Developing cartridge

Abstract

A developing cartridge comprises a casing (1), a developing roller (2), a driving assembly (3), and a detection assembly (6) for contacting the detecting member of the image forming apparatus. The detection assembly (6) further includes a transmission roller (61) positioned outside of the casing (1) for transmitting driving force from the first end of the casing (1) to the second end, a detection rod (62) for contacting the detecting member of the image forming apparatus, and a detection gear (63) rotatably installed on an upper surface of the second end of the casing (1).

Description

DEVELOPING CARTRIDGETechnical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a developing cartridge, particularly to a developing cartridge which can be detachably installed into a laser image forming apparatus.Background Art

[0002] Process cartridge is a necessary consumable for laser image forming apparatus. The are two types of process cartridges, the integrated type process cartridge and the separated type process cartridge. The separated type process cartridge includes a developing cartridge with a developing roller and a drum cartridge with a photosensitive drum. The developing cartridge can be installed into the drum cartridge and then can be installed into the image forming apparatus together with the drum cartridge.

[0003] For some developing cartridges, they usually include detection mechanism for touching the detecting member of the image forming apparatus so that the image forming apparatus determines if the developing cartridge is new for example, or other features of the developing cartridge

[0004] US Patent No. US9846387B2 discloses a developing cartridge having a detection gear with several protrusions. When the developing cartridge is installed into the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus can determine if the developing cartridge installed is a new one by the several protrusions of the detection gear touching the sensor of the image forming apparatus.Technical Problem

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a developing cartridge with an alternative detection mechanism which is different from the prior art.Technical Solution

[0006] To achieve the above object, the developing cartridge of the present invention comprising a casing with a first end and a second end having a chamber for accommodating toner, a developing roller rotatably installed on the casing, a driving assembly positioned on the first end of the casing for driving the developing roller to rotate, and a detection assembly for contacting the detecting member of the image forming apparatus. The detection assembly further includes a transmission roller positioned outside of the casing for transmitting driving force from the first end of the casing to the second end, a detection rod for contacting the detecting member of the image forming apparatus, and a detection gear rotatably installed on an upper surface of the second end of the casing. The transmission roller has a first bevel gear on one end of the transmission roller close to the detection gear. Said detection gear has a second bevel gear with a toothless portion and a tooth portion meshing with the first bevel gear. The several protrusions are configured so that when the detection gear is rotated, the several protrusions can contact the detection rod to make the detection rod contact the detecting member in a prescribed timing. The developing cartridge of the present invention can be detachably installed into an image forming apparatus having a detecting member.

[0007] In one embodiment, the detection rod is rotatably installed on the upper surface of the casing. The detection rod includes a rotary shaft, a first arm at one side of the rotary shaft for contacting the several protrusions and a second arm at the opposite side of the rotary shaft relevant to the first arm, the second arm protruding from the casing so that at least a portion of the second arm can contact the detecting member of the image forming apparatus.

[0008] In one embodiment, the detection assembly has a torsional spring for controlling a starting installation position of the detection gear.

[0009] In one embodiment, the casing has a groove for accommodating the transmission roller.

[0010] In one embodiment, the detection assembly further includes a limitation protrusion for limiting a rotating distance of the detection rod. The limitation protrusion is arranged on a circumference surface of the rotary shaft.Advantageous Effects

[0011] The developing cartridge of present invention provides an alternative solution of the detection mechanism for the prior art. The detection mechanism used in the developing cartridge of the present invention is simple and space saving. It is also advantage to dispose the detection mechanism on the upper surface of the casing for the casing to be manufactured larger.Description of Drawings

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a front view of the developing cartridge as shown in Fig. 1 without a cover.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge as shown in Fig. 1 without a casing.

[0015] Fig. 4 is a partial enlarged view of the developing cartridge as shown in Fig. 3.

[0016] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the detection gear as shown in Fig. 4.

[0017] Fig. 6 is another partial enlarged view of the developing cartridge as shown in Fig. 3.Best Mode

[0018] The structure and other aspects of the developing cartridge according to a preferred embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the developing cartridge of the present invention comprises a casing 1 with a first end 18 and a second end 19, a developing roller 2 rotatably installed in the casing 1, and a driving assembly 3 installed at the first end 13 of the casing 1. The casing 1 has a chamber for accommodating the toner and two side walls 11. The driving assembly 3 is positioned between the side wall 11 and a cover 14 on one side wall 11 of the casing 1. The developing cartridge also comprises a supply roller 4 and an agitator roller 5 which are rotatably installed in the casing 1. The developing cartridge of the present invention can be detachably installed into the image forming apparatus with a detecting member (such as sensor) along the installation direction X.

