ES2787424T3 - Electrophotographic Imaging Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

A developing cartridge (300) mountable in a mounting portion (201) provided on a photoreceptor cartridge (200) comprising a photoreceptor (1) and mountable in a body (100) of a forming apparatus imaging, the developing cartridge (300) comprising: a developing roller (4) for developing an image by supplying toner to the photoreceptor (1); a plurality of pressure receiving portions (371a, 372a, 373a) arranged in an axial direction of the developing roller (4) and configured to receive a pressing force from the body (100), wherein the pressing force is in a direction parallel to a center line connecting a center of the photoreceptor and a center of the developing roller when the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion of the photoreceptor cartridge; a memory unit (390) electrically connected to the body (100) for transferring information about the developing cartridge (300) to the body (100) and comprising a plurality of first contact portions (391a) contacting a plurality of second contact portions (443) on the body (100) for communication with the body (100), and a gear (43) for transferring drive power from the body to the developing roller (4) characterized in that the plurality The first contact portions (391a) are a pressure receiving portion (372a) that is arranged opposite a location where the gear (43) is arranged, in the axial direction, out of the plurality of pressure receiving portions (371a, 372a, 373a), wherein the plurality of first contacting portions comprise a surface configured to receive the pressing force to secure the developing cartridge to the mounting portion of the photoreceptor cartridge, wherein the super ficie is perpendicular to the center line.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Electrophotographic Imaging Apparatus and Developing Cartridge

Background

Field

The embodiments of the present invention relate to an electrophotographic imaging apparatus capable of separating a process cartridge and a developing cartridge.

Description of Related Art

An image forming apparatus using electrophotography prints an image on a recording medium by supplying toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor to form a visible toner image on the photoreceptor, transferring the visible toner image to the recording medium, and fusing the transferred visible toner image on the recording medium.

A process cartridge is a set of components for forming a visible toner image, and it is a consumable product that can be disassembled from a body of an imaging apparatus and can be replaced after the useful life is over. An integrated process cartridge includes a photoreceptor and contains toner to be supplied to the photoreceptor. However, a quantity (life) of toner contained in the built-in process cartridge is typically shorter than the life of the photoreceptor. Since the life of the built-in process cartridge may depend on the amount of toner contained in the cartridge, after the toner has run out, the built-in process cartridge must be replaced even if the life of the photoreceptor has not expired, which increases the costs of the consumable product for a user.

To reduce the costs of consumable products, a removable process cartridge has been designed so that a photoreceptor cartridge including a photoreceptor and a development cartridge containing toner are individually replaced.

European Patent Application No. EP1806634A1 describes a photosensitive member cartridge, a toner cartridge and a developer cartridge that are hooked and releasable by handles. United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/049046 A1 describes a photoreceptor cartridge and a developing cartridge attached by a locking mechanism. United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2011/091222 A1 describes a removable cartridge of an image forming apparatus, wherein a door member of the image forming apparatus is operated to form an electrical contact with cartridge closing.

US 2008/199204 A1 and US 2004/009007 A1 each describe an imaging device having a developing cartridge mountable on a photoreceptor cartridge. US 2006/228127 A1 discloses a process cartridge. EP 2037327 A2 discloses a developing device mounted on the body of an image forming apparatus. US 2011/129252 A1 discloses a developing device with a removable toner cartridge.

Summary

Additional aspects and / or advantages will be set forth in part in the description that follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an electrophotographic imaging apparatus capable of individually separating a photoreceptor cartridge and a developing cartridge from a body, wherein a developing roller and a photoconductive drum form a stable developing slot (or a development space), and a development cartridge.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic imaging apparatus including: a body including an aperture; a photoreceptor cartridge attached to or detached from the body through the aperture, and includes a photoconductive drum and a mounting portion; a developing cartridge attached to or detached from the mounting portion through the aperture while the photoreceptor cartridge is mounted in the body, and includes a developing roll that supplies toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductive drum; and a cap for opening or closing the opening, and includes a pressurizing unit that fixes the developing cartridge to the mounting portion by providing pressing force to the developing cartridge in a direction parallel to a center line connecting the centers of the photoconductive drum. and the developing roller while the opening is closed.

The pressurization unit may include first and second pressurization units that provide first and second pressure forces to the developing cartridge by being separated from the center line in opposite directions respectively by the first and second distances.

The second pressing force can generate a moment in a direction opposite to that of a rotating moment generated by the rotation of the developing roller, and the second pressing force can be greater than the first pressing force. The second distance can be longer than the first distance.

The first pressurization unit may include a plurality of first pressurization portions spaced from each other in a length direction of the photoconductive drum, and the second pressurization unit may include a plurality of second pressurization portions spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the drum. photoconductive. The developing cartridge may include a memory unit including a first contact portion, wherein the memory unit may be electrically connected to the body to transfer information about the developing cartridge to the body, and one of the plurality of the first and second pressurizing portions may be a second contact portion electrically connected to the first contact portion.

The first and second gears coupled to each other can be respectively provided on one side of a rotational axis of the photoconductive drum and a rotational axis of the developing roller, and a pressurizing portion that functions as the second contacting portion between the plurality of the first and second pressurizing portions may be arranged in a place where the first and second gear are not arranged.

The pressurization unit may include a plurality of pressurization portions spaced from each other in a length direction of the photoconductive drum, and the developing cartridge may include a plurality of pressure receiving portions corresponding to the plurality of pressurization portions. One of the plurality of pressure receiving portions may be a plurality of first contact portions for communication with the body, and the plurality of first contact portions may receive pressure forces from the plurality of pressurizing portions.

The first and second gears coupled to each other may be respectively provided on one side of an axis of rotation of the photoconductive drum and of an axis of rotation of the developing roller, and the plurality of first contact portions may be a pressure-receiving portion arranged at a location where the first and second gears are not disposed, between the plurality of pressure receiving portions.

A pressurization portion corresponding to the plurality of first contact portions, of the plurality of pressurization portions may be a plurality of second contact portions which pressurize and contact the plurality of first contact portions.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing cartridge mounted in a mounting portion provided on a photoreceptor cartridge that includes a photoreceptor after the photoreceptor cartridge is mounted in a body of an imaging apparatus, and including a developing roller for developing an image by supplying toner to the photoreceptor, wherein the developing cartridge includes a plurality of pressure receiving portions that receive pressure force in a direction parallel to a center line connecting the centers of the developer roller and the photoreceptor.

The developing roller can be included in a front region of the developing cartridge depending on a mounting direction of the developing cartridge mounted on the body. The developing cartridge may further include a handle for detaching the developing cartridge, wherein the handle may be disposed at a rear center of the developing cartridge. At least one of the plurality of pressure receiving portions may be included on each side of the handle.

The plurality of pressure receiving portions may be arranged in a length direction of the photoreceptor. The plurality of pressure receiving portions may include a plurality of first and second pressure receiving portions arranged opposite each other based on the center line.

The developing cartridge may include a memory unit electrically connected to the body for transferring information about the developing cartridge to the body and include a plurality of contact portions for communication with the body, wherein the plurality of contact portions may be a of the plurality of pressure receiving portions.

The developing cartridge may include a gear disposed on one side of the developing cartridge for transferring drive power from the body to the developing roller, wherein the plurality of pressure receiving portions may be disposed in a length direction of the photoreceptor, and the plurality of contact portions may be a pressure receiving portion that is arranged opposite a location where the gear is arranged, in the length direction among the plurality of pressure receiving portions.

The developing cartridge may further include a guide protrusion for contacting an entry guide included in the body while it is inserted into the body to guide the developing cartridge to the mounting portion.

The guide protrusion may project upward from an upper surface of a housing of the developing cartridge.

