CN214427749U

CN214427749U - Powder cartridge

Info

Publication number: CN214427749U
Application number: CN202120442100.5U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗琴; 曹建新; 潘悦
Original assignee: Ninestar Corp
Current assignee: Ninestar Corp
Priority date: 2020-03-03
Filing date: 2021-03-01
Publication date: 2021-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-01
Also published as: CN113341669A; WO2021175195A1

Abstract

A powder cartridge detachably mountable to an electronic image forming apparatus, the electronic image forming apparatus including a developer replenishing device including a developer receiving portion; the powder cylinder comprises a powder cylinder body and a discharging structure, wherein the powder cylinder body is used for storing a developer; the powder outlet structure is connected to the powder outlet end of the powder barrel body and used for discharging the developer in the powder barrel body; the powder outlet structure comprises a guide part and a powder outlet, and the guide part is provided with a first end part and a second end part. This application can make the receiving opening that is used for receiving the developer among the image forming apparatus under the effect of this guide part be opened gradually to make this receiving opening can not butt other parts of play powder structure too early in powder section of thick bamboo installation, and then avoid the powder section of thick bamboo to appear the developer that the developer causes because of reasons such as friction vibrations in the installation removes the in-process and fly apart.

Description

Powder cartridge

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of image formation, in particular to a powder cylinder.

Background

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording material by an electrophotographic image forming process technique, such as: electrophotographic copies, laser printers, electrophotographic printers, facsimile machines, word processors, and the like. A powder cartridge for supplying a developer (e.g., toner) can be detachably mounted inside the powder cartridge, and as the developer is continuously involved in the electronic imaging, when the developer in the powder cartridge is used up, a user is required to replace the powder cartridge or inject new developer into the powder cartridge in time, which makes the powder cartridge one of the consumable parts frequently replaced in the electronic imaging.

In the related art, a powder cartridge is mounted and dismounted in a developer replenishing apparatus for receiving a developer in an electrophotographic apparatus. Each mounting and dismounting operation of the powder cylinder on the developer replenishing device relates to the connection and disconnection of the powder outlet of the powder cylinder and the powder receiving opening of the developer replenishing device.

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a powder cartridge detachably mountable to a developer replenishing apparatus disclosed in the prior art. The powder cartridge 1 includes: the powder barrel comprises a powder barrel body 2 used for containing a developer, a powder outlet structure 3 positioned at a first end 21 in the length direction of the powder barrel body 2, and a sliding plate 4 sliding relative to the powder outlet structure 3, wherein the powder outlet structure 3 comprises an upper flange part 3a and a lower flange part 3b, and further comprises a stirring frame, a powder mixing part, a powder outlet and other structures used for discharging carbon powder in the powder barrel body 2 in the powder outlet structure 3, and different structures can be designed according to different discharge principles. 2 a-2 c, FIG. 2a is a schematic structural view of a developer replenishing apparatus; FIG. 2b is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the developer replenishing apparatus; fig. 2c is a perspective view of the developer receiving part. The developer replenishing apparatus 8 includes at least a developer receiving portion 11, first and second slide

