Developing cartridge

Abstract

The utility model relates to a developing box for detachably installing to the imaging equipment provided with force applying part, and the developing box comprises: the casing member forms the carbon powder containing cavity for containing carbon powder, the developing roller rotatably sets in the casing member, when the developing box is installed to the imaging equipment, the developing roller is opposite to the photosensitive drum outside the developing box, and the developing roller has the rotation axis extending along the left and right directions, the force receiving part movably sets relative to the casing member, and the force receiving part is used for receiving the first acting force or the second acting force of force applying part to make the developing roller and photosensitive drum mutually close or mutually far away, the direction of first acting force and second acting force is opposite, the tension spring, when the force receiving part receives first acting force, the developing roller and photosensitive drum mutually close, and the tension spring is stretched along the central axis, when the force receiving part receives second acting force, the developing roller and photosensitive drum mutually far away, and the tension spring releases the elastic force along the central axis, and the central axis intersects with the left and right directions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrophotographic imaging, and more particularly to a developing cartridge that can be detachably installed in an electrophotographic imaging device. Background Technology

[0002] Developing cartridges are widely used in imaging devices such as laser printers / copiers. A developing cartridge is provided with a housing component that can hold toner and a developing roller that is rotatably mounted on the housing component. The developing roller is used to supply toner to a photosensitive drum outside the developing cartridge so that the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum can be developed.

[0003] Normally, when an imaging device is performing imaging / development, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are close to each other (they may or may not be in contact). When the imaging device is not performing imaging / development, if the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are close to each other for a long time, for example, if the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are in contact for a long time, it will cause the surface of the developing roller to deform and affect the imaging / development effect. Therefore, a separation component is provided in the developing chamber. When the imaging device is not performing imaging / development, the force-applying component in the imaging device applies a separation force to the separation component to keep the developing roller and the photosensitive drum away from each other, thereby avoiding affecting the imaging / development effect. When the imaging device needs to perform imaging / development, the force-applying component in the imaging device applies a restoring force to the separation component to keep the developing roller and the photosensitive drum close to each other.

[0004] In the prior art, the separation component includes a force receiving element and a compression spring. When the imaging device needs to perform imaging / development work, the force receiving element receives the restoring force. The force receiving element abuts against and squeezes the compression spring, thereby causing the compression spring to deform along the central axis. However, as the force receiving element continues to squeeze the compression spring, the compression spring deforms and shifts in the direction intersecting the central axis, resulting in the spring force being insufficient to push the developing cartridge 100, and thus the developing roller and the photosensitive drum cannot be brought close to each other to a predetermined distance. Utility Model Content

[0005] This utility model provides a developing cartridge to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. The specific solution is as follows:

[0006] A developing cartridge for detachable installation into an imaging device equipped with a force-applying element, the developing cartridge comprising: a housing member having a toner receiving cavity for containing toner; a developing roller rotatably disposed within the housing member, wherein when the developing cartridge is installed into the imaging device, the developing roller faces a photosensitive drum outside the developing cartridge and supplies toner to the photosensitive drum, the developing roller having a rotation axis extending in a left-right direction; a force receiver movably disposed relative to the housing member, the force receiver receiving a first force or a second force applied by the force-applying element to bring the developing roller and the photosensitive drum closer or further apart, the first force and the second force being in opposite directions; and a tension spring, wherein when the force receiver receives the first force, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum move closer together, the tension spring being stretched along its central axis; and when the force receiver receives the second force, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum move further apart, the tension spring releasing its elastic force along its central axis; the central axis intersecting the left-right direction.

[0007] In some embodiments, the developing cartridge further includes an end cap mounted at the left-right end of a housing member, a force receiver rotatably disposed on the end cap or housing member, and a tension spring having a first end and a second end, the first end engaging with the force receiver and the second end engaging with the end cap or housing member.

[0008] In some embodiments, the force receiving member includes a first force receiving portion, a second force receiving portion, a first connecting portion, and a second connecting portion. The first force receiving portion is used to receive a first force, the second force receiving portion is used to receive a second force, the first connecting portion is rotatably disposed relative to the housing member, and the second connecting portion is used to connect with a first end of the tension spring.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first force receiving part and the second connecting part are respectively located on both sides of the first connecting part, and the second force receiving part and the first force receiving part are located on the same side of the first connecting part; in the front-back direction, the first force receiving part faces rearward and the second force receiving part faces forward; in the vertical direction, the second connecting part is located above the first connecting part, and the first force receiving part and the second force receiving part are located below the first connecting part.

[0010] In some embodiments, the end cap includes an end cap body and a third coupled portion disposed on the end cap body. The force receiving member further includes a third coupled portion located between the first coupled portion and the first force receiving portion. After the force applying member applies a second force, the third coupled portion abuts against the third coupled portion to move the developing roller and the photosensitive drum away from each other.

