A developing cartridge having a protrusion fixedly arranged

Abstract

The application provides a detection protrusion fixedly arranged developing box, which is characterized by comprising: a developing roller, which is rotatable around a first shaft extending in a first direction; a housing, which is configured to accommodate a developing material therein, the housing having a first end portion and a second end portion separated from the first end portion in the first direction; a linkage, which is rotatable around a second axis extending in the first direction, the linkage being positioned at the first end portion of the housing; an electrode, which is located at the second end portion of the housing; a detection protrusion, which is electrically connected with the electrode, the detection protrusion being fixedly arranged at the second end portion of the housing; and the electrode being directly or indirectly electrically connected to the developing roller through a switch circuit, the switch circuit being affected by the rotating force of the linkage to realize the electrical connection between the electrode and the developing roller.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) application No. 202422695416.1, entitled “Developer Box”, filed on November 5, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of printing consumables, and more particularly to a developing cartridge. Background Technology

[0003] Image forming devices (such as inkjet printers and laser printers) are commonly used 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 device 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.

[0004] Some types of printers include a new product detection unit to determine information about the developer cartridge installed in the printer. For example, a new product detection unit determines whether the developer 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, causing the developer cartridge to be detected by the image forming apparatus. 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 agitator are located inside and supported by the cartridge. The agitator has transmission gears at both ends that mesh with the drive and detection gears to transmit driving force. Under the driving force, the protrusion of the detection gear is rotated and detected. Alternatively, existing technologies use a lever instead of a detection gear, requiring the agitator gear to drive a power gear on a connecting rod, causing the connecting rod spanning both ends of the developing cartridge to extend (or move left and right). This extension and retraction of the connecting rod then drives the lever to swing back and forth, achieving the detection function. Therefore, gears and other transmission components need to be installed at both ends of the developing cartridge along its length, and additional connecting shafts or transmission gears are required to transmit power, making the developing cartridge structure more complex and increasing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a developer cartridge to at least solve the technical problem of the complex structure of existing developer cartridges.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a developing cartridge with a fixedly disposed detection protrusion, comprising: a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; a housing configured to contain developing material therein, the housing having a first end and a second end separated from the first end in the first direction; a linkage rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the linkage being positioned at the first end portion of the housing; an electrode located at the second end of the housing; and a detection protrusion electrically connected to the electrode, the detection protrusion being fixedly disposed at the second end of the housing.

[0007] The electrode is directly or indirectly connected to the developing roller via a switching circuit. The switching circuit is powered by the rotation of the linkage to achieve the electrical connection between the electrode and the developing roller.

[0008] In other embodiments, the switching circuit includes an electrode component and a power inlet, the electrode component being electrically connected to an electrode, and the power inlet being directly or indirectly electrically connected to a developing roller.

[0009] In other embodiments, the power introduction section includes an introduction end and a switch section; the electrode component includes an electrode extension end, the introduction end is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the developing roller, and the switch section and the electrode extension end can be changed from an disconnected state to an electrically connected state by the rotational force of the linkage.

[0010] In other embodiments, the developing cartridge further includes a toggle gear actuated by the rotational force of the linkage. The toggle gear includes a lever and teeth. The teeth are used to receive the rotational force directly or indirectly transmitted by the linkage, and the lever is used to actuate the switch.

[0011] In other embodiments, the actuating gear is a toothed gear, and after being actuated by the rotational force of the linkage, the actuating gear disengages from the power connection of the linkage.

[0012] In other embodiments, the power introduction section or developing roller is electrically connected to a reference ground signal terminal.

[0013] In other embodiments, when the lever is in the state of supporting the switch portion, the switch portion is disconnected from the electrode extension end; when the lever is disengaged from the state of supporting the switch portion due to the rotation of the linkage, the switch portion resumes electrical contact with the electrode extension end.

[0014] In other embodiments, the toggle gear can only actuate the switch once.

[0015] According to the developing cartridge provided in this application, by fixing the detection protrusion at the second end of the housing, there is no need to set a rotating shaft spanning from the first side to the second side of the developing cartridge to transmit the driving force from the linkage to the detection protrusion, making the structure of the developing cartridge simpler.

