gear, and the grounding terminal is supported by the first cover;

[0023] In the second direction, the grounding terminal is disposed at the end of the first cover.

[0024] This utility model also provides a developing cartridge, which can be detachably installed into an imaging device having a power supply component and a grounding component, the developing cartridge comprising:

[0025] A housing for containing developer, the housing having a first side and a second side disposed separately from the first side in a first direction, and the housing having a third side and a fourth side disposed separately from the third side in a second direction intersecting the first direction;

[0026] A developing roller, rotatable along a developing roller axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller being located on the third side of the housing in the second direction;

[0027] A coupling gear is used to receive an external driving force from the developing cartridge to drive the developing roller to rotate, and the coupling gear is located on the first side of the housing in the first direction;

[0028] The chip has an electrical contact surface located on the first side of the housing in the first direction;

[0029] The developing cartridge is characterized in that it further includes:

[0030] Electrodes may contact the power supply component to receive external power from the developing chamber;

[0031] A grounding terminal, which contacts the grounding member to form an electrical connection;

[0032] The electrical connection between the electrode and the grounding member can be switched between an on state and an off state;

[0033] In the second direction, the distance between the electrical contact surface and the grounding terminal is less than the distance between the electrical contact surface and the developing roller. Beneficial effects

[0034] Compared with the prior art, the developing cartridge of this utility model no longer has a detection protrusion, which reduces the production cost of the developing cartridge; in addition, the developing cartridge of this utility model has a grounding component near the electrical contact surface that can be connected to the grounded metal frame in the electrophotographic imaging device, which reduces the interference of the power on the developing cartridge to the electrical contact surface. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a top view of the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of this utility model from a third-party perspective;

[0037] Figure 3This is a side view of the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of this utility model, viewed from the first side in the first direction;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a side view of the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of this utility model, viewed from the second side in the first direction;

[0039] Figure 5 This is a partially exploded schematic diagram of the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0040] Figure 6 This is a side view of the developing cartridge in the first direction from the first side when the first cover is hidden, according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0041] Figure 7 This is a side view of the first cover in Embodiment 1 of this utility model, viewed from the second side in the first direction;

[0042] Figure 8 This is a side view of the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of this utility model, viewed from the second side in the first direction with the second cover hidden.

[0043] Figure 9a This is a side view of the drive gear in Embodiment 1 of this utility model, viewed from the first side in the first direction;

[0044] Figure 9b This is a side view of the drive gear in Embodiment 1 of this utility model, viewed from the second side in the first direction;

[0045] Figure 10 This is a side view of the first cover in Embodiment 1 of this utility model, viewed from the second side in the first direction when the first cover is in the initial position of the drive gear.

[0046] Figure 11 This is a side view of the first cover in Embodiment 1 of this utility model, viewed from the second side in the first direction with the first protrusion of the drive gear facing the second end.

[0047] Figure 12 This is a side view of the first cover in Embodiment 1 of this utility model, viewed from the second side in the first direction with the second recess of the drive gear facing the second end.

[0048] Figure 13 This is a side view of the first cover in Embodiment 1 of this utility model, viewed from the second side in the first direction with the second protrusion of the drive gear facing the second end.

[0049] Figure 14 This is a side view of the first cover in Embodiment 1 of this utility model, viewed from the second side in the first direction when the first cover is in the final position of the drive gear.

[0050] Figure 15 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the developing cartridge in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0051] Figure 16 This is a partial schematic diagram of the first protective cover being disassembled from the developing cartridge in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0052] Figure 17 This is a side view of the first cover in Embodiment 2 of this utility model, viewed from the second side in the first direction;

[0053] Figure 18 This is a partial side view of the first cover when the developing cartridge is in the first state, as viewed from the second side in the first direction;

[0054] Figure 19 This is a partial side view of the first cover when the developing cartridge is in the second state, as viewed from the second side in the first direction in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0055] Figure 20 This is a partial three-dimensional structural diagram of the first cover when the developing cartridge is in the first state in Embodiment 2 of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0056] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and technical effects of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solution of the developing cartridge of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are all within the protection scope of this utility model. Example 1:

