CN109765773B

CN109765773B - Process cartridge

Info

Publication number: CN109765773B
Application number: CN201910177566.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 范文燚
Original assignee: Zhuhai Un Tern Imaging Products Co ltd
Current assignee: Zhuhai Un Tern Imaging Products Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-09
Filing date: 2019-03-09
Publication date: 2024-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-09
Also published as: CN109765773A

Abstract

The invention provides a processing box which is detachably arranged in imaging equipment, wherein an action part is arranged in the imaging equipment; the process cartridge includes a photosensitive unit and a developing unit movably connected to each other; the photosensitive unit comprises a photosensitive unit frame and a photosensitive drum; the developing unit includes a developing unit frame and a developing roller; the process cartridge further includes a separation force receiving member mounted on the process cartridge, having a locked state fixed relative to the developing unit frame and a released state movable relative to the developing unit frame at least in one moving direction; when the separation force receiving member is in the locked state, the separation force receiving member receives a force to move the developing unit frame relative to the photosensitive drum frame from the image forming apparatus, separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum. The processing box with the structure has simple manufacturing process, stable structure and low cost.

Description

Process cartridge

[ field of technology ]

The present invention relates to a process cartridge for an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a process cartridge with a separating force receiving member.

[ background Art ]

In an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc. which forms an image by electrophotography, there is generally a process cartridge which is detachable from the image forming apparatus. The existing process cartridge mainly includes: an integral process cartridge integrating a photosensitive drum unit and a developing unit together, and a split process cartridge including only the photosensitive drum unit or the developing unit.

In the integral process cartridge, the photosensitive drum unit and the developing unit are generally connected to each other by being rotatably movable. The photosensitive drum unit comprises a photosensitive drum unit frame, a photosensitive drum rotatably supported by the photosensitive drum unit frame, a charging roller, a cleaning scraper, a waste powder bin and the like, and the developing unit comprises a developing unit frame, a developing roller rotatably supported by the developing unit frame, a powder bin, a powder feeding roller, a layer thickness regulating device and the like. During the image forming operation, the developing roller remains pressed toward the photosensitive drum. In the case where the image forming apparatus employs a developing method in which a developing roller is placed in contact with a photosensitive drum to develop a latent image on the photosensitive drum, the developing roller remains pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. However, during non-imaging operations, there are a number of adverse consequences if the developer roller remains in long-term contact with the photoreceptor drum surface, such as: if a developing roller having an elastic layer is used, the elastic layer of the developing roller may be permanently deformed by the elastic layer of the developing roller being kept in contact with the outer surface of the photosensitive drum, and the latent image on the photosensitive drum may be unevenly developed after a long period of use; if the developing roller remains in contact with the photosensitive drum when no image is formed, the developing roller may cause the photosensitive drum surface to attach an excessive amount of developer regardless of whether the developing roller has an elastic layer; further, when the developing roller is not used for development, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are still in rotational friction in contact with each other, possibly causing premature degradation of the photosensitive drum, the developing roller and the developer.

To prevent the above-described problems, there is an image forming apparatus including a housing chamber provided with a positioning portion for mounting a process cartridge in place in the image forming apparatus, a driving force output head, and a plurality of action portions, etc., distributed in a plurality of portions of the image forming apparatus for restricting and fixing the process cartridge when the process cartridge is housed in the image forming apparatus, such as a projection of a rotation center of the driving force output head, a projection of a base of the image forming apparatus, a cross member of the base, etc., and a door cover. In general, a process cartridge is mounted on a cartridge holder of an image forming apparatus and is pushed into a housing chamber of the image forming apparatus, at this time, a positioning portion of the process cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus has a certain moving distance in a direction perpendicular to the cartridge holder, after a door of the image forming apparatus is closed, the process cartridge can fall into the positioning portion of the image forming apparatus under the closing action of the door, a driving force receiving member of the process cartridge is coupled with a driving force output head of the image forming apparatus, the process cartridge is completely loaded into the image forming apparatus, at this time, the process cartridge falling into the positioning portion is subjected to the action of a plurality of action portions in the image forming apparatus, so that the process cartridge is stably fixed in the image forming apparatus, and when the door is opened, the process cartridge follows the cartridge holder to be separated from the positioning portion, and the process cartridge is not subjected to the action of the action portions. The image forming apparatus further has a separation mechanism operable on the process cartridge, the separation mechanism being provided with a force application portion. Accordingly, the process cartridge is provided with a separation force receiving member on the developing frame, which is engageable with and receives the force of the separation mechanism of the image forming apparatus, and the separation force receiving portion of the process cartridge is designed by the original manufacturer to be switchable between a standby position, in which the separation force receiving member does not protrude from the housing surface, and a protruding position, in which the separation force receiving member protrudes from the housing surface, so that the force receiving portion of the process cartridge is hidden in the cartridge before being mounted into the image forming apparatus and protrudes from the housing surface after being mounted into the image forming apparatus, but the structure is complicated and the production cost is high, and therefore, it is highly desirable to provide a new design way to improve the deficiencies of the prior art.

