A powder tank mechanism for a printer

Abstract

The utility model provides a powder bin mechanism for printer, including powder bin unit, powder bin unit includes powder bin main part, developing roller, powder supply roller and multiple sets of stirring subassembly, the first space and second space that have through the powder guide gap intercommunication in the powder bin main part, developing roller, powder supply roller all are located in the second space and are connected with powder bin main part rotation, every set of stirring subassembly all are located in the first space and are connected with powder bin main part rotation, at least two sets of stirring subassembly rotate in the same direction to cooperate the powder body in stirring first space and export the powder body through the powder guide gap to powder supply roller, and powder supply roller and developing roller contact cooperation to supply powder. The utility model has the advantages of can improve stirring uniformity and stability in limited space, and the structure is simple, can guarantee processing cost, improves printing quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of printer equipment technology, and in particular relates to a toner cartridge mechanism for printers. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, the toner cartridge is a crucial component of laser printers. Separate toner cartridges are becoming increasingly popular because they allow for individual toner replacement, preventing the entire cartridge from becoming unusable. Separate cartridges also increase the toner capacity within the cartridge, extending its lifespan after a single refill. However, current separate toner cartridge mechanisms suffer from poor toner flowability, leading to uneven or interrupted toner supply to the developing roller, thus affecting print quality. These technical issues include uneven or interrupted toner supply to the developing roller in separate toner cartridge mechanisms, resulting in poor print quality. Utility Model Content

[0003] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a toner cartridge mechanism for printers, which is particularly suitable for improving the uniformity and stability of toner supply to the developing roller.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a toner cartridge mechanism for a printer, including a toner cartridge unit, the toner cartridge unit including a toner cartridge body, a developing roller, a toner supply roller and multiple sets of stirring components, the toner cartridge body has a first space and a second space connected through a toner guide gap, the developing roller and the toner supply roller are both located in the second space and rotatably connected to the toner cartridge body, at least two sets of stirring components rotate in the same direction to cooperate in stirring the powder in the first space and guide the powder through the toner guide gap to the toner supply roller, the toner supply roller contacts and cooperates with the developing roller to supply powder.

[0005] Furthermore, each mixing component includes a mixing frame rotatably connected to the powder hopper body and mixing blades connected to the mixing frame, with multiple mixing holes opened on the mixing blades.

[0006] Furthermore, the powder hopper unit also includes a powder discharge scraper, which is connected to the powder hopper body and engages with the developing roller.

[0007] Furthermore, a chip mounting base is provided on the outside of the powder hopper body. The chip mounting base includes a positioning frame connected to the powder hopper body and a clip connected to the positioning frame. A limiting boss is provided at the end of the clip.

[0008] Furthermore, the developing roller and the powder supply roller rotate in the same direction.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a transmission unit, which includes a developing roller gear, a powder supply roller gear, and multiple stirring frame gears that are respectively connected to the developing roller, the powder supply roller, and multiple stirring components. The transmission unit also includes a first linkage gear, a second linkage gear, and a number of transmission gears. The developing roller gear meshes with the first linkage gear, the powder supply roller gear and the second linkage gear mesh with the first linkage gear, the second linkage gear meshes with the corresponding stirring frame gear, and the multiple stirring frame gears are connected by a number of transmission gears.

[0010] Furthermore, the powder hopper body includes a powder cover, a powder hopper upper cover, a powder hopper lower cover, and two side plates. One end of the powder hopper upper cover is connected to the powder hopper lower cover, and the other end of the powder hopper upper cover forms a powder guiding gap with the powder hopper lower cover. Both ends of the powder hopper upper cover are connected to the side plates respectively, forming a first space with the powder hopper lower cover. Both ends of the powder cover are connected to the side plates respectively, forming a second space with the powder hopper lower cover. The developing roller, the powder supply roller, and multiple sets of stirring components are rotatably connected to the side plates respectively. The developing roller gear, the powder supply roller gear, and multiple stirring frame gears are all located outside the corresponding side plates.

[0011] The advantages and positive effects of this utility model are: by adopting the above technical solution, the uniformity and stability of powder supply can be improved in a limited space, and the service life of the powder hopper mechanism can be guaranteed; it has the advantages of simplified structure, guaranteed processing cost, and improved printing quality. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional external structural schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the external three-dimensional structure of a powder hopper unit according to an embodiment of this utility model;

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a powder hopper unit according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission unit structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the stirring assembly structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the chip mounting base without a chip installed according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the powder cap structure of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the inner structure of the end cap according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the end cap and powder cap after they are fastened together according to one embodiment of this utility model;

[0021] In the picture:

[0022] 1. Powder hopper body; 2. Developing roller; 3. Powder supply roller.

