CN118011762A

CN118011762A - Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN118011762A
Application number: CN202311489423.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王常彪; 邝雷志; 周寂鸣; 陈柔娟; 于佳璐; 靳杨
Original assignee: Zhuhai Nastar Information Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Zhuhai Nastar Information Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-10
Filing date: 2023-11-09
Publication date: 2024-05-10
Also published as: WO2024099408A1

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of electronic imaging equipment, and particularly relates to a processing box and an imaging device. The present application aims to solve the problem of unstable contact engagement of terminals of a chip of a related process cartridge with contacts of an image forming apparatus. According to the processing box and the imaging device, when the processing box is placed on the horizontal placing surface, the processing box is supported by the supporting device, the guide piece is not used for supporting the processing box, so that the guide piece is prevented from being damaged when contacting or colliding with the horizontal placing surface, the guide piece is ensured to accurately position the terminal of the chip, the stable contact between the terminal of the chip and the contact point of the imaging device is realized, and the imaging device can accurately identify the processing box.

Description

Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the technical field of electronic imaging equipment, in particular to a processing box and an imaging device.

Background

Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses form an image on a recording material in some electrophotographic image forming manner. Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses include electrophotographic copiers, electrophotographic printers (LED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), facsimile machines, multifunctional machines having a plurality of functions of these machines, word processors, and the like. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided with a cartridge which includes a process cartridge or a developing cartridge, and which assists in an image forming process of forming an image on a recording material in a state in which the cartridge is detachably mounted in a main assembly of the image forming apparatus.

In the related art, the cartridge includes a cartridge body, a chip, and a guide, both of which are disposed on the cartridge body. The chip is mainly used for recording basic information of the box, such as the type, printing quantity, carbon powder reserve allowance, service life and the like of the imaging device, and when the box is installed in a main assembly of the imaging device, the terminal of the chip is contacted with the contact of the imaging device to realize data communication. The guide member is used for guiding the box body to be mounted on the imaging device, so that the terminals of the chip are stably engaged with the contacts of the imaging device, and the box can be identified by the imaging device.

However, the guide is easily worn, resulting in unstable contact between the terminals of the chip and the contacts of the imaging device during the mounting and dismounting process, and thus resulting in a problem that the cartridge cannot be recognized.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, a primary object of the present application is to provide a process cartridge to solve the technical problem of unstable contact between terminals of a chip of the related process cartridge and an imaging device.

In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present application provides a process cartridge, including a cartridge body and a supporting device, the cartridge body having a driving end and a non-driving end, the driving end and the non-driving end being located at both ends of the cartridge body in a length direction, respectively; the supporting device comprises a frame supporting part which is constructed at the bottom of the box body, the supporting device is further arranged at least one of the driving end and the non-driving end, the bottom end of the supporting device which is positioned at the driving end and/or the non-driving end and the supporting side of the frame supporting part are both positioned on a set plane, and when the processing box is placed on a horizontal placing surface, the set plane is attached to the horizontal placing surface.

In some embodiments, which may include the above embodiments, the supporting means includes a first bracket provided at the non-driving end, and the first bracket at least partially protrudes from the cartridge body, and is capable of supporting the cartridge body together with the frame supporting portion when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface.

In some embodiments, which may include the above embodiments, the first bracket is configured with a guide disposed away from the setting plane, the guide configured to guide the first bracket to be mounted to the imaging device.

In some embodiments, which may include the above embodiments, the guide is a pyramid-like structure, a cylindrical structure, a sheet-like structure, or a rectangular bar-like structure.

In some embodiments, which may include the above embodiments, a bottom of the first bracket is provided with a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion; the first support portion, the second support portion, and the frame support portion collectively support the process cartridge when the process cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface.

In some embodiments, which may include the above embodiments, the process cartridge further includes a chip disposed on the first support.

In some embodiments, which may include the above embodiments, the plane on which the chip is located is parallel to the set plane, and when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface, the chip faces the horizontal placement surface with a space therebetween.

In some embodiments, which may include the above embodiments, the first bracket is configured with a chip mounting portion to which the chip is disposed.

In some embodiments, which may include the above embodiments, the supporting means includes a second bracket provided at the driving end, the second bracket being capable of supporting the cartridge body together with the frame supporting portion when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface.

In some embodiments, which may include the above embodiments, the process cartridge further includes a non-driving side developing cover provided at the non-driving end, the non-driving side developing cover being configured with a chip fixing portion, and a chip provided at the chip fixing portion.

In some embodiments, which may include the above embodiments, when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface, the plane on which the chip is placed is perpendicular to the horizontal placement surface.

In some embodiments, which may include the above embodiments, the process cartridge further includes a chip disposed on the second bracket, and when the process cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface, a space is provided between the chip and the horizontal placement surface.

An embodiment of the present application also provides an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge according to any one of the above embodiments.

The processing box and the imaging device provided by the embodiment of the application comprise a box body and a supporting device, wherein the box body is provided with a driving end and a non-driving end, and the driving end and the non-driving end are respectively positioned at two ends of the box body in the length direction; the supporting device comprises a frame supporting part which is constructed at the bottom of the box body, the supporting device is further arranged at least one of the driving end and the non-driving end, the bottom end of the supporting device which is positioned at the driving end and/or the non-driving end and the supporting side of the frame supporting part are both positioned on a set plane, and when the processing box is placed on the horizontal placing surface, the set plane is attached to the horizontal placing surface. When the processing box is placed on the horizontal placing surface, the processing box is supported by the supporting device, the processing box is not supported by the guide piece, so that the damage caused by the guide piece when the guide piece contacts or collides with the horizontal placing surface is avoided, the terminal of the chip is accurately positioned by the guide piece, the stable contact between the terminal of the chip and the contact of the imaging device is realized, and the imaging device can accurately identify the processing box.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions of the prior art, the following description will briefly explain the drawings used in the embodiments or the description of the prior art, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained according to these drawings without inventive effort for a person skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a first process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip carrier in a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a right side of a chip carrier in a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present application when placed on a horizontal placement surface;

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a second process cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip holder of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural view of a bottom cover of a developing frame of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present application as seen from below;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present application when the process cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface;

Fig. 12 is a schematic structural view of a process cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a schematic view showing a split structure of a process cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip supporting frame in a process cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of another angle structure of a middle chip carrier according to a third embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 16 is a schematic structural view of a chip supporting frame in a process cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present application;

fig. 17 is a schematic view of another angle structure of a chip supporting frame in a process cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 18 is a schematic structural view of a process cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 20 is a schematic structural view III of a process cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip supporting frame in a process cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the present application;

fig. 22 is a schematic view of another angle structure of a chip supporting frame in a process cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 23 is a schematic structural view of a process cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 24 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 25 is a schematic view showing a split structure of a process cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 26 is a schematic view of a driving side of a process cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present application when the process cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface;

Fig. 27 is a schematic view of a non-driving side of a process cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present application when the process cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface;

fig. 28 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip supporting frame in a process cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present application;

fig. 29 is a schematic view of another angle of a chip supporting frame in a process cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 30 is a schematic structural view of a process cartridge according to a seventh embodiment of the present application;

fig. 31 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge according to a seventh embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 32 is a diagram of a non-driving side when the process cartridge provided in the seventh embodiment of the present application is placed on a horizontal placement surface in a state in which the grip portion is gripped;

Fig. 33 is a diagram of a driving side when the process cartridge provided in the seventh embodiment of the present application is placed on a horizontal placement surface in a state in which the grip portion is gripped;

Fig. 34 is a schematic structural view of a process cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the present application;

fig. 35 is a schematic structural diagram of a second process cartridge according to the eighth embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 36 is a non-driven side view of a process cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the present application when placed on a horizontal placement surface;

fig. 37 is a driving side view of a process cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the present application when placed on a horizontally placed surface;

fig. 38 is a schematic structural view of a process cartridge according to a ninth embodiment of the present application;

fig. 39 is a schematic diagram of a process cartridge according to a ninth embodiment of the present application;

fig. 40 is a schematic view showing the structure of a driving end of a process cartridge according to a ninth embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 41 is a schematic view of a non-drive end of a process cartridge according to a ninth embodiment of the present application when the handle is placed on a horizontal placement surface in a state of being gripped;

Fig. 42 is a schematic view of the drive end of the process cartridge provided in the ninth embodiment of the present application when the handle is placed on the horizontal placement surface in a state of being gripped;

fig. 43 is an overall schematic diagram of a positional relationship between a process cartridge and a conductive member according to a ninth embodiment of the present application.

