A powder container, a developing assembly, and an image forming apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses a powder box, powder box is used for installing on drum frame and with drum frame together installation in image processing device use, powder box includes: pedestal, and the pedestal is provided with the powder storehouse for containing carbon powder, developing roller, set up on the pedestal, and developing roller is located the opening at powder storehouse, when powder box installs on drum frame, developing roller and the photosensitive drum of drum frame contact, abutment portion, set up on the pedestal, when powder box and drum frame together install in image processing device, abutment portion extends to abut image processing device, and the abutment force that image processing device exerts to abutment portion can make developing roller and photosensitive drum abut, application above -mentioned powder box can better guarantee printing quality, the utility model discloses still a kind of developing assembly and image processing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of printing, and in particular to a toner cartridge, a developing assembly, and an image processing device. Background Technology

[0002] In existing laser printers, printer consumables can generally be divided into two types: integrated drum and toner cartridges and separate drum and toner cartridges. Integrated drum and toner cartridges consist of the toner hopper, developing roller, and photosensitive drum mounted on a single component and can be replaced as a whole. Separate drum and toner cartridges consist of two parts: a drum unit and a toner cartridge. The photosensitive drum is mounted on the drum unit, while the developing roller is mounted on the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge and drum unit can be replaced separately.

[0003] For consumables with separate drum and toner cartridges, when replacing the toner cartridge or drum unit separately, improper installation or excessive manufacturing errors in the toner cartridge or drum unit can easily lead to loose contact between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum, affecting print quality. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a toner cartridge that can better guarantee print quality.

[0005] The first aspect of this utility model is a toner cartridge for mounting on a drum unit and used together with the drum unit in an image processing device. The toner cartridge includes: a base with a toner hopper for holding toner; a developing roller disposed on the base, located at the opening of the toner hopper, wherein when the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum unit, the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum of the drum unit; and an abutment portion disposed on the base, wherein when the toner cartridge and the drum unit are mounted together in the image processing device, the abutment portion extends to abut against the image processing device, and the abutment force applied by the image processing device to the abutment portion enables the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to abut against each other.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the abutment portion is provided with a handle portion, which is used to move the powder box.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the developing roller extends along a first direction, and the abutting portion is located at the middle position of the base along the first direction.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the toner cartridge also includes a mounting base disposed on the base. The mounting base is used to mount the chip. When the toner cartridge and the drum unit are installed together in the image processing device, the chip can communicate with the image processing device.

[0009] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the mounting base protrudes from the drum frame.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the angle between the extension direction of the mounting base relative to the base and the extension direction of the abutment portion relative to the base is an obtuse angle.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the powder box further includes: a first end cap disposed on a base, an extension provided on the first end cap, and a mounting base disposed on the extension.

[0012] The developing assembly of the second aspect of this utility model includes the above-mentioned toner cartridge and the above-mentioned drum unit.

[0013] According to some embodiments of this utility model, a guide part is provided on the base, and a guide groove is provided on the drum frame. When the powder box is installed on the drum frame, the guide part is inserted into the guide groove.

[0014] The image processing apparatus of the third aspect of this utility model includes: a body having an installation cavity; and the aforementioned developing component disposed in the installation cavity.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the machine body is provided with a hatch, which can cover the mounting cavity downwards; when the hatch can cover the mounting cavity downwards, the hatch can abut against the abutting part; the drum frame is provided with a clearance part, which can avoid the position where the powder box moves upwards away from the drum frame.

[0016] Using the aforementioned toner cartridge, the toner cartridge and drum unit are installed together in the image processing device before printing. When the image processing device is working, it can continuously apply a contact force to the contact part, so that the developing roller on the toner cartridge and the photosensitive drum on the drum unit come into contact. This effectively ensures that the toner can be smoothly transferred from the surface of the developing roller to the surface of the photosensitive drum under the action of the electric field force during the printing process, thus better ensuring the printing quality.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the powder box in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Another perspective of the powder box (axle side view);

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Side view of the powder box;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a side view of the developing component in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the image processing device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The above figures include the following reference numerals.

