CN114879462A

CN114879462A - Developing box

Info

Publication number: CN114879462A
Application number: CN202210716526.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱雨
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-03-20
Filing date: 2022-06-22
Publication date: 2022-08-09
Also published as: CN114924472A; CN217655422U

Abstract

The present invention provides a developing cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge comprising: the box body is provided with a first side wall and a second side wall along the length direction; a driving force receiving unit including a coupling disposed at a first end of the developing cartridge, capable of receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus; a driving member movable by receiving a driving force; a transmission member receiving an acting force of the driving member to move at least a portion of the transmission member in a length direction of the case; a detected member provided at a second end of the developing cartridge and capable of being driven by the driving member; the developing box with the structure can solve the problem that the existing developing box has time delay when the driving force of the first end of the developing box is transmitted to the second end of the developing box, and improves the detection precision of the developing box.

Description

Developing box

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of electrophotographic imaging equipment, in particular to a developing box.

Background

As an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic type, there is known an image forming apparatus including a main assembly, a photosensitive drum provided in the main assembly, and a developing cartridge supplying a developer to the photosensitive drum.

Such an image forming apparatus includes a detection unit for determining information of the developing cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus. For example, the detection unit is used to determine whether a developing cartridge newly mounted to the image forming apparatus is a new product, or size capacity information of the developing cartridge, or the like.

Such an image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, the main assembly being provided with a transmission mechanism and a photosensor. Such a developing cartridge rotatably supports a detected mechanism provided with a projection (detected member) capable of touching and pushing a transmission mechanism. When the developing cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the detected mechanism is driven to rotate, and the projection portion drives the transmission mechanism to swing. The optical sensor detects the swing of the driving mechanism, and the image forming apparatus determines information of the developing cartridge based on the detection result of the optical sensor.

Similarly, in addition to the determination of the information of the developing cartridge by the detection result of the photosensor, there is also a capacitive detection method in which the information of the developing cartridge is determined based on a change in capacitance caused by the swing of the protrusion portion touching the transmission mechanism. In another method, the information of the developing cartridge is determined by the change of the circuit voltage or current by turning on or off a switch, specifically, the switch may be turned off or on by the swing of the protrusion touching the transmission mechanism.

There is a developing cartridge in which a driving force receiving unit is provided at a first end in a longitudinal direction, a detected member is provided at a second end disposed opposite to the first end, and a rotation shaft capable of receiving a rotational driving force to rotate is provided between the first end and the second end so as to be able to transmit the rotational driving force of the driving force receiving unit from the first end to the second end of the developing cartridge, thereby driving the detected member disposed at the second end. In the conventional developing box, a rotating shaft is adopted for transmitting the rotating force, the length of the rotating shaft is long, and when the force is transmitted from one end of the rotating shaft to the other end, time delay is caused, so that the detection precision is influenced.

Disclosure of Invention

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a developing cartridge capable of improving detection accuracy.

The purpose of the invention is realized by the following technical scheme:

a developing cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: the box body is provided with a first side wall and a second side wall along the length direction; a driving force receiving unit including a coupling provided at a first end of the developing cartridge, capable of receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus; the developing cartridge further includes: a driving member movable by receiving the driving force; a transmission receiving a force of the driving member to move at least a portion of the transmission in a length direction of the cassette; a detected member provided at a second end of the developing cartridge and capable of being driven by the transmission member.

Preferably, the driving member includes a main body portion, a second gear portion engageable with the driving force receiving unit, and an acting portion capable of pushing the transmission; the transmission member is movable between a first position not urged by the acting portion and a second position urged by the acting portion.

Preferably, the acting portion extends in a direction of a rotation axis of the driving member or in a radial direction.

Preferably, the transmission part is a sliding part, the transmission part comprises a force-bearing part and a rod part, the rod part is slidably arranged on the box body, and the force-bearing part can be pushed by the action part to enable the sliding part to slide in the length direction of the box body.

Preferably, the transmission part is a swinging part, the transmission part comprises a stress part and a rod part, the rod part is arranged on the box body in a swinging mode, and the stress part can be pushed by the action part to enable the swinging part to swing in the front-back direction or the up-down direction of the box body.

Preferably, the detected component is connected with the transmission piece in a swinging or fixed mode.

Preferably, the developing cartridge further includes a clutch mechanism for cutting off transmission of the driving force to the transmission member, and the clutch mechanism includes a notch portion provided outside the main body portion.

Preferably, the driving force receiving unit further includes one or more of a developing roller gear, an agitating member gear, a powder feeding roller gear, and an idler gear; the transmission piece is at least partially positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall.

Preferably, the driving member is a cam member, the acting portion is a cam portion, and the developing cartridge further includes an elastic member for applying an urging force to the transmission member so that the transmission member can move from the second position to the first position.

Preferably, the driving member is a sheave member including a guide groove, and the acting portion is provided in the guide groove.

