Developer cartridge

Abstract

A developing cartridge has a protrusion that receives a pressing force from a drum cartridge, and the external dimensions of the developing cartridge in the pressing direction can be reduced. [Solution] The housing 10 of the developer cartridge 1 has a first outer surface 11 and a second outer surface 12. The first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12 are spaced apart in a first direction. The housing 10 of the developer cartridge 1 also has a protrusion 15 that receives a pressing force from the drum cartridge in the second direction. The protrusion 15 extends in the first direction from the first outer surface 11 toward the outside of the housing 10. In other words, the protrusion 15 is located further outward than the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10 in the first direction. This prevents the protrusion 15 from increasing the external dimensions of the housing 10 in the second direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a developer cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as laser printers and LED printers have been known in the past. A conventional image forming apparatus is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. The image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1 has a developer cartridge and a drum cartridge (photosensitive cartridge). The developer cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. Furthermore, the drum cartridge with the developer cartridge attached is attached to the main body frame of the image forming apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-016480 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The developer cartridge has a developer roller. The drum cartridge has a photosensitive drum. When the developer cartridge is installed in the drum cartridge, the developer roller comes into contact with the photosensitive drum. The developer roller is pressed against the photosensitive drum by the pressing force received from the drum cartridge.

[0005] However, in a configuration in which the rear surface of the toner storage chamber is pressed by a pressing member as in Patent Document 1, if an attempt is made to enlarge the toner storage chamber in order to increase the toner capacity, the external dimensions of the developing cartridge in the pressing direction will increase.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a developer cartridge that has a protrusion that receives a pressing force from a drum cartridge and that can reduce the external dimensions of the developer cartridge in the pressing direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first disclosure is a developing cartridge detachably attached to a drum cartridge, the developing cartridge including: a housing for accommodating toner, the housing having a first outer surface and a second outer surface spaced apart from the first outer surface in a first direction; a developing roller rotatable about a developing axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller being located at one end of the housing in a second direction intersecting the first direction; an agitator rotatable about an agitator axis extending in the first direction; a coupling gear located on the first outer surface; and an idle gear located on the first outer surface and meshing with the coupling gear. a first outer surface of the drum cartridge, an agitator gear located on the first outer surface and connected to the agitator, the agitator gear meshing with the idle gear; and a detection gear located on the first outer surface of the drum cartridge, the detection gear meshing with the idle gear when the detection gear rotates, the housing having a convex portion that receives a pressing force in the second direction from the drum cartridge and extends from the first outer surface to the outside of the housing in the first direction, and the idle gear is located between the agitator gear and the convex portion.

[0008] The second disclosure is the developing cartridge of the first disclosure, characterized in that the convex portion has a rib that protrudes in a direction away from the developing roller in the second direction, and the rib receives a pressing force in the second direction from the drum cartridge.

[0009] The third disclosure is a developing cartridge according to the first or second disclosure, characterized in that, in the first direction, at least a portion of the convex portion is located at the same position as the coupling gear, the idle gear, the agitator gear, or the detection gear.

[0010] A fourth disclosure is the developing cartridge of the third disclosure, characterized in that at least a portion of the convex portion is located at the same position as the detection gear in the first direction.

[0011] A fifth disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the idle gear has a large diameter idle gear and a small diameter idle gear having a smaller diameter than the large diameter idle gear, the large diameter idle gear meshes with the coupling gear, and the small diameter idle gear meshes with the agitator gear and the detection gear.

[0012] A sixth disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the first to fifth disclosures, characterized in that the coupling gear has a large diameter coupling gear and a small diameter coupling gear having a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter coupling gear, and the small diameter coupling gear meshes with the idle gear.

[0013] A seventh disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the first to sixth disclosures, characterized in that, in the first direction, the detection gear is positioned farther from the first outer surface than the agitator gear.

[0014] The eighth disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the first to seventh disclosures, characterized in that it further comprises a developing roller gear located on the first outer surface, connected to the developing roller, and meshing with the coupling gear.