Reference numerals illustrate:

1-a box body;

11-a developing frame; 111-a powder bin;

112-a frame support; 113-a bottom cover;

115-positioning holes;

12-a photosensitive frame; 121-a handle;

122-a waste powder bin; 123-a support;

13-a developing roller;

14-a photosensitive drum;

21-a drive side developing cover;

22-a non-drive side developer cover;

221-a chip fixing portion;

3-a first scaffold;

310-mounting a positioning structure; 31-a chip mounting portion;

311-a first groove; 32-a guide;

33-a first support; 34-a support surface;

35-a fixing part; 351-connecting holes;

36-positioning columns; 37-a second support;

4-chip;

5-a second bracket;

51-a second bracket support end;

53-chip mount; 531-a second groove;

a 6-conductive member;

7-a conductive support;

8-gear set.

Detailed Description

First, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are merely for explaining the technical principles of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Those skilled in the art can adapt it as desired to suit a particular application.

Further, it should be noted that, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, terms such as directions or positional relationships indicated by the terms "inner", "outer", and the like are based on directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, which are merely for convenience of description, and do not indicate or imply that the apparatus or the member must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as limiting the present application.

Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise, the terms "connected," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, and may be, for example, fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected; can be mechanically or electrically connected; can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and can be the communication between the two components. The specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood by those skilled in the art according to the specific circumstances.

For the purpose of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more apparent, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is apparent that the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present application, but not all embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments, which can be made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the application without making any inventive effort, are intended to be within the scope of the application.

As described in the background art, the related process cartridge has a problem in that the contact engagement of the terminals of the chips of the process cartridge with the contacts of the image forming apparatus is unstable, and the applicant has found that the problem arises because the entire process cartridge is supported by the guide when the process cartridge is horizontally placed on the table surface, and because the guide is a substantially rectangular or chamfered sheet, the strength is small, the guide supports the cartridge body after long-term use, and the guide is easily worn or broken. On the one hand, the phenomenon of poor guide can occur when the guide piece is damaged, namely, when the processing box is installed on the imaging device, the guide piece cannot accurately position the chip terminal, so that the contact between the terminal of the chip and the contact of the imaging device is unstable, and the imaging device cannot identify the processing box; on the other hand, the processing box is not stably placed, so that the processing box is bumped, or the chip is damaged, and the terminal of the chip is not stably connected with the contact of the imaging device.

In view of the above technical problems, embodiments of the present application provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus, in which when the process cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface, the process cartridge is supported by a frame supporting portion and a supporting device at the bottom of a cartridge body, and the process cartridge is supported without using a guide member, so as to avoid damage caused when the guide member contacts or collides with the horizontal placement surface, to ensure that the guide member accurately positions a terminal of a chip, to realize stable contact between the terminal of the chip and a contact of the image forming apparatus, and to enable the image forming apparatus to accurately identify the process cartridge.

The principles and features of embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the drawings, the examples are provided for the purpose of illustrating the embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

The image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material using, for example, an electrophotographic image forming process. The image forming apparatus includes, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (LED printer, laser printer, etc.), a facsimile machine of the electrophotographic printer type, and the like. The process cartridge is detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus, and includes a photosensitive drum, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum, and the like. The image forming apparatus main assembly includes a chip contact portion (main assembly contact) for making contact with an electrical contact (chip terminal) of the process cartridge chip, thereby enabling the chip to communicate with a controller (information reading and writing portion) of the image forming apparatus main body for inputting and outputting information.

In order to better explain the process cartridge, the mounting direction of the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus is defined as the H direction, and an XYZ rectangular coordinate system is established, the process cartridge is substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the length of the process cartridge is taken as the X axis direction (left-right direction), the left side is directed to the right side as the +x axis direction, one end of the process cartridge in the-X axis direction is the driving end, and one end in the +x axis direction is the non-driving end; the width of the processing box is taken as the Y-axis direction (front-back direction), the front end is directed to the rear end to be in the +Y-axis direction, one end of the processing box along the-Y-axis direction is taken as the front end, and one end along the +Y-axis direction is taken as the rear end; the height of the processing box is taken as the Z-axis direction (up-down direction), the lower end is directed to the upper end to be in the +Z-axis direction, one end of the processing box along the +Z-axis direction is taken as the upper end, one end of the processing box along the-Z-axis direction is taken as the lower end, and the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis are mutually perpendicular.

The process cartridge of the present application is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus. Referring to fig. 1 to 43, the process cartridge includes a cartridge body 1, a driving side developing protective cover 21, a non-driving side developing protective cover 22, a driving assembly, a chip 4, and a supporting means, and the cartridge body 1 generally includes a developing frame 11 and a photosensitive frame 12.

The developing frame 11 includes a hopper 111, a stirring frame (not shown) and a developing roller 13, the stirring frame and the developing roller 13 are rotatably supported at both ends of the developing frame 11 in the length direction, and the stirring frame and the developing roller 13 are both axially along the X-axis direction, in the Y-axis direction, the developing roller 13 is disposed at the front end (-one end in the Y-axis direction) of the developing frame 11, the developing roller 13 is disposed at the opening of the hopper 111, the hopper 111 is used for storing toner, the toner is accommodated in the cartridge 1, the developing roller 13 is parallel to the X-axis, the developing roller 13 is axially rotated at the opening of the hopper 111 for transporting the toner in the hopper 111 to the outside of the hopper 111 for image formation by the toner, the stirring frame is disposed in the hopper 111, the stirring frame can stir the toner in the hopper 111 to prevent the toner from agglomerating, and at the same time the toner can be transported in the direction of the developing roller 13, so that the toner is adsorbed by the charged developing roller 13.

Referring to fig. 9, the bottom cover 113 of the developing frame 11 in the-Z axis direction may be provided in a downwardly protruding arc structure, which can increase the volume of the cartridge, can accommodate more toner, and increases the capacity of the process cartridge.

The photosensitive frame 12 is connected to the +z side of the developing frame 11, the photosensitive frame 12 encloses a waste toner bin for storing waste toner, the photosensitive frame 12 also has a length direction, the length direction thereof also extends along the X-axis direction, the photosensitive frame 12 is provided with a photosensitive drum 14, a charging roller (not shown), a handle 121 and a waste toner bin 122, the photosensitive drum 14 is rotatably supported at the front end (-one end in the Y-axis direction) of the photosensitive frame 12 in the Y-axis direction, the toner adsorbed by the developing roller 13 transfers the toner to the photosensitive drum 14 through a potential difference with the photosensitive drum 14, the toner on the photosensitive drum 14 forms an image on a recording material (e.g., paper) after being transferred by a transfer belt of an image forming apparatus, and the waste toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 14 after being transferred is scraped by a cleaning blade and stored in the waste toner bin. The charging roller is opposite to the position of the photosensitive drum 14, the charging roller is used for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 with uniform charges, so that the photosensitive drum 14 can absorb carbon powder, when the developing frame 11 is connected with the photosensitive frame 12, part of the developing roller 13 is exposed out of the powder bin 111, opposite to the position of the photosensitive drum 14, the developing roller 13 rotates relative to the photosensitive drum 14 through the relative rotation of the photosensitive drum 14 and the developing roller 13, the imaging device supplies power to the developing roller 13, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 14 image the carbon powder by utilizing potential difference, waste powder on the photosensitive drum 14 can fall into the waste powder bin 122, and the waste powder bin 122 can store the waste powder. The handle 121 is provided at a rear end (+one end in the Y axis direction) of the photosensitive frame 12, and the handle 121 is convenient for a user to hold, and the user holds the handle 121 to lift the entire process cartridge when the process cartridge is detached.

The driving assembly is disposed at the driving end (-one end in the X-axis direction) of the process cartridge, and may be disposed outside the end face of the developing frame 11 and/or the photosensitive frame 12 in the-X-axis direction, and the driving assembly may include a power receiving member and a gear set 8 for receiving and transmitting the driving force of the image forming apparatus, thereby driving the developing roller 13, the agitating frame, and the photosensitive drum 14 to rotate, so that the process cartridge is operated.

