ES2537318T3 - Electrical connectors for toner cartridges in an imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

A toner cartridge comprising an electrical connector (30) to be mounted with a corresponding connector (101) inside an imaging device (100) during the installation of the cartridge (10) by movement in the direction (A) of inserting the cartridge, the electrical connector comprising: a housing (32) with a base (34) and first and second pairs of opposite arms (35) extending outwardly from the base (34); a receptacle (50) that includes a first wall formed by the base (34) and side walls formed by the first and second pairs of opposite arms (35); an opening (37) formed within the base (34); and a circuit board (31) that includes a first end with electrical contacts (33), the circuit board (31) being sized to be inserted into the opening (37) to place the electrical contacts (33) inside the receptacle (50) and be separated from the first and second pairs of the opposite arms (35); the housing (32) being shaped to be extensible around the outside of said corresponding connector (101) within the imaging device (100) while the first end of the circuit board (31) is located within the corresponding connector; characterized in that a lateral movement of the housing (32) and the circuit board (31) with respect to the body (20) of the toner cartridge is allowed.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Electrical connectors for toner cartridges in an imaging device

Background

The present application relates to electrical connectors for toner cartridges in an imaging device and, more particularly, to electrical connectors that include a housing and a circuit board that are attached to the cartridge body.

Laser imaging devices include one or more photoconductive members that are generally cylindrical with a smooth surface. The photoconductive members receive a uniform electrostatic charge on the surface and rotate in front of a scanning laser that locally discharges the photoconductive member, forming a latent electrostatic image representative of the generated image.

Originally, the toner is stored in removable cartridges. The cartridges are connected to the device such that the toner can be moved to reveal the latent image formed in the photoconductive member. Electrostatic forces attract the toner to the areas of the photoconductive members that have been discharged by the scanning laser. The toner images formed in the photoconductive members are then transferred directly or indirectly to a sheet of material. A monochrome image can be formed by a single layer of toner that is transferred to the sheet of material. A polychrome image can be formed by two or more layers of toner of different colors that are transferred in an arrangement superimposed on the sheet of material. Ultimately, the toner merges with the material sheet, forming the final printed sheet.

The cartridges are removable from the imaging device and can be replaced when necessary, such as after the toner runs out. The cartridges should include an electrical connection to engage and / or communicate with the imaging device after insertion of the cartridge into the device similar to the connectors known from US-B-7074084 and US-A-6097908. The electrical connection should be constructed to facilitate the connection between the cartridge and the device.

Compendium

This application is about electrical connectors that are connected to cartridges for use in imaging devices. The electrical connectors may include a circuit board and a housing. The housing can be configured to guide the circuit board to be coupled with a corresponding connector on the imaging device. The electrical connectors may be located in the body of the cartridge.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a cartridge according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a side sectional view of a cartridge according to one embodiment.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of an electrical connector and a connector in an imaging device according to one embodiment.

Figure 4A is a bottom view of a receptacle of the electrical connector according to one embodiment.

Figure 4B is a bottom view of a receptacle of the electrical connector according to one embodiment.

Figure 4C is a bottom view of an electrical connector receptacle according to one embodiment.

Figure 4D is a bottom view of an electrical connector receptacle according to one embodiment.

Figure 4E is a bottom view of a receptacle of the electrical connector according to one embodiment.

Figure 4F is a bottom view of a receptacle of the electrical connector according to one embodiment.

Figure 5A is a front view of an electrical connector partially coupled with a connector in an imaging device according to one embodiment.

Figure 5B is a side view of the electrical connector of Figure 5A.

Figure 6 is a side view of an electrical connector according to one embodiment.

Figure 7 illustrates a schematic view of a cartridge with a body and an electrical connector according to one embodiment.

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Figure 8 illustrates a schematic view of a cartridge with a body and an electrical connector according to one embodiment.

Figure 9 is an exploded view of an electrical connector and a connector in an imaging device according to one embodiment.

Figure 10 is a schematic view of a cartridge according to one embodiment.

