An end cap assembly and a processing box

Abstract

This utility model provides an end cap assembly suitable for a processing cartridge. The processing cartridge includes a developing unit and a photosensitive unit movably connected. The developing unit includes a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing housing. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive housing and a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed in the photosensitive housing. The developing housing is used to contain toner required for imaging, and the developing roller is used to supply toner to the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The end cap assembly includes a developing end cap and a photosensitive end cap. The developing end cap is connected to both longitudinal ends of the developing housing, and the photosensitive end cap is connected to both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive housing. At least one of the developing end cap and the photosensitive end cap is provided with a limiting part for adjusting the contact force between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum. This end cap assembly can effectively adjust the contact force between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum, thereby improving the image quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrophotographic imaging, and more particularly to a processing box that can be detachably installed in an electrophotographic imaging device and an end cap assembly disposed on the processing box. Background Technology

[0002] The processing unit is detachably installed in the imaging device. The processing unit generally includes a developing unit that holds toner and a photosensitive unit that holds waste toner. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive drum for forming an electrostatic latent image on its surface and a photosensitive drum gear located at the longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum. The developing unit includes a developing roller for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum and a developing roller gear located at the longitudinal end of the developing roller. Stable contact between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum is the core prerequisite for ensuring print quality. Its contact state directly determines the uniformity of toner transfer and the clarity of the printed image.

[0003] In the existing structure, there is an elastic element between the developing unit and the photosensitive unit to force the photosensitive drum to contact the developing roller. However, in order to prevent the developing unit and the photosensitive unit from separating during use, the elastic element needs to have a large elastic force. This design has a contradiction: if the elastic force is too small, the developing roller will not be able to supply toner to the photosensitive drum, and the processing cartridge will not be able to form an image; if the elastic force is too large, the two ends of the developing roller will be subjected to excessive squeezing force, which can easily cause the developing roller gear and the photosensitive drum gear to mesh too tightly, affecting normal operation.

[0004] Existing technology uses a thin sheath at the end of the developing roller to adjust the contact force, but this sheath can only provide a small amount of pressure buffering and is prone to wear and failure after long-term use, ultimately leading to a decrease in image quality. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above, this utility model provides an end cap assembly and a processing box employing the following technical solution to solve the aforementioned technical problems, specifically:

[0006] An end cap assembly is suitable for a processing cartridge, the processing cartridge comprising: a developing unit and a photosensitive unit movably connected; the developing unit includes a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably disposed within the developing housing; the photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive housing and a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed within the photosensitive housing; the developing housing is used to contain toner required for imaging; the developing roller is used to supply toner to the photosensitive drum to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum; the end cap assembly includes a developing end cap and a photosensitive end cap, the developing end cap being connected to both longitudinal ends of the developing housing, and the photosensitive end cap being connected to both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive housing; at least one of the developing end cap and the photosensitive end cap is provided with a limiting portion for adjusting the contact force between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum.

[0007] In some embodiments, the processing cartridge includes an elastic member disposed between the developing unit and the photosensitive unit, the elastic member being used to force the developing unit and the photosensitive unit to move closer to each other. The processing cartridge also includes a rotating shaft portion, the developing unit and the photosensitive unit being rotatably connected about the rotating shaft portion. When viewed in a direction intersecting the left-right direction, the reference line passes through the middle of the rotating shaft portion and is parallel to the elastic force direction of the elastic member. In the front-back direction, the limiting portion is located in front of the reference line, and the elastic member is located behind the reference line.

[0008] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the contact area between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum coincides with the limiting portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the limiting portion is elastic.

[0010] In some embodiments, the limiting portion is configured as a protrusion.

[0011] In some embodiments, each end cap has an end cap body, a limiting portion is disposed on at least one of the developing end cap and the photosensitive end cap, and extends from the end cap body of the end cap to the other of the developing end cap and the photosensitive end cap on the same side.

[0012] In some embodiments, the limiting part is configured as a magnetic component, wherein a first magnetic element is installed in the photosensitive end cap and a second magnetic element is installed in the developing end cap at any longitudinal end of the processing cartridge, and a repulsive force is generated between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element.

[0013] This utility model also provides a processing box, which includes a processing box shell and the aforementioned end cap assembly, wherein the end cap is fixedly connected to the processing box shell.

[0014] In some embodiments, the processing cartridge further includes a developing roller gear for receiving driving force from the imaging device and driving the developing roller to rotate, the developing roller gear being mounted on the developing end cap.