[0023] 4. Mixing assembly 5. Powder scraper 7. Chip mounting base

[0024] 8. Waste powder hopper unit; 11. Powder hopper top cover; 12. Powder hopper bottom cover.

[0025] 13. Side plate 14. Powder cap 15. Powder guide gap

[0026] 16. Label 17. End Cap 41. Stirring Blade

[0027] 42. Stirring rack; 43. Stirring hole; 61. Developing roller gear.

[0028] 62. Powder feeding roller gear; 63. First linkage gear; 64. Second linkage gear

[0029] 65. Transmission gear; 66. First stirring frame gear; 67. Second stirring frame gear

[0030] 71. Positioning frame; 72. Card 141. First card set

[0031] 171. Second Deck Detailed Implementation

[0032] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0033] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar units or units having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0034] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that terms such as "installation", "connection", and "fixation" should be interpreted broadly, and can refer to direct connection, installation or fixation, or indirect connection, installation or fixation. This utility model does not limit this.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 9As shown in the schematic diagram, this utility model provides an embodiment of a toner cartridge mechanism for a printer. The toner cartridge unit includes a toner cartridge body 1, a developing roller 2, a toner supply roller 3, and multiple sets of stirring components 4. The toner cartridge body has a first space and a second space connected by a toner guide gap 15. The developing roller 2 and the toner supply roller 3 are both located in the second space and rotatably connected to the toner cartridge body 1. Each set of stirring components 4 is located in the first space and rotatably connected to the toner cartridge body 1. At least two sets of stirring components rotate in the same direction to stir the powder in the first space and guide the powder through the toner guide gap 15 to the toner supply roller 3. The toner supply roller 3 contacts and engages with the developing roller 2 to supply powder.

[0036] The working process of this embodiment is as follows: When the powder hopper mechanism is installed inside the printer and is in operation, multiple sets of stirring components rotate in the same direction, which can reduce powder agglomeration, ensure powder uniformity, and improve stirring quality. The overall structure is compact, which avoids adding complex mechanisms or large components to improve the stirring effect, ensuring manufacturing costs, and improving the stirring effect within a limited space. This embodiment is particularly suitable for split-type toner cartridges that can increase powder holding space. It uses multiple small, independent stirring components to work together in a zoned stirring manner. Compared with using a single stirring structure or simply increasing the volume of a single stirring structure, it can better improve the powder stirring effect, increase the stirring coverage area, reduce powder retention and agglomeration in stirring dead corners, and ensure powder flowability for powder supply. Compared with a single large stirring frame, multiple stirring components can reduce the load on the drive system, reduce the stress on its transmission parts (such as gears and shafts), reduce the risk of wear, reduce the force on a single stirring blade during stirring, improve the powder supply effect to the developing roller 2, and increase the service life of the powder hopper mechanism. This ensures the design concept of extending the life of individual components (such as the powder box) of the split-type toner cartridge. The multiple small stirring components have a compact structure. They eliminate stirring blind spots and occupy far less internal space in the powder hopper body 1 than a single large stirring frame. This can maximize the retention and utilization of the increased powder capacity brought by the split-type toner cartridge structure.

[0037] In this embodiment, the developing roller 2 and the powder supply roller 3 rotate in the same direction, and each set of stirring components 4 also rotates in the same direction with the rotation direction facing the powder guide gap 15. At least two sets of stirring components have different rotation speeds. Multiple stirring components perform differential stirring in the same direction, which better avoids toner agglomeration, ensures the powder stirring effect in the first space, and guides the powder through the powder guide gap 15 to the powder supply roller 3, thereby improving the uniformity and stability of powder supply.

[0038] In this embodiment, each stirring assembly 4 includes a stirring frame 42 rotatably connected to the powder hopper body 1 and stirring blades 41 connected to the stirring frame 42. The stirring blades 41 have multiple stirring holes 43. Preferably, at least two sets of stirring frames 42 rotate at different speeds. The multiple stirring holes 43 are evenly distributed along the length of the stirring blades 41. This embodiment effectively breaks down agglomerated powder by creating a micro-shear field at the edges of the multiple stirring holes 41, thereby enhancing powder flowability. The powder can pass more smoothly through the stirring blades 41, preventing powder accumulation on the surface of the stirring blades 41, reducing stirring resistance, ensuring powder flowability to improve powder supply efficiency, and simultaneously increasing the service life of the stirring blades 41 and the powder hopper mechanism.

[0039] In this embodiment, the toner cartridge unit further includes a toner dispensing blade 5, which is connected to the toner cartridge body 1 and engages with the developing roller 2. The engagement between the toner dispensing blade 5 and the developing roller 2 ensures uniform toner layer thickness and guarantees print quality.