plate catching portions

8a and 8b, the developer receiving portion 11 including a receiving opening 11a, a coupling portion 11b for opening and closing the receiving opening 11a, and a sealing member 13, wherein a stopper 15 provided in the receiving opening 11a is provided for sealing the receiving opening 11a, the receiving opening 11a is opened and closed by bringing the receiving opening 11a into a spaced and contacting state with the stopper 15 by the coupling portion 11b carrying up and down the developer receiving portion 11, and an elastic member 12 is provided for causing the coupling portion 11b to rise against an elastic force of the elastic member 12 and to fall under an elastic force of the elastic member 12. In fig. 3 a-3 c, the guide rail structure on the lower flange portion 3b of the powder discharging structure 3 and the process of the guide rail structure for lifting the combining portion 11b in the developer replenishing apparatus to open the receiving opening 11a of the developer replenishing apparatus are shown. Wherein the guide rail structure comprises a first portion 3b2 and a second portion 3b4, and the first portion 3b2 guides the combining part 11b to ascend to open the receiving opening 11a and move on the second portion 3b4 to the position where the powder outlet (not shown) in the powder cylinder is completely opened along with the installation of the powder cylinder 1 along the arrow A direction, so that the powder outlet in the powder cylinder and the receiving opening 11a form a through developer discharge passage. In the process of disassembling the powder cylinder, similarly, when the powder cylinder 1 moves in the direction opposite to the installation direction B, the powder outlet and the receiving opening 11a in the powder cylinder are respectively closed. However, in the process of guiding the movement of the joint 11B by means of the second portion 3B4 of the guide rail, since the receiving opening 11a is completely opened and has risen to a sufficient height, and the receiving opening is respectively attached to the corresponding positions of the powder discharging structure 3 and the bottom of the sliding plate 4 in sequence and continues to move along the a/B direction along with the mounting/dismounting action of the powder cartridge, even if the sealing and the alignment of the positions are achieved, the relative displacement still inevitably occurs, and since the developer is extremely light particle powder, the developer is easily scattered due to the elastic force of each sealing element caused by the elastic deformation of each sealing element when the relative displacement occurs due to frictional vibration.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In order to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, it is a primary object of the present application to provide a powder cartridge capable of preventing developer from scattering during mounting.

In order to achieve the above object, the following technical solutions are specifically adopted in the present application.

A powder cartridge detachably mountable to an electronic image forming apparatus, the electronic image forming apparatus including a developer replenishing device including a developer receiving portion; the powder cartridge includes:

a powder cartridge barrel for storing a developer;

the powder discharging structure is connected to the powder discharging end of the powder barrel body and used for discharging the developer in the powder barrel body;

the powder outlet structure comprises a guide part and a powder outlet, and the guide part is provided with a first end part and a second end part;

when the powder cartridge is mounted to the electronic imaging device, the developer receiving part moves relative to the guide part from the first end part to the second end part along the guide part, so that the developer in the powder cartridge can flow into the electronic imaging device through the powder outlet and the developer receiving part.

In a specific embodiment, the guide portion is linearly inclined.

In a specific embodiment, the powder discharging structure further comprises a connecting part and a fixed powder discharging plate, the connecting part is connected to the powder discharging end of the powder cylinder body, and the connecting part is provided with the powder discharging port; the fixed powder outlet plate is connected to the connecting part and provided with an opening, and the projection of the powder outlet is at least partially overlapped with the projection of the opening in the first direction;

the guiding part is connected to two opposite side walls of the fixed powder discharging plate, and the second end part is located above the first end part in the first direction.

In a specific embodiment, the developer receiving portion includes a movable engaging portion and a receiving opening, the powder cartridge having a first position and a second position during installation of the powder cartridge in the electrophotographic apparatus, the engaging portion being located at the first end when the powder cartridge is in the first position; when the powder cylinder is located at the second position, the combining part is located at the second end part, and the combining part opens the receiving opening.

In a specific embodiment, the powder discharging structure further includes a retaining portion for limiting the combining portion when the powder cartridge is mounted to the electronic image forming apparatus.

In a specific embodiment, the retaining portion is disposed on a sidewall of the fixed powder discharging plate and spaced from the second end of the guiding portion, so that the combining portion can be clamped in a gap between the guiding portion and the retaining portion when moving to the second end.

In a particular embodiment, the retaining portion is a groove or a high coefficient of friction surface provided on the second end portion, enabling the engagement portion to be retained on the retaining portion by the groove or the high coefficient of friction surface.

In a specific embodiment, the guiding part is movably arranged on the side wall of the fixed powder outlet plate.

In a specific embodiment, the powder discharging structure further includes a first force-receiving block connected to the guide portion and located at an upper portion of the second end portion, and the engaging portion is configured to abut against the first force-receiving block to push the guide portion to move in a direction opposite to the second direction during installation of the powder cartridge in the electronic image forming apparatus.

In a specific embodiment, the powder discharging structure further comprises a locking member movably arranged on the guide portion, the locking member is provided with an unlocking position and a locking position on the guide portion, and the locking member can be located at the locking position to limit the combining portion in the process of moving along the direction opposite to the second direction along with the guide portion.