[0015] The ninth disclosure is the developing cartridge of the eighth disclosure, characterized in that the coupling gear has a large diameter coupling gear and a small diameter coupling gear having a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter coupling gear, and the large diameter coupling gear meshes with the developing roller gear.

[0016] The tenth disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the first to ninth disclosures, characterized in that it further comprises a supply roller rotatable about a supply axis extending in the first direction, the supply roller being in contact with the developing roller, and a supply roller gear located on the first outer surface and connected to the supply roller, the supply roller gear meshing with the coupling gear.

[0017] The 11th disclosure is the developing cartridge of the 10th disclosure, characterized in that the coupling gear has a large diameter coupling gear and a small diameter coupling gear having a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter coupling gear, and the small diameter coupling gear meshes with the supply roller gear.

[0018] The twelfth disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the first to ninth disclosures, further comprising a supply roller rotatable about a supply axis extending in the first direction, the supply roller contacting the developing roller, and a sponge located at one end of the supply roller in the first direction, wherein the convex portion holds the sponge.

[0019] The 13th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 1st to 12th disclosures, further comprising a gear cover located on the first outer surface and accommodating the coupling gear, the idle gear, and the agitator gear therein, wherein a portion of the detection gear is located inside the gear cover and another portion of the detection gear is exposed to the outside of the gear cover.

[0020] A fourteenth disclosure is the developing cartridge of the thirteenth disclosure, wherein the gear cover has an opening aligned with the protrusion in the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the first to fourteenth disclosures, the protrusions that receive the pressing force from the drum cartridge are located outside the first outer surface of the housing in the first direction, which prevents the external dimensions of the housing in the second direction from being increased by the protrusions.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the third disclosure, the length of the developing cartridge in the first direction can be reduced compared to when the protrusion and the detection gear are disposed at different positions in the first direction.

[0023] Furthermore, according to the fourth disclosure, the length of the developing cartridge in the first direction can be reduced compared to when the protrusion and the detection gear are disposed at different positions in the first direction.

[0024] Furthermore, according to the twelfth disclosure, the housing can be made smaller than when the protrusion and the holder are provided separately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a view of the developing cartridge with the gear cover removed, viewed in a first direction. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the developing cartridge with the gear cover removed. [Figure 6] 10 is a view of the vicinity of a gear portion of the developing cartridge as viewed from a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] In the following description, the direction in which the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12 of the housing 10 of the developer cartridge 1 are aligned will be referred to as the "first direction." Furthermore, the direction in which one end of the housing 10 where the developing roller 30 is located is aligned with the other end of the housing 10 will be referred to as the "second direction." The first direction and the second direction intersect with each other. For example, the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0028] <1. Overview of developing cartridges and drum cartridges> 1 and 2 are perspective views of the developer cartridge 1 and the drum cartridge 2. Fig. 1 shows the developer cartridge 1 attached to the drum cartridge 2. Fig. 2 shows the developer cartridge 1 removed from the drum cartridge 2.

[0029] The developer cartridge 1 and drum cartridge 2 are used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus is, for example, a laser printer or an LED printer. The developer cartridge 1 is detachable from the drum cartridge 2. Furthermore, the drum cartridge 2 with the developer cartridge 1 installed is detachable from the main body frame of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus forms an image on printing paper using toner supplied from the developer cartridge 1.

[0030] <2. About the developing cartridge> 3 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the developing cartridge 1 includes a housing 10, an agitator 20, a developing roller 30, a supply roller 40, and a gear portion 50.

[0031] The housing 10 is a container that contains toner, which is a developer. The housing 10 has a first outer surface 11 and a second outer surface 12. The first outer surface 11 is located at one end of the housing 10 in the first direction. The second outer surface 12 is located at the other end of the housing 10 in the first direction. The first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12 are spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

[0032] Toner is stored inside the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 10 has an opening 13. The opening 13 is located at one end of the housing 10 in the second direction. The space inside the housing 10 communicates with the external space via the opening 13. The housing 10 also has a handle 14. The handle 14 is located at the other end of the housing 10 in the second direction.

