Developing and processing boxes

Abstract

This invention provides a developing cartridge and a processing cartridge having the developing cartridge. The developing cartridge is detachably mounted to an imaging device equipped with a driving force output component. The developing cartridge includes a developing housing for containing developer, a developing roller rotatably disposed on the developing housing, and a driving force receiving component for interacting with the driving force output component to receive driving force from the imaging device. The developing roller includes a developing roller shaft and a developing roller layer disposed radially outside the developing roller shaft. The developing roller layer is used to carry the developer and convey the developer to a photosensitive drum disposed opposite to the developing roller outside the developing cartridge. The driving force is used to drive the developing roller to rotate around a rotation axis. The developing roller and the driving force receiving component are coaxially disposed. In this way, the transmission of driving force becomes more direct, reducing driving force loss and improving driving force utilization. Even if the rotational torque of the developing roller is large, the driving force can still drive the developing roller to rotate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrophotographic imaging technology, and in particular to a developing cartridge that can be detachably installed into an electrophotographic imaging device and a processing cartridge having the developing cartridge. Background Technology

[0002] A developing cartridge is a consumable that can be detachably installed into an electrophotographic imaging device. The developing cartridge includes a developing housing, a powder ejector blade, a developing roller rotatably mounted on the developing housing, and a driving force receiver for receiving driving force from the imaging device. This driving force is used to drive the developing roller to rotate, causing the developing roller to deliver developer to the outside of the developing cartridge. The powder ejector blade contacts the surface of the developing roller to control the developer thickness on the roller surface. During the rotation of the developing roller driven by the driving force, because the powder ejector blade contacts the surface of the developing roller, and because the driving force needs to be transmitted to the developing roller through an intermediate transmission device, the torque of the developing roller rotation increases, affecting the utilization rate of the driving force. Therefore, how to improve the utilization rate of the driving force is a problem that researchers need to consider. Utility Model Content

[0003] This utility model provides a developing cartridge and a processing cartridge having the developing cartridge, which solve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0004] A developing cartridge, detachably mounted to an imaging device equipped with a drive force output element, the developing cartridge comprising:

[0005] The developer housing is used to contain the developer.

[0006] A developing roller, rotatably disposed in a developing housing, includes a developing roller shaft and a developing roller layer disposed radially outside the developing roller shaft. The developing roller layer is used to carry developer and deliver developer to a photosensitive drum disposed opposite to the developing roller outside the developing chamber, thereby developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. A driving force receiver is used to interact with a driving force output unit to receive driving force from an imaging device. The driving force is used to drive the developing roller to rotate about a rotation axis. The developing roller and the driving force receiver are coaxially disposed.

[0007] The developing cartridge is provided with a driving force transmission member for transmitting driving force from the driving force receiving member to the developing roller or the developing roller shaft. The driving force receiving member includes a driving force receiving part and a driving force output part connected to each other. The driving force receiving part is used to receive driving force, and the driving force output part is used to transmit driving force at least to the developing roller.

[0008] The direction parallel to the axis of rotation is the left-right direction. Along the left-right direction, the driving force output part includes a receiving part formed by recessing from the end of the driving force output part away from the driving force receiving part toward the driving force receiving part, and the driving force transmission member is received by the receiving part.

[0009] The driving force transmission component includes a planetary gear and an internal gear ring. The internal gear ring is disposed on the inner wall of the receiving portion. The planetary gear includes a sun gear and at least one planetary gear disposed around the sun gear. The sun gear is supported by the developing roller shaft so that the driving force can be transmitted to the developing roller shaft. The planetary gear and the internal gear ring are always meshed to receive the driving force. At the same time, the planetary gear and the sun gear are always meshed to transmit the driving force to the sun gear.

[0010] The direction parallel to the axis of rotation is the left-right direction, and the direction intersecting the left-right direction is the front-back direction. A portion of the developing roller is exposed forward. The direction intersecting both the left-right and front-back directions is the up-down direction. The developing housing includes a face cover and a bottom shell that are joined together along the direction intersecting the left-right direction, and a powder hopper formed between the face cover and the bottom shell. The powder hopper is used to contain developer. The bottom shell includes a first part and a second part that are connected to each other along the front-back direction. Along the up-down direction, at least a portion of the first part is opposite to the developing roller, and the powder hopper is formed between at least a portion of the second part and the face cover.