In a particular embodiment, the locking member extends out of the guide portion when the locking member is in the locked position and is retracted from the locked position when the locking member is in the unlocked position.

In a specific embodiment, the fixed powder discharging plate comprises an abutting block, the locking piece comprises a stabilizing part and a second force bearing block, the second force bearing block is connected to the stabilizing part, and when the locking piece moves along the second direction along with the guide part, the stabilizing part is in contact interference with the abutting block, so that the second force bearing block extends out of the gap of the guide part.

In a specific embodiment, the locking member further includes an elastic member provided between the stabilizer and the guide portion, and the second force receiving block is retracted from the gap by an elastic force of the elastic member when the locking member moves in a direction opposite to the second direction with the guide portion during the removal of the powder cartridge from the electronic image forming apparatus.

Compared with the prior art, the powder cylinder provided by the application comprises the guide part, the receiving opening used for receiving the developer in the image forming device is gradually opened under the action of the guide part, and the receiving opening cannot be abutted to other parts (such as a fixed powder discharging plate or a movable powder discharging plate) of the powder discharging structure prematurely in the installation process of the powder cylinder, so that the developer scattering caused by friction vibration and the like of the developer in the installation and movement process of the powder cylinder is avoided.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a prior art powder cartridge;

FIG. 2a is a schematic view of a developer replenishing apparatus;

FIG. 2b is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the developer replenishing apparatus;

FIG. 2c is a perspective view of the developer receiving portion;

FIG. 3a is a schematic view of a guide rail structure of a prior art powder cartridge;

FIG. 3b is a schematic view of a guide rail structure of a prior art powder cartridge;

FIG. 3c is a schematic view of a guide rail structure of a prior art powder cartridge;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a powder cartridge according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a powder outlet structure of a powder container according to a first embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a powder discharging structure of a powder cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a powder discharging structure of a powder container according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8a is a schematic view of a powder cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present application in a first position where the receiving opening 11a is to be opened;

FIG. 8b is a schematic view of a powder cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present application in a second position where the discharge passage is formed and the receiving opening 11a is opened;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a powder outlet structure according to the second embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10a is a schematic view of a powder cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present application in a first position in which the receiving opening 11a is to be opened;

FIG. 10b is a schematic view of the powder cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present application at a second position where the discharge passage is formed and the receiving opening 11a is opened;

fig. 11 is a schematic view of a modified structure according to the second embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic view of a modified structure according to the second embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a schematic view of a modified structure according to the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a powder discharge structure in the third embodiment;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a powder discharge structure in the third embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged view of the fixed powder discharge plate according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a surface of the third embodiment on the side of the guiding portion away from the fixed powder discharging plate;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the surface of the guiding part near the side where the powder discharging plate is fixed in the third embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a guide part according to the third embodiment;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are perspective views of the locking member of the third embodiment from different viewing angles;

FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing a structure of discharging powder before the powder container is loaded into the electronic image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 23 is an internal view of the removal guide of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing a powder discharge structure of a powder cartridge in place in an electrophotographic apparatus according to a third embodiment;

fig. 25 is an internal structure diagram of the removal guide portion of fig. 24.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more apparent, the present application is described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application.

In the description of the present application, unless explicitly stated or limited otherwise, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; the term "plurality" means two or more unless specified or indicated otherwise; the terms "connected," "fixed," and the like are to be construed broadly and may, for example, be fixedly connected, detachably connected, integrally connected, or electrically connected; may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as appropriate.

In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "upper" and "lower" used in the description of the embodiments of the present application are used in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. In addition, in this context, it will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" or "under" another element, it can be directly on "or" under "the other element or be indirectly on" or "under" the other element via an intermediate element.

Example one

The present embodiment provides a powder cartridge detachably mountable in an electronic image forming apparatus. The powder cartridge of the present application is mounted on a developer replenishing device 8 provided in an electrophotographic apparatus, similarly to the manner of mounting a powder cartridge of the related art, as shown in fig. 2a to 2 c.

