CHIP MODULE OF A TONER CARTRIDGE

Abstract

A toner cartridge chip module contains a substrate, a memory element, and several connectors. The substrate is equipped with multiple conductive traces. The memory element is mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to these traces. The connectors are spaced apart. Each connector comprises a terminal section that is mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to one of the conductive traces, as well as two contact ends that are electrically connected to the terminal section and spaced apart. Because each connector has two contact ends that are electrically and mechanically connected to a conductive strip of a read head in an electronic imaging device, the electrical connection between the chip module and the read head of the electronic imaging device is secure, thus preventing poor electrical contact.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an electronic imaging apparatus and, more particularly, to a chip module of a toner cartridge for use in an electronic imaging apparatus. 2. Description of the state of the art

[0002] An electronic imaging device, such as a photocopier, printer, etc., is generally equipped with a replaceable toner cartridge. The front end of the toner cartridge is provided with a chip module, which serves to contact a read head of the electronic imaging device to transmit relevant information. The read head includes a base, a plurality of communication conductive strips, and a ground conductive strip. To accurately align the chip module with the read head, a protruding pin is provided on the base, the ground conductive strip is provided on two lateral edges of the protruding pin, and the communication conductive strips are arranged on the two lateral sides of the protruding pin.

[0003] Accordingly, the chip module is provided with several terminals that are electrically and mechanically coupled to the communication and grounding strips for information transmission.

[0004] Since the toner cartridge is a consumable item, it must be replaced when the toner is used up. After repeated insertion of the replaced toner cartridges into the read head, deformation of the communication and grounding conductive strips inevitably occurs, resulting in poor electrical contact between the chip module and the read head. Therefore, developing a chip module alignment structure to ensure that each newly inserted toner cartridge is positively aligned and can contact the read head of the electronic imaging device, avoiding poor electrical contact under the condition of low manufacturing costs and reducing the burden on consumers, has become a technical challenge that the industry is striving to address.WO2023020445 A1 discloses a developer cartridge comprising a shell, a chip, a developing member rotatably mounted in the shell, and a drive force receiving member provided at the longitudinal end of the housing for driving the rotatable developing member. The chip is provided with electrical contacts. The developing box further comprises a chip connection component that is movable relative to the housing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention was conceived in view of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a chip module of a toner cartridge that can ensure positive electrical contact between the chip module and a read head of an electric image forming apparatus, thereby preventing poor electrical contact.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a chip module for a toner cartridge having a low manufacturing cost, thereby reducing the burden on consumers.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objects, the present invention provides a chip module for a toner cartridge, comprising a substrate, a memory, a plurality of terminals, and a terminal holder. The substrate is provided with a plurality of conductive traces thereon. The memory is mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to the conductive traces. The terminals are arranged at a certain distance from each other. The terminals are fixed to the terminal holder. Each of the terminals includes a terminal portion mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to one of the conductive traces, and two contact ends electrically connected to the terminal portion and spaced from each other.Since each terminal has two contact ends that are electrically connected and mechanically contacted with a conductive strip of a read head of an electronic imaging device, the electrical connection between the chip module and the read head of the electronic imaging device can be ensured, thus avoiding poor electrical contact. Furthermore, the terminals can be manufactured with the same structure, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the chip module and reducing the burden on the consumer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the present invention, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing that a chip module of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is separated from a reading head; Fig. 2 is an enlarged, partially cutaway front view showing that the chip module of the embodiment of the present invention is coupled to the read head; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the chip module of the toner cartridge of the present invention; Fig. 5 is another perspective view of the chip module of the toner cartridge of the present invention; and Fig. 6-7 are two cross-sectional views along two sections of Fig. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In the following, an embodiment is described in detail with the accompanying drawings to illustrate the technical features and structure of the present invention. Fig. 1-5 illustrate a chip module 1 of a toner cartridge 2 according to an embodiment of the present application. The chip module 1 is arranged at the front end of the toner cartridge 2 to be mechanically and electrically coupled to a read head 3 of an electronic imaging device (not shown) to facilitate message transmission between the toner cartridge 2 and the electronic imaging device. The read head 3 comprises a base 4, three communication conductive strips 5, and a ground conductive strip 6. The base 4 is provided with a protruding pin 7 located between the three communication conductive strips 5, and the ground conductive strip 6 has two exposed portions 8 located on two opposite sides of the protruding pin 7. The communication conductive strips 5 each have an L-shaped profile with an included acute angle and two side wings 9.Both the communication conductive strips 5 and the ground conductive strip 6 can undergo elastic deformation when subjected to an external force. The chip module 1 comprises a substrate 10, a memory 18, four terminals 20, a terminal holder 30, and a retaining holder 40.