[0020] The driving assembly 3 includes a coupling gear 31, a developing roller gear 32 installed on one end of a shaft of the developing roller 2 and a supply roller gear 33 installed on one end of a shaft of the supply roller 4. The coupling gear 31 meshes with the developing roller gear 32 and the supply roller gear 33 respectively. The coupling gear 31 can receive driving force from the image forming apparatus.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the developing cartridge further includes a detection assembly 6 for contacting the detecting member of the image forming apparatus to send an indication to the controller of the image forming apparatus. For example, the developing cartridge installed into the image forming apparatus is a new one, or is compatible with the image forming apparatus. The detection assembly 6 further includes a transmission roller 61 for transmitting driving force from the first end 18 of the casing 1 to the second end 19, a detection rod 62 for contacting the detecting member of the image forming apparatus, and a detection gear 63 which will be described in detail below.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the casing 1 has a groove 12 where the transmission roller 61 is disposed. It is advantage to dispose the transmission roller 61 outside of the casing 1 for the toner to be uniformly distributed in the casing 1 by the agitator roller 5 without toner clumping.

[0023] The driving assembly 3 further includes an intermediate gear 34 rotatably installed on the side wall 11 of the casing 1, an agitator gear 35 installed on one end of a shaft of the agitator roller 5, and a transmission roller gear 36 installed on one end of a shaft of the transmission roller 61. The intermediate gear 34 meshes with the agitator gear 35 and transmission roller gear 36 respectively at one side, and meshes with the coupling gear 31 at another side.

[0024] As shown in Fig.4 and Fig. 5, a bevel gear 611 (first bevel gear) is disposed on one end of the transmission roller 61 close to the detection gear 63. The transmission roller gear 36 is disposed on the opposite end of the transmission roller 61 relevant to the bevel gear 611. The detection gear 63 and the detection rod 62 are rotatably installed on the upper surface 13 of the second end 19 of the casing 1. The upper surface 13 faces upwards as the developing cartridge is installed into the image forming apparatus along the installation direction X.

[0025] The detection gear 63 includes a bevel gear 631 (second bevel gear) which can mesh with the bevel gear 631 and several protrusions 632 on the side face of the bevel gear 631. The bevel gear 631 has a tooth portion 631a and a toothless portion 631b. The shape and arrangement of the several protrusions 632 are configured so that when the detection gear 63 is rotated, the several protrusions 632 can successively contact the detection rod 62, making the detection rod 62 touch the detecting member in a prescribed timing to send a signal to the image forming apparatus. When the toothless portion 631b of the bevel gear 631 faces the bevel gear 611, the bevel gear 631 will stop rotating, and the detection operation will be finished.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the detection rod 62 has a rotary shaft 621, a first arm 622 at one side of the rotary shaft 621 for contacting the several protrusions 632, and a second arm 623 at the opposite side of the rotary shaft 621 relevant to the first arm 622. The second arm 623 protrudes from the side wall 11 of the casing 1 or the cover 14 so that at least a portion of the second arm 623 can contact the detecting member of the image forming apparatus when the detection rod 62 is rotated. A limitation protrusion 625 protrudes from the circumference surface of the rotary shaft 621 of the detection rod 62. The limitation protrusion 625 is disposed in a slot 15. When the detection rod 62 is rotated, the limitation protrusion 625 can move in the slot 15 so that the rotating distance of the detection rod 62 is limited.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 6, the detection assembly 6 further includes a tortional spring 65 for controlling the starting installation position of the detection gear 62 to make sure the detection gear 63 can touch or contact the detection rod 62 in the prescribed timing. The tortional spring 65 is installed on the casing 1, one end of which rely on the shaft of the detection gear 63. The shaft of the detection gear 63 has a plane for the end of the spring to rely on.

[0028] The developing cartridge of present invention provides an alternative solution of the detection mechanism for the prior art. The detection mechanism used in the developing cartridge of the present invention is simple and space saving. It is also advantage to dispose the detection mechanism on the upper surface of the casing for the casing to be manufactured larger.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge which can be detachably installed into an image forming apparatus having a detecting member, said developing cartridge comprisinga casing with a first end and a second end, having a chamber for accommodating toner,a developing roller rotatably installed in the casing,a driving assembly positioned on the first end of the casing for driving the developing roller to rotate, and a detection assembly for contacting the detecting member of the image forming apparatus, characterized in that the detection assembly further including a transmission roller positioned outside of the casing for transmitting driving force from the first end of the casing to the second end, a detection rod for contacting the detecting member of the image forming apparatus, and a detection gear rotatably installed on an upper surface of the second end of the casing, wherein a first bevel gear is disposed on one end of the transmission roller close to the detection gear,the detection gear having a second bevel gear with a toothless portion and a tooth portion meshing with the first bevel gear, and several protrusions configured so that when the detection gear is rotated, the several protrusions can contact the detection rod to make the detection rod contact the detecting member in a prescribed timing.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection rod is rotatably installed on the upper surface of the casing, and the detection rod includes a rotary shaft, a first arm at one side of the rotary shaft for contacting the several protrusions and a second arm at the opposite side of the rotary shaft relevant to the first arm, the second arm protruding from the casing so that at least a portion of the second arm can contact the detecting member of the image forming apparatus.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the detection assembly has a torsional spring for controlling a starting installation position of the detection gear.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing has a groove for accommodating the transmission roller.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection assembly further includes a limitation protrusion for limiting a rotating distance of the detection rod, andthe limitation protrusion is arranged on a circumference surface of the rotary shaft.

Images