[0011] The second part has an inner surface facing the powder hopper, with a straight line passing through the axis of rotation and parallel to the front-back direction. The straight line intersects the inner surface. Along the back-to-front direction, starting from the point of intersection of the straight line and the inner surface, the distance between the inner surface and the straight line gradually increases in the up-down direction.

[0012] When viewed from above and below, a portion of the developing roller and a portion of the second portion overlap.

[0013] The direction parallel to the axis of rotation is the left-right direction, and the direction intersecting the left-right direction is the front-back direction. A portion of the developing roller is exposed forward, and the direction intersecting both the left-right and front-back directions is the up-down direction. In the left-right direction, the end of the developing cartridge equipped with the driving force receiving element is the driving end, and the other end is the non-driving end.

[0014] The developing housing has a powder hopper for containing developer. The developing housing is provided with an auxiliary component for communicating with the powder hopper. In the left-right direction, the surface of the auxiliary component that is farthest from the non-drive end is the left end face, and the left end face faces away from the powder hopper. In the left-right direction, the left end face is farther away from the developing roller than the left end face of the driving force receiving component.

[0015] The developing cartridge also includes a chip for storing developing cartridge parameter information. In the left-right direction, the left end face of the auxiliary component is further away from the developing roller than the left end face of the chip.

[0016] The developing cartridge also includes a chip mounting bracket for mounting chips. The chip mounting bracket includes a chip holder and a receiving portion connected to each other. The chip holder is used to accommodate the chip, and the receiving portion is used to receive external abutment force, causing the developing cartridge as a whole to move upward, and the chip to form an electrical connection with the imaging device. The auxiliary component includes an auxiliary component body and an auxiliary portion connected to each other. The auxiliary component body is used to communicate with the toner cartridge, and at least a portion of the auxiliary portion enters the chip holder.

[0017] The developing cartridge includes a powder dispensing blade for controlling the thickness of the developer on the surface of the developing roller layer. The powder dispensing blade contacts the surface of the developing roller layer. The direction parallel to the axis of rotation is the left-right direction, and the direction intersecting the left-right direction is the front-back direction. A portion of the developing roller is exposed forward, and the direction intersecting both the left-right and front-back directions is the up-down direction.

[0018] In the front-back direction, the distance between the rotation axis and the front end of the developing cartridge is less than the distance between the rotation axis and the rear end of the developing cartridge; when viewed in the left-right direction, at least a portion of the powder ejector is located outside the projection range of the driving force receiver, and in the front-back direction, at least a portion of the powder ejector is located behind the rotation axis.

[0019] The processing cartridge includes a drum cartridge and the aforementioned developing cartridge, which are joined together. The drum cartridge includes a drum housing and a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed on the drum housing. The developing roller is used to deliver developer to the photosensitive drum, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, in the developing cartridge and processing box with the developing cartridge provided by this utility model, the driving force receiving member is coaxially arranged with the developing roller, and the driving force received by the driving force receiving member is transmitted to the developing roller through planetary gears. This transmission method is direct, reduces the loss of driving force, and improves the utilization rate of driving force. Under this arrangement, even if the rotational torque of the developing roller is large, the driving force can still drive the developing roller to rotate. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the developing cartridge involved in this utility model.

[0022] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of some components behind the hidden drive end cover of the developing cartridge involved in this utility model.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the driving force receiving component of the developing cartridge involved in this utility model.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a plan view of the hidden cover of the developing cartridge and the drive end cover of this utility model, viewed along the direction from the drive end to the non-drive end.

[0025] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of some components of the developing cartridge whose drive end is hidden behind the drive end cover.