Detailed description

This application is about electrical connectors that are connected to toner cartridges for use with an imaging device. Toner cartridges can include a body with an inner reservoir to hold toner. The toner cartridges are removable from the imaging device and can be replaced, such as after the toner in the inner tank has run out. The cartridges include an electrical connector to connect to the imaging device. The electrical connectors may include a housing and a circuit board. The housing guides the circuit board to fit when the cartridge is connected to the imaging device.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view and Figure 2 a sectional view of an embodiment of a cartridge 10. Generally, the cartridge 10 includes a body 20 with a reservoir 25 for containing toner. An electrical connector 30 is connected to the body 20 forming a communication path between the cartridge 10 and the imaging device 100. The electrical connector 30 is removable with respect to the body 20 to facilitate coupling when the cartridge 10 is connected to the imaging device 100.

Generally, the body 20 includes an upper face 21 and a lower face 22. The upper face 21 may include a handle 23 that is extensible with respect to the body 20. The handle 23 is sized and positioned to be grasped by the user during insertion and removing the cartridge 20 from the imaging device 100. The lower face 22 may include a cavity 24 that is sized to contain the electrical connector 30. The cavity 24 may be sized to completely contain the electrical connector 30, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, or to partially contain the connector electrical 30, extending a bottom edge of the connector 30 outwardly from the lower face 22 of the body 20.

The reservoir 25 is located between the upper and lower faces 21, 22. An outlet 26 leads from the reservoir 25 to bring the toner into the imaging device. One or more shovels or other mechanisms of movement of the toner (not shown) may be located inside the reservoir 25 to agitate and / or move the toner towards the exit 26.

The cartridge 10 is removably connected to the imaging device 100. Removal of the cartridge 10 may be necessary for various reasons, including the depletion of the toner from the reservoir 25, and the initial transport of the imaging device 100. During installation, the cartridge 10 is moved in an insertion direction of the cartridge illustrated by arrow A in Figures 1 and 2. This direction is substantially through the upper and lower faces 21, 22 to couple the assembled electrical connector 30 on the underside 22. The size and shape of the body 20 conceal the electrical connector 30 from the user's view, which normally grips the handle 23 during insertion of the cartridge 10.

The electrical connector 30 is removably connected to the body 20. Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of an electrical connector 30 that includes a circuit board 31 and a housing 32. The circuit board 31 includes one or more electrical contacts 33. In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the electrical contacts 33 are located on a lower face of the circuit board 31. The circuit board 31 may further include computer hardware, schematically illustrated as 60, for storing cartridge parameters, including, without limitation, printed pages, toner color, date of first use, and cartridge ID . The computer hardware 60 may include one or more processors, logic devices and memory. The computer hardware may also comprise integrated circuits that include, for example, integrated circuits for specific applications and digital signal processors, in which the code of the integrated programs can be stored and executed.

The housing 32 is constructed to position the circuit board 31 for coupling with a connector 101 within the imaging device 100. The housing 32 includes a base 34 with one or more arms 35 extending outwardly. The base 34 includes an opening 37 sized to receive the circuit board 31. There may be a member 49 located adjacent to the opening 37 to support the circuit board 31 when attached to the housing 32. In one embodiment, the opening 37 includes a cut 38.

One or more arms 35 extend outwardly from the base 34 in cantilever. The arms 35 may be rigid or may be flexible with respect to the base 34. In one embodiment, four arms extend from the base 34 and each is flexible. In another embodiment, multiple arms 35 extend from the base 34, one or more of the arms 35 being flexible, and the others being rigid. The arms 35 form a receptacle 50 sized to extend around all or a portion of the connector 101. One or more of the arms 35 may include,

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furthermore, a flared end 36 to facilitate coupling with the connector 101 of the imaging device 100. Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment in which each of the four arms 35 includes flared ends 36. In one embodiment, the inner edges of the arms 35 are substantially smooth to facilitate sliding contact during engagement with the connector 101. The end distal of the circuit board 31 may be embedded inwardly from the outer ends of the arms 35.

The arms 35 may include various shapes and configurations. Figure 4A illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment with four separate arms 35 separated by spaces. The arms 35 can be separated into a first pair of opposite arms 35a and a second pair of opposite arms 35b. The receptacle 50 is formed between the opposite arms 35a, 35b. The configuration of Figure 4A coincides with the embodiment of the arms 35 illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 4B illustrates another embodiment with the first and second arms 35, each of which includes a differentiated length and is separated by spaces. Figure 4C illustrates an embodiment with two arms 35 forming a corner of a receptacle for receiving connector 101. Figure 4D illustrates an embodiment with a single contiguous arm 35 that forms and extends around receptacle 50. Figure 4E illustrates a embodiment with two opposite arms 35 forming a receptacle 50 therebetween to receive the connector 101. The receptacle 50 may include various shapes that fit the connector 101. In an embodiment illustrated in Figures 4A-4E, the receptacle 50 is substantially rectangular. Figure 4F illustrates a substantially circular receptacle 50.

