Process cartridge

Abstract

Disclosed in the present invention is a process cartridge, which is configured to be mounted to an electrophotographic imaging device. The electrophotographic imaging device is provided with a guide rail and a locking member. The process cartridge comprises: a first unit and a second unit which are combined with each other, wherein the first unit comprises a first unit housing and a photosensitive member rotatably disposed in the first unit housing, the second unit comprises a second unit housing and a developing member rotatably disposed in the second unit housing, and the developing member and the photosensitive member are arranged opposite to each other; and a guided part, which is movably arranged at an end of the process cartridge and can move along the guide rail in the process of mounting the process cartridge to the electrophotographic imaging device, wherein when the guided part abuts against the locking member, the guided part can move towards the interior of the process cartridge, so that the guided part crosses the locking member and continues to move along the guide rail. According to the process cartridge having the described structure, the guided part moves towards the interior of the process cartridge to cross the locking member, so that the process cartridge is allowed to be mounted in place, and the advantage of a simple structure is achieved.

Description

Processing box Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic photographic imaging devices; more particularly, to a processing box that can be removably installed in an electronic photographic imaging device. Background Art

[0002] The prior art discloses a processing box that can be removably installed to an electronic photographic imaging device. The processing box is provided with two guided parts at its longitudinal ends. During the installation and removal of the processing box, the two guided parts are respectively guided by corresponding guide rails in the electronic photographic imaging device. When the processing box is installed in place, the guided parts are supported and positioned by the guide rails.

[0003] As shown in FIG1 , a guide rail H1012 on the electrophotographic imaging device is equipped with a locking member 200, which is rotatably mounted. Initially, a portion of the locking member 200 extends into the guide rail H1012 (as shown in FIG1 ), and the locking member 200 is in a locked position, preventing the process cartridge from being installed. During installation of the process cartridge into the electrophotographic imaging device, the locking member 200 is moved to an unlocked position, allowing one of the guided portions of the process cartridge to advance along the guide rail H1012 to a predetermined position, allowing the process cartridge to be installed.

[0004] There is a processing box that is equipped with an unlocking member that pushes the locking member to move from a locked position to an unlocked position. The unlocking member protrudes from the upper side of the processing box. The processing box with this structure requires high matching accuracy with the locking member and has a complex structure. During the installation process, the unlocking member is likely to interfere with the guide rail, resulting in an unsmooth installation.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge that can be smoothly mounted to the aforementioned electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0007] The present invention discloses a processing box for being installed to an electronic photographic imaging device, wherein the electronic photographic imaging device is provided with a guide rail and a locking member, wherein the locking member can move between a locking position that prevents the processing box from being installed in place and an unlocking position, and in the locking position, a part of the locking member extends into the guide rail; the processing box comprises a first unit and a second unit that are combined with each other, the first unit comprises a first unit shell and a photosensitive member rotatably arranged in the first unit shell, the second unit comprises a second unit shell and a developing member rotatably arranged in the second unit shell, and the developing member is arranged opposite to the photosensitive member; the processing box also comprises: a guided portion, movably arranged at the end of the processing box, and capable of moving along the guide rail during the process of installing the processing box to the electronic photographic imaging device; wherein the guided portion can move toward the inner direction of the processing box when abutting against the locking member, so that the guided portion passes over the locking member and continues to move along the guide rail.

[0008] Furthermore, the processing box also includes a first driving component for receiving driving force from the electronic photographic imaging device. Along the axial direction of the photosensitive member, the processing box includes a driving side provided with the first driving component and a non-driving side opposite to the driving side, and the guided portion is located at the longitudinal end of the non-driving side.

[0009] Furthermore, the first driving assembly includes a first driving force receiving member for receiving driving force and a driving force transmitting member for transmitting driving force, wherein the first driving force receiving member is used to receive driving force, and the driving force transmitting member is used to transmit driving force to the developing member.

[0010] Furthermore, the guided portion is mounted on the end portion of the photosensitive member and is configured to be movable along the axial direction of the photosensitive member.

[0011] Furthermore, a connecting sleeve is provided at the end of the photosensitive member, at least a portion of the connecting sleeve extends into the interior of the photosensitive member, the guided portion is movably connected with the connecting sleeve, and can move along the axial direction of the photosensitive member; an elastic element is provided between the guided portion and the connecting sleeve, and the elastic element is used to apply an elastic force to the guided portion to move it toward the outside of the processing box.

[0012] Furthermore, the guided portion is configured to be capable of elastic deformation.

