CN215340709U - Processing box - Google Patents

Abstract

A process cartridge includes a developing roller and a conductive path provided with a switch assembly including a locking member, a conductive switch, a first elastic element, and a second elastic element. Wherein the locking member is held in the locking position by the first elastic element and is slidable to the unlocking position by receiving a first force from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; when the locking member is located at the locking position, the conductive switch is locked, and the conductive path is disconnected; when the locking member slides to the unlocking position to unlock the conductive switch, the conductive switch can be rotated in a first direction to a position where the conductive path is connected by the second elastic element, and the conductive switch can be rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a position where the conductive path is disconnected by receiving a second force from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The processing box has the advantages of simple structure and high reliability of the switch assembly.

Description

Processing box

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a process cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Background

In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as laser printers, copiers, etc., it is common to have a detachably mountable process cartridge including a developing roller and a photosensitive drum. In an image forming operation, the developing roller may supply a developer to the photosensitive drum to develop an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum; in the case of non-imaging operation, it is necessary to clean the photosensitive drum to ensure that no residual developer is left on the photosensitive drum in the next imaging operation, so as to ensure the imaging quality.

In some prior art, a process cartridge includes a developing unit having a developing roller and a photosensitive unit having a photosensitive drum, the developing unit and the photosensitive unit being rotatably connected with a spring interposed therebetween. When cleaning the photosensitive drum, the developing unit needs to be rotated to a position where the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are separated against the elastic force of the spring, and the separation of the developing roller and the photosensitive drum has a certain degree of delay due to the need to overcome the elastic force of the spring, so that the problem that the developing roller causes the photosensitive drum to be attached with redundant developer easily occurs.

In view of this problem, a solution has been proposed in the prior art in which a switch assembly is provided on a conductive path of the developing roller, and the on/off of the conductive path is controlled by the switch assembly. When the photosensitive drum is cleaned, the conductive path is in a disconnected state, and the developing roller cannot supply the developer to the photosensitive drum, so that the photosensitive drum is not attached with an excessive amount of developer. However, the switch assembly and the conductive path in the prior art have the problems of complicated structure and low reliability.

Disclosure of Invention

The utility model mainly aims to provide a processing box with a simple and reliable switch assembly structure.

In order to achieve the above-described primary object, the present invention provides a process cartridge for mounting to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus; the process cartridge has a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other, and includes a developing roller disposed between the first end and the second end and a conductive path provided with a switch assembly; the conductive path is used for establishing an on-off electric connection between the developing roller and the electronic photographic imaging device, and the switch assembly comprises a locking member, a conductive switch, a first elastic element and a second elastic element; wherein:

the locking member is slidably disposed on the process cartridge and is slidable between a locking position and an unlocking position; wherein the locking member is held in the locking position by the first elastic element in the initial state, and the locking member is slidable to the unlocking position by receiving a first force from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus;

the locking member includes a locking portion, and the conductive switch includes a locked portion; when the locking member is located at the locking position, the locking portion acts on the locked portion, so that the conductive switch is locked and the conductive path is broken;

when the locking member is located at the unlocking position, the locking portion is separated from the locked portion to unlock the conductive switch, so that the conductive switch can be rotated in a first direction to a position where the conductive path is connected by the action of the second elastic element, and the conductive switch can be rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a position where the conductive path is disconnected by receiving a second acting force from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rotation axis of the conductive switch and the axis of the developing roller are parallel to each other, and the locking member slides in a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the axis of the developing roller.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a conductive path extends from a first end to a second end of a process cartridge, the conductive path being electrically connected to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus at the first end of the process cartridge and to a developing roller at the second end; the switch assembly is disposed at the second end of the process cartridge.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrically conductive path includes an electrically conductive shaft extending from a first end to a second end of the process cartridge; when the lock member is in the unlock position, the conductive switch is rotatable between a position in contact with the conductive shaft and a position separated from the conductive shaft.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second end of the process cartridge is provided with a support member, and the switch assembly is provided on the support member.

According to a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the locking member is slidably disposed on the support member; the first elastic element is a compression spring, and two ends of the compression spring are respectively connected with the supporting member and the locking member.

According to a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the conductive switch is rotatably provided on the support member; the second elastic element is a torsion spring, the main body of the torsion spring is sleeved on the rotating shaft of the conductive switch, and two ends of the torsion spring are respectively connected with the supporting member and the conductive switch.

According to a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the supporting member is made of a conductive material, and the conductive switch and the developing roller are electrically connected to the supporting member.

According to a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the process cartridge further includes a powder discharge blade and a powder feed roller, and the supporting member is further electrically connected to the powder discharge blade and/or the powder feed roller.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the process cartridge further comprises a ground electrode electrically connected to the developing roller, and a zener diode is electrically connected between the ground electrode and the developing roller.