Brief description of the drawings

The above and other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when the illustrative embodiments thereof are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an electrophotographic imaging apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2A illustrates an electrophotographic imaging apparatus, wherein a photoreceptor cartridge and a developing cartridge are removed from a body, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2B illustrates the electrophotographic imaging apparatus of Figure 1, wherein a photoreceptor cartridge and a developing cartridge are mounted in a body, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3A illustrates an illustrative photoconductive drum and development roller in a contact development method; Figure 3B illustrates an illustrative photoconductive drum and development roller in a non-contact development method; Figure 4 illustrates a photoreceptor cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a developing cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 illustrates a guide rail, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 7A through 7C illustrate a process of mounting a developing cartridge to a mounting portion after a photoreceptor cartridge is mounted in a body, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 illustrates a power connection structure of a photoreceptor cartridge and a developing cartridge, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 illustrates a pressing force for attaching a developing cartridge to a photoreceptor cartridge;

Figure 10 illustrates a cap in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 11 illustrates a developing cartridge pressurized by a pressurizing portion while a lid is closed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12 illustrates a state of a pressurizing portion that also performs a communication function with a memory unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 illustrates an electrophotographic imaging apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 14 illustrates an electrophotographic imaging apparatus, wherein a photoreceptor cartridge and a developing cartridge are mounted in a body;

Figure 15 illustrates a photoreceptor cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 16A and 16B illustrate a developing cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 17 illustrates a guide rail in detail, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 18A through 18C are schematic views for describing a process of quantifying a developing cartridge in a mounting portion after a photoreceptor cartridge is mounted in a body, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 19 illustrates the first and second couplers, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 20 illustrates a power connection structure of a photoreceptor cartridge and a developing cartridge, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 21 illustrates a lid in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 22 is a side view showing the state of a developing cartridge pressurized by a pressurizing portion while a lid is closed, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 23 illustrates an example of a state of a pressurizing portion that performs a communication function with a memory unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Y

Figure 24 illustrates a relationship between the first and second guide protrusions and the first and second housing portions while a developing cartridge is mounted on a photoreceptor cartridge.

Detailed description

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like elements.

The figure. 1 illustrates an electrophotographic imaging apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2A and 2B illustrate an illustrative electrophotographic imaging apparatus, wherein a photoreceptor cartridge 200 and a developing cartridge 300 are removed from a body 100 in Figure 2A and the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and a developing cartridge 300 are mounted. in body 100 in Figure 2B.

Referring to Figures 1,2A and 2B, the body 100, the photoreceptor cartridge 200, and the developing cartridge 300 are illustrated. The body 100 includes an opening 101 that provides a passage for the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300. to be mounted or removed. A lid 400 closes or opens the opening 101. The body 100 includes an exposure unit 110, a transfer roller 120, and a fusing unit 130. The body 100 includes a recording medium transfer structure for loading and transferring a medium. recording P where an image is to be formed.

The photoreceptor cartridge 200 includes a photoconductive drum 1. The photoconductive drum 1 is an example of a photoreceptor, wherein an electrostatic latent image is formed on a surface thereof, and may include a conductive metal tube and a photosensitive layer around the metal tube. driver. A charging roller 2 is an example of a charger for charging the photoconductive drum 1 to have a uniform surface potential. A charge brush or corona charger can be used in place of charge roller 2. A cleaning roller 3 can be used to remove foreign material on a surface of charge roller 2. A cleaning blade 8 is an example of a cleaning unit for removing toner and foreign materials on a surface of the photoconductive drum 1 after a transfer process described later. A cleaning apparatus having another shape, such as a rotating brush, can be used in place of the cleaning blade 8. The toner and foreign materials removed by the cleaning blade 8 may be contained in a waste toner container 9 .

The developing cartridge 300 supplies the toner contained therein to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductive drum 1 to develop the electrostatic latent image into a visible toner image. When a one-component development method is used, the toner is contained in the development cartridge 300, and when a two-component development method is used, the toner and a carrier are contained in the development cartridge 300. It is used a development roller 4 to supply the toner in the development cartridge 300 to the photoconductive drum 1. A development bias voltage can be applied to the development roller 4. A regulator 5 restricts an amount of toner supplied from the development roller 4 to a developing region where the photoconductive drum 1 and the developing roller 4 face each other. The regulator 5 may be a doctor blade in elastic contact with a surface of the developing roller 4.

A one-component development method can be classified into a contact development method, where the development roller 4 and photoconductive drum 1 are rotated while in contact with each other, and a non-contact development method, where the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 are rotated by being separated from each other by dozens to hundreds of microns. Figure 3A illustrates an illustrative photoconductive drum 1 and developing roller 4 in the contact development method, and Figure 3B illustrates illustrative photoconductive drum 1 and developing roller 4 in the non-contact development method. Referring to Figure 3A, in the contact developing method, the space holding member 42a having a smaller diameter than the developing roller 4 can be provided at each of the two ends of a rotation axis 41 of the roller. development roller 4. An amount of contact of the developing roller 4 with the photoconductive drum 1 may be restricted as the gap holding member 42a contacts the surface of the photoconductive drum 1. A developing groove can be formed N when the developing roller 4 is brought into contact with the photoconductive drum 1. Referring to Figure 3B, in the non-contact developing method, a gap holding member 42b having a diameter larger than the roller can be provided. development roller 4 at each of the two ends of the axis of rotation 41 of the development roller 4. A development gap "g" between the development roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 may be limited as the gap holding member 42b contacts the surface of the photoconductive drum 1. The developing cartridge 300 may further include a supply roller 6 for adhering the toner to the surface of the developing roller 4. can apply a feed bias voltage to the feed roller 6. The developing cartridge 300 may further include agitators 7a and 7b to agitate the toner and supply the toner to the supply roller 6 and the development roller 4. The agitators 7a and 7b can triboelectrically stir and charge the toner.

When using a two-component development method, the development roller 4 may be separated from the photoconductive drum 1 in the order of dozens to hundreds of microns. Although not illustrated, the development roller 4 may have a structure wherein a magnetic roller is arranged in a hollow cylindrical sleeve. The toner is adhered to a surface of a magnetic carrier. The magnetic carrier adheres to the surface of the developing roller 4 to be transferred to the developing region where the photoconductive drum 1 and the developing roller 4 face each other. Only toner is supplied to the photoconductive drum 1 according to the development bias voltage applied between the development roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1, and therefore, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 1 is developed in the visible toner image. The developing cartridge 300 may include a transport agitator (not shown) for mixing and agitating the toner and a carrier and transporting the mixture to the development roller 4. The transport agitator may be an auger, and a plurality of transport agitators on developer cartridge 300.

Examples of developing methods of the electrophotographic imaging apparatus according to one embodiment are described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the developing methods can be modified and changed in various ways.

The exposure unit 110 forms the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive drum 1 by radiating modulated light according to the image information to the photoconductive drum 1. The exposure unit 110 may be a laser scanning unit (LSU) using a diode laser as a light source, or a light-emitting diode (LED) exposure unit that uses an LED as a light source.

The transfer roller 120 is an example of a transfer unit for transferring a toner image from the photoconductive drum 1 to the recording medium P. A transfer bias voltage can be applied to transfer the toner image to the recording medium P to transfer roller 120. A corona transfer unit or transfer unit that uses a pin scorotron method can be used instead of transfer roller 120.

The recording medium P can be picked up one by one from a loading table 141 by a pickup roller 142, and transferred to a region where the photoconductive drum 1 and the transfer roller 120 are oriented towards each other by the pick rollers. feeding 143, 144 and 145.

The fusing unit 130 applies heat and pressure to an image transferred to the recording medium P to fuse the image into the recording medium P. The recording medium P that passed through the fusing unit 130 is discharged out of the body 100 by means of a discharge roller 146.

