A developing cartridge

Abstract

The utility model discloses a developing box, include: casing, developing roller, coupling gear can receive the driving force outside developing box and drive developing roller rotation, and coupling gear is located the first side of casing in the first direction, first shaft is located accommodating cavity, can rotate about the first axis that extends in the first direction, second shaft is located accommodating cavity, can rotate about the second axis that extends in the first direction, conveyor is connected to the outer surface of first shaft and second shaft, and conveyor can move in the inside of accommodating cavity according to the rotation of coupling gear, and first shaft and second shaft arrange in the second direction, compared with prior art, the developing box of the utility model replaces the function of agitator and powder roller through the setting of conveyor, that is to say, no longer is provided with the stirring frame and powder roller in the developing box of the utility model, thereby effectively reduced production cost.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Developing cartridges are disposable imaging consumables used in electrophotographic imaging devices (electronic laser printers). Developing cartridges include structures such as developing rollers, toner feeding rollers, and stirring frames. Existing developing cartridges have relatively complex structures, which has led to consistently high production costs. A new design is needed to simplify the developing cartridge structure and reduce production costs. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, this utility model provides a developing cartridge to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, mainly through the following technical solution:

[0004] A developing cartridge, comprising:

[0005] A housing having a receiving cavity for containing developer, the housing having a first side and a second side separated from each other in a first direction, and a third side and a fourth side separated from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction;

[0006] A developing roller is located on the third side of the housing in the second direction, and the developing roller is rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in the first direction;

[0007] The coupling gear can receive the driving force from outside the developing cartridge and drive the developing roller to rotate. The coupling gear is located on the first side of the housing in the first direction.

[0008] A first axis, located in the receiving cavity, is rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction;

[0009] The second axis, located in the receiving cavity, is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction;

[0010] A conveyor, connected to the outer surfaces of the first shaft and the second shaft, is movable within the receiving cavity according to the rotation of the coupling gear, the first shaft and the second shaft being arranged in the second direction.

[0011] Furthermore, in the second direction, the first axis is closer to the third side of the housing than the second axis;

[0012] Furthermore, the developing cartridge also includes a first shaft gear and at least one connecting gear, wherein the first shaft gear is connected to the end of the first shaft;

[0013] The connecting gear meshes with the coupling gear and the first shaft gear.

[0014] Furthermore, the developing cartridge also includes a second shaft gear, which is connected to the end of the second shaft and meshes with a coupling gear.

[0015] Furthermore, the developing cartridge also includes a chip having an electrical contact surface located on the first side of the housing in the first direction;

[0016] The electrical contact surface is further away from the third side of the housing in a second direction than the first axis of the first shaft.

[0017] Furthermore, the length of the conveyor in the first direction is L, where L≥220mm.

[0018] Furthermore, at least a portion of the conveyor is made of foamed material, and the conveyor can agitate the developer and deliver the developer to the developing roller.

[0019] Furthermore, the developing cartridge also includes electrodes having electrical contact portions exposed on the second side of the housing;

[0020] At least a portion of the electrical contact portion is located between the first axis and the second axis in the second direction.

[0021] Furthermore, at least a portion of the conveyor is made of a conductive material, and the electrode is electrically connected to the conveyor.

[0022] Furthermore, the first shaft and / or the second shaft are made of conductive material, and the first shaft and / or the second shaft are electrically connected to the electrode.

[0023] Beneficial effects:

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the developing cartridge of this utility model replaces the functions of the agitator and the powder feeding roller by setting up a conveyor. In other words, the developing cartridge of this utility model no longer needs to be equipped with a stirring rack and a powder feeding roller, thereby effectively reducing production costs. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a top view of the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 3This is a side view of the developing cartridge in the first direction and viewed from the first side in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a side view of the developing cartridge viewed from the second side in the first direction in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 5 This is Embodiment 1 of the present utility model. Figure 2 Sectional view at point AA;

[0030] Figure 6 This is Embodiment 1 of the present utility model. Figure 2 Sectional view at point BB;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a partially exploded view of the first side of the developing cartridge in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a top view of the conveyor installed inside the housing in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 9 This is a side view of the developing cartridge viewed from the first side in the first direction in Embodiment 2 of this utility model, with the first cover hidden.

