Drive head, assembly, drum cartridge and process cartridge

Abstract

The utility model provides a drive head, the combination that has the drive head, the drum box including the combination and the processing box including the drum box, drive head is used for driving rotator to rotate around the rotation axis parallel with first direction, drive head includes drive head main part and sets up in the combination spare of drive head main part, drive head main part is used for receiving the driving force from drive head outside, and the combination spare is used for output driving force, the combination spare and drive head main part are made respectively by two different materials, the hardness of combination spare is greater than the hardness of drive head main part, through such setting, can make the combination spare not easy to deform, the drive head can be used repeatedly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrophotographic imaging technology, and in particular to a drive head for receiving driving force from an electrophotographic imaging device, an assembly having the drive head, a drum housing including the assembly, and a processing box including the drum housing. Background Technology

[0002] Printers and copiers are now commonly used electrophotographic imaging devices. The processing cartridge can be detachably installed into the imaging device. The processing cartridge includes a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge that are connected to each other. The drum cartridge includes a drum housing and a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed in the drum housing. The surface of the photosensitive drum is used to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing cartridge includes a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing housing. The developing roller is used to deliver the developer contained in the developing housing to the photosensitive drum, so that the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum is developed.

[0003] The drum box also includes a drive head for receiving driving force from the imaging device. The driving force received by the drive head is used to drive the photosensitive drum to rotate. As a printing consumable, the drum box needs to be replaced after a period of use. When the drum box is replaced, the drive head is replaced as well, which leads to waste of resources and even pollution to the natural environment. Therefore, how to make the drive head reusable is a research and development direction that needs to be considered. Utility Model Content

[0004] The drive head, the assembly having the drive head, the drum housing including the assembly, and the processing box including the drum housing provided by this utility model can solve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems. The specific technical solutions are as follows:

[0005] A drive head is used to drive a rotating component to rotate about a rotation axis parallel to a first direction. The drive head includes a drive head body and a connecting member disposed in the drive head body. The drive head body is used to receive driving force from outside the drive head, and the connecting member is used to output driving force. The connecting member and the drive head body are made of two different materials.

[0006] The hardness of the connecting component is greater than the hardness of the drive head body.

[0007] The connecting component is integrally formed with the main body of the drive head.

[0008] The coupling is provided with a driving force output part for outputting driving force, and the driving force output part is configured as a thread.

[0009] The coupling includes a coupling body and at least one reinforcing member disposed on the radially outer sidewall of the coupling body. The driving force output part is disposed in the coupling body. The reinforcing member extends radially outward from the radially outer surface of the coupling body along the rotation direction of the driving head. The reinforcing member is used to position the coupling in the driving head body.

[0010] The coupling includes a coupling body and at least one void formed in the coupling body. The driving force output part is disposed in the coupling body. The void is formed by radially recessing from the radial outer surface of the coupling body. Along a first direction, the void is used to position the coupling in the driving head body.

[0011] A step is formed between the void portion and the radial outer surface of the main body of the connector.

[0012] The assembly includes a photosensitive drum and the drive head. The surface of the photosensitive drum is used to form an electrostatic latent image. The drive head is used to drive the photosensitive drum to rotate. The photosensitive drum is provided with a drive force receiving part for receiving drive force. The drive head and the drive force receiving part are detachably connected along a first direction.

[0013] The drum box is detachably mounted to an imaging device equipped with a drive force output component. The drum box includes a drum housing and the assembly, and the photosensitive drum is rotatably disposed within the drum housing.

[0014] The processing cartridge is detachably mounted to an imaging device equipped with a drive force output component. The processing cartridge includes a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge, which are combined with each other. The developing cartridge is provided with a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing housing. The developing roller is disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum, and the developing roller is used to deliver the developer contained in the developing housing to the photosensitive drum, thereby developing an electrostatic latent image.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the drive head, the assembly having the drive head, the drum housing including the assembly, and the processing box including the drum housing provided by this utility model have a detachable connection between the coupling shaft of the drum housing and the drive head. This allows the drive head to be easily separated from the coupling shaft / photosensitive drum. The coupling and the drive head body are made of two different materials, and the hardness of the coupling is greater than that of the drive head body. This design prevents the coupling from easily deforming, allowing the drive head to be reused multiple times. Furthermore, when the coupling shaft and the inner wall of the second receiving part are threaded, at least the coupling body will not be damaged during the installation and disassembly of the coupling shaft and the coupling body, as well as during the transmission of driving force. Therefore, at least the drive head in the drum housing can be reused, thereby reducing production costs. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1This is an exploded view of the photosensitive drum and drive head after separation, which are related to this utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the drive head involved in this utility model.

[0018] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A plan view of the drive head involved in this utility model, cut along the AA direction.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a plan view of the assembly viewed along the first direction.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the connecting component involved in this utility model.