Referring to fig. 4-6, the powder cartridge 100 includes a housing 110, a cartridge body 120, and a powder outlet structure 130. The powder cartridge barrel 120 has a generally long cylindrical structure in the present embodiment, the two ends of the powder cartridge barrel 120 are a first end 121 and a second end 122, respectively, in the extending direction of the length of the powder cartridge barrel 120, the first end 121 is a powder outlet end, and the powder cartridge barrel 120 has a receiving cavity inside for storing developer. The powder cartridge barrel 120 can be driven to rotationally operate about its rotational axis L in the electrophotographic apparatus when the powder cartridge 100 is mounted to the electrophotographic apparatus. The powder discharging structure 130 is connected to the first end 121, and is used for discharging the developer in the powder cylinder body 120 to the electronic imaging device for participating in development. The housing 110 is covered on the powder outlet structure 130.

Further, a ring gear 123 is provided on the powder cartridge cylinder 120. The ring gear 123 may be engaged with the electronic imaging device to obtain a rotational driving force from the electronic imaging device, thereby driving the powder cartridge barrel 120 to rotate about its rotational axis L and relative to the powder discharging structure 130.

The powder discharging structure 130 includes a connecting portion 160 and a fixed powder discharging plate 180, the connecting portion 160 is connected to the first end 121 of the powder cylinder 120, and the connecting portion 160 is opened with a powder outlet 140 (see fig. 7). The fixed powder discharging plate 180 is connected to the connecting portion 160, and the fixed powder discharging plate 180 has an opening 181. In the first direction (Z direction in fig. 6), the projection of the powder outlet 140 at least partially overlaps the projection of the opening 181, and in this embodiment, the projection of the powder outlet 140 in the first direction completely falls within the projection of the opening 181 in the first direction. The mechanical structure inside the powder discharging structure 130 may be a structure set according to different powder feeding principles in the prior art, and is not described herein again.

In the present embodiment, the fixed powder outlet plate 180 and the powder outlet 140 are both located at the bottom of the powder outlet structure 130, and specifically, the powder outlet 140 may be opened at the bottom of the connecting portion 160 and closer to the rotation axis L than the fixed powder outlet plate 180. The opening 181 is opened at the bottom of the fixed powder outlet plate 180, the shape and size of the opening 181 are larger than those of the powder outlet 140, and in the first direction, the powder outlet 140 is located above the opening 181, that is, the distance between the powder outlet 140 and the rotation axis L is smaller than the distance between the opening 181 and the rotation axis L, so that the developer stored in the powder cylinder 120 can be discharged to the outside of the powder cylinder through the powder outlet 140 and the opening 181.

The powder discharging structure 130 further includes a movable powder discharging plate 190, and in the first direction, the movable powder discharging plate 190 is disposed between the connecting portion 160 and the fixed powder discharging plate 180. When the powder cartridge is installed in the developer replenishing device in the electronic imaging apparatus, the first sliding plate engaging portion 8a and the second sliding plate engaging portion 8a can engage with the protrusions (not shown) on both sides of the movable powder discharging plate 190, so that the movable powder discharging plate 190 is engaged with the developer replenishing device 8 and kept in a fixed state, the fixed powder discharging plate 180 continues to perform an installation operation along the second direction (the + X direction in fig. 6) with the powder cartridge 100, so that the movable powder discharging plate 190 and the fixed powder discharging plate 180 move relative to each other, when the opening 181 on the fixed powder discharging plate 180 gradually coincides with the powder discharging opening 140 through the powder discharging hole on the movable powder discharging plate 190, a discharging passage is formed, and the developer stored in the powder cartridge barrel 120 can be discharged to the outside of the powder cartridge through the powder discharging opening 140, the powder discharging hole on the movable powder discharging plate 190, and the opening 181.