[0034] Figure 10 This is a side view of the developing cartridge viewed from the first side in the first direction in Embodiment 3 of this utility model, with the first cover hidden. Detailed Implementation

[0035] 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.

[0036] Example 1:

[0037] Figure 1-7The present invention discloses a developing cartridge 100, which can be detachably installed to a drum cartridge and can be detachably installed together with the drum cartridge to an electrophotographic imaging device (hereinafter referred to as "imaging device"). The developing cartridge 100 includes a housing 101 extending in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. The maximum length of the housing 101 in the first direction is greater than the maximum length of the housing 101 in the second direction. In the first direction, the housing 101 has a first side 101a and a second side 101b that are separated from each other. In the second direction, the housing 101 has a third side 101c and a fourth side 101d that are separated from each other. The housing 101 includes a powder container 102, and the interior of the powder container 102 is provided with a receiving cavity 102a for containing developer. An opening 102b is provided on the third side 101c in the second direction for the developer to leave the receiving cavity 102a. The third side 101c of the housing 101 rotatably supports the developing roller 120, which can carry the developer. A powder dispensing knife 105 is provided between the developing roller 120 and the powder hopper 102. The developing roller 120 is located at the opening 102b of the powder hopper 102. The powder dispensing knife 105 is used to control the thickness of the developer covering the outer surface of the developing roller 120. A handle 102c for the user to grip is provided on the fourth side 101d of the powder hopper 102 in the second direction.

[0038] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the first side 101a of the housing 101 is provided with a gear train for driving the movement of components in the developing cartridge 100 and a chip 107 for storing information of the developing cartridge 100. The second side 101b of the housing 101 is provided with an electrode 106 and a detection protrusion movable relative to the housing 101. The housing 101 also includes a first cover 103 that can be detachably mounted on the first side 101a of the powder hopper 102 in the first direction and a second cover 104 that can be detachably mounted on the second side 101b of the powder hopper 102 in the first direction. The first cover 103 is used to protect the gear train, and a chip support frame 103a for supporting the chip 107 extends outward from the outer side of the first cover 103 away from the powder hopper 102 in the first direction. The second cover 104 is used to support the detection protrusion 108.

[0039] like Figure 5-6 and Figure 8As shown, unlike the developing cartridges in the prior art, the developing cartridge 100 of this invention no longer has a stirring rack for stirring the developer inside the powder hopper 102 or a powder feeding roller for conveying the developer to the developing roller 120. Instead, a conveyor 150 is provided inside the powder hopper 102 of the developing cartridge 100 of this invention. The conveyor 150 is used to stir the developer inside the powder hopper 102 and convey the developer to the developing roller 120 installed at the opening 102b. The powder hopper 102 also has a first shaft 140 for driving the conveyor 150 and a second shaft 130 for supporting the conveyor 150. The conveyor 150 is constructed as a conveyor connected to the outer surfaces of the first shaft 140 and the second shaft 130, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the conveyor 150 surrounds the first shaft 140 and the second shaft 130 to form a closed-loop structure for conveying developer. At least a portion of the conveyor is made of foam material, which facilitates the adhesion of the developer and makes the delivery of the developer smoother. The conveyor 150 is located inside the receiving cavity 102a and extends from one side of the inside of the receiving cavity 102a to the other side in a first direction. The length of the conveyor 150 in the first direction is L, and L≥220mm is required to ensure development quality. The first shaft 140 and the second shaft 130 are rotatably supported between the two side walls of the receiving cavity 102a in the first direction. The first shaft 140 and the second shaft 130 are arranged in a second direction. The first shaft 140 is located on the side of the receiving cavity 102a away from the opening 102b in the second direction, and the second shaft 130 is located on the side of the receiving cavity 102a closer to the opening 102b in the second direction, so that the conveyor 150 has a larger contact area inside the receiving cavity 102a.