[0010] The substrate 10 is provided with a plurality of conductive tracks 12, and the substrate 10 has four through-holes 14. The wall of each through-hole 14 is provided with a contact 16. The memory 18 is provided on one side of the substrate 10 and is electrically connected to the conductive tracks 12. The memory 18 stores relevant information about the toner cartridge 2.

[0011] The four terminals 20 are formed from sheet metal pieces and arranged parallel to one another. Each terminal 20 includes a terminal portion 21 disposed on the substrate 10 and electrically connected to one of the conductor tracks 12, a base portion 22 extending from the terminal portion 21, two suspension or support arms 23 extending from two ends of the base portion 22, two contact ends 24 extending toward each other in two directions from the terminal ends of the two support arms 23, and two hooks 28 extending away from each other in two directions from the terminal ends of the two support arms 23. The terminal portion 21 is inserted into the through-hole 14 of the substrate 10 and electrically connected to the contact 16. The base portion 22 is divided into two parts extending in opposite directions from the terminal portion 21.The two support arms 23 are arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the base section 22. The two contact ends 24 are electrically connected to the connection section 21 via the two support arms 23 and the base section 22. The two contact ends 24 are spaced apart from one another and each have a contact surface 26. The two contact surfaces 26 are not parallel to one another, but each have an inclination angle of approximately 70° to 80°. In another embodiment, the connection section 21 can be electrically connected to the conductor track 12 of the substrate 10 by welding, so that the substrate 10 does not need to have through holes 14 and contacts 16. The base section 22 and / or the two support arms 23 can be omitted or replaced by other structures, as long as the two contact ends 24 are electrically connected to the connection section 21.

[0012] The terminal holder 30 comprises a base plate 31, two extension plates 34 extending in parallel from a first side 32 of the base plate 31, eight first receiving grooves 35 provided on the inner sides of the two extension plates 34 to receive the support arms 23 of the terminals 20, four second receiving grooves 36 provided on a second side 33 of the base plate 31 to receive the base portions 22 of the terminals 20, eight through slots 37 penetrating the first side 32 and the second side 33 of the base plate 31 to allow the support arms 23 to pass through, and three elastic hook arms 38 extending in parallel from the base plate 31 in the direction opposite to the two extension plates 34, the first side 32 and the second side 33 being provided on the opposite sides of the base plate 31.

[0013] When the terminals 20 are installed in the terminal holder 30, each suspension arm 23 of the terminal 20 is slightly pushed inward, forced through the through slot 37 from the second side 33, and then accommodated in the first receiving groove 35. When the correct position is reached, the support arms 23 expand slightly outward due to the elastic restoring force, allowing the hooks 28 to engage the terminal holder 30. In this way, the terminals 20 can be securely connected to the terminal holder 30, and at the same time, the base portions 22 are precisely positioned in the second receiving grooves 36. This securely fixes the relative position of the terminals 20. As the terminal holder 30 approaches the substrate 10, the terminal portions 21 of the terminals 20 can correctly protrude into the through holes 14 and electrically connect to the contacts 16.This not only enables rapid assembly but also eliminates the need for individual alignment and welding of each terminal 20 to the through-holes 14 or contacts 16 of the substrate 10. Since the actual alignment and welding processes in the prior art are time-consuming and labor-intensive, the present invention can effectively reduce manufacturing costs.

[0014] The retaining bracket 40 is slid onto the front end of the toner cartridge 2 and has a receiving space 42 for receiving the substrate 10 and the memory 18. When the connector bracket 30 is anchored to the retaining bracket 40 by the elastic hook arms 38, the retaining bracket 40 is connected to the connector bracket 30 and clamps the substrate 10 and the memory 18 therebetween. In this way, the chip module 1 can be securely attached to the toner cartridge 2. In another embodiment, the connector bracket 30 can be connected to the retaining bracket 40 by gluing, snapping, or other means.

[0015] When the toner cartridge 2 is inserted into the electronic image forming device, the chip module 1 is connected to the reading head 3. The terminals 20 can be divided into a ground terminal 20a and three transmission terminals 20b depending on their function. The ground terminal 20a is electrically coupled to the grounding strip 6 such that the two contact ends 24 of the ground terminal 20a abut the two exposed portions 8 of the grounding strip 6, as shown in Fig. 6. Each transmission terminal 20b is electrically coupled to one of the communication strips 5 such that the contact surfaces 26 of the two contact ends 24 of the transmission terminals 20b rest against the two side wings 9 of the communication strips 5, as shown in Fig.7. Since the communication conductive strip 5 may be deformed under the action of an external force, the contact surfaces 26 may not be in full contact with the side wings 9, but this does not impair the electrical connection between them. Since all terminals 20 each have two contact ends 24, there are two electrical connection areas when each terminal 20 is in contact with one of the communication conductive strips 5 or the ground conductive strip 6. Even if one contact end 24 cannot properly contact the conductive strip due to the deformation of the communication conductive strips 5 or the ground conductive strip 6, the other contact end 24 can still fulfill the purpose of electrical connection. Therefore, the chip module 1 of the present invention ensures electrical connection with the read head of the electronic imaging device, thereby avoiding poor electrical contact.