Preferably, the voltage stabilizing range of the voltage stabilizing diode is 300V-400V.

According to a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the ground electrode and the zener diode are disposed at the first end of the process cartridge.

Further, the first end of the process cartridge has an end cap on which the ground electrode and the zener diode are disposed.

Furthermore, a first conductive piece electrically connected with the voltage stabilizing diode is arranged on the end cover, and the first conductive piece is electrically connected with the developing roller through a second conductive piece with elasticity.

In the present invention, the process cartridge has a conductive path for establishing electrical connection between the developing roller and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and the on-off of the conductive path is controlled by the switch assembly. In the imaging operation, the switch component controls the conductive path to be in a communicated state, the electronic photographic imaging device provides developing bias voltage for the developing roller, and the developing roller can supply developer to the photosensitive drum; in non-imaging operation, the switch assembly controls the conducting path to be in a disconnected state, and the developing roller does not have developing bias voltage and can not supply the developer to the photosensitive drum, so that the photosensitive drum can not be attached with redundant developer, and the imaging quality is improved.

Further, the switch assembly includes a lock member provided slidably and a conductive switch provided rotatably, and the conductive switch can be rotated in a first direction to a position where the conductive path is connected and can be rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a position where the conductive path is disconnected upon releasing of the lock of the conductive switch by the lock member, with an advantage of simple and reliable structure.

To more clearly illustrate the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed description.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an overall structural view of an embodiment of a process cartridge of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the process cartridge of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a structural view of a second end of the developing unit in the embodiment of the process cartridge;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a second end of the developer unit in an embodiment of the cartridge;

FIG. 5 is a structural view of a conductive path in the process cartridge of the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a switch assembly in the process cartridge of the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a switch assembly in the process cartridge according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a second end of the process cartridge in the embodiment in which the lock member is in the lock position;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the second end of the process cartridge in an embodiment with the locking member in the unlocked position and the conductive switch in a position to communicate with the conductive path;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second end of the process cartridge in an embodiment, in which the lock member is in the unlocked position and the conductive switch is in a position to communicate with the conductive path;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the second end of the process cartridge in an embodiment with the locking member in an unlocked position and the conductive switch in a position to break the conductive path;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second end of the process cartridge with the locking member in an unlocked position and the conductive switch in a position to break the conductive path in the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a first end of the process cartridge of the embodiment;

note that, for clarity, the second end cap of the process cartridge and the gear cover of the developing unit are omitted in fig. 8 to 12.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 to 2, the process cartridge of the embodiment includes a developing unit 10, a photosensitive unit 20, a first end cap 31, and a second end cap 32. The first end cap 31 is provided at a first end of the process cartridge, and the second end cap 32 is provided at a second end opposite to the first end; the developing unit 10 and the photosensitive unit 20 are disposed between the first and second end caps 31 and 32, and are coupled with the first and second end caps 31 and 32. The photosensitive unit 20 includes a photosensitive frame 21, and a photosensitive drum 22 is provided on the photosensitive frame 21.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the developing unit 10 includes a developing frame 11, and a developing roller 12, a powder discharging blade 13, and a powder feeding roller are provided on the developing frame 11; the powder feeding roller is positioned inside the developing frame 11 and can supply the developer in the developing frame 11 to the developing roller 12; the doctor blade 13 can adjust the thickness of the developer on the surface of the developing roller 12.

Further, the developing unit 10 also has a supporting member 14 and a gear housing 15 at the second end of the process cartridge, one ends of the developing roller 12 and the powder feed roller are rotatably supported on the supporting member 14, and the gear housing 15 is provided outside the supporting member 14. The support member 14 is provided with a gear assembly 16, and the gear assembly 16 can receive a rotational driving force from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, thereby driving the developing roller 12 and the powder feed roller to rotate.

