Development cartridge

Abstract

To provide a structure in which a coupling, a detection gear, and an electric contact surface of a storage medium are properly arranged in a development cartridge to downsize an image formation device.SOLUTION: A development cartridge 1 includes: a coupling 41 having a housing 10 capable of storing a developer and extending in a first direction, the coupling being located in one side of the housing 10 in the first direction; a detection gear 52 located in the other side of the housing 10 in the first direction; and a recording medium 61 having an electric contact surface 611 located in the one side of the housing 10 in the first direction. The detection gear 52 is rotatable around a rotary axis 85 extending in the first direction. The coupling 41 is rotatable around a rotary axis 83 extending in the first direction. The structure allows reduction of a first-directional edge surface of the housing 10 by arranging the detection gear 52, the coupling 41, and the electric contact surface 611 in the opposite side of the housing 10 in the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developing cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a developing cartridge that is detachable from an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer is known. A conventional developing cartridge is described in, for example, Patent Document 1. The developing cartridge contains toner, which is a developer. Such a developing cartridge has an electrode that receives power from the image forming apparatus. The electrode supplies the power received from the image forming apparatus to the developing roller. The developing cartridge also has a coupling. The coupling receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the developing cartridge described in Patent Document 1 has a detection gear. The detection gear is a gear for informing the image forming apparatus whether the developing cartridge is new or not, or the specifications of the developing cartridge. After the developing cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus, when the coupling receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus, the detection gear rotates.

[0003] The developing cartridge described in Patent Document 2 has a storage medium. The storage medium can record information such as the number of printed sheets. In the developing cartridge described in Patent Document 2, the cartridge side contact portion of the IC chip is provided at the abutment portion of the detection gear. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-54056 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2008-242085 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the developing cartridge described in Patent Document 2, the coupling, the detection gear, and the IC chip are located on one first side of the housing of the developing cartridge. In this case, many components are arranged on the first side, so the first side becomes large. In other words, the developing cartridge becomes large. Meanwhile, on the inner surface of the image forming device corresponding to the first side of the developing cartridge, a driving member that sends a driving force to the coupling, an actuator that detects the detection gear, and a contact portion that reads information from the IC chip are provided. For this reason, the inner surface of the image forming device corresponding to the first side has a complex configuration, and there is a possibility that the image forming device becomes large.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a structure for appropriately arranging the electrical contact surfaces of the coupling, the detection gear and the storage medium in the developing cartridge in order to reduce the size of an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the first invention of the present application is a developing cartridge comprising: a housing capable of containing developer, the housing extending in a first direction; a coupling located on one side of the housing in the first direction, the coupling rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction; a detection gear located on the other side of the housing in the first direction, the detection gear rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction; and a storage medium having an electrical contact surface, the electrical contact surface being located on one side of the housing in the first direction.

[0008] A second invention of the present application is the developing cartridge of the first invention, wherein the storage medium is located on one side of the casing in the first direction.

[0009] A third invention of the present application is the developing cartridge according to the first or second invention, wherein the detection gear is rotatable in accordance with the rotation of the coupling.

[0010] The fourth invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the third invention, further comprising a first shaft extending in the first direction, the first shaft being rotatable in accordance with the rotation of the coupling, and the detection gear being rotatable in accordance with the rotation of the first shaft.

[0011] The fifth invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the fourth invention, further comprising an agitator including the first shaft, the agitator being rotatable together with the first shaft in accordance with rotation of the coupling, and the detection gear being rotatable in accordance with rotation of the agitator.

[0012] The sixth invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the fifth invention, characterized in that the detection gear is positioned on one side of the first shaft in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the coupling is positioned on one side of the first shaft in the second direction.

[0013] The seventh invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the fifth or sixth invention, characterized in that the coupling includes a coupling gear rotatable together with the coupling, and the agitator further includes a first agitator gear attached to the first shaft, located on one side of the housing in the first direction, and rotatable together with the first shaft, and the coupling gear and the first agitator gear mesh with each other.

[0014] The eighth invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the fifth or sixth invention, further comprising a first idle gear located on one side of the housing in the first direction, the coupling including a coupling gear rotatable together with the coupling and meshing with the first idle gear, and the agitator including a first agitator gear attached to the first shaft, located on one side of the housing in the first direction, rotatable together with the first shaft, and meshing with the first idle gear.

[0015] The 9th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of any of the 5th to 8th inventions, characterized in that the agitator further includes a second agitator gear attached to the first shaft, located on the other side of the housing in the first direction, and rotatable together with the first shaft, and the second agitator gear and the detection gear mesh with each other.

[0016] The 10th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of any of the 5th to 8th inventions, further comprising a second idle gear located on the other side of the housing in the first direction and meshing with the detection gear, and the agitator further includes a second agitator gear attached to the first shaft, located on the other side of the housing in the first direction, rotatable together with the first shaft, and meshing with the second idle gear.

[0017] The 11th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge described in any of the 1st to 10th inventions, further comprising a developing roller rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller having a roller shaft extending in the first direction, and an electrode electrically connected to the roller shaft, the electrode being located on the other side of the housing in the first direction.

[0018] The 12th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the 11th invention, characterized in that the electrode includes a gear shaft extending in the first direction, the detection gear is rotatable about the gear shaft, and the detection gear covers a portion of the circumferential surface of the gear shaft.

[0019] The 13th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge described in any of the 1st to 12th inventions, characterized in that it further includes a gear cover that covers a part of the detection gear and is positioned on the other side of the housing in the first direction.

[0020] The 14th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge described in any of the 1st to 6th inventions, characterized in that the housing has a first outer surface located on one side of the housing in the first direction and a second outer surface located on the other side of the housing in the first direction, and the electrical contact surface is located on the first outer surface.

[0021] A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the developing cartridge of the fourteenth aspect, wherein the storage medium is located on the first outer surface.