[0016] 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 the developing cartridges 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

[0017] 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.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a developing cartridge structure provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a first state diagram of the developing cartridge structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a second state diagram of the developing cartridge structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a partial enlarged view of the developing cartridge structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0023] 1-Developer cartridge, 11-Toner ejector blade, 12-Electrode assembly, 121-Detection protrusion, 122-Electrode, 123-Electrode extension end, 13-Power input section, 131-Input end, 132-Switch section, 14-Developer roller, 15-Actuating gear, 151-Lever, 152-Gear, 16-Linker, 161-Linker gear, 17-First gear, 18-End cap, 19-Second gear, 2-Printer power output section. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0025] Figure 1 This application provides a structure for a developing cartridge 1 that can be installed in an image forming apparatus (e.g., a laser printer). The developing cartridge may include a housing, a developing roller for auxiliary developing, a toner dispensing blade, gears, a linkage, a stirring rack, and other components. These components are mounted on the housing and are fixedly or movably supported by the housing. The developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction (i.e., the length direction of the developing cartridge). The housing is configured to contain developing material (e.g., toner or ink powder), and has a first end and a second end separated from the first end in the first direction. The linkage is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction and is positioned at the first end portion of the housing. An electrode is electrically connected to the developing roller and is located at the second end of the housing. A detection protrusion is electrically connected to the electrode and is fixedly disposed at the second end of the housing. The detection protrusion functions as a detection gear as described in the background art of this application.

[0026] A linkage 16 is provided on the first side of the developing cartridge 1. The linkage 16 receives the rotational power output from the printer. The linkage 16 transmits the rotational power to components such as the developing roller 14 and the agitator via a linkage gear 161, causing the developing cartridge 1 to operate on the printer. Because a large number of transmission gears are provided on the first side of the developing cartridge 1, and some developing cartridges 1 also have structures such as chip mounting parts, the first side has numerous components. To reduce the size of the developing cartridge 1, components such as the electrode 122 and the detection protrusion 121 are located on the second side of the developing cartridge 1. The first side and second side described here refer to different sides along the length of the developing cartridge. The length of the developing cartridge is the direction of extension after the developing roller or toner blade, or other long strip-shaped components, are mounted on the developing cartridge.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the detection protrusion 121 is connected to the electrode 122 to form an integral structure. When the developing cartridge 1 is installed in the printer, the electrode 122 is always electrically connected to the printer's power output unit 2, such as... Figure 3As shown; that is, the detection protrusion 121 does not move relative to the body of the developer cartridge 1 throughout the entire printing cycle, and the rotational force of the linkage 16 is never transmitted to the detection protrusion 121 on the second side of the developer cartridge 1 to cause it to move. Therefore, it can be ensured that the printer power output unit 2 is always stably in contact with the electrode 122 of the developer cartridge or the detection protrusion, achieving a good electrical or mechanical connection and avoiding abnormal operating conditions.

[0028] like Figure 1-4 As shown, in order to retain the detectable function of the developing cartridge 1, the electrode 122 on the second side can be led out to the first side of the developing cartridge 1 through a switching circuit, thereby directly or indirectly connecting to the developing roller or powder discharge blade on the developing cartridge. The switching circuit includes an electrode component and a power introduction section. The electrode 122 is electrically connected to the electrode component 12, which extends along the surface of the developing cartridge 1, forming an electrode extension end 123 on the first side of the developing cartridge 1. A power introduction section 13 is provided on the first side of the developing cartridge 1. The power introduction section 13 is supported by a conductive material and includes an introduction end 131 and a switch section 132. The introduction end 131 is electrically connected to the powder discharge blade 11, and the switch section 132 extends to the location of the electrode extension end 123 and can make electrical contact with the electrode extension end 123. In most cases, the two are kept electrically connected, forming a normally closed switch.

[0029] In the embodiments of this application, the developing cartridge 1 is further provided with a gear set, which includes a linkage gear 161, a first gear 17, a second gear 19, and a toggle gear 15. The linkage gear 161 is connected to the linkage 16 and is used to receive the rotational force input by the printer. The linkage gear 161 is directly meshed with the first gear 17 or connected to the first gear 17 through the second gear 19. The first gear 17 may be a stirring rack gear or other functional gear, or an additional idler gear.

[0030] like Figure 2-3 As shown, the switch section 132 and the electrode extension end 123 are in two states: open and in contact.

[0031] like Figure 4The image shows a partial enlarged view A of the developing cartridge 1. The actuating gear 15 has a lever 151 and a tooth 152. The lever 151 can be used to actuate the switch part 132, which is in a fixed state, so that the switch part 132 moves away from the electrode extension end 123, thereby disconnecting the electrical connection between the two. In the embodiment of this application, in the initial state, the lever 151 contacts the switch part 132 to form a support and fixation, so that the switch part 132 disconnects the electrical connection with the electrode extension end 123. As the actuating gear 15 rotates, the lever 151 rotates to the state of moving away from the switch part 132, and the switch part 132 returns to the state of electrical contact with the electrode extension end 123 due to its own elastic force. This allows the electrode extension end 123 to be electrically connected to the switch part 132, and then to the powder discharge blade 11. Power is transmitted to the powder discharge blade 11, and the powder discharge blade 11 then transmits power to the developing roller 14.