[ invention ]

An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum and a developing roller can be brought into contact with and separated from each other and in which a separation force receiving member of the process cartridge is less susceptible to damage during loading and unloading, which is simple in structure, stable and reliable, and low in cost.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus provided with an action portion therein; the process cartridge includes a photosensitive unit and a developing unit movably connected to each other; the photosensitive unit comprises a photosensitive unit frame and a photosensitive drum; the developing unit includes a developing unit frame and a developing roller; the process cartridge further includes a separation force receiving member; the separation force receiving member is mounted on the process cartridge, having a locked state fixed relative to the developing unit frame and a released state movable relative to the developing unit frame at least in one moving direction; when the separation force receiving member is in a locked state, the separation force receiving member may receive a force to move the developing unit frame relative to the photosensitive drum frame from the image forming apparatus, separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum.

In the above-described process cartridge, when the separation force receiving member is subjected to the force of the separation member of the image forming apparatus in a locked state with respect to the developing roller, the developing unit frame may be moved with respect to the photosensitive unit frame, thereby separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum; when the separating force receiving member is in a released state relative to the developing roller, the separating force receiving member can move relative to the developing frame when receiving an external force, and the separating force receiving member is prevented from being damaged, so that the service life of the process cartridge is prolonged.

Preferably, the separation force receiving member includes an engaging portion that engages with the acting portion of the image forming apparatus, causing the separation force receiving member to be in a locked state.

The above-mentioned processing box, separating force receiving component is provided with the joint portion, can directly with the effect portion joint of imaging device for separating force receiving component is locked, has fully utilized the effect portion of imaging device, simplifies the inner structure of processing box, makes this processing box simple structure not only, low in production cost.

Preferably, the engagement portion is a guide hole, a guide groove, a recess, a bump, or a protrusion.

The above-mentioned processing box, the joint portion designs as guide hole, guide slot, recess, lug or protruding, its simple structure, low in production cost to with the cooperation effect of the effect portion of imaging device better.

Preferably, the process cartridge further includes a restriction member including a restriction portion; the separating force receiving member includes an engaging portion that engages with the restricting portion to put the separating force receiving member in a locked state.

In the above-described process cartridge, in the case where the engaging portion cannot be directly engaged with the acting portion of the image forming apparatus, engagement of the engaging portion of the separation force receiving member with the acting portion of the image forming apparatus is achieved by the regulating member, and when the engaging portion is engaged with the regulating portion, the separation force receiving member is in a locked state, at which time the developing unit frame is movable relative to the photosensitive unit frame under the action of the separation force of the image forming apparatus, and the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, thereby protecting the developing roller.

The processing box designs the joint part into the guide hole, the guide groove, the concave, the convex or the convex, has simple structure, low production cost and better matching effect with the joint part.

Preferably, the regulating member further includes a first lever portion projecting from an end cap of the process cartridge, being abuttable against the action portion of the image forming apparatus, and a first elastic member mounted on the first lever portion; the joint part is a guide groove or a guide hole, and the limiting part can be inserted into the joint part.

Preferably, the limiting member is a push rod having a substantially L shape, and includes a first rod portion, a second rod portion, and a first elastic member mounted on the first rod portion; a free end of the first lever portion protrudes from an end cap of the process cartridge and is abuttable against the action portion of the image forming apparatus; the limiting part is positioned at the free end of the second rod part; the joint part is a guide groove or a guide hole, and the limiting part can be inserted into the joint part.

Preferably, the restriction member further includes a first lever portion, which protrudes from an end cap of the process cartridge and is abuttable against the action portion of the image forming apparatus, a first projection, and a first elastic member mounted on the first lever portion; the limiting part is arranged on the first lug; the engaging portion is a second projection having an inclined surface, and the restraining portion abuts against the inclined surface of the second projection to bring the separating force receiving member into a locked state.

Preferably, the engagement portion is a slider, and one end of the slider abuts against the restriction portion.

Preferably, the joint part further comprises a through hole and a second elastic piece, and the sliding block can reciprocate in the through hole.

Preferably, the restriction member further includes a first lever portion, a second lever portion, and a first elastic member, a free end of the first lever portion being provided with a projection protruding from an end cap of the process cartridge, abutting against the action portion of the image forming apparatus; the limiting part is arranged at the free end of the second rod part; the slider has a slope that cooperates with the restricting portion.