Referring to fig. 34 to 37, the driving side developing cover 21 and the non-driving side developing cover 22 are respectively provided at both ends of the developing frame 11 in the length direction, the driving side developing cover 21 is positioned at the driving end of the developing frame 11, and the non-driving side developing cover 22 is positioned at the non-driving end of the developing frame 11. The gear set 8 is enclosed inside the drive-side developing protecting cover 21 for covering or partially covering the gear set 8 of the drive assembly, and can function to protect the drive assembly. The image forming apparatus transmits rotational power to the gear set 8, and rotates the developing roller 13, the agitator, the photosensitive drum 14, and the like by gear engagement transmission in the gear set 8. The driving-side developing cover 21 is also used to connect with the photosensitive frame 12, thereby assembling the developing frame 11 and the photosensitive frame 12 together.

The chip 4 is used for being electrically connected with the imaging device when the processing box is installed on the imaging device, and transmitting basic information such as the model number, the printing quantity, the carbon powder reserve allowance, the service life and the like of the processing box to the imaging device, so that the processing box is convenient to use.

The specific structure and operation of the image forming apparatus, the developing frame 11 and the photosensitive frame 12 are related to the prior art, and will not be described herein.

Example 1

Referring to fig. 1 to 5, the supporting device may include a first bracket 3 and a frame supporting part 112, the first bracket 3 is disposed at a +x axis side of the case 1, and may be used for mounting a chip (not shown) for identification by the imaging device, the first bracket 3 is detachably mounted on the case 1, the first bracket 3 has a width in a Y axis direction and an integrally formed extension part at the +y axis side of the first bracket 3, and may be used as a right end cover of the case 1, the first bracket 3 has a height in a Z axis direction, the first bracket 3 connected with the case 1 is disposed at a-Z axis side of the photosensitive frame 12, the first bracket 3 has a length in the X axis direction, and the first bracket 3 has a cover structure; a vertical plane is arranged on the-Y axis side of the first bracket 3, the vertical plane is on an XZ plane, in this embodiment, the first bracket 3 is provided with a chip mounting part 31 and a guiding structure, the chip mounting part 31 is positioned on the-Y axis side of the first bracket 3, and is a clamping structure on the vertical plane, a chip is detachably mounted on the-Y axis side of the chip mounting part 31, the appearance of the chip mounting part 31 is a square structure, the-Z axis side and the Z axis side are both planes and are mutually perpendicular to the vertical plane, a groove structure is arranged inside the chip mounting part 31, the chip can be clamped in the groove, and after the chip mounting part 31 is jointed with an imaging device through insertion and detachment in the X axis direction, a terminal of the chip contacts with a contact point (not shown) of the imaging device so as to be identified; wherein, the processing box is guided by the guiding piece 32 during installation, the joint part of the imaging device and the chip mounting part 31 is provided with a groove structure, and the chip mounting part 31 is correspondingly a convex structure, after the two parts are jointed, the guiding piece 32 is clamped with the outer side wall of the groove structure of the imaging device, so as to ensure that the terminal of the chip is stably jointed with the contact of the imaging device.

Specifically, the guiding structure of the first bracket 3 may guide the chip mounting part 31 to be more accurately engaged with the imaging device, the guiding structure is located at the-Y axis side of the first bracket 3, the guiding structure includes a guiding member 32, one or more guiding member structures may be provided, preferably, two guiding members 32 may be provided in this embodiment, and the guiding member 32 may be located at the-X axis side and the +x axis side of the first bracket 3, respectively, preferably, the guiding member 32 has a rectangular strip-shaped structure in shape, and optionally, the guiding member may be provided as a cylindrical structure or a claw structure. Taking a rectangular strip structure as an example, the guide members 32 are located at two sides of the chip mounting portion 31 along the X-axis direction and can be integrally formed with the +z-axis side of the chip mounting portion 31, the guide members 32 can be understood as a thin strip structure, the dimension in the Y-axis direction is the largest, the guide members 32 protrude out of two sides of the first bracket 3 in the X-axis direction, the guide members 32 have ZY planes formed by the Z-axis and the Y-axis, the planes of the guide members 32 at the two sides are parallel to each other, and the guide members 32 have XY planes formed by the X-axis and the Y-axis. The two side planes of the guide piece 32 in the Z-axis direction are parallel to each other, and the +Y-axis side of the guide piece 32 is in a right-angle structure, so that the guide piece is convenient to clamp with the side wall of the groove structure of the imaging device.

Specifically, the imaging device is provided with a guided portion, the guided portion may be a structure of a guiding groove, similar to a rectangular internal frame, the guided portion is matched with the size of the guiding piece 32, when the first bracket 3 is inserted into the imaging device, two side planes of the chip mounting portion 31 in the Z axis direction are gradually engaged with the inner wall of the groove structure of the imaging device, at this time, the plane of the guiding piece 32 is stably engaged with the side wall of the guided portion to prevent the chip mounting portion 31 from shifting during the engagement process, therefore, the guiding piece 32 has the function of guiding the chip mounting portion 31 to align, namely, has the function of stable positioning engagement, so that the terminals of the chip at the chip mounting portion 31 are stably positioned and contacted with the contacts of the imaging device, and further, the electrical connection is identified, thereby avoiding the problem that the contact is unstable and even the processing box cannot recognize the machine.

Referring to fig. 5, in some embodiments, the case 1 is further provided with a frame supporting portion 112 as a part of the supporting device, and the first bracket 3 and the frame supporting portion 112 support the case 1 together, so as to avoid the problem that when the case 1 is placed on a horizontal plane, the case 1 has an arc structure, which results in unstable placement and easy damage to components. Specifically, the first support 3 includes a first support portion 33, the first support portion 33 and the frame support portion 112 together support the case 1, the first support portion 33 may be a part of the structure of the chip mounting portion 31, the first support portion 33 may be located on the-Y axis side of the first support 3, may be a structure protruding toward the-Y axis direction of the first support 3, and in the Y axis direction, the end of the first support portion 33 serves as a support point; since the case 1 has a length in the X-axis direction, the frame support 112 is the bottom of the arc of the case 1, the support point is the arc tangent point, the YZ plane formed by the Z-axis and the Y-axis direction is provided with the F-axis, the end support point of the first support 33 and the support point of the frame support 112 are both on the F-axis, the F-axis and the X-axis form the FX plane, which is the set plane formed by the frame support 112 and the first support 33, and therefore the frame support 112 and the first support 33 are located on the FX plane to support the case 1.

When the case 1 is placed on the horizontal placement surface, the frame support portion 112 and the first support portion 33 support the case 1 together, and on the YZ plane of the case 1, the frame support portion 112 is disposed opposite to the first support portion 33 to distribute the weight of the case 1, so that the balance of the case 1 can be maintained, i.e., the case 1 is stably supported.

Further, referring to fig. 4, in the present embodiment, the bottom supporting end of the first supporting portion 33 of the first bracket 3 is configured as a supporting surface 34, the supporting surface 34 is in a planar structure, the supporting surface 34 is overlapped with the horizontal placing surface, and by setting the supporting surface 34 to support in an abutting manner with the horizontal placing surface and support the box body 1 together with the frame supporting portion 112, the supporting stability of the first supporting portion 33 is better, so that the problem that the component parts of the box body 1 are damaged due to the unstable placement of the box body 1 is effectively avoided, and alternatively, the supporting surface 34 and the horizontal placing surface may be in line contact or point contact.

Further, the guide structure is located at one end far away from the horizontal placement surface, that is, the guide piece 32 is located at one end far away from the horizontal placement surface, the guide piece 32 does not have a supporting effect on the box body 1, specifically, the guide piece 32 is arranged at the +z axis side of the first supporting portion 33, and when the frame supporting portion 112 and the first supporting portion 33 jointly support the box body 1, the guide piece 32 is located above the horizontal placement surface and does not contact and intersect with the horizontal placement surface, so that damage caused by contact or collision of the guide piece 32 on the horizontal placement surface is prevented, and the accuracy of engagement of the guide piece 32 and the imaging device is reduced; in addition, the chip is also located above the horizontal placement surface after being mounted on the first bracket 3 and does not contact and intersect the horizontal placement surface, so that the chip is not damaged when the box body 1 is supported.

It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the non-driving side developing cover and the first bracket 3 are integrally formed.

Example two

Referring to fig. 6 to 11, the first bracket 3 of the supporting device of the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and the main difference is that: the first bracket 3 of the present embodiment eliminates the guide 32, and also provides the second support portion 37.