[0021] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A plan view of the connecting member involved in this utility model, cut along the BB direction.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a plan view of the coupling component involved in this utility model, viewed along the direction intersecting with the first direction. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the photosensitive drum and drive head after separation, which are related to this utility model.

[0025] The drum box can be detachably mounted to an imaging device equipped with a drive force output component. The drum box includes a drum housing (not shown) and a photosensitive drum 1 rotatably disposed within the drum housing, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is used to form an electrostatic latent image, and the photosensitive drum 1 can rotate about a rotation axis L1 parallel to the first direction.

[0026] The photosensitive drum 1 includes a photosensitive drum body 11, a drum disk 12, and a coupling shaft 13 mounted on the drum disk 12. The surface of the photosensitive drum body 11 is used to form an electrostatic latent image. The drum disk 12 and the photosensitive drum body 11 are arranged along a first direction. Along the radial direction of the photosensitive drum 1, the radial dimension of the drum disk 12 is larger than the radial dimension of the photosensitive drum body 11. In other words, along the radial direction of the photosensitive drum 1, the drum disk 12 protrudes from the photosensitive drum body 11. The coupling shaft 13 is used to receive the driving force from the driving force output component in the imaging device. The photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate by the driving force.

[0027] In some embodiments, the drum 12 is provided with a driving force transmission member for transmitting driving force. The driving force transmission member is at least used to transmit driving force to a developing roller disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 1. The developing roller is used to deliver developer to the photosensitive drum 1 / photosensitive drum body 11. The developer is used to develop the electrostatic latent image.

[0028] In some embodiments, the driving force transmission member may not be disposed on the same side as the drum plate 12. That is, along the first direction, the driving force transmission member and the drum plate 12 are respectively disposed on both sides of the photosensitive drum body 11.

[0029] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the drive head involved in this utility model.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the drum box also includes a drive head 3 for receiving driving force from the imaging device. At least a portion of the coupling shaft 13 enters the drive head 3 to receive driving force. That is, the drive head 3 can be used to drive the photosensitive drum 1 to rotate. The photosensitive drum 1 and the drive head 3 can be referred to as a "combination".

[0031] In some embodiments, the driving force received by the drive head 3 can also be used to drive other rotatable components, such as developing rollers, powder feeding rollers, charging rollers, etc. The powder feeding roller is used to deliver developer to the developing roller, and the charging roller is used to charge the photosensitive drum 1. The photosensitive drum 1, developing rollers, powder feeding rollers, charging rollers, etc. can all be regarded as rotating components. Therefore, the drive head 3 can be described as being used to drive rotating components to rotate about a rotation axis L1 parallel to the first direction.

[0032] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A plan view of the drive head involved in this utility model, cut along the AA direction.

[0033] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the drive head 3 includes a drive head body 31 and a connector 32 disposed on the drive head body 31. The drive head body 31 is used to receive driving force from outside the drive head 3 (e.g., a driving force output component), and the connector 32 is used to output driving force. Along the first direction, the drive head body 31 has a first end 33 and a second end 34 that are spaced apart and opposite to each other. The drive head body 31 and the connector 32 can be integrally formed or can be detachably formed separately. For example, the drive head body 31 and the connector 32 can be connected by injection molding, adhesive bonding, etc., wherein injection molding is the preferred method.

[0034] The drive head body 31 also includes an action part 31a for cooperating / interacting with the drive force output member. Through the interaction between the drive force output member and the action part 31a, the drive force is transmitted from the drive force output member to the drive head 3 / drive head body 31. The interaction between the drive force output member and the action part 31a can be abutting or snapping. The action part 31a is disposed at the first end 33 of the drive head body 31. The drive head body 31 is provided with a first receiving part 34a for accommodating at least a portion of the connecting member 32. The first receiving part 34a extends from the second end 34 toward the first end 33. Along the first direction, the first receiving part 34a is recessed from the second end 34 toward the first end 33.

[0035] The coupling 32 and the drive head body 31 are made of two different materials. In some embodiments, the hardness of the coupling 32 is greater than that of the drive head body 31. In some preferred embodiments, the coupling 32 is made of metal, which can increase the hardness of the coupling 32, making it less prone to deformation and allowing the coupling 32 to be more stably coupled with the connecting shaft 13. Alternatively, both the coupling 32 and the drive head body 31 are made of metal.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a plan view of the assembly viewed along the first direction; Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the connecting component involved in this utility model; Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A plan view of the connecting member involved in this utility model, cut along the BB direction; Figure 7 This is a plan view of the coupling component involved in this utility model, viewed along the direction intersecting with the first direction.