[0011] In some embodiments, the end cap further includes a first limiting portion for limiting the force receiving member in the left-right direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, the end cap includes an end cap body and a first coupled portion and a second coupled portion disposed on the end cap body, the first coupled portion being rotatably coupled to a first coupled portion of a force receiving member, and the second coupled portion being coupled to a second end of a tension spring.

[0013] In some embodiments, the force receiving member further includes a second limiting portion disposed in the second joint portion, and the end cap further includes a third limiting portion disposed in the second joint portion, wherein the second limiting portion and the third limiting portion are used to limit the tension spring in the left-right direction.

[0014] In some embodiments, the developing cartridge further includes a driving force receiver exposed through an end cap for receiving driving force from the imaging device for driving the developing roller to rotate about its axis of rotation, the end of which the driving force receiver is located is the driving end; the force receiver and a tension spring are at least disposed at the driving end. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the developing cartridge involved in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of some components of the developing cartridge involved in this utility model embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first end cap and the separation component in the developing cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the first end cap and the separation component when viewed from left to right in the left-right direction after the hidden part of the developing cartridge is removed in the embodiment of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The developing cartridge 100 is used to be detachably installed into the imaging device, or the developing cartridge 100 is installed into the drum housing containing the photosensitive drum and then detachably installed into the imaging device together with the drum housing.

[0020] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 includes a housing component 1 and a developing roller 21 rotatably disposed in the housing component 1. The housing component 1 is formed with a toner receiving cavity for receiving toner. The developing roller 21 is opposite to the photosensitive drum outside the developing cartridge 100 and is used to supply toner to the photosensitive drum so as to develop the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0021] When the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum are close to each other, the imaging device can perform imaging / development work. At this time, the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum may or may not be in contact. When the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum are far apart, the imaging device cannot perform imaging / development work. At this time, the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum are separated from each other.

[0022] The developing cartridge 100 has a left-right direction, a top-bottom direction, and a front-back direction as shown in the figure. The left-right direction, top-bottom direction, and front-back direction intersect each other. Preferably, the left-right direction, top-bottom direction, and front-back direction are perpendicular to each other. The developing roller 21 extends in the left-right direction and has a rotation axis L1 extending in the left-right direction. In the front-back direction, the developing roller 21 is located near the front end of the developing cartridge 100.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 also includes a driving force receiver 31, which receives driving force from the imaging device and transmits the driving force directly or indirectly to the developing roller 21 to drive the developing roller 21 to rotate around the rotation axis L1. In the left-right direction, the driving force receiver 31 is located at the end of the housing member 1. Therefore, the end where the driving force receiver 31 is located can be defined as the driving end, and the end opposite to the driving end in the left-right direction can be defined as the non-driving end.

[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 also includes a first end cap 41, which is mounted at the end of the housing member 1 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the first end cap 41 and the driving force receiver 31 are disposed at the same end. When viewed in the left-right direction, the driving force receiver 31 is exposed from the first end cap 41 to receive driving force.

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 also includes a separation member 5, which is used to receive the force applied by the force-applying member in the imaging device, so as to make the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum move closer to each other or further apart.

[0026] In some embodiments, the separating member 5 is at least disposed at the drive end, specifically, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the separation member 5 is movably disposed relative to the housing member 1. For example, the separation member 5 is rotatably disposed on the first end cap 41.

[0027] In some implementations, such as Figures 1-5As shown, the separation member 5 includes a force receiving member 51 and an elastic member 52. Further, the force receiving member 51 is used to receive the force applied by the force applying member. When the force receiving member 51 receives the first force (such as a separation force) F1 applied by the force applying member, the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum move away from each other. When the force receiving member 51 receives the second force (such as a restoring force) F2 applied by the force applying member, the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum move closer to each other. The force receiving member 51 is rotatably disposed relative to the housing member 1. For example, the force receiving member 51 is rotatably disposed on the first end cap 41. The elastic member 52 is used to connect the force receiving member 51 and the first end cap 41. Specifically, the elastic member 52 has a first end 521 and a second end 522, wherein one end 521 is connected to the force receiving member 51 and the second end 522 is connected to the first end cap 41.

[0028] In some implementations, such as Figures 2-5 As shown, the force receiving member 51 includes a first force receiving portion 511, a second force receiving portion 512, a first connecting portion 513, and a second connecting portion 514. The first force receiving portion 511 is used to receive a first force F1 applied by a force applying member, and the second force receiving portion 512 is used to receive a second force F2 applied by a force applying member. The first force F1 and the second force F2 are in opposite directions. The first connecting portion 513 is rotatably disposed relative to the housing member 1. For example, the first connecting portion 513 is used to rotatably connect with the first end cap 41, and the second connecting portion 514 is used to connect with the first end 521 of the elastic member 52. The first force receiving portion 511 and the second connecting portion 514 are respectively located on both sides of the first connecting portion 513, and the second force receiving portion 512 is located on the same side of the first connecting portion 513 as the first force receiving portion 511. When the first force receiving portion 511 receives the first force F1 or the second force receiving portion 512 receives the second force F2, the force receiving member 51 forms a lever structure that rotates around the first connecting portion 513.