[0033] The agitator 20 is located inside the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the agitator 20 has a blade 21. The agitator 20 is rotatable about an agitator axis L1 (see FIG. 4) that extends in a first direction. When the agitator 20 rotates about the agitator axis L1, the toner inside the housing 10 is agitated by the blade 21.

[0034] The developing roller 30 is a roller that can rotate about a development axis L2 (see FIG. 4) that extends in the first direction. The developing roller 30 is supported by the housing 10. The developing roller 30 is located in the opening 13. That is, the developing roller 30 is located at one end of the housing 10 in the second direction. The developing roller 30 has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface that extends in the first direction. A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 30 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10.

[0035] The supply roller 40 is a roller that can rotate about a supply axis L3 (see FIG. 4) that extends in the first direction. The supply roller 40 is supported by the housing 10. The supply roller 40 is located inside the housing 10. More specifically, the supply roller 40 is located between the development roller 30 and the agitator 20. The supply roller 40 has a cylindrical outer circumferential surface that extends in the first direction. The outer circumferential surface of the development roller 30 and the outer circumferential surface of the supply roller 40 contact each other. The toner inside the housing 10 is supplied to the outer circumferential surface of the development roller 30 via the outer circumferential surface of the supply roller 40. As a result, the toner is carried on the outer circumferential surface of the development roller 30.

[0036] The gear unit 50 is located on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. The gear unit 50 has a gear cover 51, a coupling 52, and multiple gears. The gear cover 51 is attached to the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. Specifically, the gear cover 51 is fixed to the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10 with screws. The multiple gears are located between the first outer surface 11 and the gear cover 51 in the first direction. That is, the multiple gears are covered by the gear cover 51. The coupling 52 is exposed from the gear cover 51.

[0037] The coupling 52 is a component that can rotate about a coupling axis L4 (see FIG. 4) that extends in the first direction. When the drum cartridge 2 with the developer cartridge 1 installed is mounted to the main body frame, the drive shaft of the image forming device is inserted into the coupling 52. This allows the coupling 52 to rotate together with the drive shaft about the coupling axis L4. The image forming device transmits driving force to multiple gears via the coupling 52.

[0038] Fig. 4 is a view of the developer cartridge 1 with the gear cover 51 removed, viewed in the first direction. Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of the developer cartridge 1 with the gear cover 51 removed. Fig. 6 is a view of the vicinity of the gear portion 50 of the developer cartridge 1, viewed in a direction intersecting the first and second directions. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the multiple gears of the gear portion 50 include a coupling gear 53, a developing roller gear 54, a supply roller gear 55, an idle gear 56, an agitator gear 57, and a detection gear 58.

[0039] The coupling gear 53 is located on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. The coupling gear 53 is housed inside the gear cover 51. The coupling 52 and the coupling gear 53 are integrally molded components. Therefore, the coupling gear 53 rotates together with the coupling 52 about the coupling axis L4.

[0040] The coupling gear 53 has a large-diameter coupling gear 531 and a small-diameter coupling gear 532. The diameter of the small-diameter coupling gear 532 centered on the coupling shaft L4 is smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter coupling gear 531 centered on the coupling shaft L4. In addition, in the first direction, the small-diameter coupling gear 532 is located between the coupling 52 and the large-diameter coupling gear 531. The large-diameter coupling gear 531 and the small-diameter coupling gear 532 have a plurality of teeth around the entire outer periphery. However, in each drawing of the present disclosure, the teeth of the coupling gear 53 are not shown.

[0041] The developing roller gear 54 is located on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. The developing roller gear 54 is housed inside the gear cover 51. The developing roller gear 54 is connected to one end of the developing roller 30 in the first direction. The developing roller gear 54 has a plurality of teeth around the entire circumference of its outer periphery. However, the teeth of the developing roller gear 54 are not shown in the drawings of this disclosure.