[0037] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the coupling 32 includes a coupling body 32a, at least one reinforcing member 32b, and at least one gap 32c. The dimension D1 of the coupling 32 along the first direction is 13.5 ± 0.1 mm. The coupling body 32a is provided with a second receiving portion 32a1 for accommodating at least a portion of the coupling shaft 13. The second receiving portion 32a1 extends along the first direction, and at least a portion of the coupling shaft 13 can enter the second receiving portion 32a1. A threaded fit is formed between the coupling shaft 13 and the inner wall of the second receiving portion 32a1, thereby connecting the coupling shaft 13 / photosensitive drum 1 to the drive head 3, and the driving force can be transmitted from the drive head to the photosensitive drum 1. In some embodiments, the second receiving portion 32a1 is provided as a cylinder.

[0038] The connecting shaft 13 can be regarded as a specific structure of the driving force receiving part in the assembly for receiving driving force. The connecting member 32 is provided with at least a driving force output part, which is used to output driving force. Specifically, the driving force is transmitted through the mutual cooperation between the driving force output part and the driving force receiving part. The thread on the inner wall of the second receiving part 32a1 can be regarded as a specific manifestation of the driving force output part.

[0039] In some embodiments, the coupling shaft 13 and the inner wall of the second receiving portion 32a1 can also cooperate with each other in other ways, as long as the driving force can be transmitted from the driving head 3 to the photosensitive drum 1.

[0040] In some embodiments, the second receiving portion 32a1 is configured as a through hole extending along the first direction. This simplifies the structure and manufacturing process of the coupling 32. During the transmission of driving force between the coupling shaft 13 and the coupling 32, the coupling shaft 13 and the coupling 32 will become tighter and tighter. The through hole design can provide space for the movement of the coupling 32 in the first direction, preventing the coupling shaft 13 and the coupling 32 from not being able to be tightened, which would result in the inability to transmit driving force.

[0041] In some embodiments, along the first direction, the second receiving portion 32a1 is configured to open toward the groove of the photosensitive drum 1.

[0042] In summary, the connection between the coupling shaft 13 and the drive head 3 is detachable, which facilitates the separation of the drive head 3 from the coupling shaft 13 / photosensitive drum 1. Therefore, in the drum box, at least the drive head 3 can be disassembled and reused multiple times.

[0043] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the reinforcing member 32b is disposed on the sidewall of the radially outer side of the connecting member body 32a. The reinforcing member 32b extends radially outward from the radially outer surface 32a2 of the connecting member body 32a, or in a direction away from the rotation axis L1, along the rotation direction of the drive head 3. The reinforcing member 32b is used to position the connecting member 32 in the drive head body 31. For example, the reinforcing member 32b increases the contact area between the connecting member 32 and the inner wall of the first receiving portion 34a / drive head body 31 in the rotation direction of the drive head 3, so that the connecting member 32 and the drive head body 31 are more tightly connected, preventing relative rotation between the two, and thus transmitting the driving force more stably between them. Specifically, the reinforcing member 32b is set in a tooth shape and has at least one protrusion 32b1. The protrusion 32b1 has at least one bent surface 32b11 for increasing the contact area. During the injection molding process of the drive head 3, the reinforcing member 32b is used as a reference for injection molding.

[0044] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the vacancy 32c is formed on the connector body 32a, and the vacancy 32c is formed radially inward from the radial outer surface 32a2 of the connector body 32a, or inward in a direction close to the rotation axis L1. Along the first direction, the vacancy 32c is used to position the connector 32 in the drive head body 31. For example, a step 32a3 is formed between the vacancy 32c and the radial outer surface 32a2 of the connector body 32a. During the injection molding process of the drive head 3, the injection molding material used to form the drive head 3 can enter the vacancy 32c, so that the connector 32 and the drive head body 31 can be more tightly injection molded together, thereby making the connector 32 stably positioned in the drive head body 31 along the rotation axis L1 / first direction, preventing the connector 32 from moving in the drive head body 31 along the rotation axis L1.

[0045] In some preferred embodiments, along the first direction, two reinforcing members 32b are disposed at both ends of the drive head body 31, and a gap 32c is located between the two reinforcing members 32b.

[0046] In some embodiments, along the first direction, the vacancy 32c is disposed adjacent to the reinforcing member 32b, and when multiple reinforcing members 32b are provided, the vacancy 32c is located between two adjacent reinforcing members 32b.

[0047] In some embodiments, the vacancy 32c extends continuously for a full circle along the rotation direction of the drive head 3.

[0048] In some embodiments, the vacancy 32c extends continuously for less than a full circle along the rotation direction of the drive head 3.

[0049] In some embodiments, the vacant portions 32c are spaced apart along the rotation direction of the drive head 3, and a reinforcing member 32b may be provided between two adjacent vacant portions 32c, or no reinforcing member 32b may be provided.

[0050] In some embodiments, multiple vacant portions 32c are spaced apart along the rotation axis L1. Similarly, a reinforcing member may or may not be provided between two adjacent vacant portions 32c.