According to an illustrative embodiment, the exposure unit 110 radiates the modulated light in accordance with the image information to the photoconductive drum 1 to develop the electrostatic latent image. The developing roller 4 supplies the toner to the electrostatic latent image to form the visible toner image on the surface of the photoconductive drum 1. The recording medium loaded on the loading table 141 can be transferred to the region where the photoconductive drum 1 and the transfer roller 120 are oriented towards each other by the pick-up roller 142 and the feed rollers 143, 144 and 145, and the toner image is transferred onto the recording medium P from the photoconductive drum 1 in accordance with the Transfer bias voltage applied to the transfer roller 120. After the recording medium P passes through the fusing unit 130, the toner image can be fused onto the recording medium P according to the heat and pressure. After fusing, the recording medium P can be discharged by the discharge roller 146. When duplex printing is performed, after printing an image on a front of the recording medium P, the recording medium P is transferred back to the region where the photoconductive drum 1 and the transfer roller 120 are oriented toward each other along a reverse transfer path 150 as the discharge roller 146 rotates in reverse. A new toner image can be transferred and fused to a back side of the recording medium P, and the recording medium P having duplex images can be discharged by the discharge roller 146.

The photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the development cartridge 300 are consumable products that are replaced after their lives have expired. Since the lives of the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the development cartridge 300 can be different, the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the development cartridge 300 can be replaced individually.

A process cartridge, where the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the development cartridge 300 are combined, can be mounted on or removed from the body 100. For example, when only the development cartridge 300 is to be replaced, the process cartridge is removed from the body 100, the combination of the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the development cartridge 300 is released, a new development cartridge 300 is combined with the photoreceptor cartridge 200, and the process cartridge is mounted in the body 100. Consequently, the processes for replacing the 300 developer cartridge are complex. Since the weight of the process cartridge is heavy, it is difficult to handle the process cartridge during the assembly and removal processes.

According to an illustrative embodiment, the photoreceptor cartridge 200 is mounted on the body 100, and then the developing cartridge 300 is mounted on a mounting portion 201 provided on the photoreceptor cartridge 200. When removing the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the 300, the photoreceptor cartridge 200 is removed from the body 100 after the development cartridge 300 is removed from the mounting portion 201. Consequently, since the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the development cartridge 300 can be individually mounted in the body 100 or withdraw from it, It is easy to replace the photoreceptor cartridge 200 or the development cartridge 300. In addition, since the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the development cartridge 300 are handled individually during the assembly and removal processes, user comfort can be improved as it can be reduced the load of weights.

The term "front" can be defined as a mounting direction A1 of the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 is front, and the term "rear" can be defined as a direction opposite to the mounting direction A1, that is, a direction extraction A2.

Figure 4 illustrates the photoreceptor cartridge 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 5A and 5B illustrate an illustrative developing cartridge 300 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 4, 5A and 5B, the photoreceptor cartridge 200 includes the mounting portion 201 where the developing cartridge 300 can be mounted. The mounting portion 201 may include, for example, first and second guide members 210 and 220 extending rearward respectively from both side portions of a frame 202 of the photoreceptor cartridge 200. The first and second guide members 210 and 220 may be connected to each other by a connecting member 250 extending in a length direction B of the drum Photoconductor 1. The connecting member 250 may be connected to the rear ends of the first and second guide members 210 and 220. The guide rails 230 may be on the first and second guide members 210 and 220. The first and second guide bosses 310 and 320 can be respectively on both sides of the developing cartridge 300. The second guide boss 320 can be disposed at a location separate from the first was guide boss 310. Developing cartridge 300 may be mounted on or removed from mounting portion 201 as the first and second guide bosses 310 and 320 are supported by guide rail 230.

The first guide protrusion 310 may function as a location determining protrusion to determine a location of the development roller 4 with respect to the photoconductive drum 1 when the development cartridge 300 is mounted on the mounting portion 201 of the photoreceptor cartridge 200. For example , the first guide boss 310 can prevent the developing cartridge 300 from being pushed back by being supported by a withdrawal prevention portion 243 (see, for example, FIG. 7C) disposed at a rear portion of the first guide boss 310 The first guide protrusion 310 may be coaxial with the axis of rotation 41 of the developing roller 4. Accordingly, since the location of the developing roller 4 can be directly restricted, a deviation of the location of the developing roller can be reduced. 4 due to tolerance or manufacturing error.

The second guide protrusion 320 may function as a rotation prevention protrusion to prevent the development cartridge 300 from rotating relative to the photoreceptor cartridge 200 when the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the development cartridge 300 are actuated during an imaging process. . For example, the second guide protrusion 320 can prevent the developing cartridge 300 from rotating when a direction of rotation of the developing roller 4 is supported by a rotation preventing portion 244 (see, for example, FIG. 7C). To reduce the rotational force of the developing cartridge 300, the first and second guide bosses 310 and 320 can be guided by different rails. Consequently, at least one of the protrusion amounts and sizes (diameters) of the first and second guide protrusions 310 and 320 may be different. One or more illustrative embodiments of the first and second guide bosses 310 and 320 and guide rails 230 are disclosed.

Figure 6 illustrates an illustrative guide rail 230, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 6, guide rail 230 guides first and second guide protrusions 310 and 320, respectively, to first and second housing portions 241 and 242. Guide rail 230 may include a first guide rail 231 to guide the first guide boss 310 to the first housing portion 241, and a second guide rail 232 to guide the second guide boss 320 to the second housing portion 242. The first and second guide rails 231 and 232 may be spaced apart from each other in one direction up and down (eg vertical direction), and can be formed independently. The protrusion amounts of the first and second guide protrusions 310 and 320 of two side walls of the developing cartridge 300 may be different from each other, so that the first and second guide protrusions 310 and 320 are guided by the first and second guide rails. 231 and 232, respectively. For example, the first and second guide protrusions 310 and 320 may have a protrusion shape that protrudes externally respectively from the two side portions of the developing cartridge 300 in the B-length direction. Referring to Figure 5A, an amount of protrusion S2 of the second guide protrusion 320 may be greater than an amount of protrusion S1 of the first guide protrusion 310. The first and second guide protrusions 310 and 320 may be staggered in the direction of length B of the first and second guide members 210 and 220. For example, the first guide rail 231 may protrude inwardly from an inner wall of the first and second guide members 210 and 220, and the second guide rail 232 may have an engraved shape on the first and second guide members 210 and 220. or a slot shape penetrating through the first and second guide members 210 and 220. Consequently, when the developing cartridge 300 is mounted on the cartridge or photoreceptor 200, the first guide boss 310 can be guided to the first housing portion 241 along the first guide rail 231, and the second guide boss 320 can be guided to the second housing portion 242 along the second guide rail 232 The first housing portion 241 may have a shape, for example, a U or V shape, so that the first guide boss 310 having a cylindrical shape can be inserted and housed therein. The second housing portion 242 may have a shape, for example, a lying U or V shape, so that the second guide boss 320 having a cylindrical shape is inserted and housed therein and does not come out of the second portion of the housing. housing 242 up. However, the shapes of the first and second housing portions 241 and 242 are not limited thereto.

Referring to Figure 5B, a third guide boss 309 may be included in a forward region of the developing cartridge 300. For example, the third guide boss 309 may have a rib shape that protrudes upward from an upper surface of a housing. 301 of the developing cartridge 300. A region of the third guide protrusion 309 that contacts an entrance guide 190 (see, for example, Figure 7A) in the body 100 can be inclined with respect to the mounting direction A1 of so that the developing cartridge 300 is guided downwardly by the inlet guide 190 as the developing cartridge 300 is inserted into the mounting portion 201. A plurality of third guide protrusions 309 spaced apart from each other in the length direction B may be in the developing cartridge 300. When the developing cartridge 300 is mounted on the mounting portion 201 of the photoreceptor cartridge 200 while the photoreceptor cartridge 200 is mounted on the body 100, the third guide boss 309 comes into contact with the input guide 190 included in the body 100. Consequently, the developing cartridge 300 is guided to the mounting portion 201. The second guide boss 320 can be guided by second guide rail 232. Inlet guide 190 may have, for example, a rib shape projecting inwardly from a top cap 109 of Figure 1 forming an upper outer cap of body 100, or may, in a frame (not shown), forming the display unit 110 of Figure 1.

