Process cartridge

Abstract

A process cartridge (1), comprising: a developing unit (11) and a photosensitive unit (12), wherein the developing unit (11) comprises a developing roller (111) and a developing frame (112); the photosensitive unit (12) comprises a photosensitive drum (121) and a photosensitive frame (122); and the developing unit (11) is movably connected to the photosensitive unit (12). When the developing unit (11) is located in a first position, the developing roller (111) is close to the photosensitive drum (121); and when the developing unit (11) is located in a second position, the developing roller (111) is away from the photosensitive drum (121). The process cartridge (1) can be detachably mounted in an imaging device in a mounting direction, and the imaging device is provided with a force-applying member (3) for applying thrust to the process cartridge (1). The process cartridge (1) further comprises a force-receiving member (14) provided on the developing unit (11), the force-receiving member (14) being capable of moving up and down in a vertical direction. In a direction opposite to the mounting direction, when the force-applying member (3) pushes the force-receiving member (14), the force-receiving member (14) can move vertically upwards; after the force-applying member (3) passes the force-receiving member (14), the force-receiving member (14) can move vertically downwards under its own gravity; and in the mounting direction, when the force-applying member (3) pushes the force-receiving member (14), the developing unit (11) is moved from the first position to the second position. The process cartridge (1) is provided with the force-receiving member (14), and the force-receiving member (14) can move upwards under the action of the thrust and can also move downwards under the action of its own gravity. Therefore, by means of a simple structure, the technical effect of the force-receiving member (14) moving up and down to bypass the force-applying member (3), which would otherwise require a complex solution, can be achieved.

Description

A processing box Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a process cartridge, and in particular to a process cartridge that can be detachably mounted on a laser imaging device. Background Art

[0002] Process cartridges are essential printing consumables in laser printers. They are generally categorized as either integrated or split-type. Split-type process cartridges include a developer cartridge and a drum cartridge, which can be removably installed into the drum cartridge. Integrated process cartridges include a developer unit and a photosensitive unit. The developer unit includes a developer roller and a developer frame, while the photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive drum and a photosensitive frame. After the process cartridge is assembled, the developer roller contacts the photosensitive drum.

[0003] A color printer typically contains four process cartridges, each containing developer for black, magenta, cyan, and yellow. When the printer is in color printing mode, all four process cartridges operate simultaneously. When the printer is in black and white printing mode, only the black process cartridge operates, while the other three color process cartridges are deactivated. To address the issue of wear and contamination of the photosensitive drum caused by contact between the developer roller and the photosensitive drum when the process cartridges are deactivated, a conventional method is to separate the developer roller and photosensitive drum of the process cartridge using a force-applying member within the printer.

[0004] Chinese patent document CN116449668A discloses a process cartridge comprising a force-receiving member and an elastic member. A force-applying member in a printer acts on the force-receiving member to separate the developing roller and photosensitive drum of the process cartridge. This solution is relatively complex in structure and has high manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a processing box, which can separate the developing roller and photosensitive drum in the processing box through a simple structure.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the processing box of the present invention includes a developing unit and a photosensitive unit, the developing unit includes a developing roller and a developing frame, the photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive drum and a photosensitive frame, and the developing unit is movably connected to the photosensitive unit. When the developing unit is in a first position, the developing roller is close to the photosensitive drum, and when the developing unit is in a second position, the developing roller is away from the photosensitive drum. The processing box of the present invention can be detachably installed in an imaging device along the installation direction, and the imaging device has a force-applying member for applying a thrust to the processing box. The processing box of the present invention also includes a force receiving member provided on the developing unit, and the force receiving member can move up and down in the vertical direction. Wherein, when the force-applying member pushes the force receiving member in a direction opposite to the installation direction, the force receiving member can move vertically upward; when the force-applying member passes through the force receiving member, the force receiving member can move vertically downward under its own weight; when the force-applying member pushes the force receiving member in the installation direction, the developing unit is moved from the first position to the second position.

[0007] The processing box of the present invention is provided with a force receiving member, which can move upward under the action of thrust and can also move downward under the action of the force's own gravity. The technical effect of moving the force receiving member up and down to bypass the force-applying member, which requires a complex solution in the prior art, can be achieved through a simple structure.

[0008] In one embodiment, the force receiving member has an inclined surface and a force-receiving surface, wherein the force-receiving surface is located upstream of the inclined surface in the installation direction. When the force-applying member contacts the inclined surface and pushes the force receiving member, the force receiving member moves upward in a vertical direction. When the force-applying member contacts the force-receiving surface and pushes the force receiving member, the developing unit moves from the first position to the second position.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the force receiving member has a guide member, and the guide member is used to guide the force receiving member to move up and down in a vertical direction.

[0010] In one embodiment, the guide member is a guide protrusion and / or a guide groove, and the developing unit is provided with a matching guide groove and / or guide protrusion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process cartridge of the present invention according to one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 1 .

[0013] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a force receiving member of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 2. FIG.

[0014] FIG. 3 b is a front view of the force receiving member shown in FIG. 3 a from another angle.

[0015] FIG4 is a schematic diagram showing the process cartridge of the present invention being installed in an image forming apparatus.

[0016] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a working state of the processing box of the present invention.

[0017] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another working state of the processing box of the present invention. Implementation Method

[0018] The structure and other aspects of the process cartridge of the present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 4 , the process cartridge 1 of the present invention includes a developing unit 11 and a photosensitive unit 12. The developing unit 11 and the photosensitive unit 12 are movably connected, for example, pivotally connected. The process cartridge 1 of the present invention can be removably installed in an imaging device (not shown) along an installation direction X. When installing the process cartridge 1, multiple process cartridges 1 are first placed on a cartridge tray 2 within the imaging device, and then the cartridge tray 2 is pushed into the imaging device along the installation direction X.