[0015] In some embodiments, the developing end cap includes an end cap body and a support column for mounting the developing roller gear, the support column being connected to the end cap body. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the processing box involved in this utility model.

[0017] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the processing box involved in this utility model, after the developing roller gear, end cap assembly and housing are separated.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a plan view of the processing box involved in this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the processing box involved in this utility model; Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the processing box involved in this utility model, after the developing roller gear, end cap assembly and housing are separated; Figure 4 This is a plan view of the processing box involved in this utility model.

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, the processing cartridge C can be detachably installed into the imaging device. The processing cartridge C includes a developing unit 1 and a photosensitive unit 2 that can move relative to each other, and a driving force assembly 3 located at the longitudinal end of the processing cartridge C. The developing unit 1 includes a developing housing 11 and a developing roller 12 rotatably installed in the developing housing 11. The photosensitive unit 2 includes a photosensitive housing 21 and a photosensitive drum 22 rotatably installed in the photosensitive housing 21. The developing housing 11 is used to contain the toner required for imaging. The developing roller 12 is used to carry the toner and supply the toner to the photosensitive drum 22. The developing roller 12 includes a developing roller shaft 12a and a developing layer 12b covering the outer surface of the developing roller shaft 12a. The toner is carried by the developing layer 12b. The surface of the photosensitive drum 22 is used to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing housing 11 and the photosensitive housing 21 can be collectively referred to as the processing cartridge housing. The driving force assembly 3 is used to receive driving force to drive the developing roller 12 to rotate about a first rotation axis L1 and drive the photosensitive drum 22 to rotate about a second rotation axis L2 parallel to the first rotation axis L1.

[0021] The processing cartridge C also includes a handle 4, which allows the user to install and remove the processing cartridge C. The handle 4 can be mounted on the developing housing 11 or the photosensitive housing 21. For ease of description, the direction parallel to the first rotation axis L1 / second rotation axis L2 is defined as the longitudinal direction / left-right direction, and the direction intersecting the left-right direction is defined as the vertical direction. When the processing cartridge C is in... Figure 1 In the shown posture, the photosensitive housing 21 is located above the developing housing 11 in the vertical direction, and the direction intersecting the left-right and vertical directions is the front-back / lateral direction. In the front-back direction, the photosensitive drum 22 and the handle 4 are located on both sides of the photosensitive housing 21, and the photosensitive drum 21 is located in front of the handle 4. Preferably, the left-right, front-back, and vertical directions are orthogonal.

[0022] like Figure 3As shown, the driving force assembly 3 includes a developing roller gear 13 and a photosensitive drum gear 23. The photosensitive drum gear 23 serves as a driving force receiver for the processing cartridge C, used to receive driving force to drive the photosensitive drum 21 to rotate around the second rotation axis L2. The developing roller gear 13 is used to receive driving force to drive the developing roller 12 to rotate around the first rotation axis L1. In other embodiments, the driving force receiver can also be set as the developing roller gear 13, or set as a component different from the developing roller gear 13 and the photosensitive drum gear 23. When set as a component different from the developing roller gear 13 and the photosensitive drum gear 23, both the developing roller gear 13 and the photosensitive drum gear 23 can directly or indirectly receive the driving force from the driving force receiver.

[0023] In some embodiments, along the left-right direction, the developing roller gear 13 and the photosensitive drum gear 23 are located at the same end of the processing cartridge C. The developing gear 13 receives the driving force from the imaging device by meshing with the photosensitive gear 23. The end where the developing roller gear 13 and the photosensitive drum gear 23 are located is defined as the driving end / left side, and the end opposite to the driving end is defined as the non-driving end / right side.

[0024] Furthermore, the processing box C also includes an end cap assembly 6 fixedly connected to the housing. The end cap assembly 6 is located at both longitudinal ends of the housing. The end cap assembly 6 includes a first end cap 61, a second end cap 62, a third end cap 63, and a fourth end cap 64. The first end cap 61 and the second end cap 62 are respectively disposed at both longitudinal ends of the developing housing 11. The first end cap 61 and the second end cap 62 can be collectively referred to as the developing end cap 6a. The third end cap 63 and the fourth end cap 64 are respectively disposed at both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive housing 21. The third end cap 63 and the fourth end cap 64 can be collectively referred to as the photosensitive end cap 6b. In other words, the developing end cap 6a is fixedly connected to both longitudinal ends of the developing housing 11, and the photosensitive end cap 6b is fixedly connected to both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive housing 21. In the left-right direction, the first end cap 61 and the third end cap 63 are located at the driving end, and the second end cap 62 and the fourth end cap 64 are located at the non-driving end.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the processing box C also includes an elastic element 5 disposed between the developing unit 1 and the photosensitive unit 2. The elastic element 5 is used to force the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 12 to move closer to each other, thereby keeping the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 23 close to each other. At least one elastic element 5 is provided. In some embodiments, two elastic elements 5 are provided and are respectively located at the two ends of the longitudinal direction between the developing unit 1 and the photosensitive unit 2, so that the two ends of the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 1 and the two ends of the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive unit 2 can receive the pushing force more evenly.