[0057] Figure 1-3The diagram illustrates a developing cartridge 100 of this invention. The developing cartridge 100 can be detachably installed into an electrophotographic imaging device (hereinafter referred to as the "imaging device") and works together with the imaging device to complete the imaging operation. To facilitate smoother imaging operations and improve image quality, the imaging device internally includes a power supply component (not shown) that provides power to the developing cartridge 100, and a detection component (not shown) that detects the state of the developing cartridge 100. After the developing cartridge 100 is installed into the imaging device, it can switch between a first state and a second state. The developing cartridge 100 transmits information about itself to the detection component of the imaging device through different switching frequencies between the first and second states, thereby assisting the imaging device in identifying the developing cartridge 100. The developing cartridge 100 includes a power-connecting component electrically connected to a power supply component in the imaging device, a grounding component electrically connected to a grounding component in the imaging device, and an opening / closing component for controlling the state of the electrical connection between the power-connecting component and the grounding component. The developing cartridge 100 switches between a first state and a second state by controlling the on / off connection between the power-connecting component and the grounding component through the opening / closing component, thereby enabling the developing cartridge 100 to transmit information to the imaging device. Specifically, when the opening / closing component controls the electrical connection between the power-connecting component and the grounding component to be connected, the power supply component inside the imaging device is electrically connected to the grounding component inside the imaging device, and the developing cartridge 100 is in the second state; when the opening / closing component controls the electrical connection between the power-connecting component and the grounding component to be disconnected, the developing cartridge 100 is in the first state.

[0058] like Figure 1-4As shown, the developer cartridge 100 includes a housing 101, which has a first side 101a and a second side 101b separated from each other in a first direction, and a third side 101c and a fourth side 101d separated from each other in a second direction. The housing 101 includes a toner cartridge 102 as the main body, which is used to contain developer. The housing 101 also includes a first cover 103 that can be detachably installed on the first side 101a of the toner cartridge 102, and a second cover 104 that can be detachably installed on the second side 101b of the toner cartridge 102. The first side 101a of the housing 101 is provided with a gear train for receiving external driving force and driving the internal components of the developing cartridge 100, a chip 160 for storing information of the developing cartridge 100, and an elastic conductor 152 as a grounding member. The elastic conductor 152 can contact and form an electrical connection with the grounded metal frame (not shown) in the imaging device. During the installation of the developing cartridge 100 into the imaging device, the elastic conductor 152 can generate elastic deformation to adapt to the distance between the elastic conductor 152 and the grounded metal frame, thereby making the electrical connection between the elastic conductor 152 and the grounded metal frame more stable. The elastic conductor 152 is preferably constructed as a conductive spring. The chip 160 has an electrical contact surface 161. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the electrical contact surface 161 contacts and forms an electrical connection with an electrical connection member (not shown) inside the imaging device, so that the imaging device can read the information on the chip 160. The second side 101b of the housing 101 is provided with an electrode 151 as an electrical connection member. The first cover 103 is used to cover at least a part of the gear train to protect the gear train, and the second cover 104 is used to cover at least a part of the electrode 151 to protect the electrode 151.

