Process cartridge

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of processing box, processing box includes main assembly and toner cartridge detachably installed to main assembly, toner cartridge is used to accommodate carbon powder, and supplies carbon powder to main assembly, the main assembly includes mutually combined developing box and toner cartridge installation part, toner cartridge is detachably installed to toner cartridge installation part;The processing box further includes the powder receiving member for receiving the carbon powder falling between toner cartridge and developing box, powder receiving member is set to at least one of developing box and toner cartridge installation part;In such setting, for example: carbon powder falling in the carbon powder of toner cartridge towards the transport process of developing box, or, carbon powder falling in the dismounting process of toner cartridge, can be received by powder receiving member, so that the carbon powder falling can not contaminate processing box and imaging device, prolong the service life of processing box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrophotographic imaging technology, and in particular to a processing box. Background Technology

[0002] A processing cartridge is a consumable used in electrophotographic imaging equipment. The processing cartridge includes a main component and a toner cartridge. The main component includes a developing cartridge with a developing roller and a toner container. The toner container holds toner, and the developing roller carries the toner. The toner cartridge replenishes toner from the toner container and is detachably installed to the main component. This allows for replenishment of toner or replacement of the toner cartridge when the toner is depleted, thereby increasing the toner capacity of the processing cartridge. The toner cartridge has a toner outlet, and the toner container has a toner inlet. Toner from the toner cartridge is replenished to the toner container through the outlet and inlet. Therefore, preventing toner leakage from the outlet and inlet to the outside of the processing cartridge is a research and development issue that needs to be considered. Utility Model Content

[0003] This utility model provides a processing box employing the following technical solution to solve at least one of the aforementioned technical problems. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0004] The processing cartridge includes a main assembly and a toner cartridge removably mounted to the main assembly. The toner cartridge is used to contain toner and supply toner to the main assembly. The main assembly includes a developer cartridge and a toner cartridge mounting portion joined together, with the toner cartridge removably mounted to the toner cartridge mounting portion.

[0005] The processing box further includes a powder receiving component for receiving toner that falls between the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge, the powder receiving component being disposed in at least one of the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge mounting portion.

[0006] The developing cartridge includes a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing housing. The developing roller rotates about a first rotation axis parallel to the left and right directions. A powder hopper for holding toner is formed inside the developing housing.

[0007] The toner cartridge includes a main housing and a receiving cavity formed within the main housing, the receiving cavity being used to hold toner; the developing cartridge is provided with a toner inlet communicating with the toner hopper, and the toner cartridge is provided with a toner outlet communicating with the receiving cavity, the toner in the toner cartridge being transported to the toner hopper through the toner outlet and the toner inlet.

[0008] The developer cartridge and toner cartridge mounting section are arranged in a front-to-back direction, intersecting with the left-to-right direction. The developer cartridge is located in front of the toner cartridge mounting section. The direction that intersects with both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions is the up-down direction. Along the up-down direction, at least one of the toner outlet and the toner inlet coincides with at least a part of the toner receiving component.

[0009] The powder receiving component includes a powder receiving housing and a powder receiving cavity formed within the powder receiving housing. The powder receiving cavity is used to receive toner that falls from between the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge. The powder receiving housing also has a powder receiving port that communicates with the powder receiving cavity, through which the fallen toner enters the powder receiving cavity.

[0010] In the vertical direction, at least one of the powder outlet and the powder inlet coincides with at least a portion of the powder receiving port, and the powder receiving port faces upwards at least.

[0011] The powder receiving component is detachably installed to at least one of the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge mounting section.

[0012] The toner cartridge mounting section includes a mounting housing and a mounting cavity formed within the mounting housing. The mounting cavity is open to the rear and is used to accommodate at least a portion of the toner cartridge. The toner receiving component is detachably mounted to at least one of the developing housing and the mounting housing.

[0013] The toner cartridge mounting section includes a mounting housing and a mounting cavity formed within the mounting housing, the mounting cavity being open to the rear and used to accommodate at least a portion of the toner cartridge; at least one of the developing housing and the mounting housing is integrally formed with the toner receiving member.

[0014] The powder receiving housing includes a first part and a second part, with a powder receiving cavity formed between the first part and the second part, and the second part and the first part are configured to be movable relative to each other.

[0015] The second part is movable relative to the first part, or the second part is detachable relative to the first part.

[0016] The second part is connected to the first part by adhesive bonding or snap-fit.