[0040] like Figure 7-8 As shown, the gear system includes, but is not limited to, a coupling gear 111, a developing roller gear 112, and a first shaft gear 113. The coupling gear 111 has a coupling part 111a and a gear part 111b. The coupling part 111a passes through a through hole 103b opened on the first cover 103. Figure 3The coupling part 111a (shown in the diagram) is exposed on the first side 101a of the housing 101. 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 is connected to the end of the developing roller 120 in the first direction near the first side 101a. The developing roller gear 112 meshes with the gear portion 111b of the coupling gear 111 to receive the driving force of the coupling gear 111, thereby driving the developing roller gear 112 to rotate about the developing roller gear axis extending in the first direction, and simultaneously driving the developing roller 120 to rotate about the developing roller axis extending in the first direction. The axis of the developing roller gear is coaxial or at least substantially coaxial with the axis of the developing roller. The first shaft gear 113 is connected to the end of the first shaft 140 in the first direction near the first side 101a. The first shaft gear 113 is meshed with the gear portion 111b of the coupling gear 111 to receive the driving force of the coupling gear 111, thereby driving the first shaft gear 113 to rotate about the first shaft gear axis A2 extending in the first direction, and simultaneously driving the first shaft 140 to rotate about the first shaft extending in the first direction. The first shaft gear axis A2 is coaxial or at least substantially coaxial with the first shaft axis. The axis of the developing roller gear, the coupling gear axis A1, and the first shaft gear axis A2 are arranged sequentially in the second direction from the third side 101c near the housing 101 to the fourth side 101d. With the developing cartridge 100 installed in the imaging device, the coupling gear 111 receives the driving force of the imaging device and drives the first shaft 140 to rotate. The first shaft 140 drives the conveyor 150 to move inside the receiving cavity 102a. The conveyor 150 drives the second shaft 130 to rotate relative to the housing 101. In other words, both the first shaft 140 and the second shaft 130 can rotate relative to the powder hopper 102 according to the rotation of the coupling gear 111, and the conveyor 150 can move inside the receiving cavity 102a according to the rotation of the coupling gear 111.

[0041] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, the first shaft 140 is hollow, and a transmission rod 108a that can move relative to the first shaft 140 is disposed inside the first shaft 140. The transmission rod 108a extends from the first side 101a of the housing 101 to the second side 101b of the housing 101 in a first direction. The transmission rod 108a is used to transmit rotational motion to the detected protrusion 108. In order to enable the first shaft 140 to be configured as a hollow structure to accommodate the transmission rod 108a, the first shaft 140 is configured with a larger diameter. Specifically, the diameter of the first shaft 140 is larger than the diameter of the second shaft 130.

[0042] like Figure 4As shown, the second shaft 130 is made of a conductive material, preferably a conductive metal. Electrode 106 is electrically connected to the second shaft 130. Electrode 106 has an electrical contact portion 106a exposed on the second side 101b of housing 101 in the first direction. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the electrical contact portion 106a contacts a power supply component (not shown) in the imaging device to receive power from the imaging device. Power is then transmitted to the second shaft 130 through the electrical connection between the second shaft 130 and electrode 106. The second shaft 130 contacts the conveyor 150, thereby transmitting power to the conveyor 150, giving the conveyor 150 a stronger adsorption force on the developer, thus facilitating smoother developer delivery. The electrical contact portion 106a is closer to the third side 101c of housing 101 in the second direction relative to the fourth side 101d of housing 101, and is located between the first and second shaft axes in the second direction. Alternatively, the conveyor 150 may be constructed of a conductive material and may contact both the second shaft 130 and the developing roller 120, thereby transferring power from the second shaft 130 to the developing roller 120 and improving the quality of development.

[0043] The chip 107 has an electrical contact surface 107a. When the developing cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging apparatus, the electrical contact surface 107a can contact and form an electrical connection with an electrical connection member (not shown) in the imaging apparatus, thereby enabling the imaging apparatus to read information from the developing cartridge 100. The electrical contact surface 107a and the electrical contact portion 106a are disposed opposite to each other on a first side 101a and a second side 101b of the housing in a first direction, reducing mutual interference between the electrical contact surface 107a and the electrical contact portion 106a of the developing cartridge 100. The electrical contact surface 107a is further away from the third side 101c of the housing 101 in a second direction than the first shaft gear axis A2 and the first shaft axis, and the electrical contact portion 106a is located between the first shaft axis and the second shaft axis in a second direction.