[0026] Figure 6 The developing cartridge involved in this utility model is along Figure 1 Plan view after sectioning along the AA direction.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the driver end of the developing cartridge, after the driver end cover is hidden.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a plan view of the developing cartridge according to this utility model after the drive end cover is hidden, viewed from top to bottom. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] The processing cartridge can be detachably installed into an electrophotographic imaging device. The processing cartridge includes a drum box and a developing cartridge 100 that are joined together. The drum box includes a drum housing and a photosensitive drum rotatably mounted on the drum housing. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 includes a developing housing 10 and a developing roller 20 rotatably disposed on the developing housing 10, the developing roller 20 rotating about the rotation axis L.

[0031] Continue as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the developing housing 10 includes a faceplate 11, a bottom shell 12, and a powder hopper 13 formed between the faceplate 11 and the bottom shell 12. The powder hopper 13 is used to contain developer. The faceplate 11 and the bottom shell 12 are joined together in a direction intersecting the rotation axis L. Preferably, the joining direction of the faceplate 11 and the bottom shell 12 is perpendicular to the rotation axis L. The developing roller 20 is used to carry developer, and the developing roller 20 is disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum. Specifically, the developing roller 20 includes a developing roller shaft 21 and a developing roller layer 22 disposed radially outside the developing roller shaft 21. The developing roller layer 22 is used to carry developer and transport developer to the photosensitive drum outside the developing cartridge 100, so that the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is developed. During the transport of developer, the surface of the developing roller layer 22 is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. The contact area between the developing roller 20 / developing roller layer 22 and the surface of the photosensitive drum is the developing area.

[0032] The drum housing can be integrated into the imaging device, in which case the developing cartridge 100 can be detachably installed onto the drum housing or the imaging device; or, the drum housing and developing cartridge 100 can be separate products, and after being combined, they can be detachably installed onto the imaging device as a whole. In this case, the developing cartridge 100 needs to be detachably installed onto the drum housing first, and then the combined unit (processing cartridge) can be detachably installed onto the imaging device; or, the developing cartridge 100 and the drum housing are always sold and used as a whole, and the two are combined into a whole and then detachably installed onto the imaging device.

[0033] Continue as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 also includes a powder discharge blade 30 for controlling the thickness of the developer on the surface of the developing roller 20 / the surface of the developing roller layer 22, and the powder discharge blade 30 is fixedly installed on the developing housing 10.

[0034] The developing roller and the drive force receiving unit are coaxially arranged.

[0035] Definitions: The direction parallel to the rotation axis L is the left-right direction, and the direction intersecting the left-right direction is the front-back direction. A portion of the developing roller 20 is exposed forward, and the direction intersecting both the left-right and front-back directions is the up-down direction. Preferably, the left-right, front-back, and up-down directions are orthogonal to each other. It can be seen that the cover 11 and the bottom shell 12 can be joined along the front-back direction, along the up-down direction, or along a direction that is inclined relative to the left-right, front-back, and up-down directions.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 is also provided with a handle 16 for gripping, so as to facilitate the disassembly and assembly of the developing cartridge 100, and the developing roller 20 and the handle 16 are arranged in a front-to-back direction.

[0037] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 further includes a driving force receiving member 40 for receiving driving force from the imaging device. The driving force receiving member 40 includes a driving force receiving part 41 and a driving force output part 42 connected to each other. The driving force receiving part 41 is used to receive driving force, and the driving force output part 42 is used to transmit the driving force at least to the developing roller shaft 21, so that the developing roller 20 can be driven by the driving force to rotate about the rotation axis L, and the developer is transferred. Along the left-right direction, the driving force output part 42 includes a receiving part 421 recessed from the end of the driving force output part 42 away from the driving force receiving part 41 toward the driving force receiving part 41.

[0038] The developing cartridge 100 is provided with a driving force transmission member for transmitting driving force from the driving force receiving member 40 to the developing roller 20 or the developing roller shaft 21. The driving force transmission member is located inside the driving force output part 42, that is, the driving force transmission member is accommodated by the receiving part 421.