[0022] A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the developing cartridge according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, wherein the detection gear is located on the second outer surface.

[0023] The 17th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the 16th invention, further comprising a second shaft located on the second outer surface and extending in the first direction along the second axis, and the detection gear is rotatable about the second shaft.

[0024] An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is the developing cartridge of the seventeenth aspect, wherein the second shaft extends from the second outer surface of the housing.

[0025] The 19th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the 17th invention, characterized in that the housing further comprises a through hole penetrating the second outer surface and a cap attached to the through hole, and the second shaft extends from the cap.

[0026] The 20th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge described in any of the 17th to 19th inventions, further comprising a developing roller rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller having a roller shaft extending in the first direction, and an electrode electrically connected to the roller shaft, the electrode being located on the other side of the housing in the first direction.

[0027] The 21st invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the 20th invention, characterized in that the electrode includes a gear shaft extending in the first direction, the gear shaft is the second shaft, the detection gear is rotatable about the gear shaft, and the detection gear covers a portion of the circumferential surface of the gear shaft.

[0028] The 22nd invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of any of the 16th to 21st inventions, characterized in that it further comprises a gear cover that covers a portion of the detection gear and is positioned on the second outer surface.

[0029] A twenty-third aspect of the present invention is a developing cartridge according to any one of the fourteenth to twenty-second aspects, wherein the coupling is located on the first outer surface.

[0030] The 24th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the 23rd invention, characterized in that the coupling includes a coupling gear rotatable together with the coupling, and the agitator further includes a first agitator gear attached to the first shaft, located on the first outer surface and rotatable together with the first shaft, and the coupling gear and the first agitator gear mesh with each other.

[0031] The 25th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the 23rd invention, further comprising a first idle gear located on the first outer surface, the coupling including a coupling gear rotatable together with the coupling and meshing with the first idle gear, and the agitator including a first agitator gear attached to the first shaft, located on the first outer surface, rotatable together with the first shaft, and meshing with the first idle gear.

[0032] The 26th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of any of the 23rd to 25th inventions, characterized in that the agitator further includes a second agitator gear attached to the first shaft, located on the second outer surface, and rotatable together with the first shaft, and the second agitator gear and the detection gear mesh with each other.

[0033] The 27th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of any of the 23rd to 25th inventions, further comprising a second idle gear located on the second outer surface and meshing with the detection gear, and the agitator further includes a second agitator gear fixed to the first shaft, located on the second outer surface, rotatable together with the first shaft, and meshing with the second idle gear.

[0034] The 28th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the 24th or 25th invention, characterized in that the first shaft includes a first end in the first direction and a second end spaced from the first end in the first direction, the first end penetrating the first outer surface, and the first agitator gear being attached to the first end.

[0035] The 29th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of the 26th or 27th invention, characterized in that the first shaft includes a first end in the first direction and a second end spaced from the first end in the first direction, the second end penetrating the first outer surface, and the second agitator gear being attached to the second end.

[0036] A 30th aspect of the present invention is a developing cartridge according to any one of the first to twenty-ninth aspects, wherein the coupling has a recess or a protrusion for receiving a driving force.

[0037] A thirty-first aspect of the present invention is a developing cartridge according to any one of the first to thirtieth aspects of the present invention, wherein the detection gear has a shape that represents information relating to the specifications of the developing cartridge.

[0038] A thirty-second aspect of the present invention is the developing cartridge of the thirty-first aspect, wherein the specifications are the number of pages that can be printed using the developing cartridge.

[0039] The 33rd invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of any of the 1st to 30th inventions, characterized in that the detection gear is rotatable from a first position indicating that the developing cartridge is in an unused state to a second position indicating that the developing cartridge is in a used state.

[0040] The 34th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of any of the 1st to 33rd inventions, characterized in that the detection gear includes a plurality of teeth, and the plurality of teeth are arranged on a portion of the circumference of the detection gear.

[0041] A thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention is the developing cartridge according to any one of the first to thirty-fourth aspects, wherein the detection gear includes a projection extending in the first direction.

[0042] A thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention is the developing cartridge according to the thirty-fifth aspect, wherein the detection gear includes a plurality of the protrusions.

[0043] A thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention is a developing cartridge according to any one of the first to thirty-sixth aspects, wherein the storage medium stores information relating to the developing cartridge.

[0044] The 38th invention of the present application is a developing cartridge of any of the 1st to 37th inventions, characterized in that the storage medium is positioned on one side of the housing in the first direction, and the storage medium has the electrical contact surface. Effect of the Invention

[0045] According to the first to thirty-eighth inventions of the present application, in the developing cartridge, the coupling and the electrical contact surface of the storage medium are located on one side of the housing in the first direction, and the detection gear is located on the other side of the housing in the first direction, so that the coupling, the detection gear, and the electrical contact surfaces of the storage medium can be efficiently arranged.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the second invention of the present application, since the storage medium is located on one side of the housing in the first direction, the coupling, the detection gear, the electrical contact surface of the storage medium, and the storage medium can be efficiently arranged.

[0047] According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, the electrodes are located on the other side of the housing in the first direction, so that the coupling, the detection gear, the electrical contact surface of the storage medium, and the electrodes can be efficiently arranged. Furthermore, the electrical contact surface is located on one side of the housing in the first direction, and the electrodes are located on the other side of the housing in the first direction, so that electrical interference between the electrodes and the electrical contact surface can be reduced.

[0048] According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the detection gear is rotatable about a gear shaft included in the electrode. Since a part of the electrode can be used as the gear shaft about which the detection gear can rotate, the detection gear and the electrode can be efficiently disposed on the other side of the housing in the first direction.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, since the storage medium has an electrical contact surface, the storage medium and the electrical contact surface can be efficiently disposed on one side of the housing in the first direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0050] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5]FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a developing cartridge. [Figure 7] 13 is a perspective view of a developer cartridge and a drum cartridge according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the drum cartridge is mounted to an image forming apparatus with a development cartridge of a modified example mounted in the drum cartridge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the direction in which the rotation axis of the developing roller extends is referred to as the "first direction." Also, the direction perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the line connecting the agitator shaft 21 of the agitator 20 and the roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30 is referred to as the "second direction."