[0032] In embodiments of this application, the inlet end 131 may also be directly connected to the developing roller 14 or the developing roller shaft, or other components that can be electrically connected to the developing roller 14, without passing through the toner ejector blade. In some embodiments, the power inlet 13 or the developing roller may be electrically connected to a reference ground signal terminal, so the printer power output unit 2 can identify whether the developing cartridge is in the installation state and whether it is a newly installed developing cartridge by detecting whether the voltage signal of the detection electrode 122 is a ground signal.

[0033] In the embodiments of this application, the protruding teeth 152 on the actuating gear 15 are not circumferentially arranged, thus forming a toothed gear. The protruding teeth 152 mesh with the first gear 17 in the initial state. After the developing cartridge 1 is installed on the printer side, the linkage 16 receives the input power from the printer end and rotates. The linkage gear 161 follows the linkage 16 to rotate, thereby driving the gear set meshed with it to rotate, transmitting power to components such as the stirring rack and developing roller 14.

[0034] In the embodiments of this application, the first gear 17 is driven to rotate by the linkage gear 161, thereby actuating the meshing tooth 152. The actuating gear 15 is rotated, and the lever 151 linked to the actuating gear 15 rotates and disengages from the support state of the switch part 132. The switch part 132 contacts the electrode extension end 123 due to the elastic restoring force, thus achieving electrical connection. Since the actuating gear 15 is a toothed gear, when the actuating gear 15 is driven to move and rotate by the rotational force of the linkage 16, the tooth 152 changes from a state of meshing with the first gear 17 to a state of disengagement, thereby disengaging the actuating gear from the power connection with the linkage. Therefore, after the developing cartridge is installed in the printer, the lever 151 can only exert a single force on the switch part 132.

[0035] In the embodiments of this application, the switch part 132 and the electrode extension end 123 can also form a normally open switch. The lever 151 is used to press and fix the switch part 132, so that the switch part 132 is close to the electrode extension end 123 and the two are connected. In the embodiments of this application, the lever 151 is not in contact with the switch part 132 in the initial state. As the actuating gear 15 rotates, the lever 151 rotates to the state of pressing and fixing the switch part 132, and the switch part 132 is pressed into contact with the electrode extension end 123.

[0036] The implementation method of the detected component of the developer cartridge 1 provided in this application has a simple structure, which eliminates the need for transmission components that span both sides of the length direction of the developer cartridge 1, thereby reducing component costs. Furthermore, on the second side, there is no need to set up moving parts, making the contact between the developer cartridge 1 and the printer more stable.

[0037] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms “center,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inner,” “outer,” “axial,” and “circumferential” used to indicate orientation or positional relationships are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the location or original must have a specific orientation, or a specific construction and operation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0038] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0039] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between components; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0040] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge with a fixed protrusion for detecting defects, characterized in that, include: A developing roller, the developing roller being rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; A housing configured to contain developing material therein, the housing having a first end and a second end separated from the first end in the first direction; A linkage, rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the linkage being positioned at the first end portion of the housing; an electrode, the electrode being located at the second end of the housing; A detection protrusion is electrically connected to the electrode and is fixedly disposed at the second end of the housing; The electrode is directly or indirectly connected to the developing roller via a switching circuit. The switching circuit is powered by the rotation of the linkage to achieve the electrical connection between the electrode and the developing roller.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching circuit includes an electrode component and a power inlet. The electrode component is electrically connected to an electrode, and the power inlet is directly or indirectly electrically connected to a developing roller.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The power introduction section includes an introduction end and a switch section; the electrode component includes an electrode extension end, the introduction end is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the developing roller, and the switch section and the electrode extension end can be changed from a disconnected state to an electrically connected state by the rotational force of the linkage.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that, The developing cartridge also includes a toggle gear that is actuated by the rotational force of the linkage. The toggle gear includes a lever and a tooth. The tooth is used to receive the rotational force transmitted directly or indirectly by the linkage, and the lever is used to actuate the switch.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that, The actuating gear is a toothed gear. After being actuated by the rotational force of the linkage, the actuating gear disengages from the power connection of the linkage.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The power inlet or developing roller is electrically connected to the reference ground signal terminal.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the lever is in the state of supporting the switch part, the switch part is disconnected from the electrode extension end; when the lever is disengaged from the state of supporting the switch part by the rotation of the linkage, the switch part resumes electrical contact with the electrode extension end.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that, The toggle gear can only be toggled once.

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