A developing cartridge

Abstract

The application provides a developing box, comprising a shell configured to accommodate a developing material therein, the shell being provided with an end portion in a first direction; a developing roller provided on the shell, the developing roller being rotatable about a first shaft extending in the first direction; a detection assembly provided on the shell, the detection assembly comprising a chip, a driving device and a detection protrusion, the detection protrusion being provided on the end portion and capable of generating mechanical movement of at least one degree of freedom under the driving of the driving device; and the chip being used for controlling the driving device. The developing box provided by the application can generate mechanical movement of at least one degree of freedom through the detection protrusion driven by the driving device, and can perform rotation, extension and compound movement through the control of the chip, so as to realize new product identification, in-position detection, carbon powder residual amount early warning and other signal triggering of the printer, and the structure is simpler and more flexible relative to a gear transmission structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of printing consumables, and more particularly to a developing cartridge. Background Technology

[0002] Printers are common office equipment. With the continuous advancement of image forming technology, the requirements for developing cartridges are also increasing. Not only must the developing cartridge reliably supply developer to the drum cartridge, but it also needs to be able to exchange information with the drum cartridge or image forming apparatus to obtain relevant data. Furthermore, during installation, printing, and stopping of printing, the developing cartridge must ensure that its components are not damaged, and that it can perform all actions accurately and stably.

[0003] This type of printer includes a new product detection unit to determine information about the developer cartridge installed in the printer. For example, the new product detection unit determines whether the cartridge is a new product newly installed in the printer. Prior art developer cartridges include the following components: a cartridge body, a drive unit, a developing element, a toner feeding element, a stirrer (or stirring frame), and a detection gear. The detection gear has one or more protrusions for directly or indirectly triggering the image forming apparatus, such as the printer or copier, to detect the developer cartridge. The stirrer or stirring frame is used to stir the developer (e.g., toner) in the developer cartridge. One end of the rotating shaft of the developing element is connected to the drive unit, and the other end is connected to the detection gear. The powder feeding element and stirrer are located inside the cartridge and supported by it. The two ends of the stirrer are equipped with transmission gears, which mesh with the drive component and the detection gear to transmit driving force. Under the action of driving force, the protrusion of the detection gear rotates and is detected. In this scheme, the detection gear needs to transmit power through the stirring frame gear, which leads to the accumulation of transmission error. Alternatively, the existing technology uses a lever to replace the detection gear component. The stirrer gear needs to drive the power gear on the connecting rod to make the connecting rod extend and retract (or move left and right). The extension and retraction of the connecting rod then drives the lever to swing back and forth to achieve the detection function. This mechanical lever scheme has the defects of single degree of freedom of motion and non-programmable detection signal. In addition, both of the above schemes require gears to transmit power, making the structure of the developing cartridge more complex. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a developing cartridge to solve at least one technical problem of existing developing cartridge detection structures.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a developing cartridge, comprising: a housing configured to contain developing material therein, the housing having an end portion in a first direction; a developing roller disposed on the housing, the developing roller being rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction; a detection assembly disposed on the housing, the detection assembly including a chip, a driving device, and a detection protrusion, the detection protrusion being disposed at the end portion for triggering an external detection signal; the driving device being tractively connected to the detection protrusion and driving the detection protrusion to generate at least one degree of mechanical motion; and the chip being used to control the driving device.

[0006] The developing cartridge provided in this application has a detection protrusion driven by a drive device controlled by a chip. The detection protrusion driven by the drive device can generate mechanical motion with at least one degree of freedom. The detection protrusion, controlled by the chip, can perform rotation, swing, extension and retraction and compound motion, realizing multi-level signal triggering such as new product recognition, on-site detection and toner level warning for the printer. It can be adapted to various detection methods and is simpler and more flexible than gear transmission structures.

[0007] In addition to the technical problems solved by the embodiments of this application, the technical features constituting the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects brought about by the technical features of these technical solutions described above, other technical problems that can be solved by a developing cartridge provided by the embodiments of this application, other technical features included in the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects brought about by these technical features will be further described in detail in the specific implementation. Attached Figure Description

[0008] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a developing cartridge structure provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a detection component provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a developing cartridge structure provided in one embodiment of this application from another angle;

[0012] Figures 4A to 4C for Figure 3 Enlarged views of the detection components in different states;

[0013] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a developing cartridge provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0014] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the developing cartridge from another angle, provided in yet another embodiment of this application;