[0052] <1. Overall structure of the developing cartridge> 1 to 5 are perspective views of a developing cartridge 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the developing cartridge 1 showing the positional relationship of each gear. The developing cartridge 1 is used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (e.g., a laser printer or an LED printer) and is a unit that supplies a developer (e.g., a toner) to a photosensitive drum. As shown in FIG. 1, the developing cartridge 1 of this embodiment is attached to a drawer unit 90 of the image forming apparatus.

[0053] In this embodiment, four developer cartridges 1 are attached to one drawer unit 90. The four developer cartridges can accommodate developers of different colors (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). The developer is, for example, toner. The drawer unit 90 has four cartridge holders 91. Each cartridge holder 91 is provided with a photosensitive drum.

[0054] The drawer unit 90 can be pulled out from the image forming apparatus, and the developing cartridges 1 can be attached to each of the four cartridge holding portions 91 of the drawer unit 90. In addition, the drawer unit 90 can be pulled out from the image forming apparatus, and the developing cartridges 1 can be removed from the drawer unit 90.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the developing cartridge 1 of this embodiment includes a casing 10, an agitator 20, a developing roller 30, a first gear portion 40, a second gear portion 50, and an IC chip assembly 60. As shown in FIG.

[0056] The casing 10 is a housing capable of accommodating a developer (e.g., toner) for electrophotographic printing. The casing 10 has a first outer surface 11 and a second outer surface 12. The first outer surface 11 is an outer surface on one side of the casing 10 in the first direction. The second outer surface 12 is an outer surface on the other side of the casing 10 in the first direction. The first outer surface and the second outer surface are separated in the first direction. The first outer surface 11 is provided with a first gear portion 40 and an IC chip assembly 60. The second outer surface 12 is provided with a second gear portion 50. The casing 10 extends in the first direction between the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12. A toner chamber 13 that accommodates toner is provided inside the casing 10. The first direction is the extension direction of the casing 10 and the developing roller 30.

[0057] The agitator 20 is an agitation device that extends in a first direction. The agitator 20 has an agitator shaft 21 and an agitation blade 22. The agitator shaft 21 extends along a rotation axis 81 that extends in the first direction. The agitator shaft 21 is columnar and extends along the first direction. The agitator shaft 21 constitutes a "first shaft." The agitation blade 22 extends radially outward from the agitator shaft 21. The agitation blade 22 is disposed in the toner chamber 13 of the casing 10.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 4, the agitator shaft 21 has a first end 211 and a second end (not shown). The first end 211 is an end on one side of the agitator shaft 21 in the first direction. The first end 211 penetrates the first outer surface 11 of the casing 10. A first agitator gear 44, which will be described later, is attached to the first end 211. Specifically, the first agitator gear 44 is fixed so as not to be movable relative to the first end 211. In addition, the first agitator gear 44 is located on the first outer surface 11.

[0059] The second end is the other end of the agitator shaft 21 in the first direction. The second end penetrates the second outer surface 12 of the casing 10. As shown in FIG. 5, a second agitator gear 51, which will be described later, is attached to the second end. Specifically, the second agitator gear 51 is fixed so as not to be movable relative to the second end. In addition, the second agitator gear 51 is located on the second outer surface 12.

[0060] With the above configuration, the agitator shaft 21 and the agitating blade 22 rotate together with the first agitator gear 44 and the second agitator gear 51. When the agitator 20 rotates, the agitating blade 22 rotates, and the toner in the toner chamber 13 is agitated.

[0061] The developing roller 30 is a roller that can rotate around a rotation axis 82 that extends in the first direction. The developing roller 30 of this embodiment has a roller body 31 and a roller shaft 32. The roller body 31 is a cylindrical member that extends in the first direction. The material of the roller body 31 is, for example, elastic rubber. The roller shaft 32 is a substantially cylindrical member that penetrates the roller body 31 in the first direction. The material of the roller shaft 32 is a metal or a conductive resin. The roller body 31 is fixed to the roller shaft 32 so as not to rotate relative to it. Therefore, when the roller shaft 22 rotates, the roller body 21 also rotates together with the roller shaft 22.

[0062] It is to be noted that the roller shaft 22 does not have to axially penetrate the roller body 21. For example, a pair of roller shafts 22 may extend in the axial direction from both ends of the roller body 21, respectively.

[0063] One end of the roller shaft 32 in the first direction is fixed to a developing gear 42 (described later) so as not to rotate relatively to the developing gear 42. Therefore, when the developing gear 42 rotates, the roller shaft 32 also rotates, and the roller body 31 rotates together with the roller shaft 32.

[0064] Here, a direction parallel to a straight line connecting the agitator shaft 21 and the roller shaft 32 at the same position in the first direction is defined as a second direction. The roller shaft 32 is located on one side of the agitator shaft 21 in the second direction. The agitator shaft 21 is also located on the other side of the roller shaft 32 in the second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0065] The casing 10 has an opening 14. The opening 14 connects the toner chamber 13 to the outside. The opening 14 connects the toner chamber 13 to the outside. The opening 14 is located at one end of the casing 10 in the second direction. The developing roller 30 is located at the opening 14. That is, the developing roller 30 is located near one end of the casing 10 in the second direction.

[0066] When the image forming apparatus is in operation, in the developing cartridge 1, toner is supplied from the toner chamber 13 in the casing 10 to the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 30 via a supply roller (not shown). At that time, the toner is frictionally charged between the supply roller and the developing roller 30. Meanwhile, a bias voltage is applied to the roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30 by power supplied from the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the toner is attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the roller body 31 by the electrostatic force between the roller shaft 32 and the toner.