Preferably, the developing unit frame is rotatable with respect to the photosensitive unit frame about a rotation axis in a first direction and a second direction, and the photosensitive drum is separated from the developing roller when the developing unit frame is rotated with respect to the photosensitive unit frame in the second direction; the separation force receiving member has a locked state fixed with respect to the developing unit frame and a released state movable with respect to the developing unit frame in the second direction.

Preferably, the separation force receiving member is rotatable in the first direction or the second direction about a rotation axis parallel to a rotation axis of the developing unit frame relative to the photosensitive unit frame when the separation force receiving member is in the released state; when the separation force receiving member is in the locked state, rotation of the separation force receiving member in both the second direction and the first direction is locked.

In the above-described process cartridge, in the case where the separation force receiving member has a locked state fixed with respect to the developing unit frame and a released state movable with respect to the developing unit frame in the second direction, the separation force receiving member may receive the separation force of the image forming apparatus in the locked state to effect movement of the developing unit frame with respect to the photosensitive drum frame, thereby effecting separation of the developing roller from the photosensitive drum, thereby protecting the developing roller.

Preferably, the separation force receiving member includes a holding portion for holding the separation force receiving member at a predetermined position, the predetermined position being a position when the separation force receiving member is in the locked state.

According to the processing box, the separating force receiving component is kept at the position when the locking state is kept by the retaining part, namely, the separating force receiving component can receive the separating force of the imaging device, so that the separating force receiving mechanism is guaranteed to receive the separating force of the imaging device under the locking state, and accordingly the developing unit frame is driven to move, and the separation of the developing roller and the photosensitive drum is achieved. -

Preferably, the holding portion is an elastic member having one end fixed to the separation force receiving member and one end fixed to the developing unit frame.

According to the processing box, the elastic piece is used as the holding part, so that the separating force receiving component can be restored to the preset position under the action of the elastic piece when deviating from the preset position.

Preferably, the separation force receiving member is rotatable about a shaft when the separation force receiving member is in the released state, and a rotation axis of the separation force receiving member is parallel to a rotation axis of the developing roller.

In the above-described process cartridge, the separation force receiving mechanism is rotatable about the rotation axis in the released state, and when the engaging portion of the separation force receiving mechanism is engaged with the regulating portion or with the acting portion of the image forming apparatus, the separation force receiving member is fixed to the developing unit, so that it is realized that the separation force receiving member is movable when the separation force receiving member is in the released state, and the separation force receiving member is lockable when the separation force receiving member is in the locked state.

[ description of the drawings ]

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge when the process cartridge is loaded in a cartridge tray according to the first embodiment;

fig. 2 is a schematic view showing a positional relationship between a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus after the process cartridge is loaded in a cartridge tray according to the first embodiment;

fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus after the process cartridge is loaded into the image forming apparatus and before the door is not closed;

fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus after the process cartridge is loaded into the image forming apparatus and the door is closed in accordance with the first embodiment;

fig. 5 is a schematic view showing a positional relationship between a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is in a non-operating state after the process cartridge is loaded into the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment;

fig. 6 is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6A according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a partial exploded view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view of B in FIG. 9 according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between a process cartridge and an action portion of an image forming apparatus before the process cartridge is not loaded into the image forming apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment;

fig. 12 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between a process cartridge and an action portion of an image forming apparatus after the process cartridge is loaded into the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a partial position exploded view of a process cartridge of the second embodiment;

fig. 14 is a partial enlarged view of C in fig. 13 of the second embodiment;

fig. 15 is a perspective view of the separating force receiving mechanism, the restricting mechanism and the acting portion in the second embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the cooperation of a process cartridge and an action portion of an image forming apparatus before the process cartridge is not loaded into the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the cooperation of a process cartridge and an action portion of an image forming apparatus after the process cartridge of the second embodiment is loaded into the image forming apparatus;

fig. 18 is a perspective view of a separation force receiving member of the third embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the cooperation of a process cartridge and an action portion of an image forming apparatus before the process cartridge is not loaded into the image forming apparatus in accordance with the third embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the cooperation of a process cartridge and an action portion of an image forming apparatus after loading the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment;

fig. 21 is a perspective view of the separation force receiving member and the restriction member of the fourth embodiment.