Figures 7A through 7C illustrate a process of mounting the developing cartridge 300 in a mounting portion 201 after the photoreceptor cartridge 200 is mounted in the body 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 7A, while the photoreceptor cartridge 200 is mounted in the body 100, the developing cartridge 300 moves closer to the body 100 to support the first guide boss 310 by the first guide rail 231. The development cartridge 300 can be pushed into body 100. As developing cartridge 300 is inserted into body 100, third guide boss 309 comes into contact with entry guide 190, and as illustrated in Figure 7B, the second Guide boss 320 is guided towards the second guide rail 232. When the developing cartridge 300 is pushed in the mounting direction A1, the first and second guide bosses 310 and 320 are guided respectively by the first and second guide rails 231 and 232 to be mounted in the first and second housing portions 241 and 242.

When a separation direction of the developing cartridge 300 and the photoreceptor cartridge 200 is perpendicular to a transfer direction of the recording medium P, that is, it is a length direction of the photoconductive drum 1, the photoconductive drum 1 and the development roller 4 can interfere with other components in the body 100 or the development cartridge 300 and the photoconductive drum 1 can interfere with each other, and therefore the risk of the photoconductive drum 1 and the development roller 4 being damaged can be high, while the developing cartridge 300 and the photoreceptor cartridge 200 are attached to or separated from the body 100. According to the electrophotographic imaging apparatus of an illustrative embodiment, the mounting direction A1 and the removal direction A2 of the cartridge photoreceptor 200 and developing cartridge 300 are the transfer direction of the recording medium P. In other words, the mounting direction A1 and the direction of the extraction line A2 is a transverse direction that crosses the length direction B of the photoconductive drum 1 at right angles. Consequently, the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 hardly interfere with each other while mounting the developing cartridge 300 in the mounting portion 201. Consequently, the risk of breakage caused by the interference between the developing roller can be reduced. 4 and photoconductive drum 1.

Even when the developing cartridge 300 is mounted on the mounting portion 201 of the photoreceptor cartridge 200 after the photoreceptor cartridge 200 is mounted on the body 100, the developing cartridge 300 is not fixedly combined with the photoreceptor cartridge 200. In others In other words, a user can remove the development cartridge 300 from the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and from the body 100 by pulling the development cartridge 300 in an extraction direction, without having to unlock the development cartridge 300 from the photoreceptor cartridge 200.

Referring to Figure 4, a first handle 260 for the user to hold while mounting or removing the photoreceptor cartridge 200 in, or from, the body 100 may be included in the photoreceptor cartridge 200. The first handle 260 may be located at opening 101, that is, at the rear of photoreceptor cartridge 200, so that the user can easily locate it when lid 400 is opened. For example, first handle 260 may be formed in a center of connecting member 250 that connects the first and second guide members 210 and 220.

Referring to Figure 5A, a second handle 360 for the user to hold while mounting or removing the developing cartridge 300 to, or from, the body 100 may be included in the developing cartridge 300. The second handle 360 may be located at the opening 101, that is, at the rear of the developing cartridge 300 so that the user can easily locate it when the lid 400 is opened. For example, the second handle 360 may be in the rear center of the developing cartridge 300.

According to the electrophotographic imaging apparatus of an illustrative embodiment, when the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are removed from the body 100, the developing cartridge 300 can be first removed from the mounting portion 201 of the photoreceptor cartridge. 200, and then the photoreceptor cartridge 200 is removed from the body 100. Referring to Figure 2B, the second handle 360 is positioned above the first handle 260 while the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the developer cartridge 300 are mounted on the body 100 Generally, the user's eye level is generally higher than the electrophotographic imaging apparatus. A line of sight of the user looking into the body 100 through the opening 101 while the lid 400 of the body 100 is being opened may be from top to bottom. Therefore, the second handle 360 on the first handle 260 can be found more easily by the user, and the user can first hold the second handle 360 and remove the developing cartridge 300.

The drive elements such as the photoconductive drum 1 and the charging roller 2 provided on the photoreceptor cartridge 200, and the development roller 4, the supply roller 6, and the agitators 7a and 7b provided on the development cartridge 300 can rotated upon receiving drive power from a drive unit (not shown) included in body 100, when photoreceptor cartridge 200 and developing cartridge 300 are mounted in body 100.

According to an electrophotographic imaging apparatus of an illustrative embodiment, a developing cartridge 300 is mounted in the mounting portion 201 on the photoreceptor cartridge 200. The photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 may be individually connected to the drive unit of body 100. A mounting location of the developing cartridge 300 in the body 100 may be multi-constrained, for example, restricted three times by a location relationship between the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the body 100, a relationship of location between the developing cartridge 300 and the mounting portion 201, and a location relationship between the developing cartridge 300 and the drive unit included in the body 100. In other words, the mounting location of the developing cartridge 300 in body 100 it may be too limited. Consequently, when any of the location relationships is not stable, the mounting location of the developing cartridge 300 in the body 100 is unstable, and therefore the developing cartridge 300 may twist or vibrate when the development roller is driven. development 4. Twisting or vibrating the development cartridge 300 may be a reason for toner leakage. In the contact development method, the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 may not stably contact each other, and in the non-contact development method, an interval between the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 may not be uniformly maintained. Such an unstable location relationship between the photoconductive drum 1 and the developing roller 4 can cause an image defect, such as image dropout or uneven image concentration. Since two drive couplers are required in the body 100 to transfer the drive power to the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the development cartridge 300, a drive structure becomes complex and the number of components increases, thus increasing material costs, assembly costs, and a size of the electrophotographic imaging apparatus.

According to an electrophotographic imaging apparatus of an illustrative embodiment, the drive power of the drive unit included in the body 100 can be transferred to the photoreceptor cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 along a path of the body 100. , the photoreceptor cartridge 200, and the development cartridge 300.

Referring to Figures 2A and 8, the photoreceptor cartridge 200 can be mounted in the body 100 guided by a mounting rail 108 included in the body 100. A first coupler 160 can be included in the body 100. The first coupler 160 can be formed as one or both of the side portions of the body 100. The first coupler 160 may be driven by a drive motor (not shown) in the body 100. A second coupler 280 may be included as one or both of the side portions of the photoreceptor cartridge 200. The Second coupler 280 can be included in a rotation axis 11 of the photoconductive drum 1 so that the rotational power of the second coupler 280 is directly transferred to the photoconductive drum 1. The first coupler 160 can be supported by a shaft 102 included in the body 100 so that the first coupler 160 moves in an axial direction of the shaft 102. A spring 103 can apply elastic force to the first coupler 160 in a direction where e The first coupler 160 is combined with the second coupler 180. When the photoreceptor cartridge 200 is mounted to the body 100, driving power can be transferred from the body 100 to the photoreceptor cartridge 200 as the first and second couplers 160 and 280 they mutually couple. The structures of the first and second couplers 160 and 280 are not limited to those illustrated in Figure 8. For example, any of various power connection structures, such as a gear coupling structure, can be employed as the first and the second couplers 160 and 280. The load roller 2 can be driven by being connected to a first gear 12 through a gear connection structure.

Referring to Figure 8, the first gear 12 can be included in the axis of rotation 11 of the photoconductive drum 1, and a second gear 43 can be included in the axis of rotation 41 of the developing roller 4. When the developing cartridge 300 is Mounted on the photoreceptor cartridge 200, the second gear 43 can be coupled to the first gear 12. The supply roller 6 and the agitators 7a and 7b can be driven by being connected to the second gear 43 through a gear connection structure. Consequently, driving power can be transferred from body 100 to photoreceptor cartridge 200 and developing cartridge 300.

Although the first and second guide bosses 310 and 320 are mounted on the first and second housing portions 241 and 242, the space holding member 42a still does not come into contact with the photoconductive drum 1 and the surfaces of the developing roller 4. and the photoconductive drum 1 come into contact with each other, but the developing slot N is not formed, in the contact developing method illustrated in Figure 3A. Accordingly, so that the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 are in a state illustrated in Figure 3A, the developing cartridge 300 is pushed further until the space holding member 42a comes into contact with the photoconductive drum 1. In the non-contact developing method of Figure 3B, the gap holding member 42b comes into contact with the photoconductive drum 1, and thus the developing gap "g" is formed between the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 but the development cartridge 300 is not fixed. Consequently, to maintain the Location relationship between the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 To maintain the state illustrated in Figure 3A or 3B, the developing cartridge 300 needs to be pressurized to be attached to the photoreceptor cartridge 200.

