A developing cartridge

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of including shell, developing roller, drive part, box side light emitting piece and circuit, shell has relatively arranged first end and second end in first direction, developing roller is installed on shell and can rotate around the axis extending in first direction;Drive part is used to receive external power and drive developing box work and is located first end;Box side light emitting piece is located in the second end of shell and can emit light signal to light receiving piece;Circuit is electrically connected with light emitting piece and is used to control the light emitting of box side light emitting piece.The developing box further includes light blocking piece, the light blocking piece is arranged in the second end of the shell, and the light blocking piece is used to shield the light signal emitted by the device side light emitting piece to the light receiving piece. The utility model provides another alternative technical solution for developing box machine recognition. By setting the light blocking piece, the light signal emitted from the device side light emitting piece is directly shielded, without considering the cooperation between the counting protrusion and the rod in the imaging device, making it easier to manufacture.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a developing cartridge. In particular, it relates to a developing cartridge that can be detachably installed into a laser imaging device. Background Technology

[0002] The developer cartridge is an essential printing consumable in laser imaging equipment. It is typically detachably installed into the imaging device along with the drum cartridge. The developer cartridge consists of a housing with a cavity for containing developer. During printing, the developer in the cartridge is continuously consumed. The imaging device assesses the remaining developer dosage by calculating the number of pages printed. Once the developer is depleted, the developer cartridge needs to be replaced.

[0003] The imaging device includes a sensor used to identify whether the developing cartridge loaded into the imaging device is new and / or to identify the specifications of the developing cartridge. The sensor includes a rotatable lever and an optical sensor, which further includes a cartridge-side light-emitting element and a light receiver. The lever is positioned between the cartridge-side light-emitting element and the light receiver. When the lever rotates, it blocks the light signal from the cartridge-side light-emitting element to the light receiver, thereby allowing the imaging device to determine whether the loaded developing cartridge is new and / or to determine the specifications of the developing cartridge. The developing cartridge contains a counting gear with counting protrusions that can contact the lever, forcing the lever to rotate.

[0004] Once an imaging device is sold to a consumer, its internal structure cannot be modified. During the installation of the developing cartridge, the limited space within the imaging device necessitates high dimensional accuracy of the counting protrusions. Due to manufacturing errors, the counting protrusions in the developing cartridge may not reliably contact the sensor rod during installation, or may not contact the sensor rod in a specific timing sequence. This can easily lead to errors in the imaging device's judgment. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a developer cartridge that offers an alternative installation identification solution and is easy to manufacture.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a developing cartridge comprising a housing, a developing roller, a drive unit, a cartridge-side light-emitting element, and a circuit. The housing has a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other in a first direction. The developing roller is mounted on the housing and can rotate about an axis extending in the first direction. The drive unit is used to receive external power and drive the developing cartridge to operate, and is located at the first end. The cartridge-side light-emitting element is located at the second end of the housing and can emit light signals to the light receiver. The circuit is electrically connected to the light-emitting element and is used to control the light emission of the cartridge-side light-emitting element. The developing cartridge also includes a light-blocking element disposed at the second end of the housing, which blocks the light signals emitted by the cartridge-side light-emitting element to the light receiver.

[0007] This utility model provides another alternative technical solution for developer cartridge installation and identification. By setting a light-blocking component, the light signal emitted from the light-emitting component on the device side is directly blocked, eliminating the need to consider the fit between the counting protrusion and the rod in the imaging device, as well as the manufacturing precision of the counting protrusion, making it easier to manufacture.

[0008] In one embodiment, the light-blocking member includes a base, an elastically deformable portion, and a light-blocking portion. The base is connected to a second end of the housing, and the elastically deformable portion is located between the base and the light-blocking portion. The light-blocking portion is used to block light signals emitted from the light-emitting element on the device side to the light-receiving element. By providing the elastically deformable portion, it is possible to easily bypass the local structure of the imaging device and enter a predetermined position.

[0009] In one embodiment, the light-blocking element is detachably mounted at the second end of the housing.

[0010] In one embodiment, the circuit includes a power supply component and a switching component. The power supply component is electrically connected to the box-side light-emitting component to provide the light-emitting component with the electrical energy required for light emission. The switching component is used to control the conduction of the circuit.