[0020] In a specific embodiment, the developing unit 11 includes a developing roller 111 and a developing frame 112. The developing roller 111 is rotatably mounted on the developing frame 112. The developing frame 112 has a cavity therein for accommodating developer. The photosensitive unit 12 includes a photosensitive drum 121 and a photosensitive frame 122. The photosensitive drum 121 is rotatably mounted on the photosensitive frame 122. When the process cartridge 1 is in operation, the circumferential surface of the developing roller 111 is close to the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 121, so that the loaded developer is transferred from the surface of the developing roller 111 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 under the action of a voltage.

[0021] The imaging device has a force-applying member 3, which is used to apply a thrust to the process cartridge 1 so that the developing unit 11 of the process cartridge 1 moves relative to the photosensitive unit 12. Specifically, the force-applying member 3 is movably provided on the cartridge tray 2. When the developing unit 11 is in a first position, the developing roller 111 is close to the photosensitive drum 121. At this time, the process cartridge 1 is in a working state, and the loaded developer can be transferred from the surface of the developing roller 111 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 under the action of voltage. After the force-applying member 3 applies a thrust to the developing unit 11, the developing unit 11 is in a second position, so that the developing roller 111 is away from the photosensitive drum 121. At this time, the process cartridge is in a stopped working state, that is, the loaded developer cannot be transferred from the surface of the developing roller 111 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 121.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2 , the process cartridge 1 of the present invention further includes a force receiving member 14 disposed on the developing unit 11. The force receiving member 14 is capable of vertically moving up and down. The force receiving member 14 receives the force of the force-applying member 3 within the imaging device and thereby moves vertically upward or drives the developing unit 11 from a first position to a second position.

[0023] In a specific embodiment, the developing unit 11 includes a bracket 114 installed at a side of the developing frame 112. The force receiving member 14 is provided on the bracket 114.

[0024] In a specific embodiment, as shown in Figures 3a and 3b, the force receiving member 14 has an inclined surface 141 and a force-bearing surface 142. When the force receiving member 14 is installed in the developing unit 11, the force-bearing surface 142 is located upstream of the inclined surface 141 along the installation direction X. When the force-applying member 3 moves in a direction opposite to the installation direction X (as indicated by arrow Y in Figure 5) and contacts the inclined surface 141, a thrust is applied to the force receiving member 14. This thrust causes the force receiving member 14 to move vertically upward (as indicated by arrow M in Figure 5). When the force-applying member 3 moves in the installation direction X and contacts the force-bearing surface 142, the force-applying member 3 pushes the force receiving member 14, causing the developing unit 11 to move along with it, thereby moving the developing unit 11 from the first position to the second position. In the second position, the developing roller 111 is spaced away from the photosensitive drum 121, and the process cartridge 1 is in a non-operating state. After the force-applying member 3 separates from the force-receiving member 14, the force-receiving member 14 moves vertically downward (in the direction indicated by arrow N in FIG6 ) under its own weight. The developer unit 11 returns to its first position from the second position under the action of an elastic force. This elastic force can be achieved by providing an elastic member between the developer unit 11 and the photosensitive unit 12.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 3a, the force receiving member 14 has a guide portion 145 for guiding the force receiving member 14 in vertical upward and downward movement. In a specific embodiment, the guide portion 145 is a guide protrusion and / or a guide groove. Accordingly, the bracket 114 is provided with a guide groove and / or a guide protrusion. When the force receiving member 14 is mounted to the bracket 114, the guide portion 145 engages with the guide protrusion and / or guide groove on the bracket 114. When the force receiving member 14 moves vertically upward and downward, the guide portion 145 slides along the guide protrusion and / or guide groove on the bracket 114.

[0026] The above embodiments are intended only to illustrate the concept and scope of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Modifications, equivalent substitutions, and other improvements to the above embodiments that are obvious to those skilled in the art are also within the concept of the present invention. The scope and concept of protection of the present invention are specifically defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A process cartridge that can be detachably installed in an imaging device along an installation direction, the imaging device having a force applying member for applying a thrust to the process cartridge, the process cartridge include: A developing unit, the developing unit comprising a developing roller and a developing frame; as well as The photosensitive unit comprises a photosensitive drum and a photosensitive frame, and the developing unit is movably connected to the photosensitive unit; when the developing unit is in a first position, the developing roller is close to the photosensitive drum, and when the developing unit is in a second position, the developing roller is away from the photosensitive drum; characterized in that: The process cartridge further comprises a force receiving member disposed on the developing unit, the force receiving member being able to move up and down in a vertical direction; wherein, When the force-applying member pushes the force-receiving member in a direction opposite to the installation direction, the force-receiving member can move vertically upward; when the force-applying member passes through the force-receiving member, the force-receiving member can move vertically downward under its own weight; When the force applying member pushes the force receiving member along the installation direction, the developing unit is moved from the first position to the second position.

2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The force receiving member has an inclined surface and a force-bearing surface, and along the installation direction, the force-bearing surface is located upstream of the inclined surface; When the force applying member contacts the inclined surface and pushes the force receiving member, the force receiving member moves upward in the vertical direction; When the force applying member contacts the force receiving surface and pushes the force receiving member, the developing unit is moved from the first position to the second position.

3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The force receiving member has a guide member for guiding the force receiving member to move up and down in a vertical direction.

4. A process cartridge according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The guide member is a guide protrusion and / or a guide groove, and the developing unit is provided with a matching guide groove and / or guide protrusion.

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