The supporting means in the present embodiment may include a first bracket 3, a second supporting portion 37, and a frame supporting portion 112, and in the present embodiment, the chip 4 is mounted on the first bracket 3, and the first bracket 3 is fixedly mounted on the non-driving end of the developing frame 11, so that the chip 4 is mounted on the process cartridge.

Specifically, the first bracket 3 is a plate cover-shaped member having a substantially triangular shape, and in a state in which the first bracket 3 is mounted on the developing frame 11, the first bracket 3 is positioned at a position intersecting the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, the first bracket 3 includes a chip mounting portion 31 and a fixing portion 35, one end of the first bracket 3 in the-Z-axis direction is provided with the chip mounting portion 31, a first groove 311 is provided in the chip mounting portion 31 for mounting the chip 4, and the chip 4 may be mounted in the first groove 311 by means of engagement, adhesion, or the like. The inner side (the side facing the developing frame 11) of one end of the first bracket 3 facing the +z axis direction is provided with a positioning column 36 for being engaged with a positioning hole on the developing frame 11 to position the first bracket 3, so that alignment is facilitated when the first bracket 3 is assembled. The number of the positioning posts 36 may be one or more, and may be disposed at other positions of the first bracket 3. The chip mounting portion 31 and the positioning column 36 are substantially aligned, and the connection line between them extends substantially obliquely from the-Y, -Z direction toward the +y and +z directions. One end of the fixing portion 35 of the first bracket 3 is connected to one side of the first bracket 3 near the chip mounting portion 31, and the other end extends obliquely downward (i.e., extends obliquely from +z, -Y direction toward +y, -Z direction), i.e., the lowest end of the first bracket 3 in the-Z direction is the chip mounting portion 31 and the fixing portion 35, and in the Y axis direction, the lower end of the chip mounting portion 31 is located at one side of the lower end of the fixing portion 35 in the +y axis direction, the lowest end of the chip mounting portion 31 may be a plane, and the lowest surface of the fixing portion 35 may be a cambered surface; the fixing portion 35 is provided with a connection hole 351, and the developing frame 11 is provided with a mounting hole at a corresponding position thereof, and the first bracket 3 is fixedly mounted on the outer side of the end surface of the developing frame 11 in the +x axis direction by passing the connection hole 351 and the mounting hole through a bolt, so that the bottom cover 113 of the developing frame 11 has a certain distance from the first bracket 3 in the X axis direction. In the Y-axis direction, the first frame 3 is mounted near the front end (-Y-axis direction end) of the developing frame 11. Alternatively, the first bracket 3 may be fixedly mounted on the developing frame 11 by means of a snap fit, adhesion, welding, or the like.

Referring to fig. 11, when a user replaces a process cartridge, the user lifts the process cartridge by holding the handle 121 at the rear end of the photosensitive frame 12 and then places the process cartridge on the horizontal placement surface s (table top/counter top, etc.), since the handle 121 is located at the rear upper end of the process cartridge, the lower end (-Z axis end) of the process cartridge contacts the horizontal placement surface s (i.e., the horizontal placement surface s is located in the XY plane composed of the X axis and the Y axis) when the process cartridge is placed according to usage habits, and therefore, a supporting means needs to be provided at the lower end of the process cartridge to stabilize the process cartridge.

Referring to fig. 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11, in the present embodiment, more specifically, the supporting means is provided as the first supporting portion 33, the second supporting portion 37 and the frame supporting portion 112 which are in contact with the horizontal placement surface s, wherein the first supporting portion 33 and the second supporting portion 37 are provided on the first bracket 3, the frame supporting portion 112 is provided on the developing frame 11, the lower end of the developing frame 11 is provided as an arc surface structure, and when placed on the horizontal placement surface s, the arc top position of the arc surface structure contacts the horizontal placement surface s, i.e., the arc top position is the frame supporting portion 112. The lowermost end (one end in the-Z axis direction) of the chip mounting portion 31 is constructed as a first supporting portion 33, and the lowermost end (one end in the-Z axis direction) of the fixing portion 35 of the first holder 3 is constructed as a second supporting portion 37, the first supporting portion 33 and the second supporting portion 37 simultaneously contacting the horizontal placing surface s when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placing surface s.

Referring to fig. 10, the first support portion 33 and the second support portion 37 are located on the same straight line (straight line along the Y axis) as viewed in the Y axis direction, and the first support portion 33 is located on the-Y axis side of the second support portion 37; the first support portion 33 and the second support portion 37 do not overlap with the frame support portion 112 in the X-axis direction, that is, the projection of the frame support portion 112 on the XY plane does not overlap with the projection of the first support portion 33 and the second support portion 37 on the XY plane, any point on the frame support portion 112 is not on the same straight line (straight line along the Y-axis) as the first support portion 33 and the second support portion 37, and therefore, any point on the frame support portion 112 and the first support portion 33 and the second support portion 37 can form a stable triangular support structure on the horizontal placement surface s to stably support the process cartridge placed on the horizontal placement surface s, making the process cartridge less liable to roll, and improving the stability of the support overall.

In some other embodiments, the first support portion 33 and the second support portion 37 may not be located on the same line (a line along the Y axis), but the first support portion 33 and the second support portion 37 still need to be located on any point on the frame support portion 112, so that the three portions may form a stable triangular support structure.

In some other embodiments, the first bracket 3 may also be provided at the driving end of the process cartridge.

The supporting device of the processing box provided by the embodiment is composed of the first supporting part 33, the second supporting part 37 on the first bracket 3 and the frame supporting part 112 on the developing frame 11, the provided supporting device is provided with three supporting parts, a stable triangular supporting structure is formed together, the processing box is supported stably under the supporting device, the processing box is not easy to shake, and the technical problem that the processing box is placed on a horizontal preventing surface by a user in the using operation process and the damage of the component parts of the processing box is caused by the unstable placement is solved.

Example III

Referring to fig. 12 to 15, the first bracket 3 of the supporting device in this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and the main difference is that: the guides 32 of the first bracket 3 in this embodiment are provided on opposite sides of the chip mounting part 31 in the Y direction.

The supporting device in this embodiment is the same as that in the second embodiment, and includes the first bracket 3, the second supporting portion 37 and the frame supporting portion 112, the first bracket 3 includes a mounting and positioning structure 310, and the mounting and positioning structure 310 includes the guide 32 and an auxiliary portion (including but not limited to the chip mounting portion 31 in this embodiment) on the first bracket 3 for positioning.

In some embodiments, the first support 3 is a substantially triangular plate cover-like structure, the chip 4 is mounted on the first support 3, when the first support 3 is mounted on the case 1, the first support 3 protrudes from the case 1 at least partially in the H direction, and the first support 3 is disposed on a non-driving side of the case 1. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first bracket 3 is mounted on the non-driving side of the developing frame 11 of the cartridge 1. Or in some other embodiments, the first bracket 3 may be further disposed on the driving side of the case 1 or other locations as needed, which is not limited herein.

Referring to fig. 13, in some embodiments, the first bracket 3 is detachably mounted on the case 1. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the positioning column 36 is provided on one side of the first bracket 3, the positioning hole 115 is provided on the case 1, the diameter of the positioning hole 115 is slightly larger than the diameter of the positioning column 36, and when the first bracket 3 is mounted to the case 1, the first bracket 3 is mounted to the case 1 by embedding the positioning column 36 into the positioning hole 115.

Further, a plurality of positioning columns 36 may be disposed on the first support 3, the plurality of positioning columns 36 are uniformly distributed on the first support 3, and a plurality of positioning holes 115 are correspondingly disposed on the box body 1, and the positions of the plurality of positioning holes 115 correspond to the positions of the plurality of positioning columns 36, so that the first support 3 can be embedded into the positioning holes 115 through the positioning columns 36 and be mounted on the box body 1. Specifically, in the present embodiment, referring to fig. 13 and 14, three positioning posts 36 are provided on the first bracket 3, the three positioning posts 36 are provided at three corners of the first bracket 3 of a substantially triangular plate-like structure, respectively, and three positioning holes 115 corresponding to the positions of the positioning posts 36 of the first bracket 3 are provided on the developing frame 11 of the cartridge 1, and the first bracket 3 is fitted into the positioning holes 115 by the positioning posts 36 so that the first bracket 3 is stably mounted on the cartridge 1.