In order to guide the movement of the developer receiving part when the powder cartridge is mounted to the electrophotographic apparatus, the powder discharging structure 130 further includes a guide part 131, and the coupling part 11b of the developer receiving part 11 in the developer replenishing device 8 is guided by the guide part 131 to open the receiving opening 11a with a simple structure and stroke. Specifically, referring to fig. 6, the fixed powder outlet plate 180 has a first end 182 far away from the powder cartridge barrel 120 and a second end 183 close to the powder cartridge barrel 120, and in the direction of the rotation axis L, two sides of the fixed powder outlet plate 180 are provided with side walls bent upward in a mirror image manner, and the guide portions 131 are protruding structures respectively extending from the side walls at two sides of the fixed powder outlet plate 180.

Specifically, the guiding portion 131 is connected to a sidewall of the fixed powder discharging plate 180, the guiding portion 131 is disposed in a straight line inclined manner or a curved line inclined manner in a direction from the first end 182 to the second end 183, the guiding portion 131 has a first end portion 131a and a second end portion 131b, the second end portion 131b is closer to the rotation axis L than the first end portion 131a, that is, in the first direction, the second end portion 131b is located above the first end portion 131a, and the second end portion 131b is located above the powder discharging port 140. In the present embodiment, at the second end 131b, the slope at which the guide 131 is inclined is not 0, in other words, the guide 131 near the second end 131b is not parallel to the axis L. When the powder cartridge is mounted to the electrophotographic apparatus, the developer receiving portion moves along the guide portion 131 from the first end 131a to the second end 131b, so that the developer in the powder cartridge barrel 120 can flow into the electrophotographic apparatus through the powder outlet 140 and the developer receiving portion.

Referring to fig. 8a and 8b together, taking the mounting operation of the powder cartridge as an example, as the powder cartridge 100 is mounted on the developer replenishing apparatus 8 in the second direction (the + X direction in fig. 8 a), in fig. 8a, the powder cartridge is located at the first position where the receiving opening 11a is to be opened. The coupling portion 11b for opening and closing the receiving opening 11a is located at the first end portion 131a of the guide portion 131, and the guide portion 131 guides the coupling portion 11b to gradually climb to the second end portion 131b as the powder cartridge is further moved in the second direction, at this time, the upward movement of the coupling portion 11b gradually opens the receiving opening 11a, and the powder outlet hole, the powder outlet 140, and the opening 181 of the movable powder outlet plate 190 gradually form a developer discharge passage as the first and second sliding

plate engaging portions

8a and 8b engage the movable powder outlet plate 190, and finally the mating engagement of the receiving opening 11a and the discharge passage is completed at the second end portion 131b, at this time, the discharge passage is located at a plane passing through the second end portion 131b and perpendicular to the rotation axis L, and can allow the developer in the powder cartridge barrel 120 to flow into the electrophotographic apparatus. That is, in fig. 8b, the powder cartridge is located at the second position where the discharge passage is formed and the receiving opening 11a is opened, and the developer in the powder cartridge is allowed to smoothly flow into the developer replenishing apparatus at the second end 131 b. During this previous movement, the receiving opening 11a is not completely opened. Therefore, the receiving opening 11a does not contact the fixed powder discharge plate 180 or the movable powder discharge plate 190 too early in the powder cartridge mounting process due to the guide portion 131, and the developer does not scatter due to friction shock or the like caused by the powder cartridge during the mounting movement.

Example two

In this embodiment, on the basis of the first embodiment, the powder discharging structure 130 further includes a holding portion 132.

Reference is made to fig. 9-10 b, wherein fig. 10a and 10b show the powder cartridge in a first position in which the receiving opening 11a is to be opened and a second position in which the discharge passage is formed and the receiving opening 11a is opened, respectively. The powder discharging structure 130 further includes a holding portion 132, and when the powder cartridge is mounted to the electronic image forming apparatus, the holding portion 132 is used for limiting the bonding portion. Preferably, a pair of holding portions 132 are provided on both side walls of the fixed powder discharge plate 180 in a mirror image. The holding portion 132 may be a protrusion extending outward from a sidewall of the powder discharging plate 180, and may be provided outside the guide portion 131 or on the guide portion 131. When the holding portion 132 is disposed outside the guide portion 131, the holding portion 132 may be a separate part spaced apart from the second end 131b of the guide portion 131 by a distance, that is, the holding portion 132 is disposed spaced apart from the second end 131b of the guide portion 131, so that the combining portion 11b moved to the second end 131b can be snapped at a gap between the holding portion 132 and the guide portion 131, as shown in fig. 10b, to maintain the open state of the receiving opening 11 a.