[0051] In some embodiments, multiple vacant portions 32c are staggered along the rotation direction of the drive head 3 and the rotation axis L1.

[0052] This utility model also provides a processing box that can be detachably installed into an imaging device equipped with a driving force output component. The processing box includes a developing box and the aforementioned drum box. The developing box and the drum box are combined with each other. The developing box is provided with a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing housing. The developing roller is disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 1. The developing roller is used to transport the developer contained in the developing housing to the photosensitive drum 1.

[0053] [Beneficial Effects]

[0054] Compared with the prior art, the drive head 3, the assembly having the drive head 3, the drum housing having the assembly, and the processing box having the drum housing provided by this utility model have the following beneficial effects:

[0055] Firstly, the connection between the coupling shaft 13 and the drive head 3 in the drum box is detachable, so that the drive head 3 can be easily separated from the coupling shaft 13 / photosensitive drum 1; the coupling 32 and the drive head body 31 are made of two different materials, and the hardness of the coupling 32 is greater than that of the drive head body 31. With this setting, the coupling 32 is not easily deformed, and the drive head 3 can be reused multiple times.

[0056] Secondly, when the engagement shaft 13 and the inner wall of the second receiving part 32a1 are configured with a threaded fit, at least the engagement body 32a will not be damaged during the installation and disassembly process of the engagement shaft 13 and the engagement body 32a, as well as during the transmission of driving force. Therefore, at least the drive head 3 in the drum box can be reused, thereby reducing production costs.

[0057] Thirdly, the connecting member 32 is provided with at least one reinforcing member 32b located on the radially outer sidewall of the connecting member body 32a. The reinforcing member 32b can be used to increase the contact area between the connecting member 32 and the inner wall of the first receiving part 34a in the rotation direction of the driving head 3. With this arrangement, the connecting member 32 can be more tightly connected with the driving head body 31, avoiding the phenomenon of the connecting member 32 becoming loose in the first receiving part 34a during the transmission of driving force, thereby affecting the transmission of driving force.

[0058] Fourthly, the connecting member 32 is provided with a vacancy 32c adjacent to the reinforcing member 32b. During the injection molding process of the driving head 3, the injection molding material used to form the driving head 3 can enter the vacancy 32c, so that the connecting member 32 and the driving head body 31 can be more tightly injection molded together. This allows the connecting member 32 to be stably positioned in the driving head body 31 along the rotation axis L1 / first direction, preventing the connecting member 32 from moving in the driving head body 31 along the rotation axis L1, and ensuring that the driving force can be stably transmitted from the driving head 3 to the photosensitive drum 1.

Claims

1. A drive head for driving a rotating component to rotate about a rotation axis parallel to a first direction, characterized in that, The drive head includes a drive head body and a coupling component disposed in the drive head body. The drive head body is used to receive driving force from outside the drive head, and the coupling component is used to output driving force. The connector and the drive head body are made of two different materials.

2. The driving head according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hardness of the connecting component is greater than the hardness of the drive head body.

3. The driving head according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting component is integrally formed with the main body of the drive head.

4. The driving head according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coupling is provided with a driving force output part for outputting driving force, and the driving force output part is configured as a thread.

5. The driving head according to claim 4, characterized in that, The coupling includes a coupling body and at least one reinforcing member disposed on the radially outer sidewall of the coupling body. The driving force output part is disposed in the coupling body. The reinforcing member extends radially outward from the radially outer surface of the coupling body along the rotation direction of the driving head. The reinforcing member is used to position the coupling in the driving head body.

6. The driving head according to claim 4, characterized in that, The coupling includes a coupling body and at least one void formed in the coupling body. The driving force output part is disposed in the coupling body. The void is formed by radially recessing from the radial outer surface of the coupling body. Along a first direction, the void is used to position the coupling in the driving head body.

7. The driving head according to claim 6, characterized in that, A step is formed between the void portion and the radial outer surface of the main body of the connector.

8. An assembly comprising a photosensitive drum and a drive head as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the surface of the photosensitive drum is used to form an electrostatic latent image, the drive head is used to drive the photosensitive drum to rotate, the photosensitive drum is provided with a drive force receiving portion for receiving a drive force, and the drive head and the drive force receiving portion are detachably connected along a first direction.

9. A drum housing, detachably mounted to an imaging device equipped with a drive force output element, characterized in that, The drum housing includes a drum shell and the assembly as described in claim 8, wherein the photosensitive drum is rotatably disposed within the drum shell.

10. A processing box, detachably mounted to an imaging device provided with a driving force output element, characterized in that, The processing cartridge includes a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge as described in claim 9. The developing cartridge and the drum cartridge are combined with each other. The developing cartridge is provided with a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing housing. The developing roller is disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum. The developing roller is used to transport the developer contained in the developing housing to the photosensitive drum, so as to develop an electrostatic latent image.

Images