Figure 9 illustrates a pressing force to secure the development cartridge 300 to the photoreceptor cartridge 200. Referring to Figure 9, when the contact development method is used, the development slot N is formed as the development roller Development 4 is compressed deformation, and the force F is applied in a withdrawal direction to the development cartridge 300 due to the repulsive force of the compression deformation of the development roller 4. A rotational moment M is applied to the development cartridge. 300 in a direction of rotation of the developing roller 4. When the developing cartridge 300 is withdrawn due to the force F and the moment of rotation M, the developing slot N (or the developing gap "g") between the developing roller 4 and the photoconductor drum 1 is no longer held, and thus an image may be blurred or a white void may be generated. Fluctuation may be generated due to the vibration of the developing cartridge 300. Consequently, the pressing force to compensate for the force F and the rotating moment M can be applied to the developing cartridge 300.

Referring to Figure 9, the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2 can be applied to the developing cartridge 300. The first and second pressure forces F1 and F2 can be applied to locations separate from a center line L connecting the centers of the photoconductive drum 1 and developing roller 4, respectively, over the first and second distances D1 and D2. The directions of the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2 are parallel to the center line L and opposite to the force F. When the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2 form an angle with the center line L, the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2 can be lost as only the components of the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2 parallel to the center line L function as an effective pressure force to maintain the development slot N (or the space of revealed g). A location of the developing cartridge 300 may be unstable due to the unnecessary moment of rotation generated by the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2. The sizes of the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2 must be increased considering a loss of pressure force, and therefore the stresses of the first and second pressurization units 410 and 420 of Figure 10 provided by the first and second Pressure forces F1 and F2 can be increased, thus increasing the tension of the lid 400 where the first and second pressurization units 410 and 420 can be included. A load is increased to close the lid 400, and therefore the user may be inopportune . Consequently, in an illustrative embodiment, the directions of the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2 are parallel to the center line L connecting the centers of the photoconductive drum 1 and the developing roller 4. As such, the sizes are optimized. of the first and second pressing forces F1 and F2, and thus the location stability of the developing cartridge 300 and the convenience of the user can be obtained, and the stresses of the components can be reduced.

The first pressure force F1 can be applied to a location separated from the center line L of the developing cartridge 300 by the first distance D1 and opposite to the second pressure force F2 based on the center line L. Only the first pressure force F1 can be applied to the developing cartridge 300 to compensate for the rotational moment M and the force F, but in this case, the strong pressing force is focused on one location, and thus the stresses of the developing cartridge 300 and the first unit pressure 410 can be increased. When the thickness of the developing cartridge 300 is high, it may be difficult to balance a rotational moment applied to the developing cartridge 300 only by using the first pressing force F1. Accordingly, the second pressing force F2 can be applied to the opposite side based on the center line L to reduce the sizes of the first and second pressing forces F1 and F2 to compensate for the force F while balancing the rotational moment easily. The size of the first pressing force F1 may be larger than the size of the second pressing force F2 to compensate for the rotational moment M and a rotational moment by the second pressing force F2. By setting the first distance D1 to be larger than the second distance D2, the size of the first pressing force F1 to compensate for the rotational moment M and the rotational moment by the second pressing force F2 can be reduced as small as possible. Consequently, the sizes of the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2 can be reduced, thus reducing the stresses of the developing cartridge 300 and the first and second pressurizing units 410 and 420.

A total moment Mt applied to the developing cartridge 300 by the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2 can be obtained according to an equation (1):

M F2xD2 - F1xD1 = Mt Equation (1).

By setting F1, F2, D1 and D2 in equation (1) so that the total moment Mt is reduced, the location stability of the development cartridge 300 can be obtained, that is, the location stabilities of the development roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 by using a minimal pressing force.

According to the electrophotographic imaging apparatus of an illustrative embodiment, by pressurizing the developing cartridge 300 in the mounting direction A1 by closing the lid 400, the developing cartridge 300 is attached to the photoreceptor cartridge 200 while holding the printing roller. development 4 and photoconductive drum 1 at the locations illustrated in Figure 3A or 3B.

Figure 10 illustrates cap 400 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 illustrates a state of the pressurized developing cartridge 300 while the lid 400 is closed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Figures 10 and 11, the first and second pressurization units 410 and 420 are included. in the cap 400. The first and second pressurization units 410 and 420 are arranged opposite each other based on the center line L. The first pressurization unit 410 is separated from the center line L by the first distance D1 to apply the first pressing force F1 to the developing cartridge 300 when the lid 400 is closed. The second pressurizing unit 420 is separated from the center line L by the second distance D2 to apply the second pressure force F2 to the developing cartridge 300 when the lid 400 is closed.

The first pressurization unit 410 includes a plurality of first pressurization portions, for example, two first pressurization portions 411 and 412 spaced apart from each other in the direction of length B. The second pressurization unit 420 includes a plurality of second pressurization portions , for example, two second pressurization portions 421 and 422 spaced from each other in the direction of length B. As such, when preparing the first two pressurization portions 411 and 412 and the two second pressurization portions 421 and 422, which are separated to each other in the length direction B, to provide the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2, the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2 can be easily balanced in the length direction B. Since the sizes of the forces of pressure applied respectively by the first pressurizing portions 411 and 412 and the second pressurizing portions 421 and 422 can be reduced, can The stresses applied to cap 400 and developer cartridge 300 can be reduced.

The first and second gears 12 and 43 may be located only on one side of the length direction B of the photoconductive drum 1 and the development roller 4. The forces applied to the development cartridge 300 when the first and second gears 12 and 43 rotate they may differ in a place where the first and second gears 12 and 43 are arranged and in a location where the first and second gears 12 and 43 are not arranged. For example, a force that draws the second gear 43 towards the first gear 12, that is, a force pulling the developing cartridge 300 in the mounting direction A1 can be applied in accordance with the rotation of the first and second gears 12 and 43 at the location where the first and second gears 12 and 43 are arranged. Considering such configuration, the pressure forces of the first and second pressurizing portions 411 and 421 arranged at the location where the first and second gears 12 and 43 are arranged may be less than l The pressure forces of the first and second pressurizing portions 412 and 422 arranged at the location where the first and second gears 12 and 43 are not arranged. As such, by arranging the first pressurizing portions 411 and 412 and the second pressurization 421 and 422 in the length direction B, the developing cartridge 300 can further be stably attached to the photoreceptor cartridge 200.

Each of the first pressurizing portions 411 and 412 and the second pressurizing portions 421 and 422 may include, for example, a pressurization member 431 to pressurize the developing cartridge 300, and an elastic member 432 to provide elastic force to the member. pressurizing valve 431 to push the developing cartridge 300.

With reference to Figures 5A and 11, a first pressure receiving unit (first pressure receiving portions 371 and 372) and a second pressure receiving unit (second pressure receiving portions 381 and 382) respectively, corresponding to the first pressurizing unit 410 (the first pressurizing portions 411 and 412) and the second pressurizing unit 420 (the second pressurizing portions 421 and 422) can be included in the rear portion of the developing cartridge 300. The first pressure receiving portions 371 and 372 and The second pressure receiving portions 381 and 382 are located in planes perpendicular to the center line L. The first pressure receiving portions 371 and 372 and the second pressure receiving portions 381 and 382 can be arranged opposite each other based on the center line L. At least one pressure receiving portion may be disposed on each side of the second handle 360 in the direction of length B of The photoconductive drum 1. Consequently, when the cap 400 is closed, as illustrated in Figure 11, after mounting the developing cartridge 300 to the mounting portion 201 of the photoreceptor cartridge 200 mounted on the body 100, the first and Second pressure forces F1 and F2 are applied respectively to the first pressure receiving portions 371 and 372 and the second pressure receiving portion 381 and 382 by the first pressurizing portions 411 and 412 and the second pressurizing portions 421 and 422. The developing cartridge 300 can be attached to the photoreceptor cartridge 200 by the pressure force, and as illustrated in Figure 3A or 3B, the space holding member 42a or 42b can maintain contact with the photoconductive drum 1.