[0029] In some embodiments, the elastic member 52 is preferably configured as a tension spring, such as Figure 2 As shown, the central axis L2 of the tension spring 52 intersects the left and right directions; preferably, the central axis L2 of the tension spring 52 is perpendicular to the left and right directions.

[0030] like Figures 3-5As shown, the first end cap 41 includes a first end cap body 411 and a first engaging portion 412 disposed on the first end cap body 411. The first engaging portion 412 is rotatably engaged with a first engaging portion 513 of the force receiving member 51. For example, the first engaging portion 412 is configured as a protrusion structure and the first engaging portion 513 is configured as a hole / groove structure, or the first engaging portion 412 is configured as a hole / groove structure and the first engaging portion 513 is configured as a protrusion structure. The first end cap 41 also includes a second engaging portion 413 disposed on the first end cap body 411, which is engaged with a second end 522 of the tension spring 52.

[0031] In some implementations, such as Figures 3-5 As shown, the first end cap 41 also includes a first exposure hole 415 through which the driving force receiver 31 is exposed to receive driving force.

[0032] In some implementations, such as Figures 3-5 As shown, the first end cap 41 also includes a first limiting part 416, which is used to limit the force receiving member 51 in the left and right directions to prevent the force receiving member 51 from falling.

[0033] In some implementations, such as Figures 3-5 As shown, the force receiving member 51 also includes a second limiting part 516 disposed in the second connecting part 514, and the first end cap 41 also includes a third limiting part 417 disposed in the second connected part 413. The second limiting part 516 and the third limiting part 417 are used to limit the tension spring 52 in the left and right directions to prevent the tension spring 52 from falling off.

[0034] In some implementations, such as Figures 2-5 As shown, in the front-back direction, the first force receiving part 511 faces rearward and the second force receiving part 512 faces forward. In the vertical direction, the second connecting part 514 is located above the first connecting part 513, and the first force receiving part 511 and the second force receiving part 512 are located below the first connecting part 513. In the front-back direction, the first connecting part 513 is located behind the rotation axis L3 of the driving force receiving member 31.

[0035] In some implementations, such as Figure 4As shown, the force receiving member 51 also includes a third connecting portion 515, and the first end cap 41 also includes a third connected portion 414 disposed on the first end cap body 411. When the force receiving member 51 does not receive the force applied by the force applying member, the tension spring 52 is in its natural state. At this time, the third connecting portion 515 and the third connected portion 414 are in contact or not in contact. When the third connecting portion 515 and the third connected portion 414 are in contact, the third connected portion 414 is used to limit the range of rotation of the force receiving member 51. The third connecting portion 515 is located between the first connecting portion 513 and the first force receiving portion 511 and / or the second force receiving portion 512.

[0036] like Figure 5 As shown, when the force-applying component moves forward and applies a forward first force F1 to the first force receiving part 511, the first force receiving part 511 is forced to move forward and rotates around the first connecting part 513 in the direction shown by r1. At the same time, it drives the second connecting part 514 to rotate in the direction shown by r1 and move backward. Simultaneously, the second connecting part 514 pulls the first end 521 of the tension spring 52 backward, causing the tension spring 52 to undergo elastic deformation along the central axis L2 (tensioning of the tension spring 52 along the central axis L2). The second end 522 of the tension spring 52 pulls the second connecting part 413 and drives the first end cover 41 to rotate in the direction shown by r1, thereby driving the developing cartridge 100 to rotate in the direction shown by r1, so that the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum can move closer to each other. At this time, the imaging device can perform imaging / printing work. During the process of the force-applying component moving forward and causing the force-receiving component 51 to pull the tension spring 52 to undergo elastic deformation, the tension spring 52 will not deform in the direction intersecting with the central axis L2, thereby ensuring that the tension spring 52 has sufficient elastic force. The elastic force is sufficient to pull the second coupled part 413 and drive the first end cover 41 to rotate in the direction shown by r1, thereby driving the developing cartridge 100 to rotate in the direction shown by r1, and finally realizing that the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum are close to each other.