[0059] like Figure 5-6As shown, the gear system includes, but is not limited to, a coupling gear 111, a developing roller gear 112, a powder feeding roller gear 113, a stirring rack gear 114, a drive gear 115 as an opening and closing member, and at least one transmission gear. The coupling gear 111 has a coupling part 111a and a gear part 111b. The coupling part 111a is exposed on the first side 101a of the housing 101 through a through hole opened on the first cover 103. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the coupling part 111a can be connected to a drive member (not shown) inside the imaging device to receive the driving force of the imaging device and drive the coupling gear 111 to rotate about the coupling gear axis A1 extending in the first direction. The developing roller gear 112, the powder feeding roller gear 113, and the stirring rack gear 114 are all meshed with the gear part 111b of the coupling gear 111 to receive the driving force of the coupling gear 111, thereby driving the developing roller gear 112, the powder feeding roller gear 113, and the stirring rack gear 114 to rotate about their respective axes extending in the first direction. The developing cartridge 100 is also provided with a developing roller 120, a powder feeding roller 130 and a stirring frame 140. The developing roller gear 112, the powder feeding roller gear 113 and the stirring frame gear 114 are respectively connected to the ends of the developing roller 120, the powder feeding roller 130 and the stirring frame 140 on the first side in the first direction. The developing roller gear 112, the powder feeding roller gear 113 and the stirring frame gear 114 can respectively drive the developing roller 120, the powder feeding roller 130 and the stirring frame 140 to rotate around their respective axes extending in the first direction to transport the developer inside the powder hopper 102 to the outside of the powder hopper 102. The developing roller 120 is located on the third side of the housing 101 in the second direction. A powder discharge blade 105 is disposed between the developing roller 120 and the powder hopper 102. The powder discharge blade 105 is used to control the thickness of the developer adhering to the outer surface of the developing roller 120. The electrode 151 has an electrical contact portion 151a exposed on the second side of the housing 101 in the first direction. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the electrical contact portion 151a contacts the power supply component of the imaging device to receive power from the imaging device and is electrically connected to at least one of the developing roller 120, the powder feeding roller 130, and the powder discharge blade 105. In this embodiment, as shown... Figure 8 As shown, the electrical contact portion 151a is electrically connected to the powder feeding roller 130 via the first metal torsion spring 151b, and the electrical contact portion 151a is electrically connected to the powder discharge knife 105 via the second metal torsion spring 151c.