[ detailed description ] of the invention

Example 1

As shown in fig. 1 to 4, 11, 12, the image forming apparatus F includes a cartridge tray 202 provided with a housing chamber 201, as drawer members, a door cover 203, wherein a first side wall 2011 and a second side wall (not shown), a top wall 2012, a base 2013, a plurality of action portions, and the like are provided in the housing chamber 201, the first side wall 2011 and the second side wall (not shown) face each other, and a first driving force output head 204, a second driving force output head 205 for transmitting driving force to the process cartridge 100 are further provided on the first side wall 2011; a biasing member 206 of a separating member for biasing a force receiving portion of the separating force receiving member of the process cartridge 100 is provided on the top wall 2012. The base 2013 is located at the bottom of the image forming apparatus F accommodating chamber 201, and a positioning portion 20131 is provided on the base 2013, the positioning portion 20131 being for positioning the process cartridge 100 into the image forming apparatus F; the action portions are provided at a plurality of positions in the image forming apparatus F for restricting and fixing the process cartridge 100 loaded in the image forming apparatus F, the action portion of the present embodiment is a projection 2014, the projection 2014 is provided at a position of the rotation center of the first driving force output head 204; the cartridge tray 202 is configured to support the process cartridge 100, is linearly movable in a substantially horizontal direction (p, q directions) with respect to the image forming apparatus F, and the door 203 is configured to apply a force to the cartridge tray 202 when closed, so that the cartridge tray 202 is mounted in place with continued movement. In a state in which the cartridge tray 202 is in the extracted position, the process cartridge 100 may be mounted on the cartridge tray 202 in a direction C substantially perpendicular to the cartridge tray 202, the plurality of process cartridges 100 mounted on the cartridge tray 202 being parallel to each other such that the longitudinal direction of the process cartridges 100 (the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 12 and the developing roller 11) is substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the cartridge tray 202; when the cartridge tray 202 is loaded into the image forming apparatus F accommodating chamber 201 and before the door 203 is closed, the process cartridge 100 has a certain moving distance in the C direction with respect to the positioning portion of the image forming apparatus F, after the door 203 of the image forming apparatus is closed, the process cartridge 100 falls into the positioning portion 20131 of the image forming apparatus F under the closing action of the door 203 of the image forming apparatus F, and the driving force receiving member of the process cartridge 100 is coupled with the driving force output head of the image forming apparatus F, completing loading the process cartridge 100 into the image forming apparatus F.

As shown in fig. 4, 5, and 8 to 10, the process cartridge 100 includes a photosensitive unit 2, a developing unit 1, a first end cap 5, and a second end cap 6, the first end cap 5 being mounted at a first end 3 of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction, the second end cap 6 being mounted at a second end 4 of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first end 3 is opposite to the second end 4 in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100. The photosensitive unit 2 includes a photosensitive unit frame 21, a photosensitive drum 22, a charging roller (not shown), a waste toner hopper 23, and the like. The developing unit 1 includes a developing unit frame 11, a developing roller 12, a powder feeding roller 19, a layer thickness regulating device (not shown), a hopper 13, and the like, wherein the hopper 13 can accommodate developer therein, a first boss 131, a second boss 132 are provided in the axial direction of the developing roller 12, and the first boss 131 and the second boss 132 extend in the axial direction of the developing roller 12 in a direction approaching the first end cap 5. The photosensitive unit 2 and the developing unit 1 are rotatably movably coupled together, and when the process cartridge 100 is in an initial state in which it is not subjected to a separating force, the photosensitive drum 22 and the developing roller 12 are in contact with each other. When the process cartridge 100 receives a separating force, the photosensitive unit 2 and the developing unit 1 can relatively move rotationally, separating the photosensitive drum 22 from the developing roller 12. When the separating force is lost, the photosensitive unit 2 and the developing unit 1 are again relatively rotated by the spring 101 in the process cartridge 100, so that the process cartridge 100 is restored to the original state, and the photosensitive drum 22 and the developing roller 12 are brought into contact. That is, by the rotational movement between the developing unit 2 and the photosensitive unit 1, the developing roller 12 is movable between a position in contact with the photosensitive drum 22 and a position spaced apart from the photosensitive drum. The above-described structure of the process cartridge 100 is substantially the same as that of the process cartridge of the related art, and will not be described again here.

As shown in fig. 8 to 12, the photosensitive unit 2 further includes a second driving force receiving member 24, where the second driving force receiving member 24 is located at the first end 3 of the process cartridge 100, and one end is connected to the photosensitive drum 22, and the other end protrudes from the first through hole 51 of the first end cover 5, and is coupled to the second driving force output head 205 in the image forming apparatus F, receives driving force from the second driving force output head 205, and then transmits the driving force to the photosensitive drum 22, a charging roller (not shown) to drive the rotating member such as the photosensitive drum 22 to rotate.

As shown in fig. 6 to 10, the developing unit 1 further includes a separating force receiving member 14, a regulating member 15, a gear support 16, a gear protecting cover 17, a first driving force receiving member 18, a powder feeding roller gear 191, a developing roller gear 121, and the like, and the separating force receiving member 14, the regulating member 15, the gear support 16, the gear protecting cover 17, the first driving force receiving member 18, the powder feeding roller gear 191, and the developing roller gear 121 are all located at the same end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100, that is, at the first end 3 in this embodiment.