[0039] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the driving force receiving member 40 is coaxially arranged with the developing roller 20, and the driving force transmission member includes a planetary gear 50 (one embodiment of the driven part) and an internal gear ring 422 (one embodiment of the driving part). The internal gear ring 422 is disposed on the inner wall of the receiving part 421. The planetary gear 50 includes a sun gear 51 and at least one planet gear 52. The planet gear 52 is arranged around the sun gear 51. The sun gear 51 is supported by the developing roller shaft 21, so that the driving force can be transmitted to the developing roller shaft 20; the planet gear 52 and the internal gear ring 422 2. The drive force is always engaged to receive the driving force. This setting can prevent the transmission of the driving force between the drive force receiving component 40 and the developing roller 20 from being interrupted, and ensure that the driving force can be stably transmitted to the developing roller 20. Conversely, when the internal gear ring 422 and the planetary gear 52 are not always engaged, during the process of the internal gear ring 422 and the planetary gear 52 going from disengaging to re-engaging, the internal gear ring 422 and the planetary gear 52 will be subjected to a large impact force applied by each other, causing wear. In addition, the two may not be able to engage at once.

[0040] Meanwhile, the planetary gear 52 remains engaged with the sun gear 51, allowing the driving force to be transmitted to the sun gear 51. The accompanying drawings of this utility model illustrate the example of the planetary gear 50 having three planetary gears 52.

[0041] Both the planetary gear 50 and the internal gear ring 422 are accommodated by the receiving portion 421 of the driving force output portion 42. This can prevent the planetary gear 50 from being damaged by collision, and at the same time, it can also prevent the impact of dust accumulation on image quality caused by long-term use.

[0042] In the left-right direction, the developing cartridge 100 is provided with a driving force receiving member 40, one end of which is the driving end and the other end is the non-driving end; for example... Figure 2 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 also includes at least one first support member 60 for supporting the planetary gears 52. The number of first support members 60 corresponds to the number of planetary gears 52. The first support members 60 are located at the drive end. For example, the first support member 60 is configured as a protrusion formed from the bearing 14 along the direction from the non-drive end to the drive end, or as a groove formed from the bearing 14 along the direction from the drive end to the non-drive end.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first support member 60 is fixedly disposed on the developing housing 10. Specifically, the first support member 60 is disposed on the side wall of the developing housing 10 facing the driving force receiving member 40.

[0044] In some implementations, such as Figure 2 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 is also provided with a bearing 14 connected to the developing housing 10. The bearing 14 is used to support the developing roller shaft 21 to enhance the stability of the developing roller 20 when it rotates. The first support member 60 is configured as a protrusion extending from the surface 141 of the bearing 14 away from the powder hopper 13 in a direction away from the powder hopper 13.

[0045] In some embodiments, the developing cartridge 100 is further provided with a drive end cover 80 detachably connected to the developing housing 10, the drive force receiving member 40 is exposed from the drive end cover 80, the bearing 14 is located between the developing housing 10 and the drive end cover 80 along the left-right direction, and the first support member 60 is disposed on the drive end cover 80.

[0046] During the transmission of driving force, the driving force receiver 40 interacts with the driving force output component of the imaging device. The driving force receiver 40 receives the driving force and rotates. The internal gear ring 422 drives the planetary gears 52 to rotate, and the planetary gears 52 drive the sun gear 51 to rotate. Therefore, the driving force is transmitted to the developing roller 20 / developing roller shaft 21, and the developing roller 20 is driven by the driving force to rotate around the rotation axis L. During the transmission process, the planetary gears 50 can reduce the rotational speed of the developing roller 20 and increase the rotational torque used to drive the developing roller 20. At the same time, the stability of the driving force transmission can be improved by setting multiple planetary gears 52. In addition, the planetary gears 52 and the internal gear ring 422 are always meshed, and the planetary gears 52 and the sun gear 51 are also always meshed. Through this setting, the stability of the driving force transmission can also be improved.

[0047] In some embodiments, the active part is a protrusion provided on the driving force output part 42, and the driven part is a groove provided on the developing roller shaft 21 that cooperates with the protrusion. The driving force is transmitted to the developing roller 20 / developing roller shaft 21 by the cooperation of the protrusion and the groove.