[0015] Figure 7 A partial enlarged view of the detection lever of a developing cartridge provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0016] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the working process of the detection lever of the developing cartridge provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0018] 1-Developer cartridge, 11-Rotating part of stirring rack, 111-Stirring rack protrusion, 12-Detection lever, 121-Positioning part; 13-Snap-fit ​​part, 2-Developer roller, 4-Linker, 3-Detection component, 301-Chip, 302-Drive device, 303-Detection protrusion, 304-Conductor. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To better understand the technical solution of this application, the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments in this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0021] The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in the embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0022] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0023] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3The present application provides a developing cartridge 1 structure, including a housing configured to contain developing material, the housing having an end in a first direction; a developing roller 2 disposed on the housing, the developing roller being rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction; and a detection assembly 3 disposed on the housing, the detection assembly 3 including a drive chip 301, a drive device 302, and a detection protrusion 303, the detection protrusion 303 being disposed at the end, used to move, push, or block an object using its own mechanical movement to trigger or respond to an external detection signal; the drive device 302 being drively connected to the detection protrusion 303 and capable of driving the detection protrusion 303 to generate at least one degree of mechanical movement; the drive chip 301 being electrically connected to the drive device 302, used to control the drive device 302 to generate a driving force, under which the detection protrusion can generate at least one degree of mechanical movement. A linkage 4 is also provided on the developing cartridge 1, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the housing is provided with a linkage 4 and a detection protrusion 303 at two ends spaced apart in the first direction, respectively. The linkage 4 is used to receive the rotational power output from the printer end. The linkage 4 transmits the rotational power to the developing roller 2, stirring frame (not shown) and other components through the linkage gear (not shown) to make the developing cartridge 1 operate on the printer.

[0024] In some embodiments of this application, the first direction refers to the length extension direction of the developing cartridge 1, specifically the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 2. It should be noted that this direction is defined based on the standard installation orientation of the developing cartridge 1 within the printer, i.e., when the developing cartridge 1 is pushed into the printer along the guide rail, the axis of the developing roller 2 extends perpendicularly to the paper feed direction of the printer (see...). Figure 1 (The direction indicated by the X-axis in the coordinate system). A degree of freedom means that an object can only move or rotate along a single trajectory in three-dimensional space.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, a detection component 3 provided in this application includes a driver chip 301, a driver device 302, and a detection protrusion 303. The rotation plane of the detection protrusion (303) is orthogonal to a first direction. The driver device 302 can be a motor, and its output shaft is connected to the rotation shaft of the detection protrusion 303. The driver chip 301 transmits control signals to the driver device 302 through a flexible circuit board or a flexible conductor 304 such as a wire. For example, when the driver chip 301 receives a printer initialization signal, it controls the motor to rotate, causing the detection protrusion to rotate a predetermined number of angles or revolutions, triggering the printer's sensor (such as a grating sensor) and triggering an identification signal.

[0026] It should be noted that the developing cartridge typically has an ink leveling chip. The driver chip 301 used to control the drive device in this application can be set separately from the ink leveling chip, or it can be integrated with it. The triggering method of the driver chip 301 can be either coupling triggering or timer triggering. In coupling triggering mode, a trigger switch is led out from the outside of the driver chip 301. The actuator 4 triggers the switch by moving the actuator gear or pressing it, causing the driver chip 301 to send a trigger signal to the drive device 302, which then drives the detection protrusion 303 to move. In timer triggering mode, the driver chip 301 is triggered to start timing by the printer's opening or closing action. The driver chip 301 further sends a trigger signal to the drive device 302, driving the detection protrusion 303 to move. In one embodiment, the driver chip 301 can obtain power from the printer. In another embodiment, a miniature button battery can be installed inside the driver chip 301 to maintain operation.

[0027] In one embodiment of this application, the driving device 302 of the detection component 3 is a micro stepper motor, the output shaft of which is connected to the rotating shaft of the detection protrusion 303. The driving chip 301 sends pulse signals to the driving device 302 through a flexible circuit board, driving the detection protrusion 303 to rotate, swing, or reciprocate in the circumferential direction.