[0013] Furthermore, the guided portion is an elastic arm structure.

[0014] Furthermore, the guided portion is provided with abutment surfaces on two opposite sides in the installation direction of the process cartridge.

[0015] Furthermore, the abutting surface is arranged to be inclined relative to the installation direction.

[0016] Furthermore, the guided portion is made of a conductive material and can be electrically connected to the electrophotographic imaging device to directly or indirectly transmit power to the photosensitive member.

[0017] In the above technical solution, the guided portion moves toward the interior of the processing box to pass over the locking member, thereby allowing the processing box to be installed in place and removed smoothly, which has the advantage of a simple structure.

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a guide rail and a locking member within an electrophotographic imaging device;

[0020] FIG2 is a first perspective overall structural diagram of the process cartridge embodiment 1;

[0021] 3 is a second perspective overall structural diagram of the process cartridge embodiment 1;

[0022] 4 is an exploded view of the installation structure of the guided portion of the process cartridge embodiment 1;

[0023] 5 is a sectional view of the mounting structure of the guided portion in the process cartridge embodiment 1;

[0024] Figure 6 is an overall structural diagram of a process cartridge embodiment 2;

[0025] 7 is a structural diagram of the process cartridge in Example 2 in the installed state in which the locking member is maintained in the unlocked position;

[0026] Figure 8 is an overall structural diagram of a process cartridge embodiment 3;

[0027] Figure 9 is an overall structural diagram of a process cartridge embodiment 4;

[0028] 10 is a structural diagram of the process cartridge in Example 4 in the installed state in which the locking member is maintained in the unlocked position;

[0029] Figure 11 is an overall structural diagram of the process cartridge embodiment 5;

[0030] 12 is a structural diagram of the non-driving side of the process cartridge embodiment 5;

[0031] Figure 13 is an overall structural diagram of the processing box embodiment 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the following description, many specific details are set forth in conjunction with the embodiments to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, it should be understood that the following embodiments and detailed descriptions are only for illustrative purposes and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the processing box 100 of the embodiment includes a first unit 10 and a second unit 20 which are combined with each other, the first unit 10 includes a first unit housing 11 and a photosensitive member 13 rotatably arranged in the first unit housing 11, the second unit 20 includes a second unit housing 21 and a developing member (not visible in the figure) rotatably arranged in the second unit housing 21, the developing member is arranged opposite to the photosensitive member 13, and is used to transport unused toner stored in the second unit housing 21 toward the photosensitive member 13, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 13.

[0035] A first drive assembly for receiving and / or transmitting driving force is further provided at a longitudinal end of the photosensitive member 13. This first drive assembly can be a single component or two components. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 , the first drive assembly includes a first driving force receiving member 15 for receiving driving force and a driving force transmitting member 14 for transmitting driving force. The first driving force receiving member 15 is configured to receive driving force, and the driving force transmitting member 14 is configured to transmit driving force to the developing member.

[0036] Along the axial direction of the photosensitive member 13 or the longitudinal direction Y of the process cartridge 100, the side on which the first driving assembly is provided is the driving side of the process cartridge 100, and the other side opposite to the driving side is the non-driving side. As shown in Figure 3, the longitudinal end portion of the process cartridge 100 located on the non-driving side is provided with a guided portion 131, and the guided portion 131 is configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction Y. During the process of installing the process cartridge 100 into the electronic photographic imaging device, the guided portion 131 can move toward the interior direction of the process cartridge 100 when it abuts against the locking member 200, so that the guided portion 131 can pass over the locking member 200 and continue to move along the guide rail H1012, thereby allowing the process cartridge to be installed in place.

[0037] Furthermore, the guided portion 131 can be mounted on the end of the photosensitive member 13 opposite the first driving force receiving member 15. Specifically, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a connecting sleeve 132 is provided at this end of the photosensitive member 13. At least a portion of the connecting sleeve 132 extends into the interior of the photosensitive member 13. The guided portion 131 is movably connected to the connecting sleeve 132 and is capable of axial movement along the photosensitive member 13. An elastic element 133 is disposed between the guided portion 131 and the connecting sleeve 132. The elastic element 133 is configured to apply an elastic force to the guided portion 131, causing it to move toward the exterior of the process cartridge. The elastic element 133 can be, but is not limited to, a spring.