The invention has the beneficial effects that:

the developing box with the structure can solve the technical problem that the existing developing box has time delay when the driving force of the first end of the developing box is transmitted to the second end of the developing box, and the detection precision of the developing box is improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an overall configuration schematic view of a developing cartridge of embodiment 1 of the invention;

fig. 2 is a partially exploded schematic view of a developing cartridge of embodiment 1 of the invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of the developing cartridge of embodiment 1 of the present invention with the first end cap omitted;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural view of a second end of the developing cartridge of embodiment 1 of the invention;

fig. 5 is another partial structural schematic view of the developing cartridge of embodiment 1 of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural view of the developing cartridge when the transmitting member of embodiment 1 of the invention is in the second position;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural view at the completion of the detection of the developing cartridge of embodiment 1 of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the entire structure of the developing cartridge when the transmission member of embodiment 2 of the present invention is in the first position;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the entire structure of the developing cartridge when the transmitting member of embodiment 2 of the invention is in the second position;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the entire structure of the developing cartridge when the transmitting member of embodiment 3 of the invention is in the first position;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the entire structure of the developing cartridge when the transmitting member of embodiment 3 of the invention is in the second position;

FIG. 12a is a schematic view showing the entire structure of the developing cartridge when the transmitting member of embodiment 4 of the present invention is in the second position;

FIG. 12b is a schematic view showing the entire structure of the developing cartridge when the transmitting member of embodiment 4 of the present invention is in the first position;

FIG. 13a is a schematic view of a partial structure of the developing cartridge in a second position of the transmitting member according to embodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 13b is a schematic partial structure view of the developing cartridge in the first position of the transmission member according to embodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 14a is a schematic view showing the entire structure of the developing cartridge when the transmitting member of embodiment 5 of the present invention is in the first position;

FIG. 14b is a schematic view showing the entire structure of the developing cartridge when the transmitting member of embodiment 5 of the present invention is in the second position;

FIG. 15a is a schematic partial structure view of the developing cartridge in the first position of the transmitting member in embodiment 5 of the present invention;

FIG. 15b is a schematic partial structure view of the developing cartridge in the second position of the transmitting member in embodiment 5 of the present invention;

fig. 16 is an overall configuration diagram of a developing cartridge of embodiment 6 of the invention;

fig. 17 is an exploded view of the developing cartridge of embodiment 6 of the invention, with the first end cap omitted;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the fitting relationship of the driving member, the transmission member and the detected member in embodiment 7 of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the fitting relationship of the driving member, the transmission member and the detected member in embodiment 8 of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a partial schematic structural view of a driving member and a transmission member according to embodiment 8 of the present invention.

The invention is further explained with reference to the drawings and the embodiments.

Detailed Description

Example 1

As shown in fig. 1, the present embodiment provides an image forming apparatus including a main assembly, and a detecting unit 100, a photosensitive drum, and a drive transmitting member provided in the main assembly, the detecting unit 100 and the drive transmitting member being provided on different sides of the main assembly. The detecting unit 100 is provided at one side of the main assembly for detecting information of the developing cartridge mounted in the main assembly, and is provided with a driving mechanism 200, the driving mechanism 200 can swing upon receiving an urging force of the developing cartridge, and the image forming apparatus judges the information of the developing cartridge in a state that the swing of the driving mechanism 200 blocks the sensor 300. The drive transmission member is provided at the other side of the main assembly for transmitting a driving force to the developing cartridge. The structure and detection principle of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment are substantially the same as those of the printer disclosed in chinese patent publication No. CN105759586A, and details of the related art are not repeated here.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the developing cartridge 10a is detachably mountable to the main assembly of the above-described image forming apparatus, and its specific structure includes a cartridge body 1a and a driving force receiving unit 2 a.

The casing 1a is substantially rectangular parallelepiped in shape, and is provided with a first side wall 11a and a second side wall 12a along its longitudinal direction L, and is generally provided with a powder hopper 13a for containing developer, a developing roller 14a, a powder feeding roller, and an agitating member 15 a. The developing roller 14a is disposed on the front side in the direction in which the developing cartridge 10a is mounted to the image forming apparatus, exposed from the front side of the cartridge body 1a and opposed to the photosensitive drum when mounted to the image forming apparatus to enable a developing work. A powder feeding roller facing the developing roller 14a and capable of feeding the developer to the developing roller 14 a; the stirring member 15a is used to stir the developer contained in the powder hopper 13 a.

The driving force receiving unit 2a is disposed at a first side of the cartridge body 1a in the longitudinal direction L (or a first end of the developing cartridge 10 a) for receiving a driving force from a driving force transmitting unit of the image forming apparatus and capable of transmitting a rotational driving force to a rotating member such as the developing roller 14 a. The driving force receiving unit 2a of the present invention may include the coupling 21a, or may be one or more of the coupling 21a and the developing roller gear 22a, the powder feed roller gear 23a, the stirring member gear, and the idle gear 24 a. In the present embodiment, the driving force receiving unit 2a includes a coupling 21a, a developing roller gear 22a, a powder feed roller gear 23a, and an idler gear 24 a.

The coupling 21a is rotatably supported on the first side wall 11a of the cartridge body 1a with its rotation axis extending along the longitudinal direction L of the developing cartridge 10a in parallel with the rotation axis of the developing roller 14 a. The coupling 21a is provided with a driving force receiving portion 211a and a first gear portion 212a, the driving force receiving portion 211a is coupled with a driving transmission unit of the image forming apparatus and receives the driving force, and the first gear portion 212a is capable of meshing with the developing roller gear 22a, the powder feed roller gear 23a, and the idle gear 24a to transmit the rotational driving force to the developing roller gear 22a, the powder feed roller gear 23a, and the idle gear 24 a. A developing roller gear 22a and a powder feeding roller gear 23a are provided at the ends of the developing roller 14a and the powder feeding roller, respectively, to rotate the developing roller 14a and the powder feeding roller. The stirring member gear is provided at an end of the stirring member 15a and is engaged with the idle gear 24a to rotate the stirring member 15 a.

Both ends of the developing cartridge 10a are provided with a first end cap 101a and a second end cap 102a, respectively, the first end cap 101a being located outside the first side wall 11a to protect the driving force receiving unit 2 a; the second end cap 102a is located outside the second side wall 12a, and a detected member 6a (to be described later in detail) can be exposed from the second end cap 102 a.