[0017] The processing box also includes a drum box that is combined with the developing box. The drum box includes a drum housing and a photosensitive drum that is rotatably disposed in the drum housing. The surface of the photosensitive drum is used to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing roller and the photosensitive drum are disposed opposite to each other. The developing roller is used to transport toner to the photosensitive drum so that the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum is developed.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the processing cartridge provided by this utility model receives toner falling between the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge by setting a toner receiving component. For example, toner falling between the toner inlet and outlet during the toner cartridge's transport to the developing cartridge, or toner falling during the disassembly of the toner cartridge, prevents toner from contaminating the processing cartridge and imaging equipment, and extends the service life of the processing cartridge. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the main components of the processing box and the toner cartridge involved in this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is a perspective view of the main component of the processing box involved in this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 The main component of the processing box involved in this utility model is along Figure 2B A three-dimensional view after being sectioned along the AA direction.

[0022] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of some components of the main assembly of the processing box involved in this utility model.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the toner cartridge of the processing box involved in this utility model.

[0024] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of some components of the toner cartridge of the processing box involved in this utility model.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the toner cartridge mounting section of the main component of the processing box involved in this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] (Structure of the processing box)

[0028] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the main components of the processing box and the toner cartridge involved in this utility model.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the processing box 100 includes a main component 10 and a toner cartridge 20. The toner cartridge 20 is detachably installed to the main component 10. The toner cartridge 20 is used to hold toner and to deliver / supply toner to the main component 10, thereby increasing the toner capacity of the processing box 100 and extending the service life of the processing box 100.

[0030] (Structure of the main component)

[0031] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is a perspective view of the main component of the processing box involved in this utility model; Figure 3 The main component of the processing box involved in this utility model is along Figure 2B A three-dimensional view after being sectioned along the AA direction.

[0032] like Figure 1 , Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown, the main component 10 includes a drum cartridge 11 and a developing cartridge 12 joined together. The drum cartridge 11 includes a drum housing 111 and a photosensitive drum 112 rotatably disposed within the drum housing 111. The surface of the photosensitive drum 112 is used to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing cartridge 12 includes a developing housing 121 and a developing roller 122 rotatably disposed within the developing housing 121. The developing roller 122 is disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 112. A toner hopper 123 for containing toner is also formed within the developing housing 121 (e.g., ...). Figure 3 As shown, the toner in the toner hopper 123 is conveyed to the developing roller 122, which carries the toner and conveys it to the photosensitive drum 112, so that the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 112 is developed.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, the developing roller 122 rotates around a first rotation axis L parallel to the left-right direction, and the photosensitive drum 112 rotates around a rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis L. The developing box 12 and the drum box 11 are arranged in the front-back direction, with the drum box 11 located in front of the developing box 12. The front-back direction intersects with the left-right direction, and the direction that intersects with both the front-back and left-right directions is the up-down direction. Preferably, the left-right direction, the front-back direction, and the up-down direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0034] The developing cartridge 12 further includes a toner inlet 124 and a first sealing member 125 for sealing the toner inlet 124. The toner inlet 124 is disposed on the developing housing 121 and is used to allow toner from the toner cartridge 20 to enter the toner hopper 123. The toner inlet 124 communicates with the toner hopper 123. The first sealing member 125 includes a first connecting port 125a and a first actuating part 125b arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The first actuating part 125b is used to seal the toner inlet 124, so that the toner in the toner cartridge 20 cannot be transported to the toner hopper 123 through the toner inlet 124. The first connecting port 125a is used to connect the toner inlet 124, thereby allowing the toner in the toner cartridge 20 to enter the toner hopper 123 through the first connecting port 125a and the toner inlet 124.

[0035] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of some components of the main assembly of the processing box involved in this utility model.

[0036] Figure 2A , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the first sealing member 125 is movable relative to the developing housing 121. Specifically, the first sealing member 125 can move in the left and right direction, so that the first sealing member 125 can switch between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first actuating part 125b seals the powder inlet 124, and the powder inlet 124 is sealed, so the toner in the toner cartridge 20 cannot enter the toner hopper 123. In the second position, the first connecting port 125a connects with the powder inlet 124, the powder inlet 124 is unsealed, and the toner in the toner cartridge 20 can enter the toner hopper 123.

[0037] When the first seal 125 is in the second position, at least a portion of the first communication port 125a coincides with the powder inlet 124 in the direction intersecting the left and right directions.

[0038] The developing housing 121 has a rear sidewall 121a facing rearward. In some embodiments, the powder inlet 124 is disposed on the rear sidewall 121a and is open to the rearward. Alternatively, the powder inlet 124 extends through the rear sidewall 121a in the front-rear direction.