[0060] like Figure 6As shown, the drive gear 115 controls the on / off connection between the electrode 151 and the elastic conductor 152 in the developing cartridge 100. Specifically, the drive gear 115 is made of a conductive material, preferably a conductive resin material. A torsion spring 153 is provided between the drive gear 115 and the elastic conductor 152. The torsion spring 153 is made of a conductor, preferably a conductive metal material. The torsion spring 153 has a first end 153a connected to the elastic conductor 152 and a second end 153b that can be electrically connected to the drive gear 115. The second end 153b is larger than the first end 153a. a. Closer to the drive gear 115 in the second direction and the third direction; an electrical connector 154 is provided between the drive gear 115 and the electrode 151, extending from the first side 101a of the housing 101 to the second side 101b of the housing 101 in the first direction to electrically connect the electrode 151 and the drive gear 115. Specifically, in this embodiment, the electrical connector 154 is configured as a conductive rod penetrating the interior of the stirring frame 140. To ensure the connection between the drive gear 115 and the conductive rod, the drive gear 115 and the stirring frame gear 114 are approximately coaxial, and the drive gear 115 and / or the conductive rod penetrate the stirring frame gear 114 in the first direction. In other embodiments of this embodiment, the roller shaft of the developing roller 120, the roller shaft of the powder feeding roller 130, and the powder discharge blade 105 can all serve as the electrical connector 154 for electrically connecting the electrode 151 and the drive gear 115. Of course, these are not limited. The electrical connector 154 extends from the first side 101a of the housing 101 to the second side 101b to electrically connect the electrode 151 and the drive gear 115. Figure 9a As shown, the drive gear 115 includes a toothed portion 115a for receiving driving force and an electrical contact portion 115b that can be electrically connected to the torsion spring 153. The electrical contact portion 115b includes at least one recess that cannot contact the torsion spring 153 and at least one protrusion that can contact the torsion spring 153. When the drive gear 115 receives driving force and rotates, the recess and protrusion of the drive gear 115 rotate sequentially toward the second end 153b of the torsion spring 153. In other words, the drive gear 115 can switch between a contact state and a non-contact state with the torsion spring 153. Specifically, as... Figure 9aAs shown, in this embodiment, the contact portion 115b includes a first recess 115b1, a first convex portion 115b2, a second recess 115b3, and a second convex portion 115b4. The teeth 115a of the drive gear 115 are connected to the drive portion 111b of the coupling gear 111 via a connecting gear 116. The drive gear 115 can rotate about the drive gear axis A2 extending in a first direction. The first recess 115b1, the first convex portion 115b2, the second recess 115b3, and the second convex portion 115b4 are arranged sequentially along the rotation direction of the drive gear 115. In the radial direction of the drive gear 115, the distance between the first recess 115b1 and the second recess 115b3 and the drive gear axis A2 is less than the distance between the first convex portion 115b2 and the second convex portion 115b4 and the drive gear axis A2. Figure 10 As shown, before the drive gear 115 receives the driving force, the first recess 115b1 of the drive gear 115 faces the second end 153b of the torsion spring 153. At this time, the drive gear 115 is not in electrical contact with the torsion spring 153. That is, the electrical connection between the electrode 151 and the elastic conductor 152 is in an open circuit state, and thus, the developing cartridge 100 is in the first state. After the drive gear 115 receives the driving force and rotates, the drive gear 115 gradually rotates from the first recess 153b1 toward the first protrusion 115b2 in the direction toward the second end 153b. After that, as... Figure 11 As shown, the drive gear 115 rotates towards the second end 153b to the area where the first protrusion 115b2 is located. At this time, the first protrusion 115b2 of the drive gear 115 contacts the second end 153b of the torsion spring 153, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the electrode 151 and the elastic conductor 152. Thus, the developing cartridge 100 is in the second state; then, as... Figure 12-13 As shown, the drive gear 115 rotates sequentially towards the second end 153b to the range where the second recess 115b3 and the second protrusion 115b4 are located. When the drive gear 115 is towards the second end 153b within the range of the second recess 115b3, the developing cartridge 100 is in the first state; when the drive gear 115 is towards the second end 153b within the range of the second protrusion 115b4, the developing cartridge 100 is in the second state; finally, as... Figure 14As shown, the drive gear 115 returns to the area of ​​the first recess 115b1 in the direction of the second end 153b to complete the detection process of transmitting information to the imaging device. The developing cartridge 100 transmits information to the imaging device through the switching frequency between the first and second states exhibited by the developing cartridge 100 in the above process. The above-mentioned setting of the recess and the convex part is not limited. It should be noted that the recess and the convex part on the developing cartridge 100 can be set differently so that the developing cartridge 100 exhibits different switching frequencies, thereby allowing the developing cartridge 100 to transmit different information to the imaging device, so as to help the imaging device identify different developing cartridges.

[0061] Furthermore, such as Figures 9a-9b As shown, the drive gear 115 has a first limiting groove 115c1 and a second limiting groove 115c2 on the side near the first cover 103 in the first direction. The first limiting groove 115c1 and the second limiting groove 115c2 are arranged adjacent to each other. The first limiting groove 115c1 is located downstream of the second limiting groove 115c2 in the rotation direction of the drive gear 115. The tooth portion 115a of the drive gear 115 has a missing tooth structure. The drive gear 115 has a missing tooth portion 115a1. The inner side of the first cover 103 extends in the first direction with an elastic protrusion 103a that cooperates with the first limiting groove 115c1 and the second limiting groove 115c2. Figure 10 As shown, before the drive gear 115 rotates under force, the elastic protrusion 103a engages with the first limiting groove 115c1 to hold the drive gear 115 in its initial position. In the initial position, the upstream end of the tooth 115a in the rotational direction of the drive gear 115 faces the connecting gear 116, and the upstream end of the tooth 115a in the rotational direction of the drive gear 115 meshes with the connecting gear 116. Simultaneously, in the initial position, the drive gear 115 is in the range of the first recess 115b1, with the direction of the second end 153b towards it. Figure 14 As shown, after the drive gear 115 is driven by the driving force and completes the detection process, the drive gear 115 rotates to its final position. At this time, the elastic protrusion 103a cooperates with the second limiting groove 115c2 to keep the drive gear 115 in the final position. In the final position, the toothed part 115a1 of the drive gear 115 faces the connecting gear 116, so that the drive gear 115a1 no longer receives the driving force of the coupling gear 111. At the same time, in the final position, the drive gear 115 faces the second end 153b in the range of the first recess 115b1. The developing cartridge 100 maintains the first state, so that the developing cartridge 100 can perform imaging operations normally.