[0048] In some embodiments, the active part may be a groove provided in the driving force output part 42, and the driven part may be a pin provided on the developing roller shaft 21. The driving force is transmitted to the developing roller 20 / developing roller shaft 21 by means of the pin engaging with the groove.

[0049] like Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, when viewed along the left-right direction, at least a portion of the powder dispensing blade 30 is located outside the projection range of the driving force receiving member 40, and in the front-back direction, at least a portion of the powder dispensing blade 30 is located behind the rotation axis L. With this arrangement, the diameter of the developing roller 20 is increased, correspondingly increasing the developer load of the developing roller 20, and the area of ​​the developing region also becomes larger, thereby improving the developing efficiency of the developing cartridge 100.

[0050] Furthermore, in the front-back direction, the distance between the rotation axis L and the front end of the developing cartridge 100 is less than the distance between the rotation axis L and the rear end of the developing cartridge 100. As mentioned above, in the front-back direction, the powder ejector 30 is located behind the rotation axis L. With this arrangement, the structure of the powder ejector 30 can be changed according to the overall design requirements of the developing cartridge 100. That is, there is enough space in the developing cartridge 100 to accommodate powder ejectors 30 with different structural designs. Correspondingly, the structure of the developing cartridge 100 can also be adjusted according to the different structures of the powder ejector 30. This can improve the structural design freedom of the developing cartridge 100 and the structural design freedom of the powder ejector 30, while also reducing the impact of vibration generated when the driving force receiving member 40 rotates on the powder ejector 30.

[0051] like Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the bottom shell 12 of the developing housing 10 includes a first part 121 and a second part 122 connected to each other in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the first part 121 is located in front of the second part 122. In the vertical direction, at least a portion of the first part 121 is opposite to the developing roller 20. At least a portion of the second part 122 and the faceplate 11 form the powder hopper 13. The second part 122 is inclined, or in other words, the inner surface 122a of the second part 122 facing the powder hopper 13 is set as an inclined surface. Specifically, referring to a straight line M passing through the axis of rotation L and parallel to the front-rear direction, the straight line M intersects the inner surface 122a at point N (e.g., ...). Figure 6 As shown), starting from point N in the direction from back to front, the distance between the inner surface 122a and the straight line M gradually increases in the vertical direction. Furthermore, when viewed in the vertical direction, a portion of the developing roller 20 and a portion of the second part 122 overlap, or in other words, there is an overlapping area Q between the developing roller 20 and the second part 122. With this configuration, the developer can reach the developing roller 20 / developing roller layer 22 under its own gravity. Therefore, the developing cartridge 100 does not need to be equipped with a powder feeding roller for conveying the developer from the powder hopper 13 to the developing roller 20, which reduces the number of parts in the developing cartridge 100 and simplifies the structure of the developing cartridge 100.

[0052] As described in the previous paragraph, the developing cartridge 100 may also be free of a stirring element for stirring the developer and conveying the developer toward the powder feeding roller. Therefore, the developing cartridge 100 does not need to be equipped with a mechanism for transmitting the driving force received by the driving force receiving element 40 toward the powder feeding roller and the stirring element, which can further simplify the structure of the developing cartridge 100 and reduce the manufacturing cost of the developing cartridge 100.

[0053] Specifically, when the developing cartridge 100 is equipped with a powder feeding roller and a stirring component, the powder feeding roller and the stirring component are rotatably disposed in the developing housing 10. The driving force for rotating the powder feeding roller and the stirring component comes from the imaging device. Therefore, the developing cartridge 100 also needs to be equipped with a complex driving force transmission mechanism, such as multiple gears for transmitting the driving force. The rotating component is rotatably disposed in the developing housing 10, and the rotating component is at least one of the developing roller 20, the powder feeding roller, the gear, and the stirring component. When the developing cartridge 100 is working, each rotating component in the developing cartridge 100 will rotate, and the rotation of each rotating component will cause the developing cartridge 100 to shake. Moreover, the direction and frequency of the shaking of each rotating component are different. Finally, the developing cartridge 100 will shake significantly. In order to suppress the shaking of the developing cartridge 100, it is necessary to set up components to suppress the shaking of the developing cartridge 100 in the drum box and the imaging device, which makes the structure of the drum box and / or the imaging device more complex. However, in the technical solution provided by this utility model, the developing cartridge 100 does not have a powder feeding roller and a stirring component, which can effectively reduce the shaking of the developing cartridge 100 during operation.