[0042] The developing roller gear 54 meshes with the coupling gear 53. More specifically, the developing roller gear 54 meshes with the large-diameter coupling gear 531. The developing roller gear 54 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the large-diameter coupling gear 531. When the developing roller gear 54 rotates, the developing roller 30 rotates together with the developing roller gear 54 about the development axis L2.

[0043] The supply roller gear 55 is located on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. The supply roller gear 55 is housed inside the gear cover 51. The supply roller gear 55 is connected to one end of the supply roller 40 in the first direction. The supply roller gear 55 has a plurality of teeth around the entire circumference of its outer periphery. However, the teeth of the supply roller gear 55 are not shown in the drawings of this disclosure.

[0044] The supply roller gear 55 meshes with the coupling gear 53. More specifically, the supply roller gear 55 meshes with the small-diameter coupling gear 532. The supply roller gear 55 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the small-diameter coupling gear 532. When the supply roller gear 55 rotates, the supply roller 40 rotates together with the supply roller gear 55 about the supply axis L3.

[0045] The idle gear 56 is located on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. The idle gear 56 is housed inside the gear cover 51. The idle gear 56 is located between the agitator gear 57 and a protrusion 15, which will be described later. The idle gear 56 is rotatable about an idle axis L5 extending in the first direction.

[0046] The idle gear 56 has a large diameter idle gear 561 and a small diameter idle gear 562. The diameter of the small diameter idle gear 562 centered on the idle axis L5 is smaller than the diameter of the large diameter idle gear 561 centered on the idle axis L5. In addition, in the first direction, the small diameter idle gear 562 is located between the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10 and the large diameter idle gear 561. The large diameter idle gear 561 and the small diameter idle gear 562 each have a plurality of teeth around the entire circumference of their outer peripheries.

[0047] The idle gear 56 meshes with the coupling gear 53. More specifically, the large diameter idle gear 561 meshes with the small diameter coupling gear 532. The idle gear 56 rotates as the coupling gear 53 rotates.

[0048] The agitator gear 57 is located on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. The agitator gear 57 is housed inside the gear cover 51. The agitator gear 57 is connected to one end of the agitator 20 in the first direction. The agitator gear 57 has a plurality of teeth around the entire circumference of its outer periphery. However, in each drawing of the present disclosure, the teeth of the agitator gear 57 are not shown.

[0049] The agitator gear 57 meshes with the idle gear 56. More specifically, the agitator gear 57 meshes with a small-diameter idle gear 562. The agitator gear 57 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the small-diameter idle gear 562. When the agitator gear 57 rotates, the agitator 20 rotates together with the agitator gear 57 about the agitator shaft L1.

[0050] The detection gear 58 is located on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. A portion of the detection gear 58 is located inside the gear cover 51. Another portion of the detection gear 58 is exposed to the outside of the gear cover 51. The detection gear 58 is rotatable about a detection axis L6 extending in the first direction. The detection gear 58 has a recess 581 recessed radially inward in a portion of its outer periphery. The detection gear 58 has a plurality of teeth on the portion of its outer periphery other than the recess 581.

[0051] 5, in the first direction, the agitator gear 57 is located between the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10 and the detection gear 58. That is, in the first direction, the detection gear 58 is located farther from the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10 than the agitator gear 57.

[0052] 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of the developer cartridge 1 and the drum cartridge 2 when the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drum cartridge 2. Figures 7 and 8 show cross sections that include the detection gear 58 and are perpendicular to the first direction.

[0053] When the developer cartridge 1 is unused, the detection gear 58 is located at the first rotation position. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the detection gear 58 meshes with the idle gear 56. More specifically, the detection gear 58 meshes with the small-diameter idle gear 562. When the drum cartridge 2 with the developer cartridge 1 installed is installed in the image forming apparatus and a driving force is supplied from the image forming apparatus to the gear portion 50, the detection gear 58 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the idle gear 56. However, when the detection gear 58 rotates to the second rotation position, as shown in FIG. 8, the idle gear 56 and the detection gear 58 disengage from each other. This causes the detection gear 58 to stop rotating any further.