[0038] A guide groove 1321 is defined on the peripheral wall of the connecting sleeve 132. The guided portion 131 includes an elastic arm 1312 and a protrusion 1313 formed on the elastic arm 1312. The protrusion 1313 is disposed within the guide groove 1321. Under the elastic force of the elastic element 133, a portion of the guided portion 131 is positioned within the inner cavity of the connecting sleeve 132, while a portion extends outside the connecting sleeve 132, enabling movement along the guide rail H1012. When the process cartridge is installed, the guided portion 131 is supported and positioned by the guide rail H1012.

[0039] The guided portion 131 is provided with abutment surfaces 1311 on opposite sides of the processing box installation direction X. When the abutment surfaces 1311 abut against the locking member 200, the guided portion can move toward the interior direction of the processing box 100 to avoid the locking member 200, so that the guided portion 131 can pass over the locking member 200 and continue to move along the guide rail H1012, thereby allowing the processing box 100 to be smoothly installed and removed.

[0040] In Example 1, the abutting surface 1311 is formed as an inclined surface or an arcuate surface that is tilted or angled relative to the installation direction X. As a variation, the guided portion 131 may be provided with a hemispherical abutting surface for abutting the locking member 200 or an abutting surface of another shape, as long as the guided portion 131 can move out of the way when abutting the locking member 200.

[0041] Furthermore, in Example 1, the guided portion 131 can be made of a conductive material and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic photographic imaging device to transmit electricity to the photosensitive member 13 directly or indirectly through an intermediate conductive member, for example, the protrusion 1313 of the guided portion 131 contacts the photosensitive member 13 to transmit electricity to the photosensitive member 13.

[0042] As a variation of Example 1, the guided portion 131 is configured to be elastically deformable, for example, by employing an elastic arm structure. Specifically, when the guided portion 131 abuts the locking member 200, it elastically deforms to avoid the locking member 200, allowing the guided portion 131 to pass over the locking member 200 and continue to move along the guide rail H1012, thereby allowing the process cartridge to be smoothly installed or removed.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] As shown in FIG6 , in Example 2, a guided portion 100E2 and an unlocking portion 202 are provided at the longitudinal end portion of the process cartridge 100 on the non-driving side. The unlocking portion 202 is provided downstream of the guided portion 100E2 in the process cartridge installation direction X. The unlocking portion 202 is configured to move the locking member 200 toward the unlocked position, thereby allowing the guided portion 100E2 to pass over the locking member 200 and continue to move along the guide rail H1012.

[0045] Furthermore, the end of the photosensitive member 13 relative to the first driving force receiving member 15 (see FIG. 2 ) is provided with a conductive member 201 , which can be electrically connected to the electrophotographic imaging device to transmit power to the photosensitive member 13 directly or indirectly through an intermediate conductive member.

[0046] In Example 2, the guided portion 100E2 can be provided on the first unit housing 11 and is arranged to surround the conductive member 201. The guided portion 100E2 can be a circular, elliptical or polygonal structure, and the unlocking portion 202 can be directly connected to or arranged adjacent to the guided portion 100E2. Specifically, the unlocking portion 202 can be a roughly V-shaped structure, and its pointed end can be facing the downstream side of the processing box installation direction X. In this way, during the installation process of the processing box, the pointed end of the unlocking portion 202 can be inserted between the free end of the locking member 200 and the side wall of the guide rail H1012, and push the locking member 200 toward the unlocking position, and then the guided portion 100E2 will further push the locking member 200 away and continue to move along the guide rail H1012, so that the processing box can be smoothly installed in place.

[0047] Furthermore, in order to facilitate the removal of the processing box 100 from the electronic photographic imaging device, the processing box of Example 2 is also provided with an unlocking and holding mechanism, which is configured to maintain the locking member 200 in the unlocked position to allow the guided portion 100E2 to exit from the guide rail H1012, so that the processing box can be smoothly removed.

[0048] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the unlocking and holding mechanism in Example 2 includes a transition portion 203 and a spring 204. The ends of the transition portion 203 are connected to the spring 204 and the guided portion 100E2, respectively. The end of the spring 204, distal from the transition portion 203, is connected to a connecting portion 205, which is provided on the first unit housing 11. The provision of the transition portion 203 enables the locking member 200 to slide relative to the guided portion 100E2 and then to abut against the spring 204. In other words, during the process of installing the process cartridge, after the guided portion 100E2 passes over the locking member 200, the transition portion 203 and the spring 204 will respectively abut and slide relative to the locking member 200. During this process, the spring 204 can deform to conform to the shape of the guide rail H1012. The spring 204 can be a tubular spring.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7, after the process cartridge is fully installed, the spring 204 remains in contact with the locking member 200, thereby maintaining the locking member 200 in the unlocked position. Thus, when the process cartridge 100 is removed from the electrophotographic imaging device, the locking member 200 sequentially contacts and slides with the spring 204, the transition portion 203, and the guided portion 100E2, allowing the guided portion 100E2 to exit from the guide rail H1012, ensuring smooth removal of the process cartridge.