As shown in fig. 4 to 6, in the present embodiment, the developing cartridge 10a is further provided with a driving member 3a, a transmitting member 4a, an elastic member 5a, and a detected member 6 a.

For convenience of description, a direction parallel to the mounting direction P of the developing cartridge 10a is taken as a front-rear direction of the developing cartridge 10a, a position where the developing roller 14a is located is taken as a front side of the developing cartridge 10a, and a side opposite to the front side is taken as a rear side; the first side wall 11a is positioned at the left side of the developing cartridge 10a, and the second side wall 12a is positioned at the right side of the developing cartridge 10a, with the length direction L of the cartridge body 1a as the left-right direction of the developing cartridge 10 a; a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is an up-down direction T, and an upper side of the developing cartridge is an upper side and a lower side is a lower side in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.

The driving member 3a can move by receiving the driving force, and the driving force can be received directly from the driving force receiving unit 2a or indirectly. The driving force may be in the form of a rotational driving force or an urging force, and the corresponding driving member 3a may be moved in a rotational or sliding manner.

Preferably, the drive member includes a main body portion, a second gear portion engageable with the driving force receiving unit, and an acting portion capable of pushing the transmission member, the acting portion extending in a rotational axis direction or a radial direction of the drive member.

In the present embodiment, the driving member is a cam member 3a, and the acting portion is a cam portion. Specifically, the cam member 3a includes a main body portion 31a having a cylindrical shape, and the main body portion 31a is provided with a second gear portion 32a engageable with the driving force receiving unit 2a and a cam portion capable of pushing the transmission member 4 a.

In the present embodiment, the rotation axis of the cam member 3a is parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the case 1a, two cam portions are provided, namely, a first cam portion 33a and a second cam portion 34a, and the first cam portion 33a and the second cam portion 34a have substantially the same shape and structure, and the first cam portion 33a will be described as an example.

The first cam portion 33a protrudes from the end surface of the main body portion 31a along the longitudinal direction L of the cartridge case 1a, and specifically, the first cam portion 33a protrudes in a direction away from the first side wall 11a along the longitudinal direction L of the cartridge case 1a, and is provided with a first guide surface 35a and a second guide surface 36a on the side surface thereof, and the first guide surface 35a is located upstream of the second guide surface 36a in the rotational direction of the cam member 3 a. The main body portion 31a has a cylindrical shape, and two cam portions are provided at a predetermined distance in the circumferential direction of the main body portion 31 a.

In the present embodiment, the cam member 3a is provided at the end of the stirring member 15a, which may function as a gear of the stirring member 15a, and the second gear portion 32a thereof is engaged with the idle gear 24a of the driving force receiving unit 2a to receive the rotational driving force, which can rotate the stirring member 15 a.

Alternatively, the cam member 3a may be provided at an end of the developing roller 14a or the powder feeding roller, or may be provided separately on the cartridge body 1 a.

The transmission 4a can receive the force of the driving member 3a to move at least a portion of the transmission 4a in the length direction L of the cassette 1 a. The transmission member 4a is used for driving the detected member 6a, and the driving manner may be that the detected member 6a is fixedly connected to the transmission member 4a and moves along with the movement of the transmission member 4a, the detected member 6a is movably connected to the transmission member 4a, and the driving manner may be that the transmission member 4a touches the detected member 6 a.

The transmission member 4a is movable between a first position not pushed by the cam portion and a second position pushed by the cam portion. The transmission member 4a is provided with a force receiving portion 41a that receives the force of the cam portion of the cam member 3a, and this force receiving portion 41a can also be pushed by the cam portion so that the transmission member 4a can move between the first position and the second position.

In the present embodiment, the transmission member 4a is a sliding member, and the transmission member 4a includes a force-receiving portion 41a and a rod portion 42a, and the rod portion 42a extends in the length direction L of the case 1a and is located at least partially between the first side wall 11a and the second side wall 12 a. The lever portion 42a is slidably provided on the case 1a, and the cam portion can push the force receiving portion 41a to slide in the longitudinal direction L of the case 1 a.

The case 1a is provided with a sliding groove portion 16a, and at least a part of the transmission member 4a is installed in the sliding groove portion 16a so that the transmission member 4a can slide in the length direction L of the case 1 a. The number of the slide groove portions 16a may be one or more, and the manner of sliding the transmission member 4a is not limited to the manner of the slide groove, and a storage portion for storing the transmission member 4a may be provided.

The elastic member 5a is used to apply a force to the transmission member 4a so that the transmission member 4a can move from the second position to the first position.

Specifically, the elastic member 5a is a compression spring, one end of which abuts against the elastic member supporting portion 51a on the box body 1a, and the other end of which abuts against a part of the transmission member 4a, and when the transmission member 4a moves from the first position to the second position, the transmission member 4a compresses the elastic member 5a leftward. More specifically, the transmission member 4a has a receiving portion in which the elastic member 5a is received.

Alternatively, such elastic member 5a may be a tension spring, a torsion spring, or an elastic sponge, etc.

The detected member 6a, disposed at the second end of the developing cartridge 10a, can be driven by the driving member 4a, either directly or indirectly. For example, the detected member 6a and the transmission member 4a are integrally formed, connected in an interlocking relationship, or transmitted at a predetermined distance, which falls within the scope of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the detected member 6a is swingably provided at the second end of the case 1a, and can be driven by the transmission member 4 a. Specifically, the detected member 6a is provided with a force receiving portion 61a, a connecting portion 62a, and a detected portion 63a, and the connecting portion 62a is swingably connected to a pivot of the case 1a or the second cover 102a, having a swing center.