[0062] like Figure 6-7As shown, the gear portion 111b of the coupling gear 111 includes a first gear portion 111b1 and a second gear portion 111b2. The first gear portion 111b1 is connected to the stirring rack gear 114, and the second gear portion 111b2 is meshed with the drive gear 115 through a connecting gear 116. The connecting gear 116 is located in the second direction between the rotation axis A1 of the coupling gear and the rotation axis A2 of the drive gear. The drive gear 115 and the connecting gear 116 are rotatably supported by the first support column 103b and the second support column 103c, respectively. The first support column 103b and the second support column 103c extend from the inner side of the first cover 103 in the first direction. The drive gear 115 can rotate relative to the stirring rack gear 114, which reduces the mutual interference between the stirring gear 114 and the drive gear 115 and improves the stability of the drive gear 115. The connecting gear 116 is constructed as a double gear, having a large gear section and a small gear section. The large gear section is connected to the coupling gear 111, and the small gear section is connected to the drive gear 115. The first gear section 111b1 and the second gear section 111b2 are arranged in a first direction. At the same time, the diameter of the first gear section 111b1 is larger than the diameter of the second gear section 111b2, so as to reduce the rotational speed of the drive gear 115 and further improve the stability of the drive gear 115.

[0063] Alternatively, the elastic conductor 152 can be integrally formed with the torsion spring 153. The end of the elastic conductor 152 near the drive gear 115 can replace the function of the second end 153b of the torsion spring 153, and the two have the same technical effect.

[0064] Preferred, such as Figure 2-3 As shown, in the first direction, the electrical contact surface 161 and the elastic conductor 152 are disposed on the same side of the housing 101. The electrical contact surface 161 is located on the first side of the housing 101 in the first direction. In the second direction, the electrical contact surface 161 is close to the fourth side of the housing 101. The elastic conductor 152 is located on the first side of the housing 101 in the first direction. The elastic conductor 152 is located on the fourth side of the housing 101 in the second direction. Figure 3 As shown, in the second direction, the distance between the elastic conductor 152 and the electrical contact surface 161 is less than the distance between the electrical contact surface 161 and the developing roller 120. In other words, the elastic conductor 152, serving as the grounding terminal, is positioned close to the electrical contact surface 161. When the imaging device reads information from the chip 160, the elastic conductor 152 can reduce interference to the electrical connection between the electrical contact surface 161 and the imaging device. Furthermore, in the first direction, the electrical contact portion 151a is located on the second side 101b of the housing 101. That is, the electrical contact portion 151a is positioned opposite the electrical contact surface 161 and the elastic conductor 152 in the first direction, preventing short circuits.

[0065] Furthermore, the outer surface of the elastic conductor 152 is provided with a third cover 152a for protecting the elastic conductor 152, and at least a portion of the elastic conductor 152 is exposed to the outside of the third cover 152a. Example 2:

[0066] Figure 15-20 The diagram illustrates Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The parts identical to those in Embodiment 1 described above will not be repeated here. The difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 lies in the fact that the drive gear serving as the opening and closing component in the developing cartridge 100 of this embodiment differs from the drive gear in Embodiment 1. Specifically, as shown... Figure 15-16 As shown, in this embodiment, the drive gear 115 is made of insulating material, preferably POM material. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a torsion spring 155, different from that in the previous embodiment, is provided between the drive gear 115 and the elastic conductor 152. The torsion spring 115 has a fixed end and a movable end. In this embodiment, the torsion spring 155 includes a first end 155a and a second end 155b. The first end 155a is set as the fixed end, maintaining an electrical connection with the electrode 151. The second end 155b is set as the movable end, allowing it to move between a first position where it is disconnected from the elastic conductor 152 and a second position where it is connected to the elastic conductor 152, receiving the pushing force of the drive gear 115. When the second end 155b is in the first position, the electrical connection between the electrode 151 and the elastic conductor 152 is broken, thereby placing the developing cartridge 100 in the first state; when the second end 155b is in the second position, the electrical connection between the electrode 151 and the elastic conductor 152 is connected, thereby placing the developing cartridge 100 in the second state.