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate the electrical connector 30 partially coupled with the connector 101. The receptacle 50 formed by the arms 35 is sized to receive the connector 101. In this embodiment, the inner sides of the arms 35 are substantially smooth to facilitate the sliding movement of the arms 35 along the outer edges of the connector 101. The arms 35 act as a guide for placing the circuit board 31 with respect to the connector 101. With the arms 35 in contact with the connector 101, the plate Circuit 31 is guided into the opening 102 of the connector 101. The electrical contacts 33 make contact with the corresponding contacts of the opening 102 to form the communication path between the cartridge 10 and the device 100.

The electrical connector 30 can be positioned to be visually hidden by the body 20. By way of example, and using Figure 1, the electrical connector 30 can be placed at or towards the bottom 22 of the body 20. During insertion, it is possible that the user cannot visually see the position of the electrical connector 30 with respect to the connector 101 in the imaging device 100. The removable nature of the electrical connector 30 allows a certain latitude for the error in case the body 20 is not inserted precisely in the device

100. The construction of the connector 30 causes the circuit board 31 to be accurately seated inside the connector 101 when the cartridge 10 is fully inserted in the device 100. In addition, the user understands without visual confirmation that the circuit board 31 is seated precisely when the cartridge 10 is inserted into the device 100. In one embodiment, the insertion of the body 20 also causes tactile feedback information towards the user to make it clear that the circuit board 31 is accurately seated.

In an embodiment illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B, the circuit board 31 is embedded within the housing

32. Specifically, an outer edge of the circuit board 31 is located inwardly from the outer edges of the arms 35. This causes the outer edges of the arms 35 to initially contact the connector 101 and align the electrical connector 30 After initial contact and alignment, the additional movement in the insertion direction A causes the circuit board 31 to engage inside the opening 102. In US Patent Application Serial No. 11 / 554,157, filed 30 October 2006 and entitled "Cartridge with a Movable Electrical Connector for Use with an Image-Forming Device", embodiments of electrical connectors connected to cartridges are disclosed.

The electrical connector 30 is removably connected to the body 20. In one embodiment, there is a retainer 40 located in the body 20 to receive the electrical connector 30. The retainer 40 may be formed by the body 20 or may be a separate element that is attached to the body 20. Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of a retainer 40 formed by the body 20. The retainer 40 includes a groove 42 formed between a pair of members 41 spaced apart from each other. The retainer 40 forms a space with a width w to receive the electrical connector 30. The width w is greater than the width of the electrical connector 30 formed either between the opposite arms 35 or the opposite edges of the member 49. This difference in size allows that the electrical connector 30 moves laterally as indicated by arrow B within the space formed by the retainer 40.

In one embodiment, the amount of lateral movement of the electrical connector 30 is dictated by the size of the flared end arms 36. During insertion, the flared ends 36 can make contact with the connector 101. If the electrical connector 30 is not aligned, flared ends cause connector 30 to move laterally and align with connector 101.

The housing 32 may further include wings 48 that extend laterally outwardly to fit into the groove 42. The width of the wings 48 is smaller than the width s of the groove 42, thus allowing longitudinal movement of the electrical connector 30 with respect to the body 20. This longitudinal movement is substantially perpendicular to the lateral movement explained previously.

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Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment with the housing 32 which includes a pair of elongated grooves 72. Pins 81 are located within the grooves 72 extending from the body 20 to connect the electrical connector 30 to the body 20. The elongated grooves 72 they include a width greater than the pins 81 to allow lateral movement during cartridge insertion. The relative sizes of the slots 72 and pins 81 can also allow longitudinal movement.

The electrical connector 30 can be used with various different cartridge bodies 20. Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment with the body 20, which includes the reservoir 25 for containing the toner. Figure 7 includes an embodiment with the electrical connector 30 connected to the outside of the body 20. The body 20 includes a pair of reservoirs 25a, 25b, a developer roller 96 and a toner setting member 95. Figure 8 illustrates the electrical connector 30 located on the outside of a body 20 sized to include a photoconductor member 93, gears 94, as well as an internal developer roller, a toner container and stirring members (not shown).