[0044] Example 2:

[0045] Next, we will combine the appendix Figure 9 This invention will now describe in detail Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Embodiment 2 provides a developing cartridge. The similarities between the developing cartridge of this embodiment and the developing cartridge of Embodiment 1 will not be repeated here. The difference lies in the gear system configuration of the developing cartridge 100 in Embodiment 2, which differs from the gear system of the developing cartridge 100 in Embodiment 1. For example... Figure 9As shown, the gear system includes, but is not limited to, a coupling gear 111, a developing gear 112, a first shaft gear 113, and at least one connecting gear. Specifically, a connecting gear 114 is provided between the coupling gear 111 and the first shaft gear 113. That is, the first shaft gear 113 contacts the coupling gear 111 through the connecting gear 114, so that the first shaft gear 113 can receive the driving force of the coupling gear 111 and rotate about the first shaft gear axis A2 extending in the left-right direction.

[0046] Example 3:

[0047] Next, we will combine the appendix Figure 10 This invention will now describe in detail Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Embodiment 3 provides a developing cartridge. The similarities between the developing cartridge of this embodiment and the developing cartridge of Embodiment 1 described above will not be repeated here. The difference lies in the gear system configuration of the developing cartridge 100 in Embodiment 3, which differs from the gear system of the developing cartridge 100 in Embodiments 1-2 described above. Specifically, as follows... Figure 10 As shown, in this embodiment, the gear system includes, but is not limited to, a coupling gear 111, a developing roller gear 112, a second shaft gear 115, and a drive gear 116 for driving the movement of the detected protrusion 108. That is, in this embodiment, the developing cartridge 100 no longer has a first shaft gear; instead, a second shaft gear 115 replaces the function of the first shaft gear. The second shaft gear 115 is connected to the end of the second shaft 130 and is coaxially arranged with it. The second shaft gear 115 is connected to the end of the second shaft 130 near the first side 101a in the first direction. The second shaft gear 115 meshes with the coupling gear 111, thereby receiving the driving force of the coupling gear 111 and rotating the second shaft gear 115 about the second shaft gear axis extending in the first direction. Simultaneously, the second shaft gear 115 drives the second shaft 130 to rotate about the first shaft axis extending in the first direction inside the receiving cavity 102a. The second shaft 130 drives the conveyor 150 to move inside the receiving cavity 102a, and the drive gear 116 moves independently of the second shaft 130.

[0048] Functions and beneficial effects:

[0049] Compared with the prior art, the developing cartridge of this utility model replaces the functions of the agitator and the powder feeding roller by setting up a conveyor. In other words, the developing cartridge of this utility model no longer needs to be equipped with a stirring rack and a powder feeding roller, thereby effectively reducing production costs.

[0050] 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 having a receiving cavity for containing developer, the housing having a first side and a second side separated from each other in a first direction, and a third side and a fourth side separated from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction; A developing roller is located on the third side of the housing in the second direction, and the developing roller is rotatable about a developing roller axis extending in the first direction; The coupling gear can receive the driving force from outside the developing cartridge and drive the developing roller to rotate. The coupling gear is located on the first side of the housing in the first direction. The developing cartridge is characterized in that it further includes: A first axis, located in the receiving cavity, is rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction; The second axis, located in the receiving cavity, is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction; A conveyor, connected to the outer surfaces of the first shaft and the second shaft, is movable within the receiving cavity according to the rotation of the coupling gear, the first shaft and the second shaft being arranged in the second direction.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the second direction, the first axis is closer to the third side of the housing than the second axis.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developing cartridge further includes a first shaft gear and at least one connecting gear, wherein the first shaft gear is connected to the end of the first shaft; The connecting gear meshes with the coupling gear and the first shaft gear.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developing cartridge also includes a second shaft gear, which is connected to the end of the second shaft and meshes with a coupling gear.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developing cartridge further includes a chip having an electrical contact surface located on the first side of the housing in the first direction; The electrical contact surface is further away from the third side of the housing in a second direction than the first axis of the first shaft.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the conveyor in the first direction is L, where L≥220mm.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least a portion of the conveyor is made of foamed material, and the conveyor can agitate the developer and deliver the developer to the developing roller.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developing cartridge also includes electrodes having electrical contact portions exposed on the second side of the housing; At least a portion of the electrical contact portion is located between the first axis and the second axis in the second direction.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 8, characterized in that, At least a portion of the conveyor is made of a conductive material, and the electrodes are electrically connected to the conveyor.

10. The developing cartridge according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first shaft and / or the second shaft are made of conductive material and are electrically connected to the electrode.

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