[0039] like Figure 1 , Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the main component 10 also includes a toner cartridge mounting part 13 for mounting the toner cartridge 20. The toner cartridge 20 is detachably mounted to the toner cartridge mounting part 13. The drum cartridge 11, the developer cartridge 12, and the toner cartridge mounting part 13 are distributed sequentially in a front-to-back direction. The toner cartridge mounting part 13 is connected to the developer cartridge 12. The toner cartridge mounting part 13 includes a mounting housing 131 and a mounting cavity 132 formed in the mounting housing 131. The mounting cavity 132 is open to the rear and is used to accommodate at least a portion of the toner cartridge 20. The toner cartridge 20 is mounted in a forward direction and detached in a rearward direction.

[0040] In some embodiments, the developing housing 121 is integrally formed with the mounting housing 131, which reduces the assembly difficulty of the processing cartridge 100.

[0041] (Structure of the toner cartridge)

[0042] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the toner cartridge of the processing box involved in this utility model; Figure 6 This is an exploded view of some components of the toner cartridge of the processing box involved in this utility model.

[0043] like Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the toner cartridge 20 includes a main housing 21 and a receiving cavity 22 formed in the main housing 21. The receiving cavity 22 is used to receive toner. The toner cartridge 20 also includes a toner outlet 23 disposed in the main housing 21. The toner outlet 23 communicates with the receiving cavity 22. When the toner cartridge 20 is installed in the mounting cavity 132, at least a portion of the toner outlet 23 coincides with the toner inlet 124 along the front-back direction. Preferably, the toner outlet 23 and the toner inlet 124 completely coincide.

[0044] The main housing 21 has a front sidewall 21a facing forward. In some embodiments, the powder outlet 23 is disposed on the front sidewall 21a and is open to the front, or the powder outlet 23 extends through the front sidewall 21a in the front-back direction.

[0045] The toner cartridge 20 also includes a sealing assembly 24 having a pusher 241, a connector 242, and a second seal 243. The connector 242 is used to connect the pusher 241 and the second seal 243. The sealing assembly 24 can move in the left and right direction relative to the main housing 21. Specifically, under the action of external force, the pusher 241 can move in the left and right direction, and the pusher 241 drives the second seal 243 to move in the left and right direction through the connector 242.

[0046] In the front-back direction, the second seal 243 is spaced apart from the pusher 241. In other words, the pusher 241, the connector 242 and the second seal 243 are distributed sequentially from back to front. In the front-back direction, the powder outlet 23 is located in front of the pusher 241 and the second seal 243 is located in front of the powder outlet 23.

[0047] The second seal 243 includes a second connecting port 243a and a second working part 243b arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The second connecting port 243a is used to connect to the powder outlet 23, so that the toner in the receiving cavity 22 can be transported to the developing cartridge 12. The second working part 243b is used to seal the powder outlet 23, so that the toner in the receiving cavity 22 cannot be transported to the developing cartridge 12.

[0048] The sealing assembly 24 has a third position and a fourth position. Specifically, under the action of external force, the pusher 241 drives the second sealing member 243 to move between the third position and the fourth position through the connector 242. In the third position, the second actuating part 243b seals the powder outlet 23, and the powder outlet 23 is sealed, so the toner in the receiving cavity 22 cannot be delivered to the developing cartridge 12. In the fourth position, the second connecting port 243a connects with the powder outlet 23, the powder outlet 23 is unsealed, and the toner in the receiving cavity 22 can be delivered to the developing cartridge 12. In the fourth position, along the direction intersecting with the left and right directions, the second connecting port 243a coincides with the powder outlet 23.

[0049] The sealing component 24 is linked with the first sealing element 125. Specifically, the second sealing element 243 can drive the first sealing element 125 to move in the left and right direction, so that the first sealing element 125 moves between the first position and the second position. When the sealing component 24 is in the third position, the first sealing element 125 is in the first position. When the sealing component 24 is in the fourth position, the first sealing element 125 is in the second position. The powder outlet 23 is correspondingly set with the powder inlet 124, and the first connecting port 125a is correspondingly set with the second connecting port 243a.

[0050] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the toner cartridge mounting section of the main component of the processing box involved in this utility model.

[0051] like Figure 2A and Figure 7 As shown, the mounting housing 131 of the toner cartridge mounting part 13 is also provided with an exposure port 131a, which communicates with the mounting cavity 132. When the toner cartridge 20 is installed in the toner cartridge mounting part 13, the powder outlet 23 and the second sealing member 243 are exposed to the developing cartridge 12 through the exposure port 131a, so that the toner of the toner cartridge 20 can be transported to the developing cartridge 12. Along the front-back direction, at least a portion of the exposure port 131a coincides with the opening of the mounting cavity 132.