In some other embodiments, a positioning hole may be formed on the first bracket 3, a positioning column is formed on the box body 1, and the first bracket 3 is installed on the box body 1 through matching of the positioning column and the positioning hole; or in some other embodiments, the first bracket 3 may be fixedly mounted on the case 1 by welding, gluing, or the like, which is not limited herein.

In some embodiments, a chip mounting location is provided on the first bracket 3 for mounting the chip 4. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first bracket 3 extends in the H direction with a chip mounting portion 31, and the chip mounting position is a first groove 311 provided on the chip mounting portion 31, and the chip 4 may be mounted in the first groove 311 by means of a snap or glue.

Further, when the first bracket 3 is mounted on the cartridge 1, the chip 4 on the first bracket 3 faces the mounting direction of the process cartridge, that is, the first bracket 3 is provided with a chip mounting position facing the H direction, the chip 4 is provided on the chip mounting position, and when the first bracket 3 is mounted on the cartridge 1, the chip 4 faces the H direction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first recess 311 is provided on the chip mounting portion 31, the opening of the first recess 311 is directed toward the mounting direction of the process cartridge, when the chip 4 is mounted to the chip mounting position, the chip 4 does not exceed the height of the first recess 311, so that the chip 4 is mounted in the first holder 3, after the chip 4 is mounted in the first holder 3, and is not easily contacted by the outside, only the electric contacts provided through the imaging device can be abutted against the chip 4, and therefore the chip 4 is not easily damaged, and the chip 4 is provided in the first recess 311 with the opening directed toward the mounting direction of the process cartridge, so that the chip 4 is conveniently electrically connected with the imaging device when the process cartridge is mounted to the imaging device.

In some embodiments, a guide 32 is further provided on the first bracket 3, and the guide 32 can guide the chip mounting portion 31 and the chip 4 to be positioned when the cartridge 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the guide 32 is provided at the side of the chip mounting portion 31, and the shape of the guide 32 is a square column structure, and a guide groove (not shown) corresponding to the shape and position of the guide 32 is provided on the image forming apparatus, and when the cartridge 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the guide 32 can be inserted into the guide groove, guiding the first holder 3 to be mounted correctly, so that the chip 4 can be electrically connected stably with an electrical contact point provided on the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus can receive information of the process cartridge.

In some embodiments, the guide 32 is disposed along the process cartridge mounting direction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, referring to fig. 14 and 15, that is, the guide 32 is provided on the side of the chip mounting portion 31 of the first holder 3, and the length direction of the guide 32 of the square column structure is the mounting direction of the process cartridge when the first holder 3 is mounted on the cartridge body 1, so that the guide 32 can guide the mounting of the first holder 3 and the chip 4 of the process cartridge in the length direction when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

Further, the guide 32 may be provided with one or more. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the guides 32 are provided in two, respectively on the opposite sides of the chip mounting portion 31, and referring to fig. 15, that is, the two guides 32 are provided on the opposite sides of the chip mounting portion 31 on the first bracket 3, when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the two guide grooves are provided on the image forming apparatus to be engaged with the guides 32, so that the first bracket 3 of the process cartridge and the chip 4 guided by the guides 32 are mounted more stably and accurately.

The supporting device in this embodiment is the same as that in the embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

Example IV

Referring to fig. 16 and 17, the first bracket 3 in this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the third embodiment, with the main difference that: the guide 32 of the first bracket 3 in this embodiment has a semi-cylindrical structure.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the guide 32 has a half cylindrical structure provided on the first holder 3 on the side of the chip mounting portion 31, and when the first holder 3 is mounted on the cartridge body 1, the length direction of the guide 32 is the mounting direction of the process cartridge, so that when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the guide 32 can guide the mounting of the process cartridge first holder 3 and the chip 4 in the length direction; and preferably, in the present embodiment, the guide 32 is provided in two, respectively provided on opposite sides of the chip mounting portion 31, and two guide grooves are provided on the image forming apparatus to be engaged with the guide 32 when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, so that the guide 32 guides the mounting of the first holder 3 of the process cartridge and the chip 4 more stably and accurately.

In this embodiment, the case 1, the supporting device and other structures are the same as those in the third embodiment, and will not be described here.

Example five

Referring to fig. 18 to 22, the first bracket 3 of the supporting device in this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the third embodiment, and the main difference is that: the guide 32 of the first bracket 3 in this embodiment has a pyramid-like structure.

In this embodiment, the supporting means is substantially the same as that of the third embodiment, the first holder 3 is for supporting the chip 4, and the first holder 3 includes the guide 32. The chip 4 is used for being electrically connected with the imaging device when the box body 1 is installed on the imaging device, and transmitting basic information such as the model number, the printing quantity, the carbon powder reserve allowance, the service life and the like of the processing box to the imaging device, so that the processing box is convenient to use.

In some embodiments, the first support 3 is a substantially triangular plate cover-like structure, the chip 4 is mounted on the first support 3, when the first support 3 is mounted on the case 1, the first support 3 protrudes from the case 1 at least partially in the H direction, and the first support 3 is disposed on a non-driving side of the case 1. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first bracket 3 is mounted on the non-driving side of the developing frame 11 of the cartridge 1. In some other embodiments, the first bracket 3 may also be disposed on the driving side of the case 1 or other locations as needed, which is not limited herein.

Referring to fig. 20, in some embodiments, the first bracket 3 is detachably mounted on the case 1. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the positioning column 36 is provided on one side of the first bracket 3, the positioning hole 115 is provided on the case 1, the diameter of the positioning hole 115 is slightly larger than the diameter of the positioning column 36, and when the first bracket 3 is mounted to the case 1, the first bracket 3 is mounted to the case 1 by embedding the positioning column 36 into the positioning hole 115.

Further, a plurality of positioning columns 36 may be disposed on the first support 3, the plurality of positioning columns 36 are uniformly distributed on the first support 3, and a plurality of positioning holes 115 are correspondingly disposed on the box body 1, and the positions of the plurality of positioning holes 115 correspond to the positions of the plurality of positioning columns 36, so that the first support 3 can be embedded into the positioning holes 115 through the positioning columns 36 and be mounted on the box body 1. Specifically, in the present embodiment, referring to fig. 20, 21 and 22, three positioning posts 36 are provided on the first support 3, the three positioning posts 36 are provided at three corners of the first support 3 of a substantially triangular plate-like structure, respectively, and three positioning holes 115 corresponding to the positions of the positioning posts 36 of the first support 3 are provided on the developing frame 11 of the cartridge 1, and the first support 3 is fitted into the positioning holes 115 by the positioning posts 36 so that the first support 3 is stably mounted on the cartridge 1.

In some other embodiments, the positioning hole 115 may be provided on the first bracket 3, the positioning post 36 is provided on the box 1, and the first bracket 3 is mounted on the box 1 through the cooperation of the positioning post 36 and the positioning hole 115; or in some other embodiments, the first bracket 3 may be fixedly mounted on the case 1 by welding, gluing, or the like, which is not limited herein.

Further, when the first bracket 3 is mounted on the cartridge 1, the chip 4 on the first bracket 3 faces the mounting direction of the process cartridge, that is, the first bracket 3 is provided with a chip mounting position facing the H direction, the chip 4 is provided on the chip mounting position, and when the first bracket 3 is mounted on the cartridge 1, the chip 4 faces the H direction. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first recess 311 is provided on the chip mounting portion 31, the opening of the first recess 311 faces the process cartridge mounting direction, when the chip 4 is mounted to the chip mounting position, the chip 4 does not exceed the height of the first recess 311, so that the chip 4 is mounted in the first holder 3, is located in the first holder 3, is not easily contacted by the outside, and can be abutted with the electrical contact provided only through the imaging device, so that the chip 4 is not easily damaged, and the chip 4 is provided in the first recess 311 with the opening facing the process cartridge mounting direction, so that the chip 4 is conveniently electrically connected with the imaging device when the process cartridge is mounted to the imaging device.

In some embodiments, a guide member 32 is further provided on the first bracket 3, and the guide member 32 is capable of guiding the first bracket 3 and the chip 4 to be positioned when the cartridge 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the guide 32 is disposed at a side of the chip mounting position, and the guide 32 is in a pyramid-like structure, and the image forming apparatus is provided with a guide groove (not shown) corresponding to the shape and position of the guide 32, and when the cartridge 1 is mounted in the image forming apparatus, the guide 32 can be inserted into the guide groove to guide the first holder 3 to be mounted correctly, so that the chip 4 can be electrically connected stably with an electrical contact point provided on the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus can receive information of the process cartridge.