[0026]

[0027] Detailed Implementation

[0028] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements 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.

[0029] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0030] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If the terms "first" and "second" are used, they are only for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features or the order of the indicated technical features.

[0031] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0032] Reference Figures 1 to 5The toner cartridge 100 of the first aspect of this embodiment is used to be mounted on a drum frame 200 and together with the drum frame 200 in an image processing device. The toner cartridge 100 includes: a base 110, the base 110 having a toner hopper for holding toner; a developing roller 120 disposed on the base 110, the developing roller 120 being located at the opening of the toner hopper, the developing roller 120 contacting the photosensitive drum of the drum frame 200 when the toner cartridge 100 is mounted on the drum frame 200; and an abutment portion 130 disposed on the base 110, the abutment portion 130 extending to abut against the image processing device when the toner cartridge 100 and the drum frame 200 are mounted together in the image processing device, the abutment force applied by the image processing device to the abutment portion 130 causing the developing roller 120 and the photosensitive drum to abut against each other.

[0033] Using the toner cartridge 100 described above, the toner cartridge 100 and the drum unit 200 are installed together in the image processing device before printing. When the image processing device is working, the image processing device can continuously apply abutting force to the abutting part 130, so that the developing roller 120 on the toner cartridge 100 and the photosensitive drum on the drum unit 200 come into contact. This effectively ensures that the toner can be smoothly transferred from the surface of the developing roller 120 to the surface of the photosensitive drum under the action of the electric field force during the printing process, thus better ensuring the printing quality.

[0034] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the toner cartridge 100 and the drum stand 200 are two independent components, each being part of the developing assembly.

[0035] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The orientation shown represents the position of the toner cartridge 100 and drum unit 200 when the image processing unit, i.e., the laser printer, is placed horizontally, and they are in normal working order within the laser printer. In this position, the abutting part 130 extends upwards, along the y-direction in the figure, to abut against a certain part inside the laser printer. At this time, the part inside the laser printer that is abutted by the abutting part 130 will exert a resisting force on the abutting part 130. This resisting force will cause the developing roller 120 and the photosensitive drum to abut against each other, effectively ensuring that the toner can be smoothly transferred from the surface of the developing roller 120 to the surface of the photosensitive drum under the action of the electric field force during the printing process, thus better ensuring print quality. Especially when there is no locking device on the drum unit 200, it can still ensure print quality by causing the developing roller 120 and the photosensitive drum to abut against each other, further simplifying the structure of the drum unit 200.

[0036] It is worth noting that when the printer is tilted slightly, the normal operating state of the toner cartridge 100 and drum unit 200 may differ from that when the printer is tilted. Figure 5 The state shown is slightly tilted, but it is still within the scope of protection of this patent.

[0037] exist Figure 5In the state shown, the abutment portion 130 extends upward, and the abutment force received by the abutment portion 130 is downward. The photosensitive drum is located at the lower left of the developing roller 120. Therefore, the component of the abutment force received by the abutment portion 130 can make the developing roller 120 abut against the photosensitive drum. When the position and orientation of the toner cartridge 100 and the drum unit 200 change, as long as the component of the abutment force can be ensured to make the developing roller 120 approach the photosensitive drum, the printing quality can be better guaranteed.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a handle is provided on the abutment part 130, which is used to move the powder box 100. Specifically, the abutment part 130 is an upwardly extending hollow protrusion. The hollow part just serves as a handle. When taking out the powder box 100, the powder box 100 can be directly lifted out through the hollow part, which is convenient for operation and makes full use of the protrusion of the abutment part 130, reducing space occupation.

[0039] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the developing roller 120 extends along a first direction, and the abutment portion 130 is located at the middle position of the base 110 along the first direction. The first direction is the x-direction shown in the figure. After the toner cartridge 100 is installed on the drum frame 200, the axes of the developing roller 120 and the photosensitive drum are parallel and both extend along the x-direction. By placing the abutment portion 130 at the middle position along the x-direction, it can be ensured that the abutment force acts evenly between the developing roller 120 and the photosensitive drum, reducing the occurrence of situations where one end of the developing roller 120 is in close contact with the photosensitive drum and the other end has an excessively large gap.