[0054] The image forming device has a sensor that detects the rotation of the detection gear 58. When the drum cartridge 2 with the developer cartridge 1 installed is installed in the image forming device, the sensor detects whether the detection gear 58 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position. This allows the image forming device to identify whether the developer cartridge 1 is unused or has already been used. Specifically, if the sensor detects the rotation of the detection gear 58 from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the image forming device identifies the developer cartridge 1 as unused. On the other hand, if the sensor does not detect the rotation of the detection gear 58 from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the image forming device identifies the developer cartridge 1 as having already been used.

[0055] The sensor can be configured, for example, with a swingable lever and an optical sensor. In this case, the lever contacts the detection gear 58 and swings according to the shape of the recess 581. The optical sensor detects the swing of the lever. In this way, the image forming apparatus can detect whether the detection gear 58 has rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position according to the detection signal of the optical sensor.

[0056] <3. About the drum cartridge> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drum cartridge 2 includes a drum frame 60 and a photosensitive drum 70.

[0057] The drum frame 60 has a first side frame 61, a second side frame 62, and a connecting frame 63. The first side frame 61 is located at one end of the drum frame 60 in the first direction. The second side frame 62 is located at the other end of the drum frame 60 in the first direction. The first side frame 61 and the second side frame 62 are spaced apart from each other in the first direction. The connecting frame 63 connects the first side frame 61 and the second side frame 62 in the first direction.

[0058] The developing cartridge 1 is detachable from the drum frame 60. When the developing cartridge 1 is attached to the drum frame 60, the developing cartridge 1 is located between the first side frame 61 and the second side frame 62 in the first direction.

[0059] The photosensitive drum 70 is a drum that can rotate about a drum axis that extends in the first direction. The photosensitive drum 70 is supported by the drum frame 60. The photosensitive drum 70 is located between the first side frame 61 and the second side frame 62 in the first direction. The photosensitive drum 70 is also located at one end of the drum frame 60 in the second direction.

[0060] The photosensitive drum 70 has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface that extends in a first direction. The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 70 is covered with a photosensitive material. When the drum cartridge 2 is mounted in the main body frame of the image forming apparatus, the photosensitive drum 70 receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus. This causes the photosensitive drum 70 to rotate about the drum axis.

[0061] When the developer cartridge 1 is mounted in the drum frame 60, the developer roller 30 and the photosensitive drum 70 are aligned in the second direction. More specifically, when the developer cartridge 1 is mounted in the drum frame 60, the outer circumferential surface of the developer roller 30 and the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 70 come into contact with each other.

[0062] Toner is supplied from the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 30 to the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 70. At this time, the toner moves from the developing roller 30 to the photosensitive drum 70 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 70. As a result, a toner image is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 70. The toner image is then transferred from the photosensitive drum 70 to printing paper.

[0063] <4. About development pressure> Next, a structure in which the developing roller 30 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 70 when the developing cartridge 1 is attached to the drum cartridge 2 will be described.

[0064] 7 and 8, the drum cartridge 2 includes a pressing member 80. The pressing member 80 is a member that presses the developer cartridge 1 toward the photosensitive drum 70 when the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drum cartridge 2. The pressing member 80 is provided on the first side frame 61. Note that a similar pressing member may also be provided on the second side frame 62.

[0065] 7 and 8, the drum cartridge 2 has a spring 81. The spring 81 is located between the pressing member 80 and the first side frame 61. The spring 81 is an elastic member that is expandable and contractible in the second direction. One end of the spring 81 in the second direction is connected to the pressing member 80. The other end of the spring 81 in the second direction is connected to the first side frame 61.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, the housing 10 of the developer cartridge 1 has a protrusion 15. The protrusion 15 is a projection extending in a first direction from the first outer surface 11 toward the outside of the housing 10. When the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drum cartridge 2, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the protrusion 15 comes into contact with the pressing member 80. Then, due to the elastic force of the spring 81, the protrusion 15 receives a pressing force from the pressing member 80 in a second direction toward the photosensitive drum 70. This causes the developing roller 30 and the photosensitive drum 70 to come into contact with each other. Furthermore, the developing roller 30 is pressed in the second direction toward the photosensitive drum 70.