The force receiving portion 61a extends from the connecting portion 62a and is connected to one end of the transmission member 4a in a swinging manner (for example, forming a link mechanism), specifically, a circular hole is formed at an end of the rod portion 42a and is movably connected to a shaft portion (force receiving portion) of the detected member 6a, so that the transmission member 4a can drive the detected member 6a to swing when moving along the length direction L of the case 1 a. The detected portion 63a extends in a direction different from the extending direction of the force receiving portion 61a to be able to trigger the detection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus when the detected member 6a swings.

In the present embodiment, the developing cartridge 10a further includes a clutch mechanism 7a, and the clutch mechanism 7a is used to cut off transmission of the driving force to the transmission member 4 a. Specifically, the clutch mechanism 7a includes a notch portion 71a provided on the cam member 3a, the notch portion 71a is provided on the radial outer side of the main body portion 31a of the cam member 3a, and the force-receiving portion 41a of the transmission member 4a can fall into the notch portion 71a, at this time, the force-receiving portion 41a is disengaged from the path through which the rotation of the cam member passes, so that the force of the cam member is no longer received, and the driving force is cut off.

Next, the operation process in which the developing cartridge 10a is detected by the detecting unit 100 of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to fig. 4 to 7.

As shown in fig. 6, in the present embodiment, when the developing cartridge 10a is in an unused state, the transmitting member 4a is in the second position (initial position), the elastic member 5a is in a compressed state, and the detected member 6a is in a state where the detecting unit 100 is not triggered.

The user mounts the developing cartridge 10a into the image forming apparatus, and the coupling 21a is coupled with the drive transmission unit of the image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus starts to operate, the idle gear 24a receives the driving force of the coupling member 21a and rotates the cam member 3a, the force receiving portion 41a moves from the top of the first cam portion 33a to the root of the first cam portion 33a along the first guide surface 35a under the urging of the first cam portion 33a along with the rotation of the cam member 3a, the transmission member 4a slides to the right side under the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 5a, and the detected member 6a rotates under the urging of the transmission member 4a and touches the detecting unit 100 of the image forming apparatus.

With the rotation of the cam member 3a, the force receiving portion 41a of the transmission member 4a moves from the root of the cam portion to the top of the second cam portion 34a along the second guide surface 36a of the second cam portion 34a under the pushing of the second cam portion 34a, and at this time, the transmission member 4a slides leftward and rotates the detected member 6a, and the detected member 6a is separated from the detecting unit 100. As the force receiving portion 41a moves along the first guide surface 35a from the top of the second cam portion 34a to the base of the second cam portion 34a, the transmission member 4a slides rightward and rotates the detected member 6a under the elastic force restoring force of the elastic member 5a, and the detected member 6a touches the detecting unit 100 for a second time. As the cam member 3a rotates, the force receiving portion 41a moves along the end face of the cam member 3a and finally falls into the notch portion 71a (as shown in fig. 7), the cam member 3a continues to rotate, and the transmission member 4a is not pushed, and the detection is completed.

The number of the cam parts can be set according to the number of times of dialing the detection unit 100, for example, one cam part can be set when dialing once, and a plurality of cam parts can be set when dialing for many times; the structures of the different cam parts may not be completely the same, and they may be set according to the force, amplitude, etc. pushing the driving member, so that the developing cartridges, etc. of different models or different capacities may be distinguished

With the developing cartridge 10a having the above-described structure, at least a part of the driving member 4a moves in the longitudinal direction L of the cartridge body 1 a. Referring to fig. 7, the distance that the transmission member 4a moves in the longitudinal direction L of the case 1a is d1, and the distance d1 is the same as or greater than the amount of protrusion of the cam portion (i.e., the distance from the root of the cam portion to the top of the cam portion).

The developing box 10a with the structure adopts a sliding mode to realize the transmission of the driving force of the first end of the developing box 10a to the second end of the developing box 10a, thereby solving the problem of time delay of the transmission of the driving force and improving the detection precision. Meanwhile, the torque required for the developing cartridge 10a is also greatly reduced, and the developing cartridge 10a operates more stably.

In some embodiments, the detected member is integrally formed with the transmission member 4a, and the detected member is disposed at an end of the transmission member 4a and moves along with the movement of the transmission member 4a, so that the detection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus can be triggered.

In some embodiments, the detected member 6a is provided as a sliding member that slides by the urging force of the transmission member 4 a.

In some embodiments, the elastic element 5a is not connected to the transmission element 4a, but is configured to be connected to the detected member 6a, and the transmission element 4a is pushed by the detected member 6a to move from the second position to the first position.

In some embodiments, the detected member is not in contact with the transmission member, i.e., the detected member and the transmission member may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance, as long as the transmission member 4a can drive the detected member 6a when moving.

In some embodiments, a clutch mechanism may be further provided between the driving force receiving unit 2a and the cam member 3a to indirectly cut off the transmission of the driving force to the transmission member 4a by interrupting the transmission of the driving force between the driving force receiving unit 2a and the cam member 3 a.

In some embodiments, the driving member 3a is a rack structure engaged with the driving force receiving unit 2a, and the rack structure receives the driving force to move and can push the driving member 4a to move in the lengthwise direction of the developing cartridge.

In some embodiments, the initial position of the transmission member 4a is a first position, and the unit for detecting that the detected member 6a touches the image forming apparatus is driven when the transmission member 4a moves from the first position to a second position.

In some embodiments, the detected member 6a may or may not contact the transmission mechanism 200 of the detection unit 100 at the initial position.

In some embodiments, the above variations are combined according to design requirements.