[0054] [Chip Components]

[0055] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the developing cartridge 100 also includes a chip component 70 for storing parameter information of the developing cartridge 100. The chip component 70 can be disposed on either the driving end or the non-driving end. The chip component 70 can form an electrical connection / electrical contact with the imaging device, so that the imaging device can obtain the parameter information of the developing cartridge 100. The parameter information refers to information such as the capacity, model and whether it is brand new of the developing cartridge 100.

[0056] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7As shown, the chip assembly 70 includes a chip 71 and a chip mounting bracket 72 for mounting the chip 71. The chip 71 is used to store parameter information of the developing cartridge 100. The chip mounting bracket 72 includes a chip holder 721 and a contact portion 722 connected to each other in the vertical direction. The chip holder 721 is used to accommodate the chip 71, and the contact portion 722 is used to receive external contact force, so that the developing cartridge 100 moves upward as a whole, and the chip 71 forms an electrical connection with the imaging device. Specifically, during the installation process of the developing cartridge 100 toward the drum box or imaging device, the contact portion 722 can abut against the contact portion (e.g., guide rail) in the drum box or imaging device, so that the developing cartridge 100 moves upward as a whole, to ensure that a stable electrical connection can be formed between the chip 71 and the imaging device.

[0057] In some embodiments, the developing housing 10 / bottom housing 12 is provided with an auxiliary member 15, which is integrally formed with or separately from the bottom housing 12. The auxiliary member 15 is in communication with the powder hopper 13. Therefore, the auxiliary member 15 can also be used to contain developer to increase the developer capacity of the developing cartridge 100. The auxiliary member 15 includes an auxiliary member body 151 and an auxiliary part 152 connected to each other. The auxiliary member body 151 is in communication with the powder hopper 13 to contain developer. At least a portion of the auxiliary part 152 enters the chip holder 721. In the left-right direction, the auxiliary part 152 protrudes from the auxiliary member body 151 toward a direction away from the powder hopper 13. In some embodiments, the auxiliary part 152 can be used to support the chip holder 721.

[0058] In some embodiments, the auxiliary part 152 is located below the chip holder 721 in the vertical direction. When the chip holder 721 is not installed correctly or falls off the drive end cover 80, the chip holder 721 can be supported by the auxiliary part 152 to ensure that the chip 71 can maintain a stable electrical connection with the imaging device.

[0059] like Figure 8 As shown, the auxiliary part 152 has an outer side (left end face) 152a. In the left-right direction, the outer side 152a faces away from the powder hopper 13. Along the left-right direction, the outer side 152a is the surface of the auxiliary member 15 / auxiliary part 152 that is farthest from the non-driving end. Furthermore, the outer side 152a is farther away from the developing roller 20 than the left end face 41a of the driving force receiving member 40.

[0060] Continue as Figure 8As shown, along the left-right direction, the outer surface 152a is further away from the developing roller 20 than the left end surface 71a of the chip 71. Along the left-right direction, the developing roller 20, the left end surface 41a of the driving force receiver 40, the left end surface 71a of the chip 71, and the left end surface (outer surface) 152a of the auxiliary part 152 are arranged sequentially from right to left. With this arrangement, the chip 71 can be protected by the auxiliary part 152. At the same time, the impact of the vibration generated when the driving force receiver 40 rotates on the connection between the chip 71 and the imaging device can be reduced.