[0067] The protrusions 15 are positioned outside the first outer surface 11 of the casing 10 in the first direction, rather than between the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12 in the first direction. In this way, the protrusions 15 can be disposed closer to the developing roller 30 in the second direction than when the protrusions 15 are disposed between the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 12 in the first direction. This prevents the external dimensions of the casing 10 in the second direction from being increased by the protrusions 15. Furthermore, because the dimension of the internal space of the casing 10 in the second direction is not narrowed by the protrusions 15, the volume of the internal space of the casing 10 can be secured.

[0068] The gear cover 51 has an opening 510. The protrusion 15 and the opening 510 are aligned in the second direction. A portion of the protrusion 15 is exposed to the outside of the gear cover 51 through the opening 510. Therefore, when the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drum cartridge 2, the pressing member 80 can press the portion of the protrusion 15 that is exposed from the gear cover 51.

[0069] The protrusion 15 has a rib 151 that protrudes in the second direction away from the developing roller 30. When the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drum cartridge 2, the pressing member 80 comes into contact with the outer surface of the rib 151. This limits the portion of the outer surface of the protrusion 15 that is pressed by the pressing member 80 to the outer surface of the rib 151. This prevents the direction of the pressing force that the protrusion 15 receives from varying.

[0070] In the first direction, at least a portion of the protrusion 15 is located at the same position as the coupling gear 53, the idle gear 56, the agitator gear 57, or the detection gear 58. In other words, at least a portion of the protrusion 15 is located on the same plane perpendicular to the first direction as the coupling gear 53, the idle gear 56, the agitator gear 57, or the detection gear 58. In this way, the length of the developer cartridge 1 in the first direction can be reduced compared to when the protrusion 15 and the coupling gear 53, the idle gear 56, the agitator gear 57, or the detection gear 58 are located at different positions in the first direction.

[0071] In this embodiment, at least a portion of the protrusion 15 is located at the same position in the first direction as the detection gear 58. That is, at least a portion of the protrusion 15 is located on the same plane as the detection gear 58, which is perpendicular to the first direction. Therefore, the length of the developer cartridge 1 in the first direction can be reduced compared to when the protrusion 15 and the detection gear 58 are located at different positions in the first direction.

[0072] 7 and 8, the developer cartridge 1 has a sponge 41. The sponge 41 is located at one end of the supply roller 40 in the first direction. The sponge 41 prevents toner from leaking from inside the housing 10 along the shaft of the supply roller 40 to the outside of the housing 10.

[0073] The sponge 41 is held by the protrusion 15. Specifically, the protrusion 15 has a rectangular recessed holder 152 on the opposite side from the rib 151 in the second direction. The sponge 41 is held by the holder 152. That is, in the structure of this embodiment, the protrusion 15 plays two roles: receiving the pressing force from the pressing member 80 and holding the sponge 41. In this way, the housing 10 can be made more compact than when a portion receiving the pressing force from the pressing member 80 and a portion holding the sponge 41 are separately provided. In addition, the shape of the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10 can be simplified compared to when a portion receiving the pressing force from the pressing member 80 and a portion holding the sponge 41 are separately provided.

[0074] <5. Variations> Although one embodiment has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the surfaces of the protrusions 15 that come into contact with the pressing member 80 protrude in the direction away from the developing roller 30 in the second direction. However, the surfaces of the protrusions 15 that come into contact with the pressing member 80 do not necessarily have to protrude in the direction away from the developing roller 30 in the second direction. For example, the surfaces of the protrusions 15 that come into contact with the pressing member 80 may be flat. Alternatively, the surfaces of the protrusions 15 that come into contact with the pressing member 80 may be recessed toward the developing roller 30 in the second direction.