The gear support 16 is provided outside the end wall of the hopper 13 in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 and is for supporting the developing roller 12, the powder feeding roller 19, and the like, and the gear support 16 is provided with a second through hole 161, a third boss 162, and a boss 163, wherein the third boss 162 extends in the direction approaching the hopper 13 in the axial direction of the developing roller 12 and is opposed to the first boss 131 provided on the hopper 13. The first driving force receiving member 18 is provided with a gear portion 181 and a driving force receiving head 182, the driving force receiving head 182 protruding from the third through hole 52 of the first end cap 5 and being capable of being coupled to a first driving force output head 204 provided in the image forming apparatus accommodating chamber, receiving driving force from the first driving force output head 204, and transmitting the driving force to the toner conveying roller gear 191 and the developing roller gear 121 through the gear portion 181 to drive the developing roller 12, the toner conveying roller, and other rotary members to rotate. The gear cover 17 is fitted on the gear support 16 in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 so as to cover the first driving force receiving member 18, the toner feed roller gear 191 and the developing roller gear 121, and the gear cover 17 has a cylindrical portion 171 extending away from the gear in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100, the first driving force receiving member 18 being exposed through an inner opening of the cylindrical portion 171.

In this embodiment, the separating force receiving member 14 is located at the same end of the process cartridge 100 as the first driving force receiving member 18 and the gear support 16, i.e., the first end 3. The separating force receiving member 14 has a force receiving portion 141, a holding portion 142, a first mounting hole 143, a mounting portion 144 of the holding portion, and an engaging portion 145, wherein the first mounting hole 143 has both ends in the direction of the developing roller axis of the process cartridge 100, one end of which is fitted over the second boss 132 of the cartridge 13, and the other end of which is fitted over the third boss 162 of the gear support 16, the second boss 132 and the third boss 162 face each other with the axes of the second boss 132 and the third boss 162 substantially coinciding, so that the separating force receiving member 14 is supported between the cartridge 13 and the gear support 16 and rotatable along the axes of the second boss 132 and the third boss 162.

The retaining portion 142 in this embodiment is a tension spring 142 having two free ends. One end of which is fixed to the separating force receiving member 14 by the mounting portion 144 of the holding portion and the other end of which is fixed to the second boss 132 of the powder hopper 13. The mounting portion 144 of the holding portion in this embodiment, which is located below the first mounting hole 143 when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the image forming apparatus F, may be any form capable of fixing one end of the tension spring 142, and is a hook in this embodiment. The tension spring 142 has an elastic tension to the separating force receiving member 14, and serves to maintain the position of the separating force receiving member 18, so that the separating force receiving member 14 can be restored to the predetermined position when it is biased from the predetermined position by an external force. In the present embodiment, the preset position of the separation force receiving member 14 is a position thereof in the locked state, that is, the force receiving portion 141 of the separation force receiving member 14 is located at a position that can cooperate with the force applying part 206 of the image forming apparatus to receive the urging force from the separation mechanism of the image forming apparatus. The force receiving portion 141 for receiving the urging force from the urging member 206 of the image forming apparatus separating mechanism so that the developing unit frame 11 moves relative to the photosensitive unit. In the present embodiment, when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the image forming apparatus F, the force receiving portion 141 is located on the side of the upper portion of the separation force receiving member 14 facing the force applying member 206 of the image forming apparatus. The engagement portion 145 may be a guide hole, a guide groove, a recess, a projection, or a protrusion, and in this embodiment the engagement portion 145 is a guide groove, the guide groove 145 being located below the first mounting hole 143 when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the image forming apparatus F.

The restriction member 15 has a restriction portion 151. In this embodiment, the limiting member 15 is a push rod with a substantially "L" shape, and includes a first rod portion 153, a first elastic element 152, and a second rod portion 155, where the limiting portion 151 is located at a free end of the second rod portion 155, near the guide slot 145, and can be mutually matched with the guide slot 145. When the restriction portion 151 is inserted into the guide groove 145, the separation force receiving member 14 is in the locked state, whereas the separation force receiving member 14 is in the released state. The first lever 153 passes through the second through hole 161 of the gear support 16, the third through hole 183 of the first driving force receiver 18, and the first through hole 51 of the first end cap 5 such that a free end 1532 provided on the first lever 153 is exposed to the outside of the end cap 5, the free end 1532 being for receiving a force from the protrusion 2014 of the image forming apparatus F such that the first lever 153 moves toward the guide groove 145; the first lever 153 is further provided with a limiting protrusion 1531, and the first elastic member is disposed between the limiting protrusion 1531 and the gear support 16, and in this embodiment, the first elastic member is a coil spring 152; the coil spring 152 has two free ends, one end of which abuts against the boss 163 of the gear support 16 and the other end of which abuts against the restriction protrusion 1531; the coil spring 152 has an elastic force to the first lever portion 153; the restriction portion 151 is provided at a free end of the second lever portion 155, and when the free end 1532 provided on the first lever portion 153 is acted upon by the protrusion 2014, the first lever portion 153 moves in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 toward the guide groove 145 of the separation force receiving member 14 and compresses the coil spring 152, and the restriction portion of the second lever portion 155 is inserted into the guide groove 145 as the first lever portion 153 moves; when the protrusion 2014 of the image forming apparatus F withdraws from the effect on the second lever portion free end 1532, the first lever portion 153 moves in a direction away from the guide groove 145 by the elastic force of the coil spring 152, and at this time, the first lever portion 153 is separated from the guide groove 145.