In attaching the developing cartridge 300 to the mounting portion 201 by closing the lid 400, a locking apparatus or the like for attaching the developing cartridge 300 to the photoreceptor cartridge 200 need not be included separately in the developing cartridge 300 or the photoreceptor cartridge 200, and therefore material costs can be reduced. Since the combination of the developing cartridge 300 and the photoreceptor cartridge 200 can be maintained / released only by opening and closing the lid 400, the mounting / detaching processes of the developing cartridge 300 and the photoreceptor cartridge 200 can be simplified, and thus the performance can be improved. user convenience. By dividing the pressure force to pressurize the developing cartridge 300 into the first and second pressure forces F1 and F2 based on the center line L connecting the centers of the photoconductive drum 1 and the development roller 4, the positional stability of the cartridge 300 can be improved by compensating for the force F and the rotational moment M, thus stably maintaining the developing slot N (or the developing gap g).

Referring to Figure 5A, a memory unit 390 may be included in the developing cartridge 300. When the developing cartridge 300 is mounted in the body 100, the memory unit 390 may be electrically connected to the body 100 to transmit information. about development cartridge 300 to body 100. Various types of information about the developing cartridge 300 can be stored in the memory unit 390. For example, the memory unit 390 can store information about a manufacturer, information about a manufacturing date, a serial number, intrinsic information such as a model name. , and information about a usage status (for example, how many sheets of paper have been printed, how many printable pages are left, and how much toner is left).

A plurality of first contact portions 391 for communication between the memory unit 390 and the body 100 may be included in the developing cartridge 300. A plurality of second contact portions electrically connected to the first contact portions 391 may be at the cap 400. For example, the numbers of each of the first contact portions 391 and the second contact portions may be equal to or greater than 4. The first contact portion 391 may be included in any of the first pressure receiving portions 371 and 372 and the second pressure receiving portions 381 and 382. Any of the first pressurizing portions 411 and 412 and the second pressurizing portions 421 and 422 may function as the second contact portion. Consequently, by operating the first pressurizing portion 412 as the second contact portion, the manufacturing costs of the electrophotographic imaging apparatus can be reduced.

With reference to Figures 10 and 12, the second contact portion may include a connecting pin 433 and an elastic member 434 that applies elastic force to the connecting pin 433 in a direction that contacts the first contact portion 391. The spring force applied by the plurality of second contact portions secures the developing cartridge 300 to the mounting portion 201. The pressure force applied to the developing cartridge 300 may be greater at the location where the first and second gears 12 are provided. and 43 than in the location where the first and second gears 12 and 43 are not provided. Therefore, the first contact portion 391 and the second contact portion can be arranged in a place where the pressing force is high based on to the direction of length B. With reference to Figures 5A, 10 and 12, according to an illustrative embodiment, the first contact portion 391 may be included in the second re-contact portion. Pressure pad 382 located at the location where the first and second gears 12 and 43 are not provided. The second pressurizing portion 422 located at the location where the first and second gears 12 and 43 are provided functions as the second contact portion. Accordingly, the pressing force that comes into contact with the first contact portion 391 and the second contact portion can be effectively used as the pressing force that fixes the developing cartridge 300 to the mounting portion 201, and can stably pressurize the developing cartridge 300 balancing the pressing force in the length direction B.

Referring to Figure 7C, when the developing cartridge 300 is mounted on the photoreceptor cartridge 200, the first and second guide protrusions 310 and 320 can be located in the first and second housing portions 241 and 242. When the lid 400 is closed , the developing cartridge 300 is pushed in the mounting direction A1 by the first and second pressurizing units 410 and 420, and thus the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 reach the locations illustrated in Figure 3a or 3B, and the developing cartridge 300 no longer moves in the mounting direction A1. The developing roller 4 rotates when the second gear 43 provided on the axis of rotation 41 of the development roller 4 and the first gear 12 provided on the axis of rotation 11 of the photoconductive drum 1 are engaged. In the contact development method, a repulsive force F resulting from the compression deformation of the developing roller 4 can be applied to the developing cartridge 300. The removal (removal) of the developing cartridge 300 due to the repulsive power F makes that a coupled amount of the first and second gears 12 and 43 is reduced, that the contact amount of the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 is reduced when using the contact development method, and the interval between the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 is increased when the non-contact development method is used. As a result, an image skipping or an image defect caused by a faulty rotation of the developing roller 4 may be generated. According to an illustrative embodiment, to prevent the developing cartridge 300 from being pushed, the first housing portion 241 may include a withdrawal prevention portion 243 located at the rear portion of the first guide boss 310 to support the first guide boss 310. The first guide boss 310 functions as a location determining boss to determine a mounting location of the cartridge. development roller 300, and a location error of the development roller 4 can be reduced by forming the first guide protrusion 310 to be coaxial with the axis of rotation 41 of the development roller 4.

The second guide boss 320 may be located in the second housing portion 242. When the first and second gears 12 and 43 rotate, the rotation moment M is applied to the developing cartridge 300. To prevent the developing cartridge 300 from rotating, the The second housing portion 242 includes a rotation prevention portion 244 that supports the second guide boss 320 by being located downstream of the second guide boss 320 in the direction of rotation of the first gear (or the developing roller 4). The second guide protrusion 320 functions as a rotation preventing protrusion of the developing cartridge 300.

Consequently, the developing cartridge 300 can maintain a stable position without being removed or rotated while the development roller 4 rotates, and a relative location of the photoconductive drum 1 and the development roller 4 can be stably maintained.

Figure 13 illustrates an electrophotographic imaging apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 14 illustrates the electrophotographic imaging apparatus of Figure 13.

A body 100a, a photoreceptor cartridge 200a, and a developing cartridge 300a are illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. The body 100a includes an opening 101a that provides a path for the photoreceptor cartridge 200a and the development cartridge 300a to be mounted or retired. A cover 400a opens or closes the opening 101a. Exposure unit 110, transfer roller 120, and fusing unit 130 are included in body 100a. A recording medium transferring structure for loading and transferring the recording medium P on which an image will be formed is included in the body 100a.

The electrophotographic imaging apparatus according to an illustrative embodiment is different from that illustrated in Figures 1 to 12 in that the toner-containing capacity is less in the developing cartridge 300a than in the developing cartridge 300. Development 300a may be identical to Development Cartridge 300 except for its size and shape. Since the toner-containing capacity of the developing cartridge 300a is less than that of the developing cartridge 300, the developing cartridge 300a includes an agitator 7. Next, the components that have the same functions as those described above with reference to the Figures 1 through 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are not repeated.

The photoreceptor cartridge 200a is mounted on the body 100a, and the developing cartridge 300a is mounted on a mounting portion 201a illustrated in Figure 15 included in the photoreceptor cartridge 200a. During an extraction process, the developing cartridge 300a is removed from the mounting portion 201a, and the photoreceptor cartridge 200a is removed from the body 100a.

Figure 15 illustrates the photoreceptor cartridge 200a in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 16A and 16B are perspective views of the developing cartridge 300a in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Figures 15, 16A, and 16B, the photoreceptor cartridge 200a includes the mounting portion 201a where the developing cartridge 300a is mounted. The mounting portion 201a may include first and second guide members 210a and 220a that extend rearwardly from both side portions of a frame 202a of the photoreceptor cartridge 200a. The first and second guide members 210a and 220a may be connected to each other by a connecting member 250a extending in the length direction B of the photoconductive drum 1. The connecting member 250a may be connected to the rear ends of the first and second guide members 210a and 220a. Guide rails 230a, illustrated, for example, in Figure 17, may be included in first and second guide members 210a and 220a. The first and second guide protrusions 310a and 320a may be on both side portions of the developing cartridge 300a. The second guide boss 320a is disposed at a location spaced from the first guide boss 310a rearwardly. The developing cartridge 300a is mounted on or removed from the mounting portion 201a, since the first and second guide bosses 310a and 320a are supported by the guide rail 230a.