[0026] like Figure 3As shown, the photosensitive drum gear 23 is disposed at the longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum 22. In some embodiments, the developing roller gear 13 is mounted on the developing end cover 6a. Specifically, each end cover in the end cover assembly 6 has an end cover body 60. The developing end cover 6a / first end cover 61 is provided with a support column 611 for mounting the developing roller gear 13. The support column 611 is connected to the end cover body 60. In other words, the support column 611 extends from the end cover body 60, and the direction of extension of the support column 611 is parallel to the first rotation axis L1. The installation position of the developing roller gear 13 is not limited, as long as it is not installed at the end of the developing roller shaft 12b. Preferably, the developing roller gear 13 is coaxially arranged with the developing roller 12 so that the developing roller 12 can receive the driving force more effectively.

[0027] To prevent the developing roller 12 from contacting the photosensitive drum 22 too tightly due to excessive elasticity of the elastic element 5, the end cap assemblies 6 on both sides are provided with limiting parts 8 for adjusting the contact force between the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 22. Specifically, the limiting parts 8 can limit the developing unit 1 and the photosensitive unit 2 from getting too close, thereby indirectly ensuring that the contact force between the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 22 is moderate. The structure of the limiting parts 8 and their position on the end cap body 60 are not limited, as long as they can limit the developing unit 1 and the photosensitive unit 2 from getting too close.

[0028] The processing box also includes rotating shaft portions 7 located at both ends of the longitudinal direction of the processing box C. One rotating shaft portion 7 is rotatably connected to the first end cap 61 and the third end cap 63, and the other rotating shaft portion 7 is rotatably connected to the second end cap 62 and the fourth end cap 64. The developing unit 1 and the photosensitive unit 2 are both rotatably connected about the rotating shaft portion 7. In some embodiments, the rotating shaft portion 7 is a pin. In the longitudinal direction, the rotating shaft portion 7 passes through the end cap assembly 6 so that the developing unit 1 and the photosensitive unit 2 are rotatably connected.

[0029] In some embodiments, when viewed along a direction intersecting the left-right direction, the reference line L3 passes through the middle of the rotating shaft portion 7 and is parallel to the elastic force direction of the elastic member 5. Along the front-back direction, the limiting portion 8 is located in front of the reference line L3, and the elastic member 5 is located behind the reference line L3.

[0030] Preferably, at least a portion of the contact area between the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 22 coincides with the limiting portion 8 along the longitudinal / left-right direction, so as to more accurately adjust the receiving force of the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 22.

[0031] In some embodiments, the limiting part 8 may be configured as a protrusion. The limiting part 8 is disposed on at least one of the developing end cap 6a and the photosensitive end cap 6b, and extends from the end cap body 60 of the end cap to the other end cap of the developing end cap 6a and the photosensitive end cap 6b on the same side. The limiting part 8 restricts the developing roller 12 from excessively approaching the photosensitive drum 22 by abutting against the end cap on the same side.

[0032] When the limiting part 8 is configured as a protruding structure, in one variation, the limiting part 8 is provided on the photosensitive end cap 6b; in another variation, the limiting part 8 is provided on the developing end cap 6a; in other variations, at one longitudinal end of the processing cartridge C, the limiting part 8 is provided on the photosensitive end cap 6b, and at the other longitudinal end of the processing cartridge C, the limiting part 8 is provided on the developing end cap 6a.

[0033] In some embodiments, the limiting part 8 can be configured as a magnetic component. At any longitudinal end of the processing cartridge C, a first magnetic element is installed in the photosensitive end cap 6b, and a second magnetic element is installed in the developing end cap 6a. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element generate a repulsive force. Specifically, the polarities of their opposite sides are the same. In some embodiments, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element can also be configured such that one of them is a magnetic body and the other is a magnetizable component. The photosensitive end cap 6b and the developing end cap 6a interact with each other through magnetic force and will not come into contact, thereby preventing the limiting part 8 from being worn.