[0016] Another aspect is that by using terminals 20 with the same structural design, they can be abutted and positively contacted with the communication and grounding strips 5 and 6 with different structural designs, eliminating the need to manufacture terminals with different shapes using different molds. This effectively reduces manufacturing costs, thereby relieving consumers and achieving the objectives of the present invention.

[0017] Based on the above-mentioned technical features, various modifications can be made to the structure of the chip module 1. For example, the terminal holder 30 can be converted into a different structure, as long as the terminal holder 30 can securely fix the relative positions of the terminals 20. Such variations are not to be considered a departure from the scope of the invention. All such modifications that would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

[1] Chip module (1) of a toner cartridge (2), which comprises: a substrate (10) on which a plurality of conductor tracks (12) are arranged; a memory (18) mounted on the substrate (10) and electrically connected to the conductor tracks (12); and a plurality of terminals (20) arranged at a distance from one another, each of the terminals (20) comprising a terminal section (21) attached to the substrate (10) and electrically connected to one of the conductor tracks (12), and two contact ends (24) electrically connected to the terminal section (21) and spaced from one another, characterized by that it further comprises a terminal holder (30) to which the terminals (20) are attached. [2] Chip module (1) of the toner cartridge (2) according to claim 1, characterized bythat each of the terminals (20) comprises two support arms (23) which are electrically connected to the connection section (21), and each of the two support arms (23) has a connection end; and the two contact ends (24) are each provided at the connection ends of the two support arms (23). [3] Chip module (1) of the toner cartridge (2) according to claim 2, characterized by that the two contact ends (24) extend from the connection ends of the two support arms (23) towards each other. [4] Chip module (1) of the toner cartridge (2) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that each of the terminals (20) comprises a base portion (22) extending from the terminal portion (21), and that the two support arms (23) extend from two ends of the base portion (22). [5] The chip module (1) of the toner cartridge (2) according to claim 4, wherein the terminal holder (30) comprises: a base plate (31) having a first side (32) and a second side (33) opposite to the first side (32), two extension plates (34) extending from the first side (32) of the base plate (31), a plurality of first receiving grooves (35) provided on the two extension plates (34) for receiving the support arms (23) of the terminals (20), a plurality of second receiving grooves (36) provided on the second side (33) of the base plate (31) for receiving the base portions (22) of the terminals (20), and a plurality of through slots (37) penetrating the first and second sides (32, 33) of the base plate (31); wherein the support arms (23) of the terminals (20) extend through the through slots (37) respectively. [6] Chip module (1) of the toner cartridge (2) according to claim 5, characterized bythat two hooks (28) extend away from each other from the connection ends of the two support arms (23) of each of the connections (20); wherein the two hooks (28) of each of the connections (20) are anchored to the connection holder (30). [7] Chip module (1) of the toner cartridge (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that each of the two contact ends (24) of each terminal (20) is provided with a contact surface (26); and the contact surfaces (26) of the two contact ends (24) of each terminal (20) are not parallel to each other. [8] Chip module (1) of the toner cartridge (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that it further comprises a retaining bracket (40) connected to the terminal bracket (30) such that the substrate (10) and the memory (18) are held between the terminal bracket (30) and the retaining bracket (40). [9] Chip module (1) of the toner cartridge (2) according to claim 8, characterized bythat the connection bracket (30) comprises a plurality of elastic hook arms (38) which are anchored to the retaining bracket (40). [10] Chip module (1) of the toner cartridge (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the connections (20) are sheet metal pieces. [11] Chip module (1) of the toner cartridge (2) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized byin that the chip module (1) is suitable for coupling to a read head (3) of an electronic image generation device, wherein the read head (3) comprises an earthing conductor strip (6) and a plurality of communication conductor strips (5); the terminals (20) comprise an earthing terminal (20a) and a plurality of transmission terminals (20b); the two contact ends (24) of the earthing terminal (20a) are designed such that they can be brought into contact with the earthing conductor strip (6) of the read head (3), and the two contact ends (24) of each of the transmission terminals (20b) are designed such that they can be brought into contact with one of the communication conductor strips (5) of the read head (3).

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