In some embodiments, the guide 32 is disposed along the process cartridge mounting direction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, referring to fig. 21 and 22, that is, the guide 32 is provided on the side surface of the chip mounting portion 31 of the first holder 3, and when the first holder 3 is mounted on the cartridge body 1, the length direction of the guide 32 of the pyramid-like structure is the mounting direction of the process cartridge, so that the guide 32 can guide the mounting of the process cartridge first holder 3 and the chip 4 in the length direction when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

Further, the guide 32 may be provided with one or more. Specifically, in the present embodiment, two guides 32 are provided, which are provided on opposite sides of the chip mounting portion 31, respectively, and referring to fig. 22, that is, two guides 32 are provided on opposite sides of the chip mounting portion 31 on the first bracket 3, and when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, two guide grooves are provided on the image forming apparatus to be engaged with the guides 32, so that the guides 32 guide the mounting of the first bracket 3 and the chip 4 of the process cartridge more stably and accurately.

Thus, the process cartridge provided in this embodiment is provided with the first holder 3 including the guide member, which can guide the first holder 3 to be mounted on the image forming apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, so that the chip on the first holder 3 is in stable contact with the electrical contacts of the image forming apparatus to ensure the normal operation of the image forming apparatus.

Example six

Referring to fig. 23 to 29, the first bracket 3 of the supporting device of the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and the drive side developing cover constitutes the second bracket 5 of the supporting device, the main difference of the present embodiment is that: when the process cartridges are individually placed on the horizontal placement surface s, the non-driving side of the cartridge body 1 is supported by the supporting portion 123 and the first bracket 3, and the driving side of the cartridge body 1 is supported by the supporting portion 123 and the second bracket 5. Further, when the process cartridge is supported by the supporting means, the chip 4 is parallel to the horizontal placement surface s.

In this embodiment, the supporting device includes a first bracket 3, a second bracket 5, and a supporting portion 123, where the first bracket 3 is disposed on the non-driving side of the case 1, and the second bracket 5 is disposed on the driving side of the case 1. The chip 4 is arranged on the first support 3.

In some embodiments, the first support 3 is a substantially triangular plate cover structure, the chip 4 is mounted on the first support 3, and when the first support 3 is mounted on the box 1, the first support 3 protrudes from the box 1 at least partially in the-Z axis direction, and the first support 3 is disposed on a non-driving end of the box 1.

In some embodiments, the box 1 is further provided with a frame support portion, where the frame support portion includes a supporting portion 123, and the supporting portion 123 can support the box 1 together with the first bracket 3 when the box 1 is placed on the horizontal placement surface s. In the present embodiment, the supporting portion 123 is provided on the photosensitive frame 12, specifically, the supporting portion 123 is a first protrusion provided in the-Z axis direction, and after the first bracket 3 is mounted on the case 1, a portion of the first bracket 3 protrudes outside the case 1 in the-Z direction, and forms a supporting end of the case 1 together with the first protrusion, so that the case 1 can be supported when the case 1 is placed on the horizontal placement surface s; and after the photosensitive drum 14 is mounted on the photosensitive frame 12, the first protrusion is positioned outside the photosensitive drum 14, so that the posture of the cartridge is stable and does not fall down when the cartridge body 1 is placed with the photosensitive drum 14 facing the horizontally placed surface, so as to protect the photosensitive drum 14.

In some embodiments, the second bracket 5 supports the cartridge 1 together with the supporting portion 123 when the cartridge 1 is placed on the horizontal placement surface s. Specifically, in this embodiment, the second support 5 is a second protrusion provided on the box body 1, two supporting portions 123 are provided on the box body 1, the two supporting portions 123 are respectively provided at two ends of the box body 1 in the length direction, that is, the supporting portions 123 are provided at both the driving end and the non-driving end of the box body 1, one of the two supporting portions 123 and the second support 5 together form a supporting device for the driving end of the box body 1, the driving end of the box body 1 is supported, the other supporting portion 123 and the first support 3 together form a supporting device for the non-driving end of the box body 1, and the non-driving end of the box body 1 is supported, so that the box body 1 can be supported by the supporting portions 123, the first support 3 and the second support 5 together, so that the box body 1 can be stably placed on the horizontal placement surface s.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second bracket 5 is provided on the developing frame 11, specifically, the second bracket 5 is a second projection provided in the-Z axis direction, and the second projection includes the second bracket supporting end 51, and when the cartridge 1 is placed on the horizontal placement surface s, the second bracket supporting end 51 is parallel to the horizontal placement surface s and abuts against the horizontal placement surface s, so that the second bracket 5 is more stable when supporting the cartridge 1.

Referring to fig. 25, in some embodiments, the first bracket 3 is detachably mounted on the case 1. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the positioning column 36 is provided on one side of the first bracket 3, the positioning hole 115 is provided on the case 1, the diameter of the positioning hole 115 is slightly larger than the diameter of the positioning column 36, and when the first bracket 3 is mounted on the case 1, the first bracket 3 is mounted on the case 1 by being fitted into the positioning hole 115 through the positioning column 36.

Further, a plurality of evenly distributed positioning columns 36 can be arranged on the first bracket 3, and a plurality of positioning holes 115 are correspondingly arranged on the box body 1, so that the first bracket 3 can be embedded into the positioning holes 115 through the positioning columns 36 and is arranged on the box body 1. Specifically, in the present embodiment, referring to fig. 28 and 29, three positioning posts 36 are provided on the first bracket 3, the three positioning posts 36 are provided on three corners of the first bracket 3 of a substantially triangular plate-like structure, respectively, and three positioning holes 115 corresponding to the positions of the positioning posts 36 of the first bracket 3 are provided on the developing frame 11, and the first bracket 3 is fitted into the positioning holes 115 through the positioning posts 36 so that the first bracket 3 is mounted on the cartridge 1.

In some other embodiments, the positioning hole can also be arranged on the first bracket 3, a positioning column is arranged on the box body 1, and the first bracket 3 is arranged on the box body 1 through the cooperation of the positioning column and the positioning hole; in some other embodiments, the first bracket 3 may also be fixedly mounted on the case 1 by welding, gluing, or the like.

In some embodiments, a chip mounting portion is disposed on the first bracket 3, and a chip mounting position is configured on the chip mounting portion, where the chip mounting position is used for mounting the chip 4, and when the box 1 is placed on the horizontal placement surface s, a plane on which the chip 4 is located is parallel to the horizontal placement surface s. Specifically, in this embodiment, the chip 4 is disposed on the first bracket 3, and when the first bracket 3 is mounted on the case 1, the first bracket 3 is located at the bottom of the case 1 and faces the-Z axis direction, and the chip mounting position on which the chip 4 is mounted is perpendicular to the Z axis direction, so that the plane h on which the chip 4 is located is perpendicular to the Z axis direction, and when the case 1 is placed on the horizontal placement surface s, the plane h on which the chip 4 is located is parallel to the horizontal placement surface s.

Further, when the first bracket 3 supports the case 1, the chip 4 faces the horizontal placement surface s and is not in contact with the horizontal placement surface s, i.e. a space is provided between the chip 4 and the horizontal placement surface s. Specifically, in this embodiment, the chip mounting position is a first groove 311 provided on the first bracket 3, and the chip 4 may be mounted in the first groove 311 by means of fastening or gluing; and the chip 4 is mounted in the first recess 311 without exceeding the height of the first recess 311, so that the chip 4 is mounted in the first bracket 3 and then positioned in the first bracket 3, therefore, the chip 4 can only be abutted with the electric contacts arranged on the image forming device, and the chip 4 is not contacted with the horizontal placement surface s when the box body 1 is placed on the horizontal placement surface s, so that the chip 4 is not easy to be damaged.

In some embodiments, a guide 32 is further provided on the first bracket 3, and the guide 32 is capable of guiding the first bracket 3 to be mounted when the cartridge 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the guide 32 is provided outside the chip mounting portion, the image forming apparatus is provided with a guide groove corresponding to the shape and position of the guide 32, and when the cartridge 1 is mounted in the image forming apparatus, the guide 32 can be inserted into the guide groove to guide the position of the first holder 3 to be correctly mounted in the image forming apparatus, so that the chip 4 can be electrically connected to an electrical contact point provided on the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus can receive information of the process cartridge.