[0040] In particular, when a handle is provided on the abutment part 130, setting the abutment part 130 at the middle position along the x direction can make the powder box 100 be subjected to uniform force when it is taken out through the handle, reducing the occurrence of damage caused by uneven force when taking out the powder box 100.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the toner cartridge 100 also includes a mounting base 160 disposed on the base 110. The mounting base 160 is used to install the chip 162. When the toner cartridge 100 and the drum unit 200 are installed together in the image processing device, the chip 162 can communicate with the image processing device. When the laser printer is working, the recognition system in the laser printer can communicate with the chip 162 in the mounting base 160 to detect the information stored in the chip 162, thereby reading information such as the model and remaining life of the toner cartridge 100 and the drum unit 200.

[0042] like Figure 5As shown, the mounting base 160 protrudes from the drum frame 200. When the drum frame 200 and the toner cartridge 100 are installed together, the mounting base 160 protrudes from the drum frame 200, and the protection chip protrudes from the drum frame.

[0043] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the angle between the extending direction of the mounting base 160 relative to the base 110 and the extending direction of the abutment portion 130 relative to the base 110 is an obtuse angle; the angle between the extending direction of the mounting base 160 relative to the base 110 and the extending direction of the abutment portion 130 relative to the base 110 is... Figure 4 The β angle marked in the figure refers to the force exerted on the contact part 130 by the laser printer in the opposite direction of the contact force from the laser printer after the toner cartridge 100 and the drum unit 200 are installed in the laser printer. The component of this force can make the chip 162 on the mounting base 160 more firmly connected to the communication part of the laser printer, ensuring that the communication part of the laser printer can read various information from the chip 162.

[0044] It is worth noting that, in this embodiment, the extension direction of the abutment portion 130 refers to the direction in which the abutment portion 130 extends outward from the base 110 based on the base 110; and the extension direction of the mounting base 160 also refers to the direction in which the mounting base 160 extends outward from the base 110 based on the base 110. When the chip 162 is mounted on the mounting base 160, the orientation of the chip 162 is parallel to the extension direction of the mounting base 160.

[0045] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the first end cap 150 of the toner cartridge 100 is disposed at one end of the base 110 along the front side in the x direction. The first end cap 150 is fixedly connected to the base 110 and rotatably connected to the developing roller 120. In addition, a power receiver 140 is rotatably connected to the first end cap 150. When the laser printer is working, the power receiver 140 is responsible for transmitting torque to the developing roller 120 to drive the developing roller 120 to rotate. An extension 161 is provided on the first end cap 150, and a mounting base 160 is disposed on the extension 161.

[0046] The developing assembly of the second aspect of this embodiment includes the toner cartridge 100 and the drum unit 200. Both the toner cartridge 100 and the drum unit 200 need to be installed in the laser printer so that the laser printer can work normally.

[0047] like Figure 5As shown, a guide part 170 is provided on the base 110, and a guide groove 210 is provided on the drum frame 200. When the toner cartridge 100 is installed on the drum frame 200, the guide part 170 is inserted into the guide groove 210. When the toner cartridge 100 is installed on the drum frame 200, the guide part 170 can slide in the guide groove 210, so that the toner cartridge 100 can be quickly installed to the specified position for easy operation.

[0048] In this embodiment, the image processing device, i.e., the laser printer, includes a body 310 with a mounting cavity for mounting the aforementioned developing component; wherein the developing component is a detachable consumable component of the laser printer.