[0037] like Figure 5 As shown, when the imaging device does not need to perform imaging / printing, the force-applying component moves backward and applies a second backward force F2 to the second force-receiving part 512. The second force-receiving part 512 is forced to move backward and rotates around the first connecting part 513 in the direction shown by r2 (opposite to the direction shown by r1). It also drives the second connecting part 514 to rotate in the direction shown by r2 and move forward. At the same time, the second connecting part 514 pulls the first end 521 of the tension spring 52 forward, so that the spring 52 releases its elastic force along the central axis L2. As the force-applying component continues to move backward, it drives the third connecting part 515 of the force-receiving component 51 to abut against the third connecting part 414 of the first end cover 41, thereby driving the first end cover 41 to rotate in the direction shown by r2, and then driving the developing cartridge 100 to rotate in the direction shown by r2, so as to realize that the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum move away from each other.

[0038] In some embodiments, when the imaging device does not need to perform imaging / printing, when the force-applying member moves backward and applies a second backward force F2 to the second force receiving part 512, the second force receiving part 512 is forced to move backward and rotates around the first connecting part 513 in the direction shown by r2 (opposite to the direction shown by r1), and drives the second connecting part 514 to rotate in the direction shown by r2 while moving forward. At the same time, the second connecting part 514 pulls the first end 521 of the tension spring 52 forward, so that the spring 52 releases its elastic force along the central axis L2. Under the action of the elastic force, the first end cover 41 / developing cartridge 100 is driven to rotate in the direction shown by r2, so as to realize that the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum are moved away from each other.

[0039] In some embodiments, the separation member 5 may also be provided on a member other than the first end cap 41. For example, the separation member 5 may also be provided on the housing member 1, or on other members (e.g., a bracket).

[0040] Beneficial effects:

[0041] The elastic member 52 is set as a tension spring. When the first end 521 of the tension spring 52 is pulled, the tension spring 52 undergoes elastic deformation along the central axis L2. The tension spring 52 will not deform in the direction intersecting the central axis L2, thereby ensuring that the tension spring 52 has sufficient elastic force. The elastic force is sufficient to pull the first end cover 41 to rotate in the direction shown by r1, thereby driving the developing cartridge 100 to rotate in the direction shown by r1, and finally realizing that the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum are close to each other.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge for detachable installation into an imaging device equipped with a force-applying component, characterized in that, The developing cartridge includes: The shell component has a toner receiving cavity for containing toner. The developing roller is rotatably disposed in the housing component. When the developing cartridge is installed into the imaging device, the developing roller is opposite to the photosensitive drum outside the developing cartridge and is used to supply toner to the photosensitive drum. The developing roller has a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction. A force receiver is movably disposed relative to the housing member. The force receiver is used to receive a first force or a second force applied by a force-applying member to bring the developing roller and the photosensitive drum closer to or further apart from each other. The first force and the second force are in opposite directions. When the force receiver receives a first force, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum move closer together, and the tension spring is stretched along its central axis. When the force receiver receives a second force, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum move away from each other, and the tension spring releases its elastic force along its central axis. The central axis intersects the left and right directions.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developing cartridge also includes an end cap mounted at the left-right end of a housing component. A force receiver is rotatably disposed on the end cap or housing component. The tension spring has a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the force receiver and the second end being coupled to the end cap or housing component.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The force receiving component includes a first force receiving part, a second force receiving part, a first connecting part, and a second connecting part. The first force receiving part is used to receive a first force, and the second force receiving part is used to receive a second force. The first connecting part is rotatably disposed relative to the housing component, and the second connecting part is used to connect with the first end of the tension spring.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first force receiving part and the second connecting part are respectively located on both sides of the first connecting part, and the second force receiving part and the first force receiving part are located on the same side of the first connecting part; In the front-back direction, the first force receiving part faces rearward and the second force receiving part faces forward. In the vertical direction, the second connecting part is located above the first connecting part, and the first force receiving part and the second force receiving part are located below the first connecting part.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that, The end cap includes an end cap body and a third coupled portion disposed on the end cap body. The force receiving member also includes a third coupled portion located between the first coupled portion and the first force receiving portion. After the force applying member applies a second force, the third coupled portion abuts against the third coupled portion to move the developing roller and the photosensitive drum away from each other.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The end cap further includes a first limiting part, which is used to limit the force receiving member in the left-right direction.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that, The end cap includes an end cap body and a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion disposed on the end cap body. The first coupling portion is rotatably coupled to a first coupling portion of a force receiving member, and the second coupling portion is coupled to a second end of a tension spring.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that, The force receiving member further includes a second limiting part disposed in the second joint portion, and the end cap further includes a third limiting part disposed in the second joint portion. The second limiting part and the third limiting part are used to limit the tension spring in the left-right direction.

9. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 2-8, characterized in that, The developing cartridge also includes a driving force receiver, which is exposed through an end cap for receiving driving force from the imaging device. The driving force is used to drive the developing roller to rotate about its axis of rotation. The end where the driving force receiver is located is the driving end. The force receiving element and tension spring are at least located at the drive end.

Images