Example 2

This embodiment is an improvement of embodiment 1 and its modified examples, and the shape and structure of the developing cartridge of embodiment 2 are substantially the same as those of embodiment 1, and the same parts are not repeated, and the differences will be mainly described below.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, in the present embodiment, the protruding direction of the cam portion is opposite to that of the cam portion in embodiment 1, and in the present embodiment, there are two cam portions, namely, a first cam portion 33b and a second cam portion 34b, and the first cam portion 33b will be described below as an example. The first cam portion 33b protrudes from the end surface of the main body portion 31b in a direction approaching the first side wall 11b and can push the force receiving portion 41b of the transmission member 4 b.

The urging direction of the elastic member 5b to the transmission member 4b is the leftward direction, and the elastic member support portion 51b is located on the right side of the elastic member 5 b. The initial position of the transmission member 4b is at the first position where the force receiving portion 41b of the transmission member 4b abuts against the right side end face of the main body portion 31 b.

In the present embodiment, the detected member 6b is configured to swing in the up-down direction of the case, and the specific detected member 6b is provided with a force receiving portion 61b, a connecting portion 62b, and a detecting portion 63b, the connecting portion 62b is swingably connected to the second end cap 102b by a pivot, the force receiving portion 61b extends from the connecting portion 62b in a direction approaching the transmission member 4b, the force receiving portion 61b is further provided with a pressing surface 611b, and the transmission member 4b causes the detected member 6b to pivot by pressing the pressing surface 611 b. The detected portion 63b is provided on the other side of the connecting portion 62b, and when the pressing surface 611b is pressed by the transmission member 4b, the detecting portion 63b tilts upward to be able to trigger the detecting unit 100 of the image forming apparatus.

Alternatively, the moving direction of the detected part 63b may be set according to the position of the detecting part 63b relative to the detecting unit 100 of the image forming apparatus.

Next, the operation process in which the developing cartridge 10b is detected by the detecting unit 100 of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to fig. 8 and 9.

As shown in fig. 8, in the present embodiment, when the developing cartridge 10b is in an unused state, the transmitting member 4b is in the first position (initial position), the elastic member 5b is in an uncompressed state, and the detected member 6b is in a state where the detecting unit 100 is not triggered.

When the image forming apparatus starts to operate, the cam member 3b receives the driving force to rotate via the second gear portion 32b, and the force receiving portion 41b moves from the root of the first cam portion 33b to the top of the first cam portion 33b along the second guide surface 36b under the urging of the first cam portion 33b, at which time the transmission member 4b is forced to slide rightward. As shown in fig. 9, the transmission member 4b is in the second position, the elastic member 5b is compressed, the transmission member 4b presses the pressing surface 611b of the detected member 6b to rotate the detected member 6b, and the detection portion 63b tilts up to touch the detection unit 100 of the image forming apparatus.

As the force receiving portion 41b moves from the top of the first cam portion 33b to the root of the first cam portion 33b along the first guide surface 35b, the transmission piece 4b is forced to move leftward by the elastic restoring force of the elastic piece 5b, the transmission piece 4b no longer presses the detected member 6b, and the detected portion 63b of the detected member 6b can move downward by its own weight and return to the initial state. When the second cam portion 34b pushes the force receiving portion 41b of the transmission member 4b, the detected member 6b touches the detecting unit 100 for the second time, and the detection is finally completed.

In some embodiments, the developing cartridge is further provided with an elastic restoring member that applies an elastic force to the detected member 6b, thereby enabling the detected member 6b to be restored to the initial state. A specific elastic restoring member may be a compression spring that supports the force receiving portion 61b of the detected member 6b in the upward direction so that the detected member 6b is in the initial position.

In other embodiments, the above modifications are combined according to design requirements.

Example 3

This embodiment is an improvement of embodiment 1 and its modifications, and the shape and structure of the developing cartridge of embodiment 3 are substantially the same as those of embodiment 1, and the same parts are not repeated, and their differences will be mainly described below.

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, in the present embodiment, the rotational axis of the cam member 3c and the rotational axis of the coupling 21c are provided to intersect (including the case of intersecting on the same plane and intersecting after projecting on the same plane).

Specifically, the rotational axis of the cam member 3c is disposed perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling 21c, and the second gear portion 32c of the cam member 3c is a first tapered portion that meshes with the second tapered portion 38c provided on the stirring member gear. The cam portion 33c of the cam member 3c is provided on the upper side of the cam member 3c, and the cam portion 33c extends outward in the radial direction of the main body portion 31 c.

In the present embodiment, the clutch mechanism includes the tooth-missing portion 37c provided on the outer side of the circumference of the body portion 31c of the cam member 3c, and when the tooth-missing portion 37c is rotated to face the second tapered tooth portion 38c, the transmission of the driving force between the second tapered tooth portion 38c and the first tapered tooth portion 32c is cut off.

The force receiving portion 41c of the transmission member 4c is located closer to the second side wall 12c than the cam portion 33 c. In the present embodiment, when the developing cartridge is in an unused state, the transmission member is in the first position (the position shown in fig. 10), and the force receiving portion 41c abuts against the root portion of the cam portion. When the second gear portion 32c of the cam member 3c receives the driving force to rotate, the cam portion 33c pushes the force receiving portion 41c, and the transmission member 4c slides to the right, so as to rotate the detected member 6c, and further trigger the detecting unit 100 of the image forming apparatus, as shown in fig. 11, the transmission member 4c is in the second position. With the rotation of the cam member 3c, the force receiving portion 41c moves from the top of the cam portion 33c to the root of the cam portion 33c, the transmission member 4c slides leftward by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 5c and drives the detected member 6c to swing, and the detected member 6c is separated from the detecting unit 100, and the detection is completed.

In some embodiments, the second taper tooth portion may be provided on the coupling 21c, the developing roller gear 22c, the powder feed roller gear 23c, or the idler gear 24 c.