[0040] In this embodiment, a chip mounting base 7 is provided on the outside of the toner cartridge body 1. The chip mounting base 7 includes a positioning frame 71 connected to the toner cartridge body 1 and a clip 72 connected to the positioning frame 71 to fix the toner cartridge authentication chip. A limiting boss is provided at the end of the clip 72. This embodiment facilitates the installation and removal of the toner cartridge authentication chip, is easy to reuse, has a compact structure, and can be better promoted and applied to various types of printers. The integrated structure and integration method of the toner cartridge authentication chip are existing technologies and will not be described again in this utility model.

[0041] The system also includes a transmission unit, comprising a developing roller gear 61, a powder supply roller gear 62, and multiple stirring frame gears respectively connected to the developing roller 2, the powder supply roller 3, and multiple stirring assembly 4. The transmission unit further includes a first linkage gear 63, a second linkage gear 64, and a matching number of transmission gears 65. The developing roller gear 61 meshes with the first linkage gear 63, the powder supply roller gear 62 and the second linkage gear 64 mesh with the first linkage gear 63, the second linkage gear 64 meshes with the corresponding stirring frame gear, and the multiple stirring frame gears are connected by a matching number of transmission gears 65. Preferably, there are two stirring assembly 4s and two stirring frame gears, namely a first stirring frame gear 66 and a second stirring frame gear 67. The first stirring frame gear 66 and the second stirring frame gear 67 are respectively connected to two stirring frames 42. The second linkage gear 64 and the transmission gear 65 mesh with the first stirring frame gear 66, and the second stirring frame gear 67 meshes with the transmission gear 65. Preferably, the first linkage gear 63, the second linkage gear 64, and the transmission gear 65 are all double gears, and the transmission ratio of the first stirring frame gear 66 and the second stirring frame gear 67 is not 1. This ensures that there is a speed difference between the multiple stirring frames 42, allowing the powder to be guided more evenly to the powder supply roller 3, ensuring uniform powder mixing in the first space, and making the toner charge and charge properties more stable, thus ensuring the printer's print quality. This embodiment can precisely distribute and control the rotation of each component through a single power source combined with gear transmission. The driving force is distributed to multiple gears, reducing the load on each component. At the same time, the structure is compact, reducing space occupation, while ensuring the stability of the rotation and operation of multiple stirring components, improving the service life of the powder hopper mechanism and print quality, and meeting the market demand for low cost and compact design.

[0042] In this embodiment, the powder hopper body 1 includes a powder cover 14, a powder hopper upper cover 11, a powder hopper lower cover 12, and two side plates 13. One end of the powder hopper upper cover 11 is connected to the powder hopper lower cover 12, and the other end of the powder hopper upper cover 11 forms a powder guiding gap 15 with the powder hopper lower cover 12. Specifically, the powder hopper upper cover 11 has an inclined cantilever, and the powder hopper lower cover 12 has a protrusion that corresponds to the inclined cantilever of the powder hopper upper cover 11 to form a gradually narrowing channel that guides the powder through the powder guiding gap 15, thus preventing powder blockage. The powder cover 11 is connected to the side plate 13 at both ends and forms a first space with the powder hopper lower cover 12. The powder cover 14 is connected to the side plate 13 at both ends and forms a second space with the powder hopper lower cover 12. The side plate 13 has multiple shaft holes for mounting the developing roller 2, the powder supply roller 3, and multiple stirring racks 42. The developing roller 2, the powder supply roller 3, and multiple stirring assemblies 4 are rotatably connected to the inside of the side plate 13. The developing roller gear 61, the powder supply roller gear 62, and the multiple stirring rack gears are all located on the outside of the corresponding side plate 13. Preferably, a label 16 is provided on the surface of the powder hopper body 1. In this embodiment, the label 16 is affixed to the powder hopper upper cover 11 for device identification. The powder hopper body 1 also includes two end caps 17. The end caps 17 are connected to the corresponding side plate 13, and the transmission unit is installed between the corresponding side plate 13 and the end caps 17. In this embodiment, the end caps 17 are connected to the positioning posts of the side plate 13 by screws. The powder cap 14 is fastened to the corresponding end cap 17 at both ends. In this embodiment, the powder cap 14 has a first locking group 141 at both ends, and the end cap 17 has a second locking group 171 on the side facing the side plate to fasten to the first locking group 141.

[0043] In this embodiment, the powder hopper mechanism is a split structure, which also includes a waste powder hopper unit 8. The powder cover 14 is connected to the waste powder hopper unit 8 on the side opposite to the powder hopper cover 11. The waste powder hopper unit 8 and the powder hopper unit are detachably connected, facilitating individual replacement or powder addition. This embodiment, consisting of the waste powder hopper unit 8 and the powder hopper unit, forms a split structure, which can increase the waste powder capacity. The detachable split structure allows for individual replacement, saving costs and better meeting the market demand for miniaturization and low cost.