[0034] In some embodiments, when the limiting portion 8 is configured as a protruding structure, the limiting portion 8 is elastic.

[0035] [Beneficial Effects]

[0036] 1. The end cap assembly 6 is provided with a limiting part 8. This design eliminates the need to install a thin sheath at the end of the developing roller shaft 12b for adjusting the contact force. The limiting part 8 has higher adjustment accuracy and a simpler structure.

[0037] 2. The protrusion height or magnetic force of the limiting part 8 can be changed according to the required requirements. First, the manufacturer can only mass-produce the components other than the end cap assembly 6, and then adapt the end cap assembly 6 with the limiting part 8 according to the different requirements of "abutment force", thereby reducing the production cost. Second, when it is necessary to change the required parameters of "abutment force", it is not necessary to disassemble the core components such as the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 22 inside the processing box C. Only the end cap assembly 6 needs to be replaced, which simplifies the process and protects the internal structure. In addition, in warehouse management, only the developing unit 1, the photosensitive unit 2 and the end cap assembly 6 of different specifications need to be stored, which greatly reduces the inventory volume and stockpiling costs.

[0038] 3. When the limiting part 8 is configured as a flexible protruding structure, the limiting part 8 can use its own deformation to buffer the pushing force of the elastic member 5, while adapting to different abutment force requirements, thus improving the versatility of the end cap assembly 6.

[0039] 4. The developing roller gear 13 is mounted on the end cap assembly 6. This design can prevent the pushing force of the elastic element 5 from acting directly on the developing roller gear 13. The limiting part 8 can offset part of the pushing force generated by the elastic element 5 by adjusting the contact force between the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 22. Under the synergistic effect of the two, it can indirectly alleviate the meshing pressure between the developing roller gear 13 and the photosensitive drum gear 23, reduce problems such as tooth skipping caused by excessive meshing between the two, and prevent the developing roller 12 from bending and deforming due to the greater force at both ends than in the middle, ultimately improving the imaging quality.

[0040] 5. The end cap assembly 6 with the limiting part 8 can be used with both integrated and separate processing boxes, thus improving the versatility of the end cap 6.

Claims

1. An end cap assembly suitable for a processing box, the processing box comprising: The developing unit and the photosensitive unit are connected in an active manner. The developing unit includes a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing housing. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive housing and a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed in the photosensitive housing. The developing housing is used to contain the toner required for imaging, and the developing roller is used to supply the toner to the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The end cap assembly includes a developing end cap and a photosensitive end cap. The developing end cap is connected to both longitudinal ends of the developing housing, and the photosensitive end cap is connected to both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive housing. The feature is that at least one of the developing end cap and the photosensitive end cap is provided with a limiting part for adjusting the contact force between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum.

2. The end cap assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing cartridge includes an elastic element disposed between the developing unit and the photosensitive unit. The elastic element is used to force the developing unit and the photosensitive unit to move closer to each other. The processing cartridge also includes a rotating shaft. The developing unit and the photosensitive unit are rotatably connected about the rotating shaft. When viewed in a direction intersecting the left and right directions, the reference line passes through the middle of the rotating shaft and is parallel to the elastic force direction of the elastic element. In the front-back direction, the limiting part is located in front of the reference line, and the elastic element is located behind the reference line.

3. The end cap assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along the longitudinal direction, at least a portion of the contact area between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum coincides with the limiting part.

4. The end cap assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting part is flexible.

5. The end cap assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The limiting part is designed as a protrusion.

6. The end cap assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The end cap has an end cap body, a limiting portion is provided on at least one of the developing end cap and the photosensitive end cap, and extends from the end cap body of the end cap to the other of the developing end cap and the photosensitive end cap on the same side.

7. The end cap assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The limiting part is configured as a magnetic component. At any longitudinal end of the processing cartridge, a first magnetic element is installed in the photosensitive end cap and a second magnetic element is installed in the developing end cap. A repulsive force is generated between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element.

8. A processing box, characterized in that, The processing box includes a processing box housing and an end cap assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the end cap assembly is fixedly connected to the processing box housing.

9. The processing box according to claim 8, characterized in that, The processing box also includes a developing roller gear for receiving driving force from the imaging device and driving the developing roller to rotate, the developing roller gear being mounted on the developing end cap.

10. The processing box according to claim 9, characterized in that, The developing end cap includes an end cap body and a support column for mounting the developing roller gear, the support column being connected to the end cap body.

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