[0076] The gear unit 50 does not necessarily have to have the same configuration as the above embodiment. The number, position, type, and shape of gears included in the gear unit 50 may be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0077] Furthermore, the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate, or some elements may be omitted, to the extent that no contradictions arise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1: Developing cartridge 2: Drum cartridge 10: Housing 11: 1st outer surface 12: Second outer surface 15: Convex part 16: Holder 20: Agitator 21: Feather 30: Developing roller 40: Supply roller 41: Sponge 51: Gear cover 53: Coupling gear 54: Developing roller gear 55: Supply roller gear 56: Idol Gear 57: Agitator gear 58:Detection gear 510 :Aperture

Claims

1. A developing cartridge detachably attached to a drum cartridge, A housing for containing toner, a first outer surface; a second outer surface spaced apart from the first outer surface in a first direction; a housing having a developing roller rotatable about a development axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller being located at one end of the housing in a second direction intersecting the first direction; an agitator rotatable about an agitator shaft extending in the first direction; a coupling gear located on the first outer surface; an idler gear located on the first outer surface and meshing with the coupling gear; an agitator gear located on the first outer surface and connected to the agitator, the agitator gear meshing with the idler gear; a detection gear located on the first outer surface and meshing with the idle gear, the detection gear disengaging from the idle gear when rotated; Equipped with The housing includes: a protrusion that receives a pressing force from the drum cartridge in the second direction and extends from the first outer surface toward the outside of the housing in the first direction; and The developing cartridge is characterized in that the idle gear is located between the agitator gear and the protrusion.

2. 2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, the protrusion has a rib that protrudes in a direction away from the developing roller in the second direction, a developing cartridge, wherein the rib receives a pressing force in the second direction from the drum cartridge;

3. 3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, a developing cartridge, wherein at least a portion of the protrusion is located at the same position as the coupling gear, the idle gear, the agitator gear, or the detection gear in the first direction.

4. 4. The developing cartridge according to claim 3, A developing cartridge, wherein at least a portion of the protrusion is located at the same position as the detection gear in the first direction.

5. 3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, The idle gear is Large diameter idle gear, a small diameter idle gear having a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter idle gear; and the large diameter idle gear meshes with the coupling gear, The small diameter idle gear is in mesh with the agitator gear and the detection gear.

6. 3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, The coupling gear is Large diameter coupling gear, a small-diameter coupling gear having a diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter coupling gear; and The developing cartridge is characterized in that the small diameter coupling gear meshes with the idle gear.

7. 3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, a developing cartridge, wherein the detection gear is located farther from the first outer surface than the agitator gear is in the first direction;

8. 3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, a developing roller gear located on the first outer surface and connected to the developing roller, the developing roller gear meshing with the coupling gear; The developing cartridge further comprises:

9. 9. The developing cartridge according to claim 8, The coupling gear is Large diameter coupling gear, a small-diameter coupling gear having a diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter coupling gear; and The developing cartridge is characterized in that the large diameter coupling gear meshes with the developing roller gear.

10. 3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, a supply roller rotatable about a supply shaft extending in the first direction and in contact with the developing roller; a supply roller gear located on the first outer surface and connected to the supply roller, the supply roller gear meshing with the coupling gear; The developing cartridge further comprises:

11. 11. The developing cartridge according to claim 10, The coupling gear is Large diameter coupling gear, a small-diameter coupling gear having a diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter coupling gear; and The developing cartridge is characterized in that the small diameter coupling gear meshes with the supply roller gear.

12. 3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, a supply roller rotatable about a supply shaft extending in the first direction and in contact with the developing roller; a sponge located at one end of the supply roller in the first direction; Furthermore, The developing cartridge is characterized in that the convex portion holds the sponge.

13. 3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, a gear cover located on the first outer surface and accommodating the coupling gear, the idler gear, and the agitator gear therein; Furthermore, A developing cartridge, wherein a part of the detection gear is located inside the gear cover, and another part of the detection gear is exposed to the outside of the gear cover.

14. 14. The developing cartridge according to claim 13, The developing cartridge, wherein the gear cover has an opening aligned with the protrusion in the second direction.

Images