[0067] The developer cartridge 1 also has a layer thickness regulating blade (not shown). The layer thickness regulating blade regulates the toner on the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 31 to a constant thickness. The toner on the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 31 is then supplied to a photosensitive drum provided in the drawer unit 90. At this time, the toner moves from the roller body 31 to the photosensitive drum in accordance with the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is visualized on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0068] The first gear portion 40 is located on one side of the casing 10 in the first direction. That is, the first gear portion 40 is located on the first outer surface 11. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge 1 with the first gear portion 40 disassembled. As shown in FIG. 4, the first gear portion 40 has a coupling 41, a developing gear 42, an idle gear 43, a first agitator gear 44, and a first gear cover 45. Therefore, the coupling 41, the developing gear 42, the idle gear 43, and the first agitator gear 44 are located on the first outer surface 11. Note that in FIG. 4, illustration of multiple gear teeth of each gear is omitted.

[0069] The coupling 41 is a part that first receives the driving force supplied from the image forming apparatus. The coupling 41 is capable of rotating around a rotation shaft 83 that extends in a first direction. The rotation shaft 83, which is the rotation center of the coupling 41, constitutes a "first shaft." The coupling 41 has a coupling portion 411 and a coupling gear 412. The coupling portion 411 and the coupling gear 412 are formed, for example, from a single piece of resin.

[0070] Coupling portion 411 is provided with fastening holes 413 recessed in the first direction. Fastening holes 413 are recesses for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus. Coupling portion 411 may have a protrusion for receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus instead of fastening holes 413. Furthermore, coupling gear 412 has a plurality of gear teeth provided at equal intervals around the entire circumference of its outer periphery.

[0071] When the drawer unit 90 with the developer cartridge 1 attached is stored in the image forming apparatus, the drive shaft of the image forming apparatus is inserted into the fastening hole 413 of the coupling part 411. This connects the drive shaft and the coupling part 411 so that they cannot rotate relative to each other. Therefore, when the drive shaft rotates, the coupling part 411 rotates, and the coupling gear 412 rotates together with the coupling part 411.

[0072] The developing gear 42 is a gear for rotating the developing roller 30. The developing gear 42 can rotate around a rotation axis 82 extending in the first direction. A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals around the outer periphery of the developing gear 42. At least some of the gear teeth of the coupling gear 412 and at least some of the gear teeth of the developing gear 42 mesh with each other. The developing gear 42 is fixed to one end of the roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30 in the first direction so as not to rotate relative to the developing gear 42. Therefore, when the coupling gear 412 rotates, the developing gear 42 rotates, and the developing roller 30 rotates together with the developing gear 42.

[0073] The idle gear 43 is a gear for transmitting the rotation of the coupling gear 412 to the first agitator gear 44. The idle gear 43 constitutes a "first idle gear". The idle gear 43 can rotate around a rotation shaft 84 extending in the first direction. The idle gear 43 has a large diameter gear portion 431 and a small diameter gear portion 432 (see FIG. 6) arranged in the first direction. The small diameter gear portion 432 is located on the other side of the large diameter gear portion 431 in the first direction. That is, the small diameter gear portion 432 is located between the large diameter gear portion 431 and the first outer surface 11 of the casing 10. Therefore, the large diameter gear portion 431 is located farther from the first outer surface 11 than the small diameter gear portion 432. The diameter of the small diameter gear portion 432 is smaller than the diameter of the large diameter gear portion 431. In other words, the diameter of the tip circle of the small diameter gear portion 432 is smaller than the diameter of the tip circle of the large diameter gear portion 431. The large diameter gear portion 431 and the small diameter gear portion 432 are formed integrally from, for example, resin.

[0074] The large diameter gear portion 431 and the small diameter gear portion 432 each have a plurality of gear teeth at equal intervals around the entire circumference. The number of gear teeth of the small diameter gear portion 432 is smaller than the number of gear teeth of the large diameter gear portion 431. At least some of the gear teeth of the coupling gear 412 and at least some of the gear teeth of the large diameter gear portion 431 mesh with each other. At least some of the gear teeth of the small diameter gear portion 432 and at least some of the gear teeth of the first agitator gear 44 mesh with each other. When the coupling gear 412 rotates, the large diameter gear portion 431 rotates, and the small diameter gear portion 432 rotates together with the large diameter gear portion 431. The first agitator gear 44 also rotates with the rotation of the small diameter gear portion 432.

[0075] The first agitator gear 44 is a gear for rotating the agitator 20 in the toner chamber 13. The first agitator gear 44 can rotate around a rotation axis 81 extending in the first direction. A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals around the outer periphery of the first agitator gear 44. As described above, at least some of the gear teeth of the small diameter gear portion 432 and at least some of the gear teeth of the first agitator gear 44 mesh with each other. In addition, the first agitator gear 44 is fixed to the second end of the agitator shaft 21 so as not to rotate relative to the agitator gear 20. Therefore, when power is transmitted from the coupling 41 to the first agitator gear 44 via the idle gear 43, the first agitator gear 44 rotates, and the agitator 20 rotates together with the first agitator gear 44. That is, the agitator 20 including the agitator shaft 21 rotates in conjunction with the coupling 41 .

[0076] In addition, in this developing cartridge 1, an idle gear 43 is disposed between the coupling gear 412 and the first agitator gear 44, but the idle gear 43 may be omitted and the coupling gear 412 and the first agitator gear 44 may be configured to directly mesh with each other.

[0077] The first gear cover 45 is located on one side of the casing 10 in the first direction. Specifically, the first gear cover 45 is located on the first outer surface 11. The first gear cover 45 is fixed to the first outer surface 11, for example, by screwing. The coupling gear 412, the developing gear 42, the idle gear 43, and the first agitator gear 44 are housed between the first outer surface 11 and the first gear cover 45. The fastening hole 413 of the coupling portion 411 is exposed to the outside of the first gear cover 45, as shown in FIG. 2. The first gear cover 45 of this embodiment also serves as a holder cover that holds a holder 62 of an IC chip assembly 60, which will be described later. The structure of the first gear cover 45 as a holder cover will be described later.