[0028] like Figures 4A to 4C As shown, in one embodiment, the drive detection protrusion 303 rotates circumferentially. When the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the printer, the initial position of the detection protrusion 303 is as follows: Figure 4A As shown, the light-blocking baffle (not shown) inside the printer is in the first position at this time, allowing the optocoupler sensor to receive the raster signal. After the driver chip 301 obtains power from the power output unit, it performs the following actions: drives the detection protrusion 303 to rotate to... Figure 4B Position, the detection protrusion 303 pushes the printer's light-shielding baffle to the second position, causing the light path of the optocoupler sensor (401) to be blocked for the first time, triggering the printer's new product recognition signal. In another possible embodiment, the detection protrusion 303 continues to rotate to Figure 4C During this process, the detection protrusion 303 disengages from the light-blocking baffle, the light-blocking baffle returns to the third position, and the detection protrusion 303 pushes the light-blocking baffle again, blocking the light path for the second time. When the printer detects two light path blocking events and the time interval is within the preset time range, it determines that the new product recognition signal has been successfully triggered.

[0029] In another embodiment of this application, all or part of the detection protrusion 303 is made of conductive material, and the detection protrusion 303 adopts a bidirectional linear motion design (motion direction as follows). Figure 1(As shown in the X direction). The driving device 302 can be a motor, which drives a ball screw through a coupling to drive the detection protrusion 303 to reciprocate linearly. In another embodiment, the driving device 302 includes an electromagnetic coil and a return spring (not shown in the figure). When the driving chip 301 receives the printer start signal, the electromagnetic coil is energized to generate magnetic force, pushing the detection protrusion 303 to extend outward a certain distance along the first direction, such as 3mm. At this time, the detection protrusion acts as a charged electrode. When its front conductive part contacts the corresponding conductive area of ​​the printer, the circuit is turned on to generate an electrical signal. The printer completes the presence confirmation or authentication confirmation by detecting this signal. When the printing task or detection task ends, the electromagnetic coil is de-energized, and the return spring retracts the detection protrusion 303 back to its original position. The number of linear reciprocating movements can be set according to the printer's detection mechanism. It should be noted that the presence confirmation is used to determine whether the developing cartridge 1 is installed on the printer.

[0030] In another embodiment of this application, a unidirectional linear motion design is adopted (motion direction as follows) Figure 1 (As shown in the X direction). The driving device 302 includes an electromagnetic coil (not shown in the figure). When the driving chip 301 receives the printer start signal, the electromagnetic coil is energized to generate a magnetic force, pushing the detection protrusion 303 to extend outward a certain distance along the first direction, such as 3mm. At the same time, the detection protrusion 303 acquires an electrical signal. When the detection protrusion, as a charged electrode, contacts the corresponding conductive area of ​​the printer, the circuit is turned on to generate an electrical signal. The printer completes the presence confirmation or authentication confirmation by detecting this signal. When the printing task or detection task ends, the electrical signal of the detection protrusion 303 is disconnected. Compared with the previous method, in this embodiment, the detection protrusion 303 does not need to be forcibly retracted to its original position; it only needs to be controlled to turn on and off, making the structure simpler.

[0031] In another embodiment of this application, the driver chip 301 is equipped with a status monitoring module that can collect data on the remaining toner level in the developer cartridge in real time. When the remaining toner level is below a threshold, the driver chip 301 controls the drive device 302 to drive the detection protrusion 303 to perform a specific motion trajectory (such as three consecutive telescopic movements, a 180° swing, or a composite motion of rotation and linear movement), transmitting a warning signal to the printer through mechanical action. Preferably, when the remaining toner level is below 10%, the driver chip 301 performs the following sequence of actions:

[0032] The drive detects that protrusion 303 rotates 180° (triggers authentication).

[0033] Move back and forth 3 times along the first direction (generating a pulse-type warning signal).

[0034] The movement trajectory of the protrusion can be detected through chip programming to achieve multi-mode detection (such as pulse triggering and position code recognition), which significantly improves the diversity of detection signals and anti-counterfeiting capabilities compared to traditional fixed detection gears.

[0035] It should be noted that the combination of detection purpose and detection method in the above embodiments is only an illustrative example, and any of the following combinations may exist in practical applications:

[0036] Combination A: Rotational motion → Identity verification

[0037] Combination B: Linear motion → In-situ detection

[0038] Combination C: Rotation + Linear Composite Motion → Margin Warning

[0039] Those skilled in the art can adjust the combination logic according to specific needs. Any combination scheme that adjusts the detection protrusion motion trajectory and the detection signal generation logic, as long as it contains the core inventive point of this application—that is, the free mapping between the detection purpose and the detection method achieved by the chip control driving device—is a simple replacement of the equivalent technical features of this application, and such variations fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0040] The correspondence between the motion parameters (including rotation angle, number of rotations, displacement, and motion frequency) of the detection protrusion 303 and the detection purpose is stored in the configuration table of the chip (301). The configuration table supports remote updates or printer adaptive matching. This solution breaks through the fixed binding limitation between detection function and motion trajectory in traditional mechanical transmission solutions by decoupling the detection purpose and detection method through the chip (301), and realizes the software definition of detection logic.