Next, a process of mutual engagement between the acting portion, the separation force receiving member, and the restriction member of the image forming apparatus during loading and unloading of the process cartridge into and from the image forming apparatus will be described.

As shown in fig. 1 to 5 and 10 to 12, when the process cartridge 100 is loaded into the image forming apparatus F along with the cartridge holder 202 and before the door 203 of the image forming apparatus F is closed, the process cartridge 100 has a certain moving distance in the direction C with respect to the positioning portion 20131 of the image forming apparatus F, the process cartridge 100 does not fall into the positioning portion 20131, the free end 1531 of the first lever 153 is not pressed by the protrusion 2014, the first lever 153 is in a separated state with the restriction 151 and the guide groove 145 under the elastic force of the coil spring 152, and at this time, the separating force receiving mechanism 14 can freely rotate with respect to the developing unit 1 about the axis L1, wherein the axis L1 is the axis on which the second boss is located.

When the door 203 of the image forming apparatus F is closed, the process cartridge 100 falls into the positioning portion 20131 in the accommodating chamber of the image forming apparatus F by the closing action of the door 203, at which time the first driving force receiving member 18 of the process cartridge 100 is engaged with the first driving force output head 204 of the image forming apparatus, so that the free end portion 1531 of the first lever portion 153 protruding from the third through hole 183 of the first driving force receiving member 18 is pressed by the projection 2014 of the first driving force output head 204 of the image forming apparatus F, and the first lever portion 153 moves in a direction approaching the guide groove 145 against the elastic force of the coil spring 152 by the pressing force of the projection 2041, so that the restriction portion 151 is inserted into the guide groove 145. The separation force receiving mechanism 14 is fixed to the developing unit frame 11. The separation force receiving member 14 is in a locked state with respect to the developing unit frame at this time, and is not movable with respect to the developing unit frame, that is: cannot rotate about the axis L1; in this state, when the force receiving portion 141 of the separation force receiving member 14 is acted on by the urging means 206 of the separation member of the image forming apparatus F, the separation force receiving member 14 rotates the developing unit frame 1 around the photosensitive unit, and the developing drum is separated from the photosensitive drum.

When the door 203 of the image forming apparatus F is opened, the process cartridge 100 is released from the positioning portion 20131 of the image forming apparatus F, the process cartridge 100 is restored to the position before the door 203 is closed, the first driving force receiving member 18 of the process cartridge 100 is disengaged from the first driving force output head 204 of the image forming apparatus F, the free end 1531 of the first lever portion 153 is not pressed by the projection 2014, the first lever portion 153 is moved away from the engaging portion 145 by the elastic force of the coil spring 152, the restricting portion 151 is disengaged from the guide groove 145, at this time, the separating force receiving member 14 is in a released state with respect to the developing unit frame 11, and the separating force receiving mechanism 14 is rotatable about the axis L1.

Next, referring to fig. 4 to 7, 11, and 12, a process of separating the developing roller 1 and the photosensitive drum 2 will be described.

When the process cartridge 100 is in the free state, the developing roller 1 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 2; when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the image forming apparatus F and an image is formed, the separation force receiving member 14 is in a released state movable relative to the developing unit, and at this time, the urging member 206 of the separation member does not exert urging force on the force receiving portion 141, and the developing roller 1 is in a contact state with the photosensitive drum 2; when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the image forming apparatus and is in a non-image forming state, the separating force receiving member 14 is in a locked state with respect to the developing unit frame 11, moves in the q direction in contact with the force receiving portion 141 at the force applying member 206, and applies a force to the force receiving portion 141 as the force applying member 206 continues to move, so that the separating force receiving member 14 rotates the developing unit frame 11 to rotationally move the developing unit 1 with respect to the photosensitive unit 2, and the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 22 are separated. When the image forming apparatus F door 203 is opened, the process cartridge 100 is disengaged from the positioning portion of the image forming apparatus F, the free end 1531 of the first lever portion 153 is not pressed by the pressing force of the projection 2041, the separation force receiving member 14 is separated from the regulating member 15 by the elastic force of the coil spring 152, the separation force receiving member 14 is released, and the photosensitive drum 22 and the developing roller 12 are restored to the original positions, i.e., the photosensitive drum 22 and the developing roller 12 are brought into contact with each other. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the toner on the developing roller 12 from adhering to the photosensitive drum 22 when an image is not formed, while the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 22 are not rubbed with each other, so that the process cartridge in the embodiment is longer in service life.