[0050] For other descriptions of Example 2, please refer to Example 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0051] Example 3

[0052] As shown in FIG8 , the difference between Example 3 and Example 2 is that in Example 3, the spring 204 is replaced with an elastic tube or elastic rod 206 capable of elastic deformation. During the installation of the process cartridge, the elastic tube or elastic rod 206 can deform to match the shape of the guide rail H1012.

[0053] For other descriptions of Example 3, please refer to Example 1 and Example 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0054] Example 4

[0055] The difference between Example 4 and Example 2 lies in the different structural designs of the unlocking and holding mechanism.

[0056] Specifically, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the unlocking and holding mechanism in Example 4 includes a rocker arm 301 and a connecting rod 302; wherein, the first end of the rocker arm 301 is rotatably connected to the conductive member 201, and the second end of the rocker arm 301 forms a rotational sliding fit with the first end of the connecting rod 302; a connecting shaft 303 is provided on the first unit housing 11, and the second end of the connecting rod 302 forms a rotational sliding fit with the connecting shaft 303.

[0057] During the installation of the processing box, after the guided part 100E2 passes over the locking member 200, the locking member 200 will sequentially abut against the rocker arm 301 and the connecting rod 302 and slide relative to each other; during this process, the shapes of the rocker arm 301 and the connecting rod 302 will change accordingly to adapt to the shape of the guide rail H1012.

[0058] As shown in Figure 10, after the process cartridge is fully installed, the connecting rod 302 remains in contact with the locking member 200, thereby maintaining the locking member 200 in the unlocked position. Thus, when the process cartridge 100 is removed from the electrophotographic imaging device, the locking member 200 sequentially contacts and slides with the connecting rod 302, the swing arm 301, and the guided portion 100E2, allowing the guided portion 100E2 to withdraw from the guide rail H1012, ensuring smooth removal of the process cartridge.

[0059] For other descriptions of Example 4, please refer to Example 1 and Example 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0060] Example 5

[0061] As shown in Figure 11, in the process cartridge 100 of Example 5, the conductive member 201 is located on the non-driving side of the process cartridge 100. Specifically, the conductive member 201 can be provided at the end of the photosensitive member 13 and electrically connected to the photosensitive member 13. After the process cartridge is installed in place, the conductive member 201 can receive power from the electrophotographic imaging device.

[0062] In Example 5, the conductive member 201 is configured to move along the guide rail H1012 but is not directly or indirectly supported by the guide rail H1012. Furthermore, no guided portion is provided on the outer periphery of the conductive member 201 to be supported and positioned by the guide rail H1012.

[0063] To allow the conductive member 201 to pass over the locking member 200, the process cartridge 100 of Example 5 includes a biasing portion 111 disposed on the non-driving side of the first unit housing 11. During installation and removal of the process cartridge, the biasing portion 111 can abut against the locking member 200, causing the locking member 200 to move to an unlocked position. This allows the conductive member 201 to move along the guide rail H1012 to a position electrically connected to the electrophotographic imaging device during installation of the process cartridge 100, and allows the conductive member 201 to exit the guide rail H1012 during removal of the process cartridge 100. The specific process of unlocking the locking member 200 using the biasing portion 111 can be referenced to the prior art and will not be further described here.

[0064] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 11 and 12 , the non-driving side of the process cartridge 100 in Embodiment 5 may be provided with a guided portion 100E1 and a guided portion 21E1. The guided portion 100E1 and the guided portion 21E1 are guided and supported in position by corresponding guide rails within the electrophotographic imaging apparatus. The guided portion 100E1 may be a protruding column extending toward the exterior of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction Y of the process cartridge, and the guided portion 21E1 may be located inwardly of the guided portion 100E1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the process cartridge.