[0078] The second gear portion 50 is located on the other side of the casing 10 in the first direction. That is, the second gear portion 50 is located on the second outer surface 12. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge 1 with the second gear portion 50 disassembled. As shown in FIG. 5, the second gear portion 50 has a second agitator gear 51, a detection gear 52, a conductive member 53, and a second gear cover 54. Therefore, the second agitator gear 51, the detection gear 52, and the conductive member 53 are located on the second outer surface 12. Note that in FIG. 5, the gear teeth of the second agitator gear 51 are omitted.

[0079] The second agitator gear 51 is a gear for transmitting the rotation of the agitator shaft 21 to the detection gear 52. The second agitator gear 51 can rotate around a rotation axis 81 extending in the first direction. A plurality of gear teeth are provided at equal intervals around the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the second agitator gear 51. The gear teeth of the second agitator gear 51 and the gear teeth of the detection gear 52 mesh with each other. In addition, the second agitator gear 51 is fixed to the first end of the agitator shaft 21 so as not to rotate relative to each other. Therefore, when the agitator shaft 21 rotates, the second agitator gear 51 also rotates.

[0080] The detection gear 52 is a gear for transmitting information about the developer cartridge 1 to the image forming apparatus. The information about the developer cartridge 1 includes, for example, information about whether the developer cartridge 1 is a new (unused) developer cartridge or a used developer cartridge. The information about the developer cartridge 1 also includes, for example, specifications of the developer cartridge 1. The specifications of the developer cartridge 1 include, for example, the number of pages that can be printed with the developer contained in the developer cartridge 1 (yield number).

[0081] The detection gear 52 can rotate around a rotation axis 85 extending in the first direction. The rotation axis 85, which is the center of rotation of the detection gear 52, constitutes a "second axis." The detection gear 52 has a plurality of gear teeth 521. The plurality of gear teeth 521 are arranged on a portion of the circumference of the detection gear 52. In other words, the detection gear 52 is a missing-tooth gear in which the plurality of gear teeth 521 are arranged on a portion of its outer periphery and the other portion does not have the gear teeth 521.

[0082] When the developing cartridge 1 is unused, the gear teeth of the detection gear 52 mesh with the second agitator gear 51. In this case, the detection gear 52 rotates in conjunction with the agitator 20 including the agitator shaft 21. Therefore, when a driving force is input to the coupling 41, the driving force is transmitted via the coupling 41, the idle gear 43, the first agitator gear 44, the agitator 20, and the second agitator gear 51, and the detection gear 52 rotates. In other words, the detection gear 52 can rotate in conjunction with the coupling 41.

[0083] When the image forming apparatus is used, the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer unit 90, and the drawer unit 90 is housed in the image forming apparatus to start use. After an unused developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer unit 90 and the drawer unit 90 is housed in the image forming apparatus, when a driving force is input to the coupling 41, the detection gear 52 rotates. After that, when the detection gear 52 rotates by a certain angle or more, the meshing between the second agitator gear 51 and the detection gear 52 is released, and the detection gear 52 stops rotating.

[0084] When the developer cartridge 1 is unused, the detection gear 52 is located at a first position indicating that the developer cartridge 1 is in an unused state. When the detection gear 52 is located at the first position, the gear teeth of the detection gear 52 mesh with the second agitator gear 51. When the use of the developer cartridge 1 starts, the detection gear 52 rotates from the first position to the second position. As a result, after the use of the developer cartridge 1 starts, the detection gear 52 is located at a second position indicating that the developer cartridge 1 is in a used state. When the detection gear 52 is located at the second position, the gear teeth of the detection gear 52 do not mesh with the second agitator gear 51. In this way, the state of the detection gear 52 changes between when the developer cartridge 1 is unused and after the use starts.

[0085] Furthermore, the detection gear 52 may be a movable gear that is movable in the first direction. The movable gear does not have to be a gear with missing teeth. That is, the movable gear may have a plurality of gear teeth arranged circumferentially on its outer circumferential surface. In this case, when the movable gear rotates, the movable gear moves in the first direction, and the meshing between the movable gear and the second agitator gear 51 is released. The movable gear may move in a direction away from the second outer surface 12 in the first direction. The movable gear may move in a direction approaching the first direction from the second outer surface 12.

[0086] Therefore, when a used developing cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer unit 90 and the drawer unit 90 is housed in the image forming apparatus, the detection gear 52 does not rotate because the engagement between the detection gear 52 and the second agitator gear 51 is disengaged.

[0087] Note that another gear may be interposed between the second agitator gear 51 and the detection gear 52. For example, the second gear portion 50 may have a second idle gear that meshes with both the second agitator gear 51 and the detection gear 52. The second idle gear is located on the second outer surface 12. Then, the rotation of the second agitator gear 51 may be transmitted to the detection gear 52 via the second idle gear.

[0088] The conductive member 53 is a conductive member. A conductive metal or a conductive resin is used as the material of the conductive member 53. The conductive member 53 is located on the second outer surface 12 of the casing 10. The conductive member 53 has a gear shaft 531 protruding in the first direction. The gear shaft 531 is located on the second outer surface 12. The gear shaft 531 extends in the first direction from the second outer surface 12 along the rotation shaft 85. The rotation shaft 85 constitutes the "second shaft". The gear shaft 531 constitutes the "second shaft". The detection gear 52 rotates around the gear shaft 531 while being supported by the gear shaft 531. The conductive member 53 has a bearing portion 532. The bearing portion 532 contacts the roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30. A part of the conductive member 53 may contact the roller shaft 32. In addition, the roller shaft 32 may be inserted into the conductive member 53 so that the roller shaft 32 comes into contact with the conductive member 53 .