[0061] [Beneficial Effects]

[0062] Compared with the prior art, the processing cartridge and the developing cartridge 100 in the processing cartridge provided by this utility model have the following beneficial effects:

[0063] Firstly, the driving force receiving member 40 is coaxially arranged with the developing roller 20, and the driving force received by the driving force receiving member 40 is transmitted to the developing roller 20 through the planetary gear 50. This transmission method is direct, reduces the loss of driving force, and improves the utilization rate of driving force. Under this arrangement, even if the rotational torque of the developing roller 20 is large, the driving force can still drive the developing roller 20 to rotate. For example, when there is a lot of developer in the powder hopper 13, or when the developing roller 20 is in close contact with the powder discharge blade 30, the rotation of the developing roller 20 will not be affected.

[0064] Secondly, as described in the first aspect, the powder dispensing blade 30 of this utility model can be in close contact with the developing roller 20 without affecting the rotation of the developing roller 20. In this way, when the powder dispensing blade 30 and the developing roller 20 are in close contact, the page output can be increased, the printing grayscale can be reduced, and the imaging quality of the imaging equipment can be improved.

[0065] Thirdly, the planetary gear 52 is always engaged with the internal gear ring 422 and the sun gear 51 simultaneously, which can improve the stability of the driving force transmission during the transmission of driving force.

[0066] Fourthly, the fact that the driving force receiving member 40 is coaxially arranged with the developing roller 20 can increase the diameter of the developing roller 20, thereby increasing the developer carrying capacity of the developing roller 20 and increasing the area of ​​the developing region, thus improving the developing efficiency of the developing box 100.

[0067] Fifthly, in the front-rear direction, the distance between the rotation axis L and the front end of the developing cartridge 100 is less than the distance between the rotation axis L and the rear end of the developing cartridge 100, and at least a portion of the powder dispensing blade 30 is located behind the rotation axis L. With this arrangement, the structural design freedom of the developing cartridge 100 and the structural design freedom of the powder dispensing blade 30 can be improved, while the impact of the vibration generated when the driving force receiving member 40 rotates on the powder dispensing blade 30 can be reduced.

[0068] Sixthly, the second part 122 is inclined, with reference to a straight line M passing through the rotation axis L and parallel to the front-back direction. The straight line M intersects the inner surface 122a. Along the direction from back to front, the distance between the inner surface 122a and the straight line M gradually increases in the vertical direction. Furthermore, when viewed in the vertical direction, there is an overlapping area Q between the developing roller 20 and the bottom shell 12. With this arrangement, the developer can reach the developing roller 20 / developing roller layer 22 under its own gravity. Therefore, the developing cartridge 100 does not need to be equipped with a powder feeding roller and a stirring component, which reduces the number of parts in the developing cartridge 100, simplifies the structure of the developing cartridge 100, makes the developing cartridge 100 easier to assemble, and reduces the manufacturing cost of the developing cartridge 100.

[0069] In the seventh aspect, in the first aspect, the transmission method of driving force becomes more direct. In the sixth aspect, the developing cartridge 100 is no longer equipped with a powder feeding roller and a stirring component. In this way, the driving force requirement for the imaging device to deliver the powder to the developing cartridge 100 is reduced, which can reduce the power consumption of the imaging device during operation.