[0065] The guided portion 21E1 can be provided on the second unit 20. Specifically, the second unit 20 includes a second unit non-drive side end piece 21E located on the non-drive side of the process cartridge 100. The second unit non-drive side end piece 21E is formed integrally with or separately from the second unit housing 21. When the second unit non-drive side end piece 21E is in a separate form, the second unit non-drive side end piece 21E is combined with the second unit housing 21 in the form of an end cap. The guided portion 21E1 can be a portion of the non-drive side end piece 21E, or a contact member mounted on the non-drive side end piece 21E. Preferably, at least a portion of the guided portion 21E1 faces rearward in the installation direction X; along the longitudinal direction Y, the guided portion 21E1 does not protrude from the second unit non-drive side end piece 21E, thereby preventing it from breaking.

[0066] Furthermore, the non-driving side of the process cartridge 100 is provided with both the guided portion 100E1 and the guided portion 21E1 , so that the process cartridge 100 can be stably supported.

[0067] For other descriptions of Example 5, please refer to Example 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0068] Example 6

[0069] As shown in FIG13 , the difference between Example 6 and Example 5 is that the conductive member 201 in Example 6 is an elastic conductive member. When the elastic conductive member 201 abuts the locking member 200, it can be elastically deformed to pass over the locking member 200, thereby continuing to move along the guide rail H1012 to allow the process cartridge 100 to be installed and removed smoothly. In other words, the urging portion 111 is no longer required in Example 5, thereby simplifying the structure of the process cartridge.

[0070] Specifically, the conductive member 201 may have two arc-shaped conductive pieces, which are elastically deformed when in contact with the locking member 200 during installation and removal of the process cartridge, thereby avoiding the locking member 200. As a variation, the conductive member 201 may also have only a single arc-shaped conductive piece.

[0071] Similar to Example 5, although the conductive member 201 in Example 6 is configured to move along the guide rail H1012, it is also not directly or indirectly supported by the guide rail H1012, and the outer periphery of the conductive member 201 is not provided with a guided portion 100E2 supported and positioned by the guide rail H1012.

[0072] For other descriptions of Example 6, please refer to Example 1 and Example 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0073] It should be noted that, unless there are any contradictions or exclusions, the different embodiments disclosed above can be quoted, referenced or combined with each other, and the technical features / components of different embodiments can also be combined and / or replaced with each other.

[0074] Although the present invention has been described above through embodiments, it should be understood that the above embodiments are only used to exemplify the possible implementation schemes of the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. That is, any substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the present invention should also be covered by the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A process cartridge, for installation in an electronic photographic imaging device, the electronic photographic imaging device being provided with a guide rail and a locking member, the locking member being movable between a locking position for preventing the process cartridge from being installed in place and an unlocking position, wherein a portion of the locking member extends into the guide rail in the locking position; the process cartridge comprising a first unit and a second unit combined with each other, the first unit comprising a first unit housing and a photosensitive member rotatably arranged in the first unit housing, the second unit comprising a second unit housing and a developing member rotatably arranged in the second unit housing, the developing member being arranged opposite to the photosensitive member; characterized in that: The processing box also includes: The guided portion is movably arranged at the end of the processing box and can move along the guide rail when the processing box is installed in the electronic photographic imaging device; wherein the guided portion can move toward the interior direction of the processing box when abutting against the locking member, so that the guided portion passes over the locking member and continues to move along the guide rail.

2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The processing box also includes a first driving component for receiving driving force from the electronic photographic imaging device. Along the axial direction of the photosensitive member, the processing box includes a driving side provided with the first driving component and a non-driving side opposite to the driving side, and the guided portion is located at the longitudinal end of the non-driving side.

3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The first driving assembly includes a first driving force receiving member for receiving driving force and a driving force transmitting member for transmitting driving force, wherein the first driving force receiving member is used to receive driving force, and the driving force transmitting member is used to transmit the driving force to the developing member.

4. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The guided portion is installed at an end portion of the photosensitive member and is configured to be movable along an axial direction of the photosensitive member.

5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein: A connecting sleeve is provided at the end of the photosensitive member, at least a portion of the connecting sleeve extends into the interior of the photosensitive member, the guided portion is movably connected with the connecting sleeve and can move along the axial direction of the photosensitive member; an elastic element is provided between the guided portion and the connecting sleeve, and the elastic element is used to apply an elastic force to the guided portion to move it toward the outside of the processing box.

6. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The guided portion is configured to be elastically deformable.

7. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein: The guided portion is an elastic arm structure.

8. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The guided portion is provided with abutment surfaces on two opposite sides of the process cartridge installation direction.

9. The process cartridge according to claim 8, wherein: The abutting surface is arranged obliquely relative to the installation direction.

10. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The guided portion is made of a conductive material and can be electrically connected to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to directly or indirectly transmit power to the photosensitive member.

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