The first guide boss 310a may function as a location-determining boss to determine a location of the developing roller 4 with respect to the photoconductive drum 1 when the developing cartridge 300a is mounted on the mounting portion 201a of the photoreceptor cartridge 200a. For example, the first guide boss 310a may prevent the developing cartridge 300a from being pushed back by being supported by a withdrawal prevention portion 243a of Figure 24 provided at a rear portion of the first guide boss 310a. The first guide protrusion 310a may be coaxial with the axis of rotation 41 of the developing roller 4. Accordingly, since the location of the developing roller 4 can be directly restricted, a deviation of the location of the developing roller 4 can be reduced. due to tolerance or manufacturing error.

The second guide boss 320a may function as a rotation prevention boss to prevent the development cartridge 300a from rotating when the photoreceptor cartridge 200a and the development cartridge 300a are actuated during an imaging process. For example, the second guide protrusion 320a can prevent the developing cartridge 300a from rotating downstream thereof in a direction of rotation of the developing roller 4 supported by a rotation preventing portion 244a of Figure 24. To reduce the force rotation of the developing cartridge 300a, the first and second guide protrusions 310a and 320a can be guided by different rails. Consequently, at least one of the protrusion quantities and sizes (diameters) of the first and second guide protrusions 310a and 320a may be different. Illustrative embodiments of first and second guide bosses 310a and 320a and guide rails 230a are described.

Figure 17 illustrates a guide rail 230a in detail, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 17, guide rail 230a guides first and second guide protrusions 310a and 320a, respectively, toward first and second housing portions 241a and 242a. Guide rail 230a may have a rib shape that projects inwardly from an inner wall of each of the first and second guide members 210a and 220a. The guide rail 230a may include a first guide rail 231a that guides the first guide boss 310a toward the first housing portion 241a and a second guide rail 232a that guides the second guide boss 320a toward the second housing portion 242a. In order for the first and second guide bosses 310a and 320a to be guided by the first and second guide rails 231a and 232a, the bulge amounts of the first and second guide bosses 310a and 320 of both side walls of the developing cartridge 300a are different. one with respect to the other. For example, each of the first and second guide protrusions 310a and 320a may have a protrusion shape that protrudes outwardly from the two side portions of the developing cartridge 300a in the length direction B, and with reference to Figure 16a. , an amount of protrusion Sa2 of the second guide protrusion 320a is less than an amount of protrusion Sa1 of the first guide protrusion 310a. The second guide rail 232a is branched from the first guide rail 231a and extends into the second housing portion 242a. As illustrated in Figure 17, the first guide rail 231a may be staggered from the second guide rail 232a such that the second guide boss 320a is spaced from the first guide rail 231a near a branch location 233 where the second guide rail 232a it is branched from the first guide rail 231a. For example, an amount of protrusion of the first guide rail 231a from the inner wall of the first and second guide members 210a and 220a near the branch location 233 is less than that of the second guide rail 232a. Consequently, the first guide boss 310a can be continuously guided by the first guide rail 231a passing through the branch location 233, while the second guide boss 320a deviates from the first guide rail 231 and is guided by the second guide rail. 232a while traversing the branch location 233. The first housing portion 241a may be shaped, for example, a U or V shape, so that the first guide boss 310a having a cylindrical shape can be inserted and housed therein. . The second housing portion 242a may have a shape, for example, a lying U or V shape, so that the second guide boss 320a having a cylindrical shape is inserted and housed therein and does not come out of the second portion. housing 242a upward. However, the shapes of the first and second housing portions 241a and 242a are not limited thereto.

Referring to Figure 16B, a third guide boss 309a may be included in the developing cartridge 300a. For example, the third guide protrusion 309a may have a rib shape projecting upwardly from an upper surface of a housing 301a of the developing cartridge 300a. A region of the third guide protrusion 309a that contacts an inlet guide 190a of Figure 18A included in the body 100a can be inclined with respect to the mounting direction A1 so that the developing cartridge 300a is guided downward by the inlet guide 190a while the developing cartridge 300a is inserted into the mounting portion 201a. A plurality of third guide protrusions 309a spaced from one another in the length direction B may be included in the developing cartridge 300a. When the developing cartridge 300a is mounted on the mounting portion 201a of the photoreceptor cartridge 200a while the photoreceptor cartridge 200a is mounted on the body 100a, the third guide boss 309a is guided by the inlet guide 190a included in the body 100a. Consequently, the developing cartridge 300a is guided towards the mounting portion 201a, and the second guide boss 320a can be guided by the first and second guide rails 231a and 232a. Inlet guide 190a may have, for example, a rib shape projecting downwardly from a top cap 109a of Figure 13 forming an upper outer cap of body 100a.

Figures 18A through 18C illustrate a process of mounting the developing cartridge 300a in the mounting portion 201a after the photoreceptor cartridge 200a is mounted in the body 100a, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. While the photoreceptor cartridge 200a is mounted in the body 100a, the developing cartridge 300a is moved closer to the body 100a as illustrated in Figure 18A so that the first guide boss 310a is supported by the first guide rail 231a. Then, the developing cartridge 300a is pushed into the body 100a. As the developing cartridge 300a is inserted into the body 100a, the third guide boss 309a comes into contact with the inlet guide 190a, and the second guide boss 320a is supported by the first guide rail 231a as illustrated in Figure. 18B. When the developing cartridge 300a is continuously inserted, the first guide protrusion 310a reaches the branch location 233. Since the amount of protrusion of the first guide protrusion 310a is greater than that of the second guide protrusion 320a, the first guide protrusion 310a is continuously guided by the first guide rail 231a, and approaches the first housing portion 241a over the branch location 233. When the second guide protrusion 320a reaches the branch location 233, given that the amount of protrusion of the second protrusion Guide 320a is smaller than that of the first guide boss 310a and the first guide rail 231a is stepped at the branch location 233, the second guide boss 320a is spaced from the first guide rail 231a and is guided by the second guide rail 232a. For the second guide boss 320a to enter the second guide rail 232a at the branch location 233, a guide portion 234 may be included to guide the second guide boss 320a toward the second guide rail 232a at an end portion of the branch location. branch 233. The guide portion 234 may be a downward sloping portion at an edge corresponding to the end portion of the branch location 233 of the first guide rail 231. When the developing cartridge 300a is inserted into the body 100a, the first and second guide bosses 310a and 320a are guided respectively by the first and second guide rails 231a and 232a, and are housed in the first and second housing portions 241a and 242a as illustrated in Figure 18C.

Referring to Figure 15, a first handle 260a for the user to hold while mounting or removing the photoreceptor cartridge 200a in, or from, the body 100a may be included in the photoreceptor cartridge 200a. The first handle 260a may be located in the opening 101a, that is, at the rear of the photoreceptor cartridge 200a, so that it can be easily found by the user when the lid 400a is opened. For example, the first handle 260a may be included in a center of the connecting member 250a that connects the first and second guide members 210a and 220a.

Referring to Figure 16A, a second handle 360a for the user to hold while mounting or removing the developing cartridge 300a to, or from, the body 100a may be included in the developing cartridge 300a. The second handle 360a may be located in the opening 101a, that is, at the rear of the developing cartridge 300a so that it can be easily found by the user when the lid 400a is opened. The second handle 360a may be located on the first handle 260a and protrude further back than the first handle 260a. The second handle 360a may be included in a rear center portion of the developing cartridge 300a.

The drive elements such as the photoconductive drum 1 and the charge roller 2 provided on the photoreceptor cartridge 200a, and the development roller 4, the supply roller 6, and the agitator 7 provided on the development cartridge 300a can be rotated receiving driving power of a driving unit (not shown) included in the body 100a, when the photoreceptor cartridge 200a and the developing cartridge 300a are mounted in the body 100a.