[0044] The working process of this embodiment is as follows:

[0045] When the toner cartridge mechanism is installed in the printer, it starts operating. The OPC gear is driven by the main drive gear, and the developing roller gear 61 rotates in the first direction driven by the OPC gear. This rotation, via the first linkage gear 63, drives the toner supply roller gear 62 and the second linkage gear 64 to rotate in the first direction. At this time, the developing roller 2 and the toner supply roller 3 are driven to rotate in the same direction. The second linkage gear 64 drives the first stirring frame gear 66 to rotate in the second direction, which is opposite to the first direction. The first stirring frame gear 66 drives the second stirring frame gear 67 to rotate in the second direction via the transmission gear 65. At this time, multiple stirring frames 42 rotate in the same direction, driving multiple stirring blades 41 to rotate, so that the powder is guided from the first space through the powder guide gap 15 to the toner supply roller 3 in the second space. The multiple stirring components can ensure that the toner supply roller 3 stably and effectively supplies powder to the developing roller 2, ensuring timely powder supply and print quality. Preferably, the first direction is counterclockwise and the second direction is clockwise.

[0046] This embodiment features a streamlined structure, making it particularly suitable for printers with limited space. Multiple mixing components working at different speeds ensure uniform powder mixing and stable powder application. These multiple mixing components are especially suitable for split-type structures, better guaranteeing powder flowability within the toner cartridge unit. This avoids the problems of traditional methods that significantly reduce the internal powder-holding space of the toner cartridge body 1, increase mechanical load, or shorten component lifespan in order to improve mixing performance. It also solves the technical bottlenecks of uneven powder supply and powder agglomeration in large-capacity split-type toner cartridge mechanisms, fully realizing the design of high capacity, high reliability, long lifespan, and excellent print quality for split-type toner cartridges.

[0047] The embodiments of this utility model have been described in detail above, but the content described is only a preferred embodiment of this utility model and should not be considered as limiting the scope of implementation of this utility model. All equivalent changes and improvements made in accordance with the claims of this utility model should still fall within the patent coverage of this utility model.

Claims

1. A toner cartridge mechanism for a printer, comprising a toner cartridge unit, characterized in that: The powder hopper unit includes a powder hopper body, a developing roller, a powder supply roller, and multiple sets of stirring components. The powder hopper body has a first space and a second space connected by a powder guiding gap. The developing roller and the powder supply roller are both located in the second space and rotatably connected to the powder hopper body. Each set of stirring components is located in the first space and rotatably connected to the powder hopper body. At least two sets of stirring components rotate in the same direction to stir the powder in the first space and guide the powder through the powder guiding gap to the powder supply roller. The powder supply roller contacts and engages with the developing roller to supply powder.

2. The toner cartridge mechanism for a printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the stirring components includes a stirring frame rotatably connected to the powder hopper body and stirring blades connected to the stirring frame, wherein the stirring blades have multiple stirring holes.

3. The toner cartridge mechanism for a printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The powder hopper unit also includes a powder discharge scraper, which is connected to the powder hopper body and contacts the developing roller.

4. The toner cartridge mechanism for a printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: A chip mounting base is provided on the outside of the powder hopper body. The chip mounting base includes a positioning frame connected to the powder hopper body and a locking component connected to the positioning frame. A limiting boss is provided at the end of the locking component.

5. The toner cartridge mechanism for a printer according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The developing roller and the powder supply roller rotate in the same direction.

6. The toner cartridge mechanism for a printer according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a transmission unit, which includes a developing roller gear, a powder supply roller gear, and a plurality of stirring frame gears respectively connected to the developing roller, the powder supply roller, and the plurality of stirring components. The transmission unit also includes a first linkage gear, a second linkage gear, and a number of transmission gears adapted to the number of the developing roller gears. The developing roller gear meshes with the first linkage gear, the powder supply roller gear and the second linkage gear mesh with the first linkage gear respectively, the second linkage gear meshes with the corresponding stirring frame gear, and the plurality of stirring frame gears are connected by the number of transmission gears adapted to the number of the mixing frame gears.

7. The toner cartridge mechanism for a printer according to claim 6, characterized in that: The powder hopper body includes a powder cover, a powder hopper upper cover, a powder hopper lower cover, and two side plates. One end of the powder hopper upper cover is connected to the powder hopper lower cover, and the other end of the powder hopper upper cover forms the powder guiding gap with the powder hopper lower cover. Both ends of the powder hopper upper cover are respectively connected to the side plates and form the first space with the powder hopper lower cover. Both ends of the powder cover are respectively connected to the side plates and form the second space with the powder hopper lower cover. The developing roller, the powder supply roller, and multiple sets of the stirring components are rotatably connected to the side plates. The developing roller gear, the powder supply roller gear, and multiple stirring frame gears are all located outside the corresponding side plates.

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