[0052] During the toner transport process from the toner cartridge 20 to the developing cartridge 12, the toner in the receiving cavity 22 needs to pass through the toner outlet 23, the second connecting port 243a, the first connecting port 125a, and the toner inlet 124 in sequence before entering the toner hopper 123. In the front-to-back direction, gaps may exist between adjacent components of the toner outlet 23, the second connecting port 243a, the first connecting port 125a, and the toner inlet 124. During the toner transport process, toner may leak through these gaps. Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the processing cartridge 100 also includes a toner receiving member 14 disposed on at least one of the developing cartridge 12 and the toner cartridge mounting portion 13. The toner receiving member 14 is used to receive toner falling from between the developing cartridge 12 and the toner cartridge 20. Furthermore, the receiving member 14 is used to receive toner falling between the toner outlet 23 and the toner inlet 124, so as to avoid the falling toner from contaminating the processing cartridge 100 and the imaging device.

[0053] In some embodiments, the toner receiving member 14 can receive toner that falls during the transport of toner from the toner cartridge 20 to the developing cartridge 12, for example, toner that falls through the aforementioned gap.

[0054] In some embodiments, the receiver 14 can also receive toner that falls off during the process of removing the toner cartridge 20 from the toner cartridge mounting portion 13.

[0055] In the vertical direction, the powder receiving member 14 is located below the powder outlet 23 and the powder inlet 124. In the vertical direction, at least a portion of the powder receiving member 14 coincides with at least one of the powder outlet 23 and the powder inlet 124. The powder receiving member 14 includes a powder receiving housing 141 and a powder receiving cavity 142 formed in the powder receiving housing 141. The powder receiving cavity 142 is used to receive toner that falls from between the developing cartridge 12 and the toner cartridge 20. The powder receiving housing 141 has a powder receiving port 141c that communicates with the powder receiving cavity 142. The fallen toner enters the powder receiving cavity 142 through the powder receiving port 141c. In the vertical direction, at least a portion of the powder receiving port 141c coincides with at least one of the powder outlet 23 and the powder inlet 124. The powder receiving cavity 142 is open at least upward, that is, the powder receiving port 141c faces upward at least.

[0056] In some embodiments, the powder inlet 141c is opposite to the gap in the vertical direction.

[0057] In some embodiments, the powder receiving component 14 is detachably mounted to at least one of the developing cartridge 12 and the toner cartridge mounting portion 13. Further, the powder receiving component 14 is detachably mounted to at least one of the developing housing 121 and the mounting housing 131, making the powder receiving component 14 easy to replace. In this case, the powder receiving component 14 is provided as a groove, with the groove at least open upwards.

[0058] In some embodiments, the powder receiving member 14 is integrally formed with at least one of the developing housing 121 and the mounting housing 131, which can reduce the assembly difficulty of the processing cartridge 100.

[0059] In some embodiments, the toner receiving housing 141 includes a first portion 141a and a second portion 141b, with the first portion 141a located above the second portion 141b in the vertical direction. The toner receiving port 141c is formed in the first portion 141a, and the toner receiving cavity 142 is formed between the first portion 141a and the second portion 141b. The first portion 141a and the second portion 141b are configured to be relatively movable. For example, the second portion 141b is movable relative to the first portion 141a, or the second portion 141b is detachable relative to the first portion 141a. In such a configuration, the toner in the toner receiving cavity 142 can be discharged without disassembling the toner receiving member 14. Alternatively, when the toner receiving member 14 is integrally formed with at least one of the developing housing 121 and the mounting housing 131, the toner in the toner receiving cavity 142 can also be discharged.

[0060] In some embodiments, under the action of an external force, the second part 141b can move in the left-right direction relative to the first part 141a.

[0061] In some embodiments, the second part 141b and the first part 141a are connected by adhesive bonding, snap-fitting, or other methods.

[0062] In some embodiments, the second part 141b and the first part 141a are arranged in a left-right direction. This can be understood as the left or right side wall of the powder receiving housing 141 being set as the second part 141b, and the remaining part being the first part 141a. The second part 141b is movable relative to the first part 141a, so that the toner in the powder receiving cavity 142 can also be discharged.

[0063] In some embodiments, the second part 141b and the first part 141a are arranged in a front-to-back direction. This can be understood as the front or rear sidewall of the powder receiving housing 141 being set as the second part 141b, and the remaining part being the first part 141a. The second part 141b is movable relative to the first part 141a, so that the toner can also be discharged.