[0049] refer to Figure 6 In the laser printer, the body 310 is provided with a door 320, which can close the mounting cavity downwards (in the Y direction). When the door 320 closes the mounting cavity downwards, it abuts against the abutment part 130. The drum frame 200 has a clearance part that can prevent the toner cartridge 100 from moving upwards away from the drum frame 200. The door 320 can open upwards and close downwards. When the developing assembly is installed in the mounting cavity, closing the door 320 allows it to abut against the abutment part 130, at which point the door 320 applies abutting force to the abutment part 130, ensuring tight contact between the developing roller 120 and the photosensitive drum. When the toner cartridge 100 needs to be replaced separately, only the printer needs to be reinstalled. Open the hatch 320, then grasp the handle on the abutment part 130 to remove the toner cartridge 100 upwards. At this time, due to the presence of the clearance part, the drum frame 200 will not obstruct the upward removal of the toner cartridge 100. After the old toner cartridge 100 is removed, insert the new toner cartridge 100 and close the hatch 320 to print normally. Due to the abutment force exerted by the hatch 320 on the abutment part 130, there is no need to set a locking device for the toner cartridge 100 on the drum frame 200 to ensure that the developing roller 120 and the photosensitive drum are in close contact after the toner cartridge 100 is installed in place, thus ensuring print quality. On the other hand, since there is no need to set a locking device on the drum frame 200, the toner cartridge 100 can be removed from the mounting cavity separately without operating the drum frame 200, which is convenient for operation.

[0050] It is worth noting that, in Figure 5 In the view shown, the drum unit 200 also has a part that protrudes upwards, but the protrusion distance of the upward protrusion of the drum unit 200 is lower than the upward extension distance of the extension 161. When the entire developing assembly is installed in the mounting cavity and the door 320 is closed, the door 320 will only abut against the abutment part 130 and not against the upward protrusion of the drum unit 200. Therefore, the abutment force will only act on the toner cartridge 100 and not on the drum unit 200, ensuring that the developing roller 120 and the photosensitive drum are in close contact.

[0051] The embodiments of the present utility model have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A powder box (100), characterized in that, The toner cartridge (100) is used to be mounted on the drum stand (200) and together with the drum stand (200) in an image processing device. The toner cartridge (100) includes: The base (110) has a powder hopper for holding toner. A developing roller (120) is disposed on the base (110). The developing roller (120) is located at the opening of the powder hopper. When the powder hopper (100) is installed on the drum frame (200), the developing roller (120) contacts the photosensitive drum of the drum frame (200). An abutment portion (130) is disposed on the base (110). When the toner cartridge (100) and the drum unit (200) are installed together in the image processing device, the abutment portion (130) extends to abut against the image processing device. The abutment force applied by the image processing device to the abutment portion (130) enables the developing roller (120) and the photosensitive drum to abut against each other.

2. The compact (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that A handle is provided on the abutment part (130), and the handle is used to move the powder box (100).

3. The compact (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that It also includes a mounting base (160) disposed on the base (110), the mounting base (160) being used to mount a chip (162), the chip (162) being able to communicate with the image processing device when the toner cartridge (100) and the drum unit (200) are mounted together in the image processing device.

4. The powder box (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The mounting base (160) protrudes from the drum frame (200).

5. The compact (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that The angle between the extending direction of the mounting base (160) relative to the base (110) and the extending direction of the abutment portion (130) relative to the base (110) is an obtuse angle.

6. The compact (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that The powder box (100) further includes: a first end cap (150) disposed on the base (110), an extension (161) disposed on the first end cap (150), and a mounting base (160) disposed on the extension (161).

7. A developing assembly characterized by comprising: It includes a powder box (100) and a drum stand (200), wherein the powder box (100) is the powder box (100) as described in claim 1, and the drum stand (200) is the drum stand (200) as described in claim 1.

8. The developing assembly of claim 7, wherein, The base (110) is provided with a guide part (170), and the drum frame (200) is provided with a guide groove (210). When the powder box (100) is installed on the drum frame (200), the guide part (170) is inserted into the guide groove (210).

9. An image processing apparatus characterized by comprising: include: The body (310) has an installation cavity; The developing assembly of claim 7 is disposed in the mounting cavity.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized by The body (310) is provided with a hatch (320), which can cover the mounting cavity downwards; When the hatch (320) can close the mounting cavity downwards, the hatch (320) can abut against the abutment part (130); The drum frame (200) is provided with a clearance part, which can prevent the powder box (100) from moving upward away from the drum frame (200).

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