Example two

As shown in fig. 13 to 17, the process cartridge 200 of the second embodiment is basically identical to the process cartridge 100 of the first embodiment in that only the structure of the engaging portion and the restricting member of the second embodiment is different from those of the first embodiment, and the structure of the process cartridge 200 is not repeated, but only the differences are described below.

As shown in fig. 13 to 17, in the present embodiment, the engagement portion 200145 of the separation force receiving member 20014 includes a slider 2001451, a through hole 2001452, a second elastic member 2001453, wherein the slider 2001451 has a first end portion 20014511 and a second end portion 20014512, a protrusion 20014513; the first end is rod-shaped, is positioned near one end of the powder bin 20013 in the length direction of the processing box 200, and can be inserted into a groove 200131 arranged on the wall of the powder bin; the second end 20014512 is provided with a bevel at an end remote from the powder bin 20013 in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 200. In this embodiment, the second elastic member is a coil spring 2001453, sleeved on the slider 2001451 and having two free ends, one end of the coil spring 2001453 is abutted against the limiting protrusion 20014513, and the other end is abutted against the outer edge of the port of the through hole; the slider 2001451 can pass through the through-hole 2001452 and can reciprocate within the through-hole 2001452, and the coil spring 2001453 is compressed when the slider 2001451 moves toward one end of the cartridge 20013 in the length direction of the process cartridge 200.

The limiting member 20015 includes a second lever portion 200155, a first elastic member 200152 and a first lever portion 200153, wherein the second lever portion 200155 and the first lever portion 200153 intersect at an angle and are connected by an arc-shaped lever 200154, the first lever portion 200153 is provided with a protrusion 2001531, the protrusion 2001531 protrudes from the end cap 2005 of the process cartridge 200 and can abut against an acting portion of the image forming apparatus, and the acting portion in this embodiment is a rib 2002014 provided in a base of the image forming apparatus; the second rod portion 200155 has a symmetrical limiting protrusion 2001552, the second rod portion 200155 has a free end, the limiting portion in this embodiment is disposed on the free end 2001551 of the second rod portion 200155, the free end 2001551 has a slope, the first elastic member is sleeved on the second rod portion, the first elastic member in this embodiment is a first coil spring 200152, which has two free ends, one end abuts against the limiting protrusion 2001552, the other end abuts against a boss extending from the wall of the powder bin 20013, when the second rod portion 200155 moves in the opposite direction of C, the first coil spring 200152 is compressed, the direction of C is the direction in which the processing cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder in embodiment 1, and the slope of the free end 2001551 of the second rod portion 200155 can abut against the second end 20014512 of the slider 2001451.

When the process cartridge 200 is loaded into the image forming apparatus F and the door is closed, the process cartridge 200 falls into the positioning portion of the image forming apparatus F, and the projection 2001531 provided on the first lever portion 200153 is acted upon by the bead 2002014 in the image forming apparatus, the second lever portion 200155 is moved in the opposite direction of C toward the slider 2001451, the slope of the free end 2001551 of the second lever portion 200155 abuts against the second end 20014512 of the slider 2001451, and the slider 2001451 is moved in the direction toward the hopper and finally inserted into the groove 200131 of the hopper wall by the pressing force of the bead 2002014, thereby fixing the separating force receiving member 20014 to the developing unit frame 20011.

Example III

As shown in fig. 18, the process cartridge 300 of the third embodiment is basically the same as the process cartridge 100 of the first embodiment, except that the third embodiment has no restriction member, the engaging portion of the separating force receiving member may be a guide hole, a guide groove, a recess, a projection or a protrusion, the engaging portion of the present embodiment is a guide hole 300145, and the acting portion of the corresponding image forming apparatus is a projection 3002014.

As shown in fig. 19 to 20, when the process cartridge 300 is loaded into the image forming apparatus and after the door is closed, the process cartridge 300 falls into the positioning portion of the image forming apparatus, at which time the boss 3002014 can be inserted directly into the guide hole 300153 through the third through hole 300183 of the first driving force receiver 30018, so that the separating force receiving member 30014 is fixed to the developing unit frame 3001.