[0064] Based on the inventive concept of this utility model, the main component 10 of the processing box 100 may also include only the developing box 12 and the toner cartridge mounting part 13, without including the drum box 11. The toner in the toner cartridge 20 is transported to the developing box 12. In this configuration, the above technical solution can also achieve the same technical effect.

[0065] [Beneficial Effects]

[0066] Compared with the prior art, the processing box 100 provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0067] Firstly, the processing cartridge 100 receives toner falling between the toner cartridge 20 and the developing cartridge 12 by providing a toner receiving element 14. For example, toner falling between the toner inlet 124 and the toner outlet 23 during the toner transport process from the toner cartridge 20 to the developing cartridge 12, or toner falling during the disassembly process of the toner cartridge 20, so that the toner does not contaminate the processing cartridge 100 and the imaging equipment, thus extending the service life of the processing cartridge 100.

[0068] Secondly, the powder receiving housing 141 of the powder receiving component 14 includes a first part 141a and a second part 141b. The second part 141b and the first part 141a are configured to be movable relative to each other. For example, the second part 141b is movable relative to the first part 141a, or the second part 141b is detachable relative to the first part 141a. With this configuration, when the powder receiving cavity 142 is filled with toner, the toner in the powder receiving cavity 142 can be discharged without disassembling the powder receiving component 14, so that the powder receiving component 14 can continue to be used. At the same time, it also reduces the difficulty of operation for users and improves the user experience.

Claims

1. A processing box, comprising a main component and a toner cartridge detachably mounted to the main component, the toner cartridge for containing toner and supplying toner to the main component, characterized in that, The main component includes a developer cartridge and a toner cartridge mounting part that are connected to each other, and the toner cartridge is detachably mounted to the toner cartridge mounting part. The processing box further includes a powder receiving component for receiving toner that falls between the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge, the powder receiving component being disposed in at least one of the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge mounting portion.

2. The processing box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developing cartridge includes a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably disposed in the developing housing. The developing roller rotates about a first rotation axis parallel to the left and right directions. A powder hopper for holding toner is formed inside the developing housing. The toner cartridge includes a main housing and a receiving cavity formed within the main housing, the receiving cavity being used to hold toner; the developing cartridge is provided with a toner inlet communicating with the toner hopper, and the toner cartridge is provided with a toner outlet communicating with the receiving cavity, the toner in the toner cartridge being transported to the toner hopper through the toner outlet and the toner inlet. The developer cartridge and toner cartridge mounting section are arranged in a front-to-back direction, intersecting with the left-to-right direction. The developer cartridge is located in front of the toner cartridge mounting section. The direction that intersects with both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions is the up-down direction. Along the up-down direction, at least one of the toner outlet and the toner inlet coincides with at least a part of the toner receiving component.

3. The processing box according to claim 2, characterized in that, The powder receiving component includes a powder receiving housing and a powder receiving cavity formed within the powder receiving housing. The powder receiving cavity is used to receive toner that falls from between the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge. The powder receiving housing also has a powder receiving port that communicates with the powder receiving cavity, through which the fallen toner enters the powder receiving cavity. In the vertical direction, at least one of the powder outlet and the powder inlet coincides with at least a portion of the powder receiving port, and the powder receiving port faces upwards at least.

4. The processing box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The powder receiving component is detachably installed to at least one of the developing cartridge and the toner cartridge mounting section.

5. The processing box according to claim 2, characterized in that, The toner cartridge mounting section includes a mounting housing and a mounting cavity formed within the mounting housing. The mounting cavity is open to the rear and is used to accommodate at least a portion of the toner cartridge. The toner receiving component is detachably mounted to at least one of the developing housing and the mounting housing.

6. The processing box according to claim 2, characterized in that, The toner cartridge mounting section includes a mounting housing and a mounting cavity formed within the mounting housing, the mounting cavity being open to the rear and used to accommodate at least a portion of the toner cartridge; at least one of the developing housing and the mounting housing is integrally formed with the toner receiving member.

7. The processing box according to claim 3, characterized in that, The powder receiving housing includes a first part and a second part, with a powder receiving cavity formed between the first part and the second part, and the second part and the first part are configured to be movable relative to each other.

8. The processing box according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second part is movable relative to the first part, or the second part is detachable relative to the first part.

9. The processing box according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second part is connected to the first part by adhesive bonding or snap-fit.

10. The processing box according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The processing box also includes a drum box that is combined with the developing box. The drum box includes a drum housing and a photosensitive drum that is rotatably disposed in the drum housing. The surface of the photosensitive drum is used to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing roller and the photosensitive drum are disposed opposite to each other. The developing roller is used to transport toner to the photosensitive drum so that the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum is developed.

Images