In some embodiments, the force receiving portion 41c of the transmission member 4c is located farther from the second side wall 12c than the cam portion.

Example 4

This embodiment is an improvement of embodiment 1 and its modified examples, and the shape and structure of the developing cartridge of embodiment 4 are substantially the same as those of embodiment 1, and the same parts are not repeated, and the differences will be mainly described below.

As shown in fig. 12a and 12b, in the present embodiment, the transmission member 4d is a swinging member, at least a part of which is movable in the longitudinal direction L of the cassette body 1 d.

The transmission member 4d includes a force receiving portion 41d and a rod portion 42d, and the middle portion of the rod portion 42d is connected to the housing 1d in an up-and-down swinging manner, for example, by connecting a shaft portion to a shaft hole. The force receiving portion 41d is provided at the first end of the lever portion 42d, and the force receiving portion 41d is located above the rotational axis of the main body portion 31d so that the cam portion can push the force receiving portion 41d upward.

The drive member is a cam member 3d, the rotational axis of the cam member 3d is arranged in parallel with the rotational axis of the coupling 21d, and the cam portions project in the radial direction of the main body portion 31d, and in the present embodiment, there are two cam portions, respectively, a first cam portion 33d and a second cam portion 34d, with a root portion of the cam portion formed between the first cam portion 33d and the second cam portion 34 d.

The elastic member 5d is supported at the second end of the rod 42d, is disposed below the second end of the rod 42d, and is fixedly connected to the detected member 6d at the second end of the rod 42d so as to be capable of swinging in accordance with the swinging of the transmission member 4 d.

The detected member 6d is fixedly connected to the second end of the transmission member 4d so as to be capable of swinging along with the swinging of the transmission member 4 d.

Next, the operation of the developing cartridge detected by the detecting unit 100 of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to fig. 12a and 12 b.

In this embodiment, in a state where the developing cartridge is not used, the transmitting member 4d is in the second position (as shown in fig. 12 a), the force receiving portion 41d abuts against the top of the first cam portion 33d, the elastic member 5d is in a compressed state, and the detected member 6d is in a state where the detecting unit is not triggered.

When the image forming apparatus starts to operate, as the cam member 3d rotates, the force-receiving portion 41d of the transmission member 4d moves toward the root along the first guide surface 35d of the first cam portion 33d, and under the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 5d, the second end of the rod portion 42d is lifted upward and drives the detected member 6d to move upward, and the detected member 6d triggers the unit of detection of the image forming apparatus, and the transmission member is in the first position (the position shown in fig. 12 b).

As the cam member 3d rotates, in the process that the second cam portion 34d pushes the force receiving portion 41d of the transmission member 4d, the force receiving portion 41d moves upward first and then moves downward, and in synchronization with the upward movement of the detected member 6d out of the detecting unit 100, the detected member moves upward again to touch the detecting unit 100, thereby realizing the detection.

Fig. 13a shows the position of the transmission member 4d when the transmission member 4d is in the second position; fig. 13b shows the position of the transmission member 4d when the transmission member 4d is in the first position. As shown in fig. 13a, when the driving member 4d is in the second position, a distal end of the driving member 4d is spaced from the swing center in the longitudinal direction L of the developing cartridge by a distance d 2. When the driving member 4d swings from the second position to the first position, as shown in fig. 13b, a distance from one end of the driving member 4d to the swing center in the length direction L of the developing cartridge is d3, d3 is smaller than d2, and a moving distance of one end of the driving member 4d in the length direction of the developing cartridge is a difference between d2 and d 3.

In some embodiments, the force receiving portion 41d may be disposed on the lower side of the rotation axis of the main body portion 31d, and the detection unit 100 is triggered when the detected portion 63d moves downward.

In other embodiments, the above variations are combined according to design requirements.

Example 5

This embodiment is an improvement on embodiment 4 and its modified examples, and the shape and structure of the developing cartridge of embodiment 5 are substantially the same as those of embodiment 4, and the same parts are not repeated, and the differences will be mainly described below.

As shown in fig. 14a and 14b, in the present embodiment, the transmission member 4e is a swinging member capable of swinging in the front-rear direction of the developing cartridge, and at least a part of the swinging member is movable in the longitudinal direction L of the cartridge body 1 e.

The transmission member 4e includes a force receiving portion 41e and a lever portion 42e, and a middle portion of the lever portion 42e is connected to the housing 1e in a back-and-forth swingable manner, such as a connection manner of a shaft portion and a shaft hole. The force receiving portion 41e is provided at a first end of the lever portion 42e in front of the rotational axis of the cam member 3e so that the cam portion can push the force receiving portion 41e forward.

The rotational axis of the cam member 3e is arranged in parallel with the rotational axis of the coupling 21e, and the cam portion protrudes in the radial direction of the main body portion 31 e. In the present embodiment, the cam member 3e also has a first cam portion 33e and a second cam portion 34e, with a root portion of the cam portion formed between the first cam portion 33e and the second cam portion 34 e.

The elastic member 5e supports the first end of the lever 42e, is disposed in front of the first end of the lever 42e, and is fixedly connected to the detected member 6e and the second end of the lever 42e so as to be swingable in accordance with the swing of the driver 4 e.

Next, the operation of the developing cartridge detected by the detecting unit 100 of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to fig. 14a and 14 b.

In this embodiment, the developer cartridge is in an unused state, the transmission member 4e is in the first position (the position shown in fig. 14 a), the force receiving portion 41e abuts against the circumferential side surface of the cam main body, and the elastic member 5e is in an uncompressed state.