[0011] In one embodiment, the drive unit includes a counting gear with a counting protrusion on its end face. When the counting gear rotates, the counting protrusion can contact the switch to control the conduction of the circuit.

[0012] In one embodiment, the end face of the counting gear is provided with multiple counting protrusions, and the positions of the multiple counting protrusions are set such that the multiple counting protrusions sequentially contact the switching element according to a specific timing sequence. The multiple counting protrusions can be used to mechanically achieve the counting timing sequence.

[0013] In one embodiment, the drive unit includes a power receiver and an intermediate gear, wherein the power receiver transmits driving force to the counting gear through the intermediate gear.

[0014] In one embodiment, the counting gear includes a toothed portion and a missing tooth portion. After counting is complete, the gear meshing is broken by the missing tooth portion, thereby stopping the counting.

[0015] In one embodiment, the circuit includes a control module and a storage module. The storage module stores a program for controlling the light-emitting element on the box side to emit or extinguish light. The control module executes the program and outputs an electrical signal that controls the light-emitting element on or off. By controlling the light-emitting timing of the box-side light-emitting element through program control, the signal timing is more accurate.

[0016] In one embodiment, the housing has a third end and a fourth end disposed opposite to each other in a second direction, and the box-side light-emitting element is closer to the fourth end relative to the third end in the second direction, and the second direction and the first direction are perpendicular to each other in the horizontal plane. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the developing cartridge of the present invention according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The exploded view of the developing chamber is shown.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of the developing chamber shown.

[0020] Figure 4a This is a schematic diagram of the light-emitting element and circuitry on the side of the developing cartridge of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 4b yes Figure 4a A partial enlarged view of the circuit.

[0022] Figure 4c This is a perspective view of the light-blocking component of the developing cartridge of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 5a and Figure 5b This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the drive unit and the circuit of the developing cartridge of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a magnified view of a portion of the inside of the imaging device.

[0025] Figures 7a to 7c This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of installing the developing cartridge of this utility model into the imaging equipment. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The structure and other aspects of the developing cartridge of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the developing cartridge of this invention includes a housing 1, a drive unit 2, and a developing roller 3. The housing 1 has a first end 11 and a second end 12 in a first direction X, and a third end 13 and a fourth end 14 in a second direction Y. The second direction Y and the first direction X are perpendicular to each other in the horizontal plane. The drive unit 2 is disposed at the first end 11 of the housing, and the developing roller 3 is rotatably mounted at the third end 13 of the housing 1. The developing roller 3 can rotate about an axis 31 extending in the first direction X. The developing cartridge of this invention can be detachably installed into an imaging device. The imaging device is provided with a drive head for driving the developing cartridge.

[0028] In one embodiment, the developing cartridge 1 further includes an end cap 4 located at a first end 11 and a second end 12. At the first end 11, a drive unit 2 is disposed between the housing 1 and the end cap 4. The drive unit 2 includes a power inlet 21, a developing roller gear 22, a counting gear 23, and other gears. The power inlet 21 has a gear portion and is coupled to a drive head within the imaging device to receive driving force from the imaging device and drive the developing roller gear 22 or the counting gear 23 to rotate. The developing roller gear 22 is coaxially mounted with the developing roller 3 to drive the developing roller 3 to rotate. The counting gear 23 directly or indirectly meshes with the gear portion of the power inlet 21, thereby rotating according to the rotation of the power inlet. In this embodiment, the counting gear 23 indirectly meshes with the power inlet 21 through an intermediate gear 24.

[0029] like Figures 4a-4b As shown, the developing cartridge of this utility model also includes a cartridge-side light-emitting element 5 and a circuit 6. The cartridge-side light-emitting element 5 is located at the second end 12 of the housing 1. The cartridge-side light-emitting element 5 is closer to the fourth end 14 in the second direction Y relative to the third end 13. The cartridge-side light-emitting element 5 is used to emit light signals to the light receiver of the imaging device, which will be described in detail below. The circuit 6 is electrically connected to the cartridge-side light-emitting element 5 through a wire 61. The circuit 6 is used to control the light emission or extinguishing of the cartridge-side light-emitting element 5.