Example IV

As shown in fig. 18, the fourth process cartridge 400 of the embodiment is basically the same as the first process cartridge 100 of the embodiment, with the difference that only the restricting portion of the fourth restricting member and the engaging portion of the separating force receiving member are different; the restricting portion of the restricting member 40015 is a first projection 400151 located at an end position of the second lever portion 400155, the engaging portion of the separating force receiving member 40014 is a second projection 400145, and the first projection 400151 and the second projection 400145 are provided with a first inclined surface 4001511 and a second inclined surface 4001451, respectively. When the first bump 400151 and the second bump 400145 are abutted against each other, the first inclined surface 4001511 and the second inclined surface 4001451 face each other; when the force receiving portion 400141 is pressed by the image forming apparatus separating member pressing portion, the separating force receiving member 40014 rotates the developing unit frame 40011 in the counterclockwise direction, the first projection 400151 does not have a restricting effect on the second projection 400145, the separating force receiving member 40014 is not restricted from rotating, and the separating force receiving member 40014 rotates the developing unit frame 40011 in the counterclockwise direction, the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, as seen in the direction facing the first end cover of the process cartridge 400, in the counterclockwise direction, the rotation of the separating force receiving member 40014 is restricted by the restricting member 40015.

The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. There are many variations in the shape, construction and principle of the present invention, for example, the engaging portion may be a recess, a projection, a slope or a protrusion, the restricting portion of the restricting member may be a projection, a groove, the engaging portion may be brought into indirect contact with the acting portion of the image forming apparatus by the restricting member, may be directly engaged with the acting portion of the image forming apparatus, and the like. Accordingly, it is intended that any such alterations and modifications be included within the scope of the invention, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

1. A process cartridge detachably mounted in an image forming apparatus provided with an action portion inside; the process cartridge includes a photosensitive unit and a developing unit movably connected to each other; the photosensitive unit comprises a photosensitive unit frame and a photosensitive drum; the developing unit includes a developing unit frame and a developing roller; the process cartridge further includes a separation force receiving member; the method is characterized in that:

the developing unit frame can rotate around a rotation axis along a first direction and a second direction relative to the photosensitive unit frame, and when the developing unit frame rotates along the second direction relative to the photosensitive unit frame, the photosensitive drum is separated from the developing roller;

the separation force receiving member is mounted on the process cartridge, has a locked state fixed relative to the developing unit frame and a released state movable relative to the developing unit frame in the second direction;

when the separation force receiving member is in a locked state, the separation force receiving member may receive a force to move the developing unit frame relative to the photosensitive drum frame from the image forming apparatus, separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum;

when the separating force receiving member is in the release state, the separating force receiving member can rotate along a first direction or a second direction around a rotation axis, and the rotation axis of the separating force receiving member is parallel to the rotation axis of the developing unit frame relative to the photosensitive unit frame;

when the separation force receiving member is in the locked state, rotation of the separation force receiving member in both the second direction and the first direction is locked.

2. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein:

the separation force receiving member includes an engaging portion that engages with the acting portion of the image forming apparatus to bring the separation force receiving member into a locked state.

3. A process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein:

the joint part is a guide hole, a guide groove, a recess, a bump or a protrusion.

4. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein:

the process cartridge further includes a restriction member including a restriction portion;

the separating force receiving member includes an engaging portion that engages with the restricting portion to put the separating force receiving member in a locked state.

5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein:

6. A process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein:

the regulating member further includes a first lever portion projecting from an end cap of the process cartridge, being abuttable against the action portion of the image forming apparatus, and a first elastic member mounted on the first lever portion;

the joint part is a guide groove or a guide hole, and the limiting part can be inserted into the joint part.

7. A process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein:

the limiting member is an L-shaped push rod and further comprises a first rod part, a second rod part and a first elastic piece arranged on the first rod part; wherein a free end of the first lever portion protrudes from an end cap of the process cartridge and is abuttable against the action portion of the image forming apparatus; the limiting part is positioned at the free end of the second rod part;

8. A process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein:

the limiting member further comprises a first rod part, a first lug and a first elastic piece arranged on the first rod part, wherein the first rod part extends out of the end cover of the processing box and can be abutted with the action part of the imaging equipment; the limiting part is arranged on the first lug;

the engaging portion is a second projection having an inclined surface, and the restraining portion abuts against the inclined surface of the second projection to bring the separating force receiving member into a locked state.

9. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein:

the joint part is a sliding block, and one end of the sliding block is abutted against the limiting part.

10. A process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein:

the joint part also comprises a through hole and a second elastic piece, and the sliding block can reciprocate in the through hole.

11. A process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein:

the limiting member further comprises a first rod part, a second rod part and a first elastic piece, wherein a lug is arranged at the free end of the first rod part and extends out of the end cover of the processing box to be abutted with the action part of the imaging equipment; the limiting part is arranged at the free end of the second rod part;

the slider has a slope that cooperates with the restricting portion.

12. A process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein:

the separating force receiving member includes a holding portion for holding the separating force receiving member at a predetermined position, which is a position when the separating force receiving member is in a locked state.

13. A process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein:

the holding portion is an elastic member having one end fixed to the separation force receiving member and one end fixed to the developing unit frame.