Referring to fig. 26 and 27, the process cartridge is detached from the image forming apparatus and placed on the horizontal placement surface s, the non-driving side of the cartridge 1 is supported by the supporting portion 123 and the first bracket 3, and the driving side of the cartridge 1 is supported by the supporting portion 123 and the second bracket 5, so that the cartridge 1 can be stably placed on the horizontal placement surface s.

According to the application, the supporting part 123, the second bracket 5 and the first bracket 3 are arranged to jointly form the supporting device for supporting the box body, so that the supporting structure is stable and is not easy to shake when the box body is placed on a horizontal placing surface, the stable state of the box body can be maintained, and the technical problem that the components of the processing box are damaged due to unstable placement of the processing box on the horizontal surface in the using and operating process of a user is solved.

Example seven

Referring to fig. 30 to 33, the process cartridge of the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, with the main difference that: the first carriage 3 in the present embodiment is no longer provided with the chip mounting portion 31 provided on the developing frame 11.

The process cartridge is provided with a chip mounting portion 31, a chip 4, a conductive member 6, and a conductive support portion 7. The chip mounting portion 31 is mounted on the process cartridge. The chip 4 is mounted on the chip mounting portion 31 for communication with a controller (information reading cartridge writing portion) of the image forming apparatus main body; one end of the conductive member 6 is electrically connected to the main assembly contact, and the other end is electrically connected to the chip 4, so that electrical communication is performed between the chip 4 of the process cartridge and the main assembly of the image forming apparatus; the conductive support portion 7 supports one end of the conductive member 6.

In some embodiments, the conductive support 7 is provided on the first bracket 3, and guides 32c and 32d are provided on both sides of the conductive support 7. In the present embodiment, the conductive support portion 7 is provided on the non-driving side, supporting one end of the conductive member 6; guides 32c and 32d are provided adjacent to the conductive support 7 for guiding the image forming apparatus main assembly contacts and the conductive member 6 to engage with each other when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus. One end of the conductive member 6 is electrically connected with the main assembly contact of the image forming device, and the other end is electrically connected with the chip 4, so that basic information such as the model number, the printing number, the carbon powder reserve allowance, the service life and the like of the processing box are transmitted to the image forming device, and the use of the processing box is facilitated.

In some embodiments, the process cartridge is provided with a handle 121. Specifically, in the present embodiment, when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface s of the table or floor in a state where the handle 121 is gripped, the bottom of the process cartridge moves toward the horizontal placement surface s, and the conductive support 7, the guide 32c, the first bracket 3 and the powder bin 111 support the process cartridge together.

That is, referring to fig. 32, when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface s in a state in which the first holder 3, the conductive support 7, the guide 32c and the hopper 111 are brought into contact with the horizontal placement surface s together, the posture of the cartridge 1 is stabilized, and the conductive support 7, the guide 32c, the first holder 3 and the hopper 111 form a posture such that the cartridge 1 does not rotationally move in the direction of the photosensitive drum 14 with respect to the position of the center of gravity W, so that it is possible to suppress occurrence of damage to the photosensitive drum 14 (constituent members) due to dropping of the process cartridge, and the conductive support 7, the guide 32c, the first holder 3 and the hopper 111 support the process cartridge together, so that the posture of the process cartridge is stabilized and is not liable to shake.

Further, in the present embodiment, the chip mounting portion 31 is provided on the developing frame 11, and the chip 4 is mounted on the chip mounting portion 31 in the Z direction of the process cartridge. When the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface s, the plane 2C on which the conductive support 7 is located is inclined with respect to the horizontal placement surface s and is not on the same plane as the plane 1C on which the chip 4 is located.

That is, referring to fig. 32, when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface s of the table or floor in a state in which the handle 121 is gripped, the chip 4 is located in the Z direction of the process cartridge not opposite to the horizontal placement surface s and above the horizontal placement surface s at a distance from the horizontal placement surface s. This effectively prevents the chip 4 from being damaged due to collision between the external member and the chip 4.

Here, in the present embodiment, the conductive support portion 7 supports one end of the conductive member 6, and the conductive member 6 is made of a metal material, in the present embodiment, a copper sheet. The conductive member 6 has one end electrically connected to the main assembly contact and one end connected to the chip 4 so that the controller of the image forming apparatus main body can communicate with the chip 4 of the process cartridge using the registration service information and the print data information stored in the chip 4.

Further, in the present embodiment, referring to fig. 33, at the driving end of the process cartridge, when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface s of the table or floor in a state where the handle 121 is gripped, the second carriage support end 51 on the second carriage 5 constitutes the supporting process cartridge together with the hopper 111, so that the posture of the process cartridge is stabilized.

The processing box of this embodiment is through changing the placement position of chip 4, when placing the processing box alone on level place the face s, chip 4 is located can not with the level place the face s relative hidden position, can protect chip 4 well, and bearing structure is stable, is difficult for rocking, can avoid because the collision between external component and the chip 4 leads to the chip 4 to damage and makes the condition that the processing box can't use.

Example eight

Referring to fig. 34 to 37, the process cartridge in this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the third embodiment, with the main difference that: in the process cartridge of the present embodiment, when the process cartridge is placed alone on the horizontal placement surface s, the process cartridge is not supported by the driving side developing protective cover 21 and the non-driving side developing protective cover 22, but by the first bracket 3 and the second bracket 5 included in the supporting means. Further, the chip 4 is provided on the developing frame 11, and when the process cartridge is supported by the supporting means, the chip 4 is perpendicular to the horizontal placement surface s.

The supporting device of the process cartridge in this embodiment includes the first bracket 3, the second bracket 5 and the powder bin 111, and it should be noted that the first bracket 3 of this embodiment no longer functions to mount the chip 4, and the first bracket 3 and the second bracket 5 are disposed on the powder bin 111 and/or the driving side developing protecting cover 21.

In some embodiments, the chip 4 is disposed on the chip fixing portion 221 of the non-driving side developing protecting cover 22 on the cartridge 1, so as to transmit basic information such as the model number, the printing number, the toner reserve allowance, the service life of the cartridge 1 to the image forming apparatus when the cartridge 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus and the chip 4 is electrically connected with the image forming apparatus, thereby facilitating the use of the process cartridge.

In some embodiments, the first bracket 3 and the second bracket 5 of the supporting device are respectively provided with one on the driving side, which is the second bracket 5, and the non-driving side, which is the first bracket 3. When the box body 1 is placed on the horizontal placing surface s, the box body 1 is supported by a supporting device formed by the first bracket 3, the second bracket 5 and the powder bin 111. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the second bracket 5 is an elongated bar arranged in the-Z axis direction of the powder bin 111, protrudes out of the box body 1 in the-Z axis direction, and supports the box body 1 together with the powder bin 111 on the driving side; similarly, the first holder 3 is also provided in the non-drive side-Z axis direction, and supports the cartridge 1 together with the hopper 111.

Referring to fig. 36 and 37, when the cartridge 1 is placed on the horizontal placement surface F in a state where the first and second brackets 3, 5 are brought into contact with the horizontal placement surface F together with the hopper 111, the position of the center of gravity W of the cartridge 1 is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 14 with respect to the first and second brackets 3, 5 and the hopper 111. For this reason, the cartridge 1 tends to rotate in the arrow K direction due to the force M exerted by the center of gravity W, and thus the posture in which the horizontally placed surface F contacts the supporting means and the powder hopper 111 contacts is stabilized.

Therefore, the position supporting means with respect to the center of gravity W makes the cartridge 1 not to move rotationally in the direction of the photosensitive drum 14, and therefore it is possible to suppress occurrence of damage to the photosensitive drum 14 (constituent members) due to dropping of the cartridge 1, and the cartridge 1 is supported by the cartridge 1 by the driving side second bracket 5 and the non-driving side first bracket 3 together with the hopper, so that the posture of the cartridge 1 is stable and is not liable to shake.

In addition, when the case 1 is placed on the horizontal placement surface F, the chip 4 does not face the horizontal placement surface s, and the plane on which the surface 4c of the chip 4 is located is perpendicular to the horizontal placement surface s, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the case 1 cannot be used due to damage to the chip 4 caused by collision between an external member and the chip 4.