In addition, the holding portion 132 may be modified to have other structures, such as a sheet structure 133 as shown in fig. 11, a cylindrical structure 134 as shown in fig. 12, or a structure with a cross section of a triangle, a cone, a regular polygon or an irregular polygon, and the like, and when the powder cartridge is located at a position where the discharge passage is formed and the receiving opening 11a is opened, the combining portion 11b is held at the position where the receiving opening 11a is opened by the gap between the holding portion 132 and the guide portion 131. And, when the holding portion 132 is provided on the guide portion 131, the holding portion 132 may also be a surface having a high friction coefficient at the second end portion 131b, or a groove 135 as shown in fig. 13, directly holding the coupling portion 11b on the holding portion by friction or groove detent to hold the position of opening the receiving opening 11 a.

Preferably, a chamfer structure is further provided at the second end 131b of the guiding portion 131 and the contact portion (i.e. the portion at the interval) of the holding portion 132, which is engaged with the combining portion 11b, so that the powder cartridge can be more easily disengaged from the engaging structure during the disassembling process.

EXAMPLE III

The embodiment provides a new powder cartridge scheme. The portions not specifically indicated in the present embodiment remain the same as those of the prior art and the embodiment, and the present embodiment mainly describes the structure of the joint portion 11b for guiding the electronic imaging apparatus.

Referring to fig. 14 to 16, fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of a powder discharging structure in the present embodiment, fig. 15 is an exploded view of the powder discharging structure in the present embodiment, and fig. 16 is a partially enlarged view of a fixed powder discharging plate. The powder discharging structure 230 includes a connecting portion 260, a fixed powder discharging plate 280, and a guide portion 231 (guide). The connecting portion 260 is connected to the first end of the powder cartridge barrel 120, the fixed powder discharging plate 280 is connected to the connecting portion 260, and the guiding portion 231 is movably disposed on the sidewall of the fixed powder discharging plate 280.

Referring to fig. 17 to 19, fig. 17 is a schematic view of a surface of the guide portion on a side away from the fixed powder discharge plate, fig. 18 is a schematic view of a surface of the guide portion on a side close to the fixed powder discharge plate, and fig. 19 is a perspective view of the guide portion. As shown in fig. 14 and 17 to 19, the guide portion 231 includes a guide rail 231c, and the guide rail 231c has a first end 231a and a second end 231 b. When the powder cartridge is mounted, the joint portion 11b of the electronic image forming apparatus moves from the first end 231a to the second end 231b along the guide rail 231 c.

In this embodiment, the powder discharging structure 230 further includes a first force-bearing block 234, the first force-bearing block 234 is connected to the guiding portion 231 and located at the upper portion of the second end portion 231b, the first force-bearing block 234 is configured to cooperate with the combining portion 11b, so that the combining portion 11b and the first force-bearing block 234 can abut and push the whole guiding portion 231 to move along with the mounting of the powder cartridge and the movement of the combining portion during the mounting of the powder cartridge in the second direction, that is, push the guiding portion 231 to move in a direction opposite to the second direction, that is, push the guiding portion 231 to move from a direction away from the connecting portion 260 to a direction close to the connecting portion 260 (the-X direction in fig. 14).

Further, the fixed powder discharging plate 280 includes a rail 284, an abutting block 285, a retaining block 286, and a balance block 287. Preferably, a chamfer 285a is further provided at one end of the abutment block 285 near the anti-slip block 286. The guide portion 231 further includes an auxiliary rail 231e, and the auxiliary rail 231e is located on the same side as the guide rail 231c of the guide portion 231 and cooperates with the guide rail 231c of the guide portion 231 to assist the combined portion 11b to move more smoothly on the guide rail 231c of the guide portion 231. The guide portion 231 further includes a fitting member 231g, a first auxiliary block 231f, and a second auxiliary block 231g, and the fitting member 231g, the first auxiliary block 231f, and the second auxiliary block 231g are disposed on a side of the guide portion 231 facing away from the auxiliary guide rail 231e and the guide rail 231 c. The fitting 231g is in an i-shaped structure and is used for being mounted in the rail 284, the first auxiliary block 231f is used for being mounted on the upper portion of the abutting block 285 in the vertical direction, the second auxiliary block 231g is used for being mounted above the balance block 287, and the first auxiliary block 231f, the second auxiliary block 231g and the i-shaped fitting 231g jointly act to ensure that the guide portion 231 moves as smoothly as possible and reduce shaking.