[0067] Furthermore, a second electrical connector 156 is provided between the first end 155a of the actuating torsion spring 155 and the powder outlet blade 105 / electrode 151. The second electrical connector 156 extends in the second direction to electrically connect to the powder outlet blade 105, which is the electrical connector. The powder outlet blade 105 is made of conductive metal material. That is, the actuating torsion spring 155 is electrically connected to the electrode 151 through the second electrical connector 156 and the powder outlet blade 105. Alternatively, the electrical connector can also be set as a developing roller shaft or a powder feeding roller shaft. The drive gear 115 has a contact portion 115d on one side in the first direction. The contact portion 115d includes at least one recess that cannot contact the actuating torsion spring 155, and at least one protrusion that can contact the actuating torsion spring 155. During the process of the drive gear 115 receiving driving force and rotating, the recess and protrusion of the drive gear 115 sequentially face the second end 155b of the actuating torsion spring 155. In other words, the drive gear 115 can switch between a non-contact state and a contact state with the actuating torsion spring 155. When the recess of the drive gear 115 faces the second end 155b of the actuating torsion spring 115, the drive gear 115 does not contact the actuating torsion spring 155. When the protrusion of the drive gear 115 faces the second end 155b of the actuating torsion spring 115, the drive gear 115 contacts the second end 155b of the actuating torsion spring 115 and applies a pushing force to the second end 155b.

[0068] Specifically, such as Figure 17-19As shown, in this embodiment, the contact portion 115d includes a first recess 115d1, a first convex portion 115d2, a second recess 115d3, and a second convex portion 115d4. The tooth portion 115a of the drive gear 115 is connected to the drive portion 111b of the coupling gear 111 via a connecting gear 116. The drive gear 115 can rotate about the drive gear axis A2 extending in a first direction. The first recess 115d1, the first convex portion 115d2, the second recess 115d3, and the second convex portion 115d4 are arranged sequentially along the rotation direction of the drive gear 115. In the radial direction of the drive gear 115, the distance between the first recess 115d1 and the second recess 115d3 and the drive gear axis A2 is less than the distance between the first convex portion 115d2 and the second convex portion 115d4 and the drive gear axis A2. When the drive gear 115 rotates towards the second end 155b of the actuating torsion spring 155 to the range of the first recess 115d1 or the second recess 115d3, the drive gear 115 does not contact the actuating torsion spring 155, and the second end 155b of the actuating torsion spring 155 is in the first position under the action of its own elastic force. The electrical connection between the actuating torsion spring 155 and the elastic conductor 152 is broken, and the developing cartridge 100 is in the first state. When the drive gear 115 rotates towards the second end 155b of the actuating torsion spring 155 to the range of the first recess 115d1 or the second recess 115d3, the drive gear 115 does not contact the actuating torsion spring 155, and the second end 155b of the actuating torsion spring 155 is in the first position. When the drive gear 115 rotates towards the second end 155b of the torsion spring 155 to the range of the first protrusion 115d2 or the second protrusion 115d4, the drive gear 115 contacts the second end 155b of the torsion spring 155 and applies a pushing force to it. Under the action of the pushing force, the second end 155b of the torsion spring 155 overcomes its own elastic force and moves to the second position, causing the torsion spring 155 to contact the elastic conductor 152, thereby forming an electrical connection. The developing cartridge 100 is in the second state. The developing cartridge 100 switches between the first state and the second state through the rotation of the drive gear 115. The developing cartridge 100 transmits information to the imaging device through the switching frequency between the first state and the second state. Similarly, the above-mentioned settings for concave and convex portions are not limited. It should be noted that the concave and convex portions on the developing cartridge 100 can be set differently so that the developing cartridge 100 presents different switching frequencies, thereby allowing the developing cartridge 100 to transmit different information to the imaging device, so as to help the imaging device identify different developing cartridges.