The process cartridge further includes a conductive path 40 provided with a switch assembly 41, and the conductive path 40 may be provided on the developing unit 10 for establishing an openable and closable electrical connection between the developing roller 12 and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In an alternative embodiment, the conductive path 40 extends from a first end to a second end of the process cartridge, the conductive path 40 is electrically connected to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus at the first end of the process cartridge and to the developing roller 12 at the second end of the process cartridge, and the switch assembly 41 is disposed at the second end of the process cartridge.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 5, conductive path 40 includes conductive electrode 42, intermediate conductive member 43, and conductive shaft 44. The conductive electrode 42 is disposed on the developing unit 10 at a first end of the process cartridge and exposed to the outside of the process cartridge so as to be electrically connectable to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (see fig. 1); the conductive shaft 44 is disposed to penetrate the developing frame 11 and has a first end 441 and a second end 442 protruding from both longitudinal ends of the developing frame 11, respectively, the conductive electrode 42 is electrically connected to the first end 441 of the conductive shaft 44 through the intermediate conductive member 43, and the second end 442 of the conductive shaft 44 passes through the supporting member 14 without contacting the supporting member 14. The gear cover 15 is provided with a positioning hole 151, and the second end 442 of the conductive shaft 44 is inserted into the positioning hole 151 after passing through the support member 14.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the switch assembly 41 is provided on the support member 14, and includes a locking member 411, a conductive switch 412, a compression spring 413 as an example of a first elastic element, and a torsion spring 414 as an example of a second elastic element. Wherein, the locking member 411 is slidably arranged on the supporting member 14, and two ends of the compression spring 413 are respectively connected with the supporting member 14 and the locking member 411; the conductive switch 412 is rotatably disposed on the supporting member 14, the main body of the torsion spring 414 is sleeved on the hollow rotating shaft 4121 of the conductive switch 412, and two ends of the torsion spring 414 are respectively connected with the supporting member 14 and the conductive switch 412.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the support member 14 may be made of a conductive material, preferably a polyoxymethylene material (POM) having a conductive property. The conductive switch 412 may be electrically connected to the developing roller 12 through the supporting member 14; that is, the support member 14 may constitute a part of the conductive path 40. The support member 14 may also be electrically connected to the powder feed roller; further, the supporting member 14 may be formed with an elastic connection portion 141, and the elastic connection portion 141 is in contact with the powder discharging blade 13, so that the powder discharging blade 13 is also electrically connected with the supporting member 14.

The locking member 411 is slidable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and the sliding direction of the locking member 411 intersects with or is perpendicular to the axis of the developing roller 12. Wherein the locking member 411 may have a guiding protrusion 4113, the supporting member 14 is provided with a guiding groove 143, and the guiding protrusion 4113 is disposed in the guiding groove 143 to guide the locking member 411 to slide between the locking position and the unlocking position.

The supporting shaft 142 is arranged on the supporting member 14, and the hollow rotating shaft 4121 of the conductive switch 412 is sleeved on the supporting shaft 142 so as to rotate around the supporting shaft 142; wherein the rotation axis of the conductive switch 412 and the axis of the developing roller 12 are parallel to each other. Specifically, the conductive switch 412 has a torsion spring connection portion 4125, one end of the torsion spring 414 is sleeved on the torsion spring connection portion 4225, and the other end of the torsion spring 414 is abutted against the support member 14, so that the torsion spring 414 can apply a torque to the conductive switch 412, and the conductive switch 412 rotates.

Further, the locking member 411 includes a hook-shaped locking portion 4111, and the conductive switch 412 includes a locked portion 4122. Before the process cartridge is mounted to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, as shown in fig. 8, the locking member 411 is held in the locking position by the compression spring 413, and the locking portion 4111 hooks the locked portion 4121, so that the conductive switch 412 is locked while the conductive contact portion 4123 of the conductive switch 412 and the second end 422 of the conductive shaft 42 are separated from each other, and the conductive path 40 is in the disconnected state.

The locking member 411 has a force receiving portion 4112 which can receive a first urging force from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and after the process cartridge is mounted to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the force receiving portion 4112 of the locking member 411 can receive a first urging force F1 from a first force applying portion (not shown in the figure) of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, so that the locking member 411 slides to an unlocking position shown in fig. 9 against the elastic force of the first elastic element 413, the locking portion 4111 is separated from the locked portion 4122 to unlock the conductive switch 412, and the conductive switch 412 can rotate about its rotation shaft 4121. The first force application portion always acts on the force receiving portion 4112 of the locking member 411 after the process cartridge is mounted to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

The conductive switch 412 has a force receiving portion 4124 for receiving a force from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and the force receiving portion 4124 is recessed inside the process cartridge when the conductive switch 412 is locked. After the locking member 411 releases the lock of the conductive switch 412, the conductive switch 412 rotates about its rotational shaft 4121 so that the force receiving portion 4124 of the conductive switch 412 protrudes outside the process cartridge, thereby being able to receive the second force from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

In the image forming operation, as shown in fig. 9 and 10, the conductive switch 412 is rotated in the first direction R1 by the torsion spring 413 so that the switch contact portion 4123 contacts the second end 442 of the conductive shaft 42, the conductive path 40 is in a communicating state, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can supply the developing bias to the developing roller 12. During the non-image forming operation, as shown in fig. 11 and 12, the second force application portion (not shown in the drawings) of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus applies a second force F2 to the force receiving portion 4124 of the conductive switch 412, and the conductive switch 412 rotates in the second direction R2 opposite to the first direction R1 against the force of the torsion spring 414, so that the switch contact portion 4123 is separated from the second end 442 of the conductive shaft 42, the conductive path 40 is in the open state, and there is no developing bias on the developing roller 12.