The powder discharging structure 230 further includes a locking member 232 and an elastic member 233, the locking member 232 is movably disposed on the guide portion 231, and the locking member 232 has an unlocking position and a locking position on the guide portion 231, and during the movement of the locking member 232 along with the guide portion 231 in the second direction (the-X direction in fig. 14), the locking member 232 can be protruded out of the guide portion 231 to limit the coupling portion 11b, at which time the locking member 232 reaches its locking position. The elastic member 233 is provided between the locking member 232 and the guide portion 231 for acting on the locking member 232, and during the movement of the locking member 232 along the guide portion 231 in the second direction, the elastic member 233 acts on the locking member 232 to retract the locking member 232 to release the limit of the engaging portion 11b, at which time the locking member 232 reaches its unlocking position. Further, a gap 231d is provided at the other side of the first force-receiving block 234 with respect to the combination portion 11b installed in place, so that the locking member 232 can pass through the gap 231 d.

Fig. 20 and 21 are perspective views of the locking member from different viewing angles. The locking member 232 includes a stabilizing portion 232c and a second force receiving block 232a, the second force receiving block 232a is connected to the stabilizing portion 232c, and when the locking member 232 moves along the guide portion 231 in the direction opposite to the second direction, the stabilizing portion 232c contacts and interferes with the abutment block 285, so that the second force receiving block 232a protrudes from the gap 231d, and thus can contact and receive force with the combining portion 11b of the electronic image forming apparatus.

Further, a first fixing portion 231h for fixing one end of the elastic member 233 is further provided at the back of the guide portion 231, and preferably, the first fixing portion 231h is a hole that does not penetrate through the guide portion 231. The locking member 232 further includes a second fixing portion 232b for fixing the other end of the elastic member 233, preferably, the second fixing portion 232b is a convex column connected to the stabilizing portion 232c, and the elastic member 233 is a compression spring. During assembly, one end of the elastic member 233 is sleeved on the second fixing portion 232b, and the other end of the elastic member 233 is located on the first fixing portion 231h, so as to limit the elastic member 233, that is, the elastic member 233 is disposed between the stabilizing portion 232c and the guiding portion 231.

In order to prevent the locking member 232 from being positionally displaced when moving in the second direction together with the guide portion 231, the stabilizing portion 232c may be inserted into the groove of the "i" fitting 231g, thereby ensuring that relative movement between the locking member 232 and the guide portion 231 is not caused as much as possible.

Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram of a powder discharging structure before a powder cartridge is loaded into an electronic image forming apparatus, fig. 23 is a schematic diagram of an internal structure of a removal guide portion of fig. 22, fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of a powder discharging structure when the powder cartridge is mounted in place in the electronic image forming apparatus, and fig. 25 is a schematic diagram of an internal structure of the removal guide portion of fig. 24. Referring to fig. 22 and 23, before the powder cartridge is mounted in the electronic image forming apparatus, the locking member 232 is positioned between the coming-off prevention block 286 and the abutment block 285, and the locking member 232 does not protrude with respect to the guide portion 231. During the mounting process, the coupling portion 11b of the electronic image forming apparatus moves along the first end 231a of the guide portion 231 toward the second end 231 b. Then, the combining portion 11b abuts against the first force-receiving block 231c and drives the whole guiding portion 231 and the locking member 232 to move along the rail 284. Due to the contact interference of the locking member 232 and the abutment block 285, the second force receiving block 232a gradually protrudes from the gap 231d, and the elastic member 233 becomes in a compressed state. When the powder cartridge is mounted, the engaging portion 11b moves to the mounting position set by the electrophotographic apparatus, and the state shown in fig. 24 and 25 is reached. At this time, as in the first embodiment, at a plane passing through the second end 231b of the guide rail and perpendicular to the rotation axis, a discharge passage may be formed, allowing the developer in the powder cartridge barrel to flow into the electrophotographic apparatus, and the powder cartridge may be normally operated. When the powder cartridge is taken out in accordance with the work requirement, the combining portion 11b abuts against the second force-receiving block 232a and moves along the rail 284 in the direction opposite to the second direction (mounting direction) to bring the guide portion 231 and the locking member 232 together, until the locking member 232 moves to the position of fig. 22 and 23, the locking member 232 no longer contacts and interferes with the abutting block 285, and the elastic member 233 pushes the second force-receiving block 232a to retract from the gap 231d due to the release of the elastic potential energy and does not contact the combining portion 11 b. Then, the engaging portion 11b moves along the second end 231b of the guide rail 231 to the first end 231a, thereby completing the disengagement of the engaging portion 11b during the removal of the powder cartridge.