According to the application, the supporting device is arranged to support the box body, so that the supporting structure is stable and is not easy to shake when the box body is placed on a horizontal placing surface, the stable placing state of the box body is maintained, and the technical problem that the processing box is placed on the horizontal surface due to unstable placing in the using operation process of a user to damage the component parts of the processing box is solved.

Example nine

Referring to fig. 38 to 43, the process cartridge of the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the seventh embodiment, and the main difference is that: the chip mounting frame 53 in this embodiment is provided at the driving end of the process cartridge, that is, the chip is mounted at the driving end of the process cartridge.

The supporting device of the process cartridge in this embodiment is the same as that of the seventh embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The second bracket 5 may be used to cover or partially cover the gear set 8 of the drive assembly and may also be used to connect with the photosensitive frame 12 to assemble the developing frame and the photosensitive frame 12 together.

Referring to fig. 38 and 39, the process cartridge is further provided with an identification component including a chip mount 53, a chip mounted on the chip mount 53 for communication with a controller (information reading cartridge writing section) of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, and a conductive member 6; one end of the conductive member 6 is electrically connected with the chip, and the other end is electrically connected with the main assembly contact of the image forming apparatus, so that when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus, electrical communication is performed between the chip of the process cartridge and the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, and basic information such as the type, the printing number, the toner reserve allowance, the service life, etc. of the process cartridge is transmitted to the electronic image forming apparatus.

Referring to fig. 40, specifically, in the present embodiment, the chip mounting frame 53 is fixedly mounted on the driving end of the developing frame 11, preferably, is disposed on the second bracket 5, specifically, the chip mounting frame 53 is disposed on a side of the second bracket 5 near the rear end of the developing frame 11 (i.e., a side facing the +y axis direction), alternatively, the chip mounting frame 53 and the second bracket 5 may be integrally molded, or may be fixedly connected by adhesion, welding, or the like. A second groove 531 is formed in the chip mounting frame 53 for placing a chip, and a notch of the second groove 531 faces the lower end (-one end in the Z direction) of the developing frame 11, referring to fig. 43, when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface s, the chip mounting frame 53 is spaced apart from the horizontal placement surface s by a certain distance. One end of the conductive member 6 is also disposed within the second groove 531 and above the chip, and the other end of the conductive member 6 is supported by the conductive support 7.

Further, referring to fig. 41, in some embodiments, the conductive support 7 is provided on the first bracket 3, and guides 32c and 32d are provided on both sides of the conductive support 7. In the present embodiment, guides 32c and 32d are provided adjacent to the conductive support 7 for guiding the conductive member 6 and the image forming apparatus main assembly contact to engage with each other when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.

Further, referring to fig. 43, the chip communicates with the image forming apparatus by means of the conductive member 6, in this embodiment, the conductive member 6 extends from the conductive support 7 along the outer surface of the first holder 3 to the hopper 111, and then extends through the interior of the hopper 111 to the second groove 531 of the chip mount 53, that is, the conductive member 6 on the conductive support 7 extends in the length direction of the developing frame 11 (-X axis direction) to the second groove 531 of the chip mount 53, and in particular, the conductive member 6 is disposed to be attached to the bottom cover 113 in the interior of the hopper 111.

In some embodiments, the process cartridge is provided with a handle 121. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the handle 121 is located at the rear upper end of the process cartridge, and when the handle 121 is held to place the process cartridge on the horizontal placement surface s, the lower end of the process cartridge contacts the horizontal surface, and therefore, the frame support 112 needs to be provided at the lower end of the process cartridge to stabilize the process cartridge, according to the usage habit.

Further, in some embodiments, both ends of the process cartridge in the length direction are provided with the second bracket 5 and the first bracket 3, respectively, and referring to fig. 41 and 42, in this embodiment, the first bracket 3 includes one fixing portion 35, the fixing portion 35 is disposed opposite to the conductive supporting portion 7 in the Y-axis direction, and the fixing portion 35 is located in front of the conductive supporting portion 7 in the +y-axis direction, when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface s, the conductive supporting portion 7, the guide 32c, the fixing portion 35 collectively support the process cartridge, and the bottom cover 113 is a cambered surface structure, the cambered top position of which also provides support for the process cartridge, and therefore, the conductive supporting portion 7, the guide 32c, the fixing portion 35 and the bottom cover 113 collectively support the non-driving end of the process cartridge. The second bracket 5 includes a second bracket supporting end 51 protruding toward the lower end of the process cartridge, and when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal plane F, the second bracket supporting end 51 contacts the horizontal plane and the contact portion is a plane, so that the second bracket supporting end 51 supports the driving end of the process cartridge together with the bottom cover 113. The process cartridge is stable in posture under the supporting action of the above supporting device, is not easy to shake, and can suppress damage to constituent members such as the photosensitive drum 14, which occurs due to falling of the process cartridge.

Further, when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal plane F, the plane 7c on the conductive support portion 7 is inclined with respect to the horizontal placement surface s, and the plane 7c is close to the horizontal placement surface s; the second groove 531 of the chip mounting frame 53 is opposite to the horizontal placement surface s, that is, the plane 4c on which the chip is located is opposite to and parallel to the horizontal placement surface s, and the plane 4c on which the chip is located is at a certain distance from the horizontal placement surface s, so that the chip can be effectively prevented from being damaged due to the collision between the external component and the chip by adopting the above structure.

In some embodiments, the conductive member 6 may be made of a metal material, in this example a copper sheet; and in order to ensure that the conductive member 6 located on the conductive support 7 is electrically connected with the main assembly contact stably, the width of the conductive member 6 may be set according to actual needs.

The processing box of this embodiment is through changing the position of placing of chip, places the chip in more concealed position, places the processing box alone when placing on the face s horizontally for have certain interval between chip and the face s horizontally placed, can protect the chip better, and processing box bearing structure is stable, is difficult for rocking, can avoid because the collision between exterior member and the chip leads to the chip damage to make the condition that the processing box can't use.

The image forming apparatus in this embodiment includes the process cartridge in the foregoing embodiment. The specific structure, working principle and function of the process cartridge are described in detail in the foregoing embodiments, and are not repeated here.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical solution of the present application, and not for limiting the same; although the application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: the technical scheme described in the foregoing embodiments can be modified or some or all of the technical features thereof can be replaced by equivalents; such modifications and substitutions do not depart from the spirit of the application.

Claims

1. A process cartridge, comprising:

The box body is provided with a driving end and a non-driving end, and the driving end and the non-driving end are respectively positioned at two ends of the box body in the length direction;

The supporting device comprises a frame supporting part which is constructed at the bottom of the box body, the supporting device is further arranged at least one of the driving end and the non-driving end, the bottom end of the supporting device which is positioned at the driving end and/or the non-driving end and the supporting side of the frame supporting part are both positioned on a set plane, and when the processing box is placed on a horizontal placing surface, the set plane is attached to the horizontal placing surface.

2. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes a first bracket provided at said non-drive end, and at least partially protruding from said cartridge body, capable of supporting said cartridge body together with said frame supporting portion when said process cartridge is placed on said horizontal placement surface.

3. A process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said first bracket is configured with a guide member provided away from said setting plane, said guide member being configured to guide mounting of said first bracket to an image forming apparatus.

4. A process cartridge according to claim 3, wherein said guide is a pyramid-like structure, a cylindrical structure, a sheet-like structure or a rectangular strip-like structure.

5. A process cartridge according to claim 3, wherein a bottom of said first bracket is provided with a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion; the first support portion, the second support portion, and the frame support portion collectively support the process cartridge when the process cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface.

6. The process cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising a chip provided to the first holder.

7. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the plane in which the chip is located is parallel to the set plane, and the chip faces the horizontal placement surface with a space therebetween when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface.

8. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the first bracket is configured with a chip mounting portion to which the chip is provided.

9. A process cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said supporting means includes a second bracket provided at said driving end, said second bracket being capable of supporting said cartridge body together with said frame supporting portion when said process cartridge is placed on said horizontal placement surface.

10. The process cartridge according to claim 9, further comprising a non-driving side developing cover provided at the non-driving end, the non-driving side developing cover being configured with a chip fixing portion, and a chip provided at the chip fixing portion.

11. The process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the plane in which the chip is located is perpendicular to the horizontally placed surface when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontally placed surface.

12. The process cartridge according to claim 9, further comprising a chip provided to the second holder, the chip having a space from the horizontal placement surface when the process cartridge is placed on the horizontal placement surface.

13. An image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 12.