[0089] Drawer unit 90 has a conductive lever (not shown) that contacts gear shaft 531. When the lever contacts gear shaft 531, conductive member 53 and roller shaft 32 are electrically connected to the lever. When the image forming apparatus is driven, roller shaft 32 is maintained at a predetermined bias voltage by power supplied from the lever to gear shaft 531. That is, conductive member 53 including gear shaft 531 serves as an electrode for supplying a bias voltage to roller shaft 32.

[0090] The second gear cover 54 is located on the other side of the casing 10 in the first direction. Specifically, the second gear cover 54 is located on the second outer surface 12. The second gear cover 54 is fixed to the second outer surface 12, for example, by screwing. The second agitator gear 51, at least a part of the detection gear 52, and the conductive member 53 are housed between the second outer surface 12 and the second gear cover 54. Therefore, the second gear cover 54 covers at least a part of the detection gear 52. In addition, the second gear cover 54 has an opening 541. A part of the detection gear 52 and a part of the gear shaft 531 are exposed through the opening 541. The above-mentioned lever contacts the detection gear 52 or the gear shaft 531 through the opening 541.

[0091] The detection gear 52 has a protrusion 522. The detection gear 52 partially covers the outer circumferential surface of the gear shaft 531. The protrusion 522 is located on the other side of the multiple gear teeth 521 in the first direction. The protrusion 522 also extends in the first direction. When viewed in the first direction, the protrusion 522 has an arc-shaped portion centered on the rotation axis 85. The protrusion 522 covers a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the gear shaft 531. The protrusion 522 is rotatable together with the detection gear 52.

[0092] In an unused developer cartridge 1, a part of the gear shaft 531 is exposed to the opening 541. That is, the lever of the drawer unit 90 comes into contact with the gear shaft 531. When the image forming apparatus is started to be used and a driving force is input to the coupling 41, the detection gear 52 rotates. Then, as the detection gear 52 rotates, the protrusion 522 is inserted between the lever and the gear shaft 531. As a result, the lever and the gear shaft 531 are no longer in contact with each other. When the detection gear 52 rotates further thereafter, the lever and the gear shaft 531 come into contact with each other again. When the detection gear 52 rotates by a certain angle or more, the detection gear 52 stops rotating. Therefore, the contact between the lever and the gear shaft 531 is maintained.

[0093] In this way, as the detection gear 52 rotates, the contact state between the lever and the gear shaft 531 changes according to the shape of the detection gear 52. By recognizing the change in the contact state, the image forming apparatus identifies whether the installed developer cartridge 1 is new or not, and identifies the specifications of the developer cartridge 1. In other words, the detection gear 52 has a shape that represents information about the developer in the developer cartridge 1.

[0094] In addition, in this developing cartridge 1, the detection gear 52 has one protrusion 522, but the present invention is not limited to this. The detection gear 52 may have multiple protrusions extending in the first direction instead of the protrusion 522. In addition, the circumferential position and length of the protrusion 522 may be different from those of this embodiment. The shape of the detection gear 52 can be made different depending on the specifications of the developing cartridge 1, such as the number of printable sheets. Specifically, the number of protrusions 522, the circumferential interval between the multiple protrusions 522, the circumferential length of each protrusion 522, the radial length of each protrusion 522, and the like can be made different for each specification. In this way, by providing variations in the number and circumferential position of the protrusions 522, it is possible to present various specifications of the developing cartridge 1 to the image forming apparatus.

[0095] In addition, in this developing cartridge 1, the contact state between the lever and the gear shaft 531 is changed using the protrusion 522, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the contact state between the lever and the gear shaft 531 may be changed via another member that moves in conjunction with the rotation of the detection gear 52. Specifically, the detection gear 52 and the protrusion 522 may be separate bodies. In this case, the protrusion 522 rotates together with the rotation of the detection gear 52.

[0096] For example, the detection gear 52 may have a cam, and the cam may come into contact with the protrusion 522. In this case, the cam rotates with the rotation of the detection gear 52, and the rotation of the cam brings the cam into contact with the protrusion 522, causing the protrusion 522 to move. The protrusion 522 may be rotatably attached to a shaft provided on the second outer surface 12 or the second gear cover 54. Also, the shaft of the protrusion 522 may be inserted into a hole in the second outer surface 12 or the second gear cover 54, and the protrusion 522 may be rotatably held.

[0097] The detection gear 52 may have a shape that represents other information. For example, the detection gear 52 may have a shape that represents the color of the developer contained in the developer cartridge 1.

[0098] The IC chip assembly 60 is located on one side of the casing 10 in the first direction. That is, the IC chip assembly 60 is disposed outside the first outer surface 11 of the casing 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the IC chip assembly 60 has an IC chip 61 and a holder 62. The IC chip 61 is a storage medium. Various information related to the developing cartridge 1 is recorded in the IC chip 61. The holder 62 is a member that holds the IC chip 61. The holder 62 is held by the first gear cover 45.

[0099] 5, the IC chip 61 has an electrical contact surface 611. The electrical contact surface 611 is made of a metal that is a conductor. The electrical contact surface 611 is located on one side of the casing 10 in the first direction. The electrical contact surface 611 is also located on the first outer surface 11.

[0100] The drawer unit 90 has an electric connector. The electric connector is made of, for example, metal. When the developing cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer unit 90, the electric connector of the drawer unit 90 comes into contact with an electric contact surface 611. This enables the image forming apparatus to at least one of read information from the IC chip 61 and write information to the IC chip 61. The electric connector of the drawer unit 90 is made of, for example, metal. In this developing cartridge 1, both the main body of the IC chip 61 and the electric contact surface 611 of the IC chip 61 are located on one side of the casing 10 in the first direction.