The above description is only for the preferred embodiment of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope of the present application should be covered within the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A powder cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic apparatus, the electrophotographic apparatus including a developer replenishing device including a developer receiving portion; the powder cartridge includes:

a powder cartridge barrel for storing a developer;

2. The powder cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is linearly inclined.

3. The powder cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the powder discharging structure further comprises a connecting part and a fixed powder discharging plate, the connecting part is connected to the powder discharging end of the cartridge body, and the connecting part is provided with the powder discharging port; the fixed powder outlet plate is connected to the connecting part and provided with an opening, and the projection of the powder outlet is at least partially overlapped with the projection of the opening in the first direction;

4. The powder cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the developer receiving portion includes a movable engaging portion and a receiving opening, the powder cartridge having a first position and a second position during installation of the powder cartridge in the electrophotographic apparatus, the engaging portion being located at the first end when the powder cartridge is located at the first position; when the powder cylinder is located at the second position, the combining part is located at the second end part, and the combining part opens the receiving opening.

5. The powder cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the powder discharging structure further comprises a holding portion for limiting the engaging portion when the powder cartridge is mounted to the electronic image forming apparatus.

6. The powder cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the holding portion is provided on the sidewall of the fixed powder discharge plate and spaced from the second end of the guiding portion, so that the engaging portion can be engaged with a gap between the guiding portion and the holding portion when moving to the second end.

7. The powder cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the holding portion is a groove or a surface with a high friction coefficient provided on the second end portion, so that the engaging portion can be held on the holding portion by the groove or the surface with the high friction coefficient.

8. The powder cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the guide portion is movably provided on the side wall of the fixed powder discharge plate.

9. The powder cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the powder discharging structure further comprises a first force receiving piece connected to the guide portion and located at an upper portion of the second end portion, the engaging portion being urged to move in a direction opposite to the second direction by abutting against the first force receiving piece during mounting of the powder cartridge in the electronic image forming apparatus.

10. The powder cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the powder discharging structure further comprises a locking member movably provided to the guide portion, and the locking member has an unlocking position and a locking position on the guide portion, and the locking member can be located at the locking position to limit the engaging portion during movement of the locking member with the guide portion in a direction opposite to the second direction.

11. The powder cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the locking member protrudes out of the guide portion when the locking member is in a locked position, and wherein the locking member is retracted from the locked position when the locking member is in an unlocked position.

12. The powder cartridge of claim 11, wherein the fixed powder discharge plate includes an abutment block, and the locking member includes a stabilizing portion and a second force-receiving block connected to the stabilizing portion, and when the locking member moves in the second direction with the guide portion, the stabilizing portion contacts and interferes with the abutment block to cause the second force-receiving block to protrude from the gap of the guide portion.

13. The powder cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the locking member further comprises an elastic member provided between the stabilizer and the guide portion, and the second force receiving piece is retracted from the gap by an elastic force of the elastic member when the locking member moves in a direction opposite to the second direction with the guide portion during removal of the powder cartridge from the electronic image forming apparatus.