When the image forming apparatus starts to operate, the second gear portion 32e of the cam member 3e receives the driving force to rotate, and under the pushing of the first cam portion 33e, as shown in fig. 14b, the first cam portion 33e pushes the force receiving portion 41e so that the force receiving portion 41e moves forward, the second end of the transmission member 4e swings backward, and the detected member 6e contacts the detecting unit 100 as the second end of the lever portion 42e moves backward.

When the force-receiving portion 41e of the transmission member 4e passes the top of the first cam portion 33e, under the action of the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 5e, the first end of the rod portion 42e moves toward the rear of the developing cartridge, and the second end of the rod portion 42e drives the detected member 6e to move forward in a direction away from the detecting unit 100, and when the second cam portion 34e pushes the force-receiving portion 41e, the operation processes of the transmission member 4e and the detected member 6e are the same as the operation process when the first cam portion 33e pushes the force-receiving portion 41e, with the result that the detecting unit 100 of the image forming apparatus is triggered again, thereby realizing detection.

Fig. 15a shows the position of the transmission member 4e when the transmission member 4e is in the first position; fig. 15b shows the position of the transmission element 4e when the transmission element 4e is in the second position. As shown in fig. 15a, when the transmission member 4e is in the first position, a portion a of the transmission member 4e is spaced apart from the swing center in the longitudinal direction L of the developing cartridge by a distance d 4. When the transmission member 4e swings from the first position to the second position, as shown in fig. 15b, a distance from a portion a of the transmission member 4e to the swing center in the longitudinal direction L of the developing cartridge is d5, d5 is smaller than d4, and a moving distance of a portion a of the transmission member e in the longitudinal direction L of the developing cartridge is a difference between d4 and d 5.

In some embodiments, the cam portion may also be configured to push the transmission member 4e rearward.

Example 6

This embodiment is an improvement of embodiment 1 and its modifications, and the shape and structure of the developing cartridge of embodiment 6 are substantially the same as those of embodiment 1, and the same parts are not repeated, and their differences will be mainly described below.

As shown in fig. 16 and 17, in the present embodiment, the flexible transmission 4f is a flexible transmission, and the flexible transmission 4f is movable in the longitudinal direction L of the developing cartridge 10 f.

The driving member 3f includes a first transmission body 31f and a second transmission body 32f, the rotation axis of the second transmission body 32f is parallel to the rotation axis of the coupling 21f, and a third gear portion 321f and a screw portion 322f which are gear-engaged with the stirring member are provided. The rotation axis of the first transmission body 31f is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the second transmission body 32f, and a fourth gear portion 311f engaged with the screw portion 322f and a mounting portion for mounting a flexible transmission member are provided.

Specifically, the detected member 6f of the conveying belt of the flexible transmission member 4f is disposed on the surface of the flexible transmission member 4f, one end of the flexible transmission member 4f is sleeved on the mounting portion of the first transmission member 31f, and the other end is sleeved on a supporting shaft of the developing cartridge 10 f.

When the second transmission body 32f receives the driving force to rotate, the second transmission body 32f drives the first transmission body 31f to rotate through the screw rod portion 322f, the first transmission body 31f drives the flexible transmission member 4f to move, and the detected member 6f arranged on the flexible transmission member 4f can be moved to trigger the detecting unit 100 of the imaging device, so that the detection is realized.

After the flexible transmission 4f moves by the preset distance, each portion on the flexible transmission 4f can move by the preset distance in the length direction L of the developing cartridge 10 f.

In some embodiments, the first transmission body 31f and the second transmission body 32f may also be configured as a bevel gear engagement, i.e. the transmission of the screw portion and the gear is replaced by a transmission of the bevel gear and the bevel gear.

Example 7

This embodiment is an improvement of embodiment 1 and its modifications, and the shape and structure of the developing cartridge of embodiment 7 are substantially the same as those of embodiment 1, and the same parts are not repeated, and their differences will be mainly described below.

As shown in fig. 18, in the present embodiment, the driving member is a sheave member 3g whose rotational axis is parallel to the rotational axis of the coupling. The sheave member 3g includes a main body portion 31g having a cylindrical shape, and a circumferential outer surface of the main body portion 31g is provided with a guide groove 311g and a second gear portion 32g engageable with the driving force receiving unit. The acting portion of the driving member is provided in (or forms a part of) the guide groove 311g, and the force receiving portion 41g of the transmission member 4g is fitted into the guide groove 311g in the radial direction of the main body portion 31g and is capable of moving along the guide groove 311g when the sheave member 3g rotates; preferably, the insertion portion may be a cylinder that matches the guide groove 311 g.

In the present embodiment, the action portions have two, first action portions 33g and second action portions 34g, which are the same in shape and structure, respectively. Taking the first acting portion 33g as an example, the first acting portion 33g extends in a direction away from the first side wall along the rotational axis direction of the sheave member 3g so as to be able to push the force receiving portion 41g of the transmission member 4g when the sheave member 3g rotates.

Next, the operation of the developing cartridge detected by the detecting unit of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to fig. 18.

In this embodiment, when the developing cartridge is not used, the force receiving portion 41g of the transmitting member 4g abuts against the side wall 312g of the guide groove 311g, and the detected member 6g is in a state of being separated from the detecting unit.

When the sheave member 3g receives the driving force to rotate, the force receiving portion 41g moves from the root of the first acting portion 33g to the top of the first acting portion 33g under the pushing of the first acting portion 33g, and then moves along the first acting portion 33g from the top of the first acting portion 33g to the root of the first acting portion 33g, as a result, the transmission member 4g slides to the left and then slides to the right, and synchronously, the detected member 6g rotates under the driving of the transmission member 4g and touches the detection unit of the imaging device and then returns to the initial position, and along with the rotation of the sheave member 3g, the second acting portion 34g pushes the force receiving portion 41g and repeats the matching action process between the first acting portion 33g and the force receiving portion 41g, and the detected member 6g can touch the detection unit again, and finally the detection is completed.