[0101] At least a part of the holder 62 is covered by the first gear cover 45. The holder 62 has three bosses 621a, 621b, and 621c. The two bosses 621a and 621b extend in a first direction from a surface of the holder 62 opposite to a surface facing the casing 10 toward the first gear cover 45. The two bosses 621a and 621b are aligned in a second direction. The boss 621c extends in the first direction from a surface of the holder 62 facing the casing 10 toward the casing 10. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the first gear cover 45 has two through holes 451a and 451b. The two through holes 451a and 451b are aligned in the second direction. Each of the through holes 451a and 451b penetrates the first gear cover 45 in the first direction. The casing 10 also has a recess 15. The recess 15 is recessed in a first direction in the first outer surface 11 of the casing 10 .

[0102] The boss 621a is inserted into the through hole 451a. The boss 621b is inserted into the through hole 451b. The boss 621c is inserted into the recess 15. The size (inner dimension) of the through hole 451a is larger than the size (outer dimension) of the corresponding boss 621a. The size (inner dimension) of the through hole 451b is larger than the size (outer dimension) of the corresponding boss 621b. The size (inner dimension) of the recess 15 is larger than the size (outer dimension) of the boss 621c. Therefore, the holder 62 can move slightly relative to the casing 10 and the first gear cover 45 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The holder 62 may also be movable in the first direction between the first gear cover 45 and the first outer surface 11.

[0103] The number of bosses provided on holder 62 may be one or more than three. The number of through holes provided on first gear cover 45 may be one or more than three. The shape of each of bosses 621a, 621b, 621c may be a cylinder or a prism.

[0104] In addition, in the developing cartridge 1, the bosses 621a and 621b are inserted into the through holes 451a and 451b, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first gear cover 45 may have two recesses instead of the through holes 451a and 451b. The bosses 621a and 621b can be inserted into the two recesses, respectively.

[0105] In order to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to reduce the projected area of ​​the developer cartridge 1 in the first direction. That is, in order to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to reduce the size of the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12. On the other hand, the coupling 41, the electrical contact surface 611, and the detection gear 52 are each a portion that connects to the main body of the image forming apparatus. For this reason, the coupling 41, the electrical contact surface 611, and the detection gear 52 cannot be arranged overlapping in the first direction.

[0106] 6, in this developing cartridge 1, the detection gear 52 is located on the other side of the casing 10 in the first direction. Also, the coupling 41 and the electrical contact surface 611 of the IC chip 61 are located on one side of the casing 10 in the first direction. In this manner, by disposing the coupling 41, the electrical contact surface 611, and the detection gear 52 separately on the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12, the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12 can be made small. Therefore, the developing cartridge 1 and the image forming apparatus can be made smaller.

[0107] Also, in this embodiment, the coupling 41 is located on one side of the end of the agitator shaft 21 on one side in the first direction in the second direction. Also, the detection gear 52 is located on one side of the end of the agitator shaft 21 on the other side in the first direction in the second direction. In this way, the coupling 41 and the detection gear 52 are disposed on the same side in the second direction with respect to the agitator shaft 21. This allows the length of the developer cartridge 1 in the second direction to be shortened. Therefore, the developer cartridge 1 and the image forming apparatus can be made smaller in size in the second direction.

[0108] In particular, in this embodiment, since the detection gear 52 is supported by the conductive member 53, the detection gear 52 and the conductive member 53 need to be arranged on the same outer surface of the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12. Meanwhile, a high voltage bias is applied to the conductive member 53, which is an electrode. Therefore, if the distance between the conductive member 53 and the electrical contact surface 611 of the IC chip 61 is short, the IC chip 61 may be affected by high frequency noise.

[0109] However, in this developing cartridge, the detection gear 52 and the conductive member 53 are located on the second outer surface 12 on the opposite side in the first direction to the first outer surface 11 on which the electrical contact surface 611 is located. Therefore, it is possible to reduce electrical interference between the conductive member 53 and the electrical contact surface 611. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce electrical interference between the conductive member 53 and the IC chip 61. For example, it is possible to suppress the generation of high-frequency noise in the IC chip 61 caused by high-voltage charging of the conductive member 53.

[0110] In this embodiment, the entire IC chip 61 having the electrical contact surface 611 is located on the first outer surface 11 opposite to the detection gear 52 and the conductive member 53 in the first direction. However, at least only the electrical contact surface 611 of the IC chip 61 may be located on the first outer surface 11, and the main body of the IC chip 61 may be located on another surface of the casing 10, for example. Even in this case, electrical interference between the conductive member 53 and the electrical contact surface 611 can be reduced. Furthermore, electrical interference between the conductive member 53 and the IC chip 61 can be reduced. For example, generation of high-frequency noise in the IC chip 61 caused by high-voltage charging to the conductive member 53 can be suppressed.

[0111] <2. Modifications> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0112] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a developer cartridge 1A and a drum cartridge 70A according to a modified example. The developer cartridge 1A includes a developer roller 30A, a coupling 41A, a detection gear 52A, and an IC chip 61A. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the developer cartridge 1A is mounted to a drum cartridge 70A, not to a drawer unit. The drum cartridge 70A includes one developer cartridge holder 71A that holds one developer cartridge 1A. The developer cartridge holder 71A is provided with a photosensitive drum 72A. When the developer cartridge 1A is mounted to the drum cartridge 70A, the developer roller 30A of the developer cartridge 1A comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 72A.

[0113] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the drum cartridge 70A holding the developing cartridge 1A is mounted to the image forming apparatus 100A. As shown in Fig. 8, the drum cartridge 70A holding the developing cartridge 1A is mounted to a drum cartridge holding portion 101A provided in the image forming apparatus 100A.