[0041] The drive device 302 can be directly connected to the detection protrusion 303, or it can be connected through a transmission module. The drive device and the detection protrusion can be linked by a transmission module such as gears or transmission belts. Depending on the movement direction and driving force requirements of the detection protrusion, the oscillation, driving force, and torque of the detection protrusion in different directions can be increased or decreased through a gear set.

[0042] In one embodiment of this application, such as Figure 5-6 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of a developing cartridge with a detection lever 12 provided in an embodiment of this application. The detection lever 12 is rotatably connected to one side of the developing cartridge 1. The developing cartridge 1 is also provided with a stirring rack rotating part 11, which has a stirring rack protrusion 111. During the stirring process, the stirring rack rotating part 11 drives the stirring rack protrusion 111 to rotate together. When the stirring rack protrusion 111 rotates to a preset position and contacts the detection lever 12, it continues to rotate and generates a turning force, thereby turning the detection lever 12.

[0043] In the embodiments of this application, the detection lever 12 is directly driven by the stirring frame protrusion 111, without the need for additional rotary transmission components or connecting rods, making the structure of the developing cartridge 1 simpler.

[0044] Figure 7 For the enlarged view B of the detection lever 12, the developing cartridge 1 is also provided with a locking part 13. Preferably, the locking part 13 is a snap-fit ​​structure formed by extending outward from the powder hopper. The stirring rack protrusion 111 moves the detection lever 12, causing the detection lever 12 to rotate or move and move onto the locking part 13 for locking. One end of the detection lever 12 has a positioning part 121, which is locked and fixed with the locking part 13. Therefore, the stirring rack protrusion 111 continues to rotate. When it rotates to the preset position again, since the detection lever 12 has moved to the locking part 13 for locking and fixing, the stirring rack protrusion 111 no longer touches the detection lever 12.

[0045] like Figure 8 As shown in Figure E, the stirring rack protrusion 111 rotates to a predetermined position and contacts the detection lever 12. The detection lever 12 is moved to position F and continues to move. The stirring rack protrusion 111 will lift the detection lever 12. The locking part 13 has a guide part to guide the detection lever 12, so that the detection lever is disengaged from the stirring rack protrusion 111, as shown in Figure G. Finally, the detection lever 12 moves to the state shown in Figure H under the action of the elastic force or inertial force of elastic elements such as torsion springs. The positioning part 121 and the locking part 13 are fixedly engaged.

[0046] The detection lever 12 in this embodiment has a simple structure, requiring no additional gears, connecting rods or other transmission structures, making it easy to implement. After the initial activation, it can disengage from the stirring frame protrusion 111 of the activation component, forming an irreversible state, thus ensuring a reliable structure.

[0047] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that the various functional units or modules in this application can be partially implemented by computer programs or by related hardware circuits, and there is no limitation thereto.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge, characterized in that, include: A housing configured to contain developing material therein, the housing having an end portion in a first direction; A developing roller is disposed on the housing, and the developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; A detection component is disposed on the housing. The detection component includes a driving chip, a driving device, and a detection protrusion. The detection protrusion is disposed at the end and is capable of generating at least one degree of mechanical motion under the drive of the driving device. The driving chip is used to control the motion of the detection protrusion through the driving device.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection protrusion can perform rotation, swinging, extension, or combined motions under the control of the driving chip.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection component also includes a flexible conductor, which is disposed on the housing along a first direction, and the driving chip outputs control signals to the driving device through the flexible conductor.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developing cartridge includes an ink metering chip, which is integrated with or separately disposed on the housing along with the driving chip.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving chip includes a coupling-triggered driving chip or a timing-triggered driving chip.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driver chip includes a status monitoring module, which is used to collect real-time ink volume data. When the remaining ink volume is detected to be lower than the threshold, the driver chip controls the driver device to drive the detection protrusion to perform a specific motion trajectory to provide an early warning signal to the printer.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that, The specific motion trajectory includes at least one of the following movements in succession: rotation, swinging, stretching, or a combination of movements.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that, The driver chip includes a programmable chip, through which the specific motion trajectory can be set.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving device includes a motor connected between the driving chip and the detection protrusion.

10. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving device includes an electromagnetic coil, and the detection protrusion performs linear motion under the push of the electromagnetic coil.

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