[0030] In a specific embodiment, circuit 6 further includes a power supply component 62 and a switch component 63. The power supply component 62 is electrically connected to the box-side light-emitting component 5 to provide the electrical energy required for light emission to the box-side light-emitting component 5. The switch component 63 is used to control the conduction or disconnection of circuit 6. In this embodiment, the switch component 63 is a spring contact. One end of the switch component 63 is electrically connected to the positive terminal of the power supply component 62, and the negative terminal of the power supply component 62 is provided with an electrical contact 621. When the other end of the switch component 63 moves, it can contact the electrical contact 621 to realize the conduction of the circuit, or separate from the electrical contact 621 to realize the disconnection of the circuit.

[0031] like Figure 5a As shown, the end face of the counting gear 23 is provided with a counting protrusion 231. When the counting gear 23 rotates, the counting protrusion 231 can contact the switch 63 so that the switch 63 contacts the electrical contact 621. After the counting protrusion 231 separates from the switch 63, the switch 63 also separates from the electrical contact 621. The counting gear 23 has a toothed portion 232 and a toothless portion 233. After the counting gear 23 rotates to the position where the toothless portion 233 faces the intermediate gear 24, the counting gear 23 and the intermediate gear 24 no longer mesh, the counting gear 23 stops rotating, and the counting process ends. Figure 5b As shown.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the end face of the counting gear 23 is provided with a plurality of counting protrusions 231. The positions of the plurality of counting protrusions 231 are set such that the plurality of counting protrusions 231 contact the switch member 63 in a specific timing sequence, thereby controlling the cartridge-side light-emitting member 5 to emit light signals in a specific timing sequence. After receiving the light signals in the specific timing sequence, the light receiver 112 converts them into corresponding electrical signals and transmits them to the controller of the imaging device. The controller of the imaging device can then determine the specifications of the developing cartridge based on the timing sequence of the electrical signals.

[0033] like Figure 6 As shown, the imaging device 10 includes a photoelectric sensor 11, which includes a device-side light-emitting element 111 and a light-receiving element 112, with a gap between them. The device-side light-emitting element 111 emits a light signal to the light-receiving element 112, which receives the light signal and converts it into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to the controller of the imaging device. The imaging device 10 also includes a rod 102, which is rotatably mounted within the imaging device 1. When the rod 102 rotates, one end of the rod 102 can be positioned within the gap between the device-side light-emitting element 111 and the light-receiving element 112, thereby blocking the light emitted from the device-side light-emitting element 111 to the light-receiving element 112.

[0034] In the prior art, the second end 12 of the developing cartridge has an abutment. When the developing cartridge is installed in the imaging device, the abutment touches the lower end of the rod 102 to force the rod 102 to rotate. When the rod 102 rotates, the upper end of the rod 102 is located in the gap between the light-emitting element 111 and the light-receiving element 112 on the device side, blocking the light emitted from the light-emitting element 111 to the light-receiving element 112 on the device side. The controller of the imaging device detects the change in electrical signal and can determine whether to install a new developing cartridge.

[0035] The developing cartridge of this utility model also includes a light-blocking component 7, which is located at the second end 12 of the housing 1. The light-blocking component 7 is used to block the light signal emitted by the light-emitting component 111 on the device side to the light-receiving component 112. In a preferred embodiment, the light-blocking component 7 is detachably mounted on the second end 12 of the housing 1. In this embodiment, the light-blocking component 7 is detachably mounted on the end cap 4, and the end cap 4 is detachably mounted on the second end 12 of the housing 7.

[0036] In specific embodiments, such as Figure 4cAs shown, the light-blocking member 7 includes a light-blocking portion 71, an elastically deformable portion 72, and a base 73. The base 73 is connected to the second end 12 of the housing 7. The elastically deformable portion 72 is located between the light-blocking portion 71 and the base 73. The light-blocking portion 71 is used to block the light signal emitted from the device-side light-emitting element 111 to the light-receiving element 112. The position of the light-blocking member 7 is configured such that when the developing cartridge is installed into the imaging device, the light-blocking portion 71 of the light-blocking member 7 is located between the device-side light-emitting element 111 and the light-receiving element 112, and the light-blocking member 7 does not touch the rod 102.