A second force application portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is movably provided, and during an image forming job, the second force application portion is moved to a position that allows the conductive switch 412 to rotate in contact with the conductive shaft 44 so that the conductive path 40 is in a communicating state; during the non-image forming work, the second force application portion is moved to a position where the conductive switch 412 is separated from the conductive shaft 44, with the conductive path 40 in the disconnected state.

After the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the locking member 411 is returned to the locking position shown in fig. 8 by the compression spring 413, at which time the locking portion 4111 acts on the locked portion 4122 again, so that the conductive switch 412 is rotated to the initial position where the force receiving portion 4124 thereof is recessed inside the process cartridge, and the conductive switch 412 is re-locked.

Further, as shown in fig. 13, the first end of the process cartridge is provided with a ground electrode 51 and a zener diode 52, the ground electrode 51 being electrically connected to the developing roller 12, and the zener diode 52 being electrically connected between the ground electrode 51 and the developing roller 12. The voltage regulation range of the voltage regulation diode 52 is preferably 300V to 400V. A ground electrode 51 and a zener diode 52 may be disposed on the first end cap 31; preferably, the first end cap 31 is provided with a first conductive member 53 electrically connected to the zener diode 52, the first conductive member 53 is electrically connected to the end of the developing roller 12 through a second conductive member 54 having elasticity, and the second conductive member 54 may be a conductive spring.

Although the present invention has been described above by way of examples, it should be understood that the above examples are merely illustrative of possible embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, i.e., equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art in light of the present invention should also be covered by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A process cartridge for mounting to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus; the process cartridge has a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other, and includes a developing roller disposed between the first end and the second end and a conductive path provided with a switch assembly; the conductive path is used for establishing an on-off electrical connection between the developing roller and the electronic photographic imaging device, and the switch assembly comprises a locking member, a conductive switch, a first elastic element and a second elastic element; the method is characterized in that:

the locking member is slidably disposed on the process cartridge and is slidable between a locking position and an unlocking position; wherein the locking member is held in a locking position by the first elastic element in an initial state, and the locking member is slidable to an unlocking position by receiving a first force from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus;

the locking member includes a locking portion, and the conductive switch includes a locked portion; when the locking member is in a locking position, the locking portion acts on the locked portion so that the conductive switch is locked and the conductive path is disconnected;

when the lock member is located at the unlock position, the lock portion is separated from the locked portion to release the lock of the conductive switch, so that the conductive switch can be rotated in a first direction to a position where the conductive path is communicated by the second elastic element, and the conductive switch can be rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a position where the conductive path is disconnected by receiving a second force from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

2. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: the rotation axis of the conductive switch and the axis of the developing roller are parallel to each other, and the locking member slides in a direction intersecting or perpendicular to the axis of the developing roller.

3. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: the conductive path extending from the first end to the second end, the conductive path being electrically connected to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus at the first end and to the developing roller at the second end; the switch assembly is disposed at the second end.

4. A process cartridge according to claim 3, wherein: the conductive path comprises a conductive shaft extending from the first end to the second end; the conductive switch is rotatable between a position in contact with the conductive shaft and a position separated from the conductive shaft when the lock member is in the unlock position.

5. A process cartridge according to claim 3, wherein: the second end of the processing box is provided with a supporting member, and the switch assembly is arranged on the supporting member.

6. A process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: the locking member is slidably disposed on the support member; the first elastic element is a compression spring, and two ends of the compression spring are respectively connected with the supporting member and the locking member.

7. A process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: the conductive switch is rotatably arranged on the supporting member; the second elastic element is a torsion spring, a main body sleeve of the torsion spring is arranged on a rotating shaft of the conductive switch, and two ends of the torsion spring are respectively connected with the supporting member and the conductive switch.

8. A process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: the supporting member is made of a conductive material, and the conductive switch and the developing roller are electrically connected to the supporting member.

9. A process cartridge according to claim 8, wherein: the processing box comprises a powder outlet knife and a powder feeding roller, and the supporting member is also electrically connected with the powder outlet knife and/or the powder feeding roller.

10. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: the processing box also comprises a grounding electrode, the grounding electrode is electrically connected with the developing roller, and a voltage stabilizing diode is electrically connected between the grounding electrode and the developing roller.

11. A process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein: the voltage stabilizing range of the voltage stabilizing diode is 300V-400V.

12. A process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein: the ground electrode and the zener diode are disposed at a first end of the process cartridge.

13. A process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein: the first end of the processing box is provided with an end cover, and the grounding electrode and the voltage stabilizing diode are arranged on the end cover.

14. A process cartridge according to claim 13, wherein: the end cover is provided with a first conductive piece electrically connected with the voltage stabilizing diode, and the first conductive piece is electrically connected with the developing roller through a second conductive piece with elasticity.

15. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: the processing box comprises a developing unit with the developing roller and a photosensitive unit with a photosensitive drum, wherein the developing unit and the photosensitive unit are connected through end covers at the first end and the second end.

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