In the embodiments described above, the circuit board 31 includes bare contacts 33 that engage in contacts of the opening 102 of the connector 101 to form the communication path between the cartridge 10 and the device 100. As described, the Connector 101 of the imaging device 100 is a female connector that engages in a male circuit board 31. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that other types of connector configurations can be implemented. For example, Figure 9 depicts an exploded view of an electrical connector 30 that includes a circuit board 31 and a housing 32, as described above. In the present embodiment, circuit board 31 includes computer hardware 60 that is electrically coupled to a connector 52. In the illustrated embodiment, connector 52 includes one or more female electrical contacts 33 configured to engage corresponding male contacts (for example , pins) 133 of the connector 101. In another embodiment not illustrated, the circuit board 31 may include a connector 52 with male contacts 33 that engages in a connector 101 with female contacts 133 in the imaging device 100.

In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, the circuit board 31 is located away from the electrical connector 30. Unlike previously described embodiments, the circuit board 31 may be firmly attached to the body 20 of the cartridge. The circuit board 31 may be electrically connected by a flexible cable to a connector 52 that is fixed to the electrical connector 30. Accordingly, the connector 52 is removable together with the electrical connector 30 to engage in the matching connector 101 while the board 31 circuits remain substantially fixed.

The cartridge 10 of the present application can be used in various imaging devices. The embodiments described above include laser imaging devices, including, without limitation, printer, fax machines, copiers and combinations. In the US patent application with serial number 11 / 407,307, filed on April 19, 2006 and entitled "Architecture for an Image-Forming Device", which is incorporated by reference herein, an embodiment of An imaging device. In another embodiment, the cartridge 10 is constructed to contain ink that is usable in an inkjet printing device.

The embodiments disclosed above include a toner cartridge 10 with a removable electrical connector.

30. The electrical connector 30 can also be removably positioned with other elements that are inserted and / or replaced within the imaging device 100. Other elements include, without limitation, a fuser assembly, a developer assembly and an intermediate transmission belt assembly. The electrical connector 30 in each of these elements is removable to align a corresponding connector within the imaging device 100.

Spatially relative terms such as "under," "under," "under," "above," and the like are used to facilitate description to explain the situation of an element with respect to a second element. These terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device, in addition to the different orientations represented in the figures. In addition, terms such as "first", "second" and the like are also used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc., and are not intended to be limiting. Throughout the description, similar terms refer to similar elements.

As used herein, the expressions "that it has", "that it contains", "that it includes", "that it comprises" and the like are open expressions that indicate the presence of the affirmed elements or characteristics, but do not rule out or additional features. It is intended that the articles "a", "a", "the" and "the" include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates something different.

The present invention can be carried out in other specific ways other than those set forth herein without departing from the scope and essential features of the invention. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered in all illustrative and non-restrictive ways, and it is intended that all changes within the meaning and range of equivalences of the appended claims be encompassed therein.

Claims (2)

1. A toner cartridge comprising an electrical connector (30) to be mounted with a corresponding connector (101) inside an imaging device (100) during the installation of the cartridge (10) by movement in the direction (A ) Inserting the cartridge, including the electrical connector: 5 a housing (32) with a base (34) and first and second pairs of opposite arms (35) extending outwardly from the base (34); a receptacle (50) that includes a first wall formed by the base (34) and side walls formed by the first and second pairs of opposite arms (35); an opening (37) formed within the base (34); Y 10 a circuit board (31) that includes a first end with electrical contacts (33), the circuit board (31) being sized to be inserted into the opening (37) to place the electrical contacts (33) inside the receptacle (50) and be separated from the first and second pairs of the opposite arms (35); the housing (32) being formed to be extensible around the outside of said 15 corresponding connector (101) within the imaging device (100) while the first end of the circuit board (31) is located within the corresponding connector; characterized because lateral movement of the housing (32) and the circuit board (31) with respect to the body (20) of the toner cartridge is allowed. The toner cartridge of claim 1 wherein the first pair of opposite arms is separated by spaces of the second pair of opposite arms to allow individual bending of each of the arms. 3. The toner cartridge of claim 1 wherein the first and / or second pairs of opposing arms (35) include a flared end. 6