[0114] In this way, the same structure as the developing cartridge of the above embodiment can be adopted for the developing cartridge 1A of the type to be mounted on the drum cartridge 70A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, in this developing cartridge 1A, the coupling 41A and the electrical contact surface 611A of the IC chip 61A are located on one side of the casing 10A in the first direction. Also, the detection gear 52A is located on the other side of the casing 10A in the first direction. In this way, by disposing the coupling 41A, the electrical contact surface 611A, and the detection gear 52A separately on one side and the other side in the first direction, the end surface of the developing cartridge 1A in the first direction can be made small. Therefore, the developing cartridge 1A and the image forming apparatus 100A can be made small.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the gear shaft 531, which is the first shaft, extends from the second outer surface 12 to the other side in the first direction. However, the gear shaft 531 does not have to be in direct contact with the second outer surface 12. For example, the casing 10 may further have a through hole penetrating the second outer surface 12 and a cap attached to the through hole, and the gear shaft may extend from the cap to the other side in the first direction. In this case, for example, the cap has a gear shaft that protrudes in the first direction toward the detection gear 53. The detection gear 53 rotates around the gear shaft 531 while being supported by the gear shaft.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the multiple gears in the first gear portion 40 and the second gear portion 50 are engaged with each other by meshing of gear teeth. However, the multiple gears in the first gear portion 40 and the second gear portion 50 may be engaged with each other by frictional force. For example, a friction member (e.g., rubber) may be provided on the outer periphery of the two gears that engage with each other, instead of multiple gear teeth.

[0117] Furthermore, the developing cartridge 1 in the above embodiment is mounted to a drawer unit of an image forming apparatus. However, the developing cartridge of the present invention may be mounted to a main body of an image forming apparatus that does not have a drawer unit.

[0118] In addition, the detailed shape of the developing cartridge may be different from the shape shown in each drawing of the present application. Furthermore, the elements appearing in the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples may be appropriately combined within a range where no contradiction occurs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1,1A Developer Cartridge 10 Casing 11 First outer surface 12 Second outer surface 20 Agitator 21 Agitator shaft 22 Stirring blade 30 Developing roller 32 Roller shaft 41,41A Coupling 42 Development Gear 43 Idol Gear 44 First agitator gear 51 Second agitator gear 52,52A Detection Gear 53 Conductive materials 61,61A IC chip 211 First end 412 Coupling Gear 413 Fastening hole 451 Through hole 521 Gear teeth 522 Protrusion 531 Gear shaft 611,611A Electrical Contact Surface

Claims

1. A developing cartridge, a housing capable of accommodating a developer and extending in a first direction; a developing roller rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller having a roller shaft extending in the first direction; a coupling located on one side of the housing in the first direction and rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction; an electrode electrically connected to the roller shaft and located on the other side of the housing in the first direction; a storage medium having an electrical contact surface; a first shaft extending in the first direction and rotatable in accordance with rotation of the coupling; a protrusion located on the other side of the housing in the first direction, the protrusion being movable in accordance with rotation of the first shaft, the protrusion being configured to identify whether the developing cartridge is new or not; A developing cartridge comprising:

2. 2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, The developing cartridge is characterized in that the electrodes are made of a conductive resin.

3. 3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, The electrode has a bearing into which the roller shaft is inserted.

4. 4. The developing cartridge according to claim 3, A developing cartridge, wherein the roller shaft contacts the bearing when the roller shaft is inserted into the bearing.

5. 5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, the coupling includes a coupling gear rotatable together with the coupling; a first agitator gear located on one side of the housing in the first direction; a developing cartridge, wherein the coupling gear and the first agitator gear are engaged with each other;

6. 5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, a first idle gear located on one side of the housing in the first direction; the coupling includes a coupling gear that is rotatable together with the coupling and that meshes with the first idle gear, a first agitator gear located on one side of the housing in the first direction and meshing with the first idle gear;

7. 7. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the coupling has a recess or a protrusion for receiving a driving force.

8. 8. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, The developing cartridge, wherein the storage medium stores information relating to the developing cartridge.

9. 9. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, a gear portion having a detection gear located on the other side of the housing in the first direction and rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction; The developing cartridge, wherein the detection gear is rotatable in accordance with the rotation of the coupling.

10. 10. The developing cartridge according to claim 9, The developing cartridge, wherein the detection gear is rotatable in accordance with rotation of the first shaft.

11. 11. The developing cartridge according to claim 10, an agitator including the first shaft, the agitator being rotatable together with the first shaft in accordance with rotation of the coupling; The developing cartridge, wherein the detection gear is rotatable in accordance with rotation of the agitator.

12. 12. The developing cartridge according to claim 10, The developing cartridge, wherein the detection gear is located on one side of the first shaft in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

13. 13. The developing cartridge according to claim 9, The electrode is a gear shaft extending in the first direction; the sensing gear is rotatable about the gear shaft; The developing cartridge, wherein the detection gear covers a part of a circumferential surface of the gear shaft.

14. 14. The developing cartridge according to claim 9, The developing cartridge further comprises a gear cover that covers a part of the detection gear and is located on the other side of the housing in the first direction.

15. 15. The developing cartridge according to claim 9, The detecting gear has a shape that indicates information related to the specifications of the developing cartridge.

16. 16. The developing cartridge according to claim 15, The developing cartridge, wherein the detection gear includes the protrusion extending in the first direction.

17. 17. The developing cartridge according to claim 16, The developing cartridge, wherein the detection gear includes a plurality of the projections.

18. 18. The developing cartridge according to claim 15, The specification is a number of pages that can be printed using the developing cartridge.

19. 19. The developing cartridge according to claim 9, The developing cartridge, wherein the detection gear is rotatable from a first position, which indicates that the developing cartridge is in an unused state, to a second position, which indicates that the developing cartridge is in a used state.

20. 20. The developing cartridge according to claim 9, the sensing gear includes a plurality of teeth; The developing cartridge, wherein the plurality of teeth are disposed on a portion of the circumference of the detection gear.

21. 21. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, the developing roller is located on one side of the housing in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The developing cartridge, wherein the coupling is located on one side of the first shaft in the second direction.

Images