[0037] like Figures 7a to 7c As shown, when the developing cartridge is installed into the imaging device, the light-blocking member 7 comes into contact with the imaging device, and the local structure of the imaging device prevents the light-blocking member 7 from entering the imaging device. The elastic deformation portion 72 of the light-blocking member 7 deforms, allowing the light-blocking portion 71 of the light-blocking member 7 to bypass the local structure of the imaging device and enter the imaging device. After the developing cartridge is installed in place, the light-blocking portion 71 is located exactly in the gap between the device-side light-emitting member 111 and the light-receiving member 112, blocking the light signal emitted from the device-side light-emitting member 111 to the light-receiving member 112. The light-receiving member 112 converts the change in the light signal into a change in the electrical signal, and the controller in the imaging device can then determine that a new developing cartridge has been installed.

[0038] When the imaging equipment starts working, the drive head drives the developing cartridge. The counting protrusion 231 on the counting gear 23 contacts the switch 63 in a specific sequence to control the light-emitting element 5 on the cartridge side to emit light signals in a specific sequence. After receiving the light signals in the specific sequence, the light receiver 112 converts them into corresponding electrical signals and transmits them to the controller of the imaging equipment. The controller of the imaging equipment can then determine the specifications of the developing cartridge based on the electrical signals.

[0039] In another embodiment, circuit 6 includes a storage medium 64, which has a control module and a storage module. The storage module stores a program for controlling the light-emitting element 5 on the box side to light up or turn off. The control module executes the program and outputs an electrical signal to control the light-emitting element 5 on the box side to light up or turn off. Compared to setting multiple counting protrusions 231 on the counting gear 23, using program control to control the light-emitting element 5 on the box side results in more accurate timing of the light signal control.

[0040] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the concept and scope of this utility model and are not intended to limit the protection scope of this utility model. Modifications, equivalent substitutions, and other improvements to the above embodiments that are obvious to those skilled in the art are also within the concept of this utility model. The protection scope and concept of this utility model are specifically defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus having an apparatus-side light emitting member and a light receiving member, the developing cartridge comprising a housing having first and second ends disposed opposite to each other in a first direction, a developing roller mounted on the housing rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction, a drive portion for receiving an external power and driving the developing cartridge to operate, and located at the first end, a cartridge-side light emitting member located at the second end of the housing, the cartridge-side light emitting member capable of emitting a light signal to the light receiving member, and a circuit electrically connected to the light emitting member for controlling the cartridge-side light emitting member to emit light, characterized in that the developing cartridge further comprises a light blocking member disposed at the second end of the housing, the light blocking member for blocking the light signal emitted from the apparatus-side light emitting member to the light receiving member, the light blocking member comprising a base portion connected to the second end of the housing, an elastically deformable portion located between the base portion and a light blocking portion, and the light blocking portion for blocking the light signal emitted from the apparatus-side light emitting member to the light receiving member, the light blocking member being detachably mounted at the second end of the housing, the circuit comprising a power source electrically connected to the cartridge-side light emitting member for providing the cartridge-side light emitting member with power required for emitting light, and a switch for controlling the circuit to be turned on or off, the drive portion comprising a counting gear having a counting protrusion provided on an end surface of the counting gear, the counting protrusion capable of contacting the switch when the counting gear rotates to control the circuit to be turned on or off, the counting gear having a plurality of counting protrusions provided on the end surface of the counting gear, the plurality of counting protrusions being arranged such that the plurality of counting protrusions contact the switch in a specific time sequence, the drive portion comprising a power receiving portion and an intermediate gear, the power receiving portion transmitting a driving force to the counting gear through the intermediate gear, the counting gear comprising a toothed portion and a toothless portion, the circuit comprising a control module and a storage module, the storage module storing a program for controlling the cartridge-side light emitting member to emit light or to be turned off, the control module executing the program and outputting an electric signal for controlling the cartridge-side light emitting member to emit light or to be turned off, the housing having third and fourth ends disposed opposite to each other in a second direction, the cartridge-side light emitting member being closer to the fourth end than to the third end with respect to the second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction in a horizontal plane. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, ​ 3. The process cartridge of claim 2 wherein, ​ 4. The process cartridge of claim 1, wherein, ​ 5. The process cartridge of claim 4 wherein, ​ 6. The process cartridge of claim 5 wherein, ​ 7. The process cartridge of claim 5 wherein, ​ 8. The process cartridge of claim 5 wherein, ​ 9. The process cartridge of claim 1, wherein, ​ 10. The developer cartridge of claim 1, wherein, ​

Images