[0069] Alternatively, in other embodiments of this example, the first end 155a of the torsion spring 155 can also be a movable end. The first end 155a can receive the pushing force of the drive gear 115 and move between a first position that is not in contact with the second electrical connector 156 and a second position that is in contact with the second electrical connector 156. The second end 155b of the torsion spring 155 can be set as a fixed end. The second end 155b can be fixedly electrically connected to the elastic conductor 152. Such a setting has the same technical effect, which will not be described in detail here.

[0070] like Figure 20 As shown, the second end 155b of the actuating torsion spring 155 can move in the second direction between a first position close to the drive gear 115 and a second position away from the drive gear 115. One of the ends of the elastic conductor 152 close to the second end 155b and the second end 155b of the actuating torsion spring 155 extends in the second direction to ensure that the second end 155b can make stable contact.

[0071] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge, comprising: A housing for containing developer, the housing having a first side and a second side disposed separately from the first side in a first direction, and the housing having a third side and a fourth side disposed separately from the third side in a second direction intersecting the first direction; A developing roller, rotatable along a developing roller axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller being located on the third side of the housing in the second direction; A coupling gear is used to receive external driving force from the developing cartridge to drive the developing roller to rotate, and the coupling gear is located on the first side of the housing in the first direction; The chip has an electrical contact surface located on the first side of the housing in the first direction; The developing cartridge is characterized in that it further includes: Electrodes are available to contact a power supply component outside the developing chamber to receive power from outside the developing chamber. The grounding terminal, when the developing cartridge is installed in the electrophotographic imaging device, contacts the grounding component inside the electrophotographic imaging device to form an electrical connection; The electrical connection between the grounding terminal and the electrode can be switched between an on state and an off state. In the second direction, the distance between the electrical contact surface and the grounding terminal is less than the distance between the electrical contact surface and the developing roller.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developing chamber also includes a control unit electrically connected to the electrode, the control unit being used to control the state of the electrical connection between the grounding terminal and the electrode.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control element can rotate about an axis extending in the first direction in response to the rotation of the coupling gear.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The control component is made of conductive material.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode is disposed on the second side of the housing in the first direction, and the grounding terminal is disposed on the first side of the housing in the first direction.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developing cartridge further includes a conductive element electrically connected to the electrode, the conductive element extending from the first side of the housing to the second side of the housing in the first direction.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that, The developing cartridge also includes a powder dispensing blade configured to contact the circumferential surface of the developing roller along the rotational axial direction of the developing roller; The conductive component is constructed as the powder discharge blade.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the second direction, at least a portion of the grounding terminal is further away from the developing roller than the electrical contact surface.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing also includes a first cover that covers at least a portion of the coupling gear, and the grounding terminal is supported by the first cover; In the second direction, the grounding terminal is disposed at the end of the first cover.

10. A developing cartridge, detachably mountable to an imaging apparatus having a power supply component and a grounding component, the developing cartridge comprising: A housing for containing developer, the housing having a first side and a second side disposed separately from the first side in a first direction, and the housing having a third side and a fourth side disposed separately from the third side in a second direction intersecting the first direction; A developing roller, rotatable along a developing roller axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller being located on the third side of the housing in the second direction; A coupling gear is used to receive external driving force from the developing cartridge to drive the developing roller to rotate, and the coupling gear is located on the first side of the housing in the first direction; The chip has an electrical contact surface located on the first side of the housing in the first direction; The developing cartridge is characterized in that it further includes: Electrodes may contact the power supply component to receive external power from the developing chamber; A grounding terminal, which contacts the grounding member to form an electrical connection; The electrical connection between the electrode and the grounding member can be switched between an on state and an off state; In the second direction, the distance between the electrical contact surface and the grounding terminal is less than the distance between the electrical contact surface and the developing roller.

Images