Claims

1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus provided with a driving force output member, characterized by comprising: The developing cartridge includes: The developer housing is used to contain the developer. The developing roller is rotatably disposed in the developing housing, including a developing roller shaft and a developing roller layer disposed radially outside the developing roller shaft. The developing roller layer is used to carry the developer and deliver the developer to the photosensitive drum disposed opposite to the developing roller outside the developing chamber, so that the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is developed. A driving force receiver is used to interact with a driving force output to receive a driving force from an imaging device, the driving force being used to drive a developing roller to rotate about a rotation axis. The developing roller is coaxially arranged with the driving force receiving element.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The developing cartridge is provided with a driving force transmission member for transmitting driving force from the driving force receiving member to the developing roller or the developing roller shaft. The driving force receiving member includes a driving force receiving part and a driving force output part connected to each other. The driving force receiving part is used to receive driving force, and the driving force output part is used to transmit driving force at least to the developing roller. The direction parallel to the axis of rotation is the left-right direction. Along the left-right direction, the driving force output part includes a receiving part formed by recessing from the end of the driving force output part away from the driving force receiving part toward the driving force receiving part, and the driving force transmission member is received by the receiving part.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving force transmission component includes a planetary gear and an internal gear ring. The internal gear ring is disposed on the inner wall of the receiving portion. The planetary gear includes a sun gear and at least one planetary gear disposed around the sun gear. The sun gear is supported by the developing roller shaft so that the driving force can be transmitted to the developing roller shaft. The planetary gear and the internal gear ring are always meshed to receive the driving force. At the same time, the planetary gear and the sun gear are always meshed to transmit the driving force to the sun gear.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The direction parallel to the axis of rotation is the left-right direction, and the direction intersecting the left-right direction is the front-back direction. A portion of the developing roller is exposed forward. The direction intersecting both the left-right and front-back directions is the up-down direction. The developing housing includes a face cover and a bottom shell that are joined together along the direction intersecting the left-right direction, and a powder hopper formed between the face cover and the bottom shell. The powder hopper is used to contain developer. The bottom shell includes a first part and a second part that are connected to each other along the front-back direction. Along the up-down direction, at least a portion of the first part is opposite to the developing roller, and the powder hopper is formed between at least a portion of the second part and the face cover. The second part has an inner surface facing the powder hopper, with a straight line passing through the axis of rotation and parallel to the front-back direction. The straight line intersects the inner surface. Along the back-to-front direction, starting from the point of intersection of the straight line and the inner surface, the distance between the inner surface and the straight line gradually increases in the up-down direction.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that, When viewed from above and below, a portion of the developing roller and a portion of the second portion overlap.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The direction parallel to the axis of rotation is the left-right direction, and the direction intersecting the left-right direction is the front-back direction. A portion of the developing roller is exposed forward, and the direction intersecting both the left-right and front-back directions is the up-down direction. In the left-right direction, the end of the developing cartridge equipped with the driving force receiving element is the driving end, and the other end is the non-driving end. The developing housing has a powder hopper for containing developer. The developing housing is provided with an auxiliary component for communicating with the powder hopper. In the left-right direction, the surface of the auxiliary component that is farthest from the non-drive end is the left end face, and the left end face faces away from the powder hopper. In the left-right direction, the left end face is farther away from the developing roller than the left end face of the driving force receiving component.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that, The developing cartridge also includes a chip for storing developing cartridge parameter information. In the left-right direction, the left end face of the auxiliary component is further away from the developing roller than the left end face of the chip.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that, The developing cartridge also includes a chip mounting bracket for mounting the chip. The chip mounting bracket includes a chip holder and a receiving part that are connected to each other. The chip holder is used to hold the chip, and the receiving part is used to receive external abutment force, so that the developing cartridge moves upward as a whole, and the chip forms an electrical connection with the imaging device. The auxiliary component includes an auxiliary component body and an auxiliary part that are connected to each other. The auxiliary component body is used to communicate with the powder hopper, and at least a portion of the auxiliary part enters the chip holder.

9. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The developing cartridge includes a powder dispensing blade for controlling the thickness of the developer on the surface of the developing roller layer. The powder dispensing blade contacts the surface of the developing roller layer. The direction parallel to the axis of rotation is the left-right direction, and the direction intersecting the left-right direction is the front-back direction. A portion of the developing roller is exposed forward, and the direction intersecting both the left-right and front-back directions is the up-down direction. In the front-back direction, the distance between the rotation axis and the front end of the developing cartridge is less than the distance between the rotation axis and the rear end of the developing cartridge. Viewed in the left-right direction, at least a portion of the powder-discharging blade is located outside the projection range of the driving force receiver, and in the front-back direction, at least a portion of the powder-discharging blade is located behind the axis of rotation.

10. A processing box, characterized in that, The device includes a drum box and a developing cartridge as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the drum box and the developing cartridge are combined with each other, the drum box includes a drum housing and a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed on the drum housing, and a developing roller is used to deliver developer to the photosensitive drum so that an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is developed.

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