The developing cartridge having the above-described structure can also omit the provision of the elastic member, the transmission member relying on the guide groove to prevent the force receiving portion from coming off the sheave member 3 g.

Example 8

This embodiment is an improvement on embodiment 4 and its modifications, and the shape and structure of the developing cartridge of embodiment 8 are substantially the same as those of embodiment 4, and the same parts are not repeated, and their differences will be mainly described below.

As shown in fig. 19 and 20, in the present embodiment, the driving member is the sheave member 3h whose rotational axis is parallel to the rotational axis of the coupling. The sheave member 3h includes a main body portion 31h having a cylindrical shape, one end surface of the main body portion 31h near the first side wall is provided with a guide groove 311h, and a circumferential outer side surface thereof is provided with a second gear portion 32h engageable with the driving force receiving unit.

The acting portion of the driving member is provided in (or forms a part of) the guide groove 311h, and the force receiving portion 41h of the transmission member 4h is fitted into the guide groove 311h in the rotational axis direction of the main body portion 31h and is capable of moving along the guide groove 311h when the sheave member 3h rotates.

In the present embodiment, the action portions have two, first action portions 33h and second action portions 34h, which are the same in shape and structure, respectively. Taking the first acting portion 33h as an example, the first acting portion 33h extends in the radial direction of the main body portion 31h so as to be able to push the force receiving portion 41h of the transmission member 4h when the sheave member 3h rotates.

The transmission piece 4h can swing up and down around a shaft portion 46h located in the middle and comprises a rod portion 42h and a force receiving portion 41h, and one end, far away from the sheave member 3h, of the rod portion 42h is fixedly connected with the detected member 6 h.

Next, the operation of the developing cartridge detected by the detecting unit of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to fig. 19 and 20.

In the present embodiment, when the developing cartridge is not used, the transmitting member 4h is in the second position where the force receiving portion 41h is located at the top of the first acting portion 33h and the detected member 6h is in a state of not touching the detecting unit.

When the sheave member 3h receives the driving force to rotate, the force receiving portion 41h moves from the top of the first acting portion 33h to the root of the first acting portion 33h, the first end of the rod portion 42h moves downward, the second end of the rod portion rises upward and drives the detected member 6h to move upward, and the detected member 6h triggers the unit of detection of the imaging apparatus.

In the process that the second acting part 34h pushes the force-bearing part 41h of the transmission member 4h, the force-bearing part 41h moves upwards and then moves downwards, and synchronously, the detected member 6h moves downwards to be separated from the detection unit and then moves upwards to touch the detection unit again, so that detection is realized.

The developing cartridge having the above-described structure can omit the provision of the elastic member, and the driving member is restricted from escaping from the sheave member 3h by the restricting action of the guide groove.

Alternatively, the number and shape structure of the action portions may be changed as required; for example, one or more active portions; the working portions are different in shape and structure.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are merely used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit the same, and for convenience of distinguishing different components, the present invention introduces terms such as "first", "second", etc., wherein the terms such as "first", "second", etc. are not to be understood as limiting the number thereof, for example, the driving member described in the present invention has the second gear portion, but does not mean that the driving member necessarily has the first gear portion and the third gear portion, etc. The number of the components described in "first", "second", and the like may be one or plural; the terms "upper", "lower" and "lower" are based on the description in the drawings and do not specifically limit the orientation thereof. While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some or all of the technical features may be equivalently replaced; and the modifications or the substitutions do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A developing cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

the box body is provided with a first side wall and a second side wall along the length direction;

a driving force receiving unit including a coupling provided at a first end of the developing cartridge, capable of receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus;

characterized in that, the developing cartridge further comprises:

a driving member movable by receiving the driving force;

a transmission receiving a force of the driving member to move at least a portion of the transmission in a length direction of the cassette;

a detected member provided at a second end of the developing cartridge and capable of being driven by the transmission member.

2. A developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said driving member includes a main body portion, a second gear portion engageable with said driving force receiving unit, and an acting portion capable of pushing said transmitting member; the transmission member is movable between a first position not urged by the acting portion and a second position urged by the acting portion.

3. A developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said acting portion extends in a rotational axis direction or a radial direction of said driving member.

4. A developing cartridge according to claim 3, wherein said driving member is a sliding member, said driving member includes a force receiving portion and a lever portion, said lever portion is slidably provided on said cartridge body, and said acting portion is capable of pushing said force receiving portion to slide said sliding member in a length direction of said cartridge body.

5. A developing cartridge according to claim 3, wherein said driving member is a swinging member, said driving member includes a force receiving portion and a lever portion, said lever portion is swingably provided on said cartridge body, said force receiving portion can be pushed by said acting portion to cause said swinging member to swing in a front-rear direction or an up-down direction of said cartridge body.

6. A developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said detected member is swingably connected or fixedly connected to said transmitting member.

7. A developing cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising a clutch mechanism for shutting off transmission of a driving force to said transmission member, said clutch mechanism including a notched portion provided outside said main body portion.

8. A developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said driving force receiving unit further includes one or more of a developing roller gear, an agitating member gear, a powder feed roller gear, and an idler gear; the transmission piece is at least partially positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall.

9. A developing cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein said driving member is a cam member, said acting portion is a cam portion, and said developing cartridge further comprises an elastic member for applying a force to said transmitting member to enable movement of said transmitting member from said second position toward said first position.

10. A developing cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein said driving member is a sheave member including a guide groove, and said acting portion is provided in said guide groove.