In accordance with an electrophotographic imaging apparatus of an illustrative embodiment, the drive power of the drive unit included in the body 100a can be transferred to the photoreceptor cartridge 200a and the developing cartridge 300a along a path of the body 100a. , the photoreceptor cartridge 200a, and the developer cartridge 300a.

Referring to Figures 14 and 15, the photoreceptor cartridge 200a can be mounted in the body 100a by being guided by a mounting rail 108 included in the body 100a. The first coupler 160 can be included in the body 100a. The first coupler 160 may be included in one or both of the side portions of the body 100a. In an illustrative embodiment, the first coupler 160 is included in a side portion of the body 100a. The first coupler 160 can be driven by a drive motor (not shown) in the body 100a. The second coupler 280 may be included in a side portion of the photoreceptor cartridge 200a. The second coupler 280 can be included on the axis of rotation 11 of the photoconductive drum 1 so that the rotational power of the second coupler 280 is transferred directly to the photoconductive drum 1. However, an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the itself, and the second coupler 280 may be connected to the photoconductive drum 1 by a gear train (not shown) in the photoreceptor cartridge 200a. When the photoreceptor cartridge 200a is mounted in the body 100a, the first and second couplers 160 and 280 are coupled to each other, and therefore the driving power can be transferred from the body 100a to the photoreceptor cartridge 200a. Although not illustrated, the charge roller 2 can be connected to the second coupler 280 directly or in accordance with the gear connection with the first gear 12 included in the axis of rotation 11 of the photoconductive drum 1.

Figure 19 illustrates the first and second couplers 160 and 280, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Figure 19, the first and second combination portions 161 and 281 can have complementary shapes and can be formed respectively in the first and second couplers 160 and 280. For example, the first combination portion 161 can have a projecting shape and the second combining portion 281 may have a concave shape to engage a plurality of protrusions. The shapes of the first and second combination portions 161 and 281 are not limited as long as the first and second combination portions 161 and 281 are engaged to transfer rotational movement from the first coupler 160 to the second coupler 280, and are not limited by those illustrated in Figure 19.

The first coupler 160 may be supported by the shaft 102 included in the body 100a to move in the axial direction. Spring 103 applies elastic force to first coupler 160 in the direction in which the first and second combination portions 161 and 281 combine. The structures of the first and second couplers 160 and 280 are not limited to those illustrated in Figure 19. Any of various power connection structures, such as the gear coupling structure, can be employed as the first and second couplers 160 and 280.

Figure 20 illustrates a power connection structure of the photoreceptor cartridge 200a and the developing cartridge 300a, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Figure 20, the second coupler 280 can be included in the axis of rotation 11 of the photoconductive drum 1. The first gear 12 is included in the axis of rotation 11 of the photoconductive drum 1. The second gear 43 is included in the axis rotation 41 of the developing roller 4. When the developing cartridge 300a is mounted on the photoreceptor cartridge 200a, the first and second gears 12 and 43 engage each other. The supply roller 6 and the agitator 7 can be driven by a gear connection with the second gear 43. Consequently, the driving power can be transferred from the photoreceptor cartridge 200a to the developing cartridge 300a.

Even when the developing cartridge 300a is mounted on the mounting portion 201a of the photoreceptor cartridge 200a after the photoreceptor cartridge 200a is mounted on the body 100a, the developing cartridge 300a is not fixedly combined with the photoreceptor cartridge 200a. In other words, the user can remove the photoreceptor cartridge 200a and the body 100a simply by pulling the developing cartridge 300a in the removal direction, without having to perform a combination release (unlocking) operation of the developing cartridge 300a from the cartridge. photoreceptor 200a. According to the electrophotographic imaging apparatus of an illustrative embodiment, by pressurizing the developing cartridge 300a in the mounting direction by closing the lid 400a, the developing cartridge 300a can be attached to the photoreceptor cartridge 200a.

Figure 21 illustrates a cap 400a in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 22 illustrates the state of a developing cartridge 300a pressurized by a pressurization unit 440 while the lid 400a is closed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 21, pressurization unit 440 can be included in cover 400a. The pressurizing unit 440 may include a plurality of pressurizing portions 441, 442, 443, and 444 to pressurize the developing cartridge 300a as it is disposed in the length direction B. Each of the pressurizing portions 441 to 444 may include, for example, a pressurizing member 411a to pressurize the developing cartridge 300a, and an elastic member 412a to provide elastic force to the pressurizing member 411a in a direction that pushes the developing cartridge 300a in the mounting direction A1. The elastic member 412a can be a compression coil spring. Referring to Figures 16A and 22, pressure receiving portions 371a, 372a, and 373a that contact pressurizing member 411a may be included in the rear portion of developing cartridge 300a. At least one pressure receiving portion may be provided on each side of the second handle 360a in the length direction B of the photoconductive drum 1. The pressure receiving portion 371a corresponds to the pressurizing portions 441 and 442, and the pressure receiving portions 372a and 373a correspond respectively to the pressurizing portions 443 and 444. When the lid 400a is closed as illustrated in Figure 22 after the developing cartridge 300a is mounted on the mounting portion 201a of the body mounted photoreceptor cartridge 200a 100a, the pressurizing unit 440 applies pressure force in the mounting direction A1 to the developing cartridge 300a. The developing cartridge 300a can be pulled in the mounting direction A1 by the pressing force, and it can be stopped when the space holding member 42a or 42b comes into contact with the photoconductive drum 1 as illustrated in Figure 3A. or 3B. Since the first and second guide bosses 310a and 320a are housed in the first and second housing portions 241a and 242a which are U or V-shaped, the first and second guide bosses 310a and 320a do not deviate from the first and second portions. housing 241a and 242a in a direction traversing the mounting direction (pressure force direction). Accordingly, the developing cartridge 300a is attached to the photoreceptor cartridge 200a.

As illustrated in Figure 22, a direction of the pressure force F3 by the pressurizing unit 440 can be parallel to a line L1 connecting the centers of the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1. The pressure force F3 can coincide with the line L1 or it can be separated from the line L1 to compensate a moment of rotation applied to the developing cartridge 300a according to the rotation of the first and second gears 12 and 43. Considering that the force with which the developing cartridge 300a towards the first gear 12 can be applied at the place where the first and second gears 12 and 43 are provided, the magnitude of the pressure forces of the pressurizing portions 441 and 442 at the place where the first and second gears are provided Second gears 12 and 43 may be smaller than the magnitude of the pressure forces of the pressurizing portions 443 and 444.

Referring to Figure 16A, the developing cartridge 300a may include a memory unit 390a that transfers information about the developing cartridge 300a to the body 100a by being electrically connected to the body 100 when the developing cartridge 300a is mounted in the body 100a. , and a plurality of first contact portions 391a for communication between the memory unit 390a and the body 100a. A plurality of second contact portions electrically connected to first contact portions 391a may be included in cap 400a. For example, the number of each of the first contact portions 391a and the second contact portions may be equal to or greater than 4. Referring to Figure 23, the second contact portion may include the elastic member 434 applying force. elastic to the connecting pin 433 in a direction in which the connecting pin 433 contacts the first contact portion 391. The elastic force applied by the plurality of second contact portions can fix the developing cartridge 300a to the portion assembly 201a.

The first contact portion 391a may be included in any of the pressure receiving portions 371a, 372a, and 373a, and one of the pressurizing portions 441 through 444 corresponding to the first contact portion 391a may function as the second contact portion. . A pressing force applied to the developing cartridge 300a may be greater at the location where the first and second gears 12 and 43 are not provided than at the location where the first and second gears 12 and 43 are provided. Consequently, the first portion of contact and the second contact portion may be disposed in a location where the pressing force is great based on the direction of length B. According to an illustrative embodiment, the first contact portion 391a may be included in the receiving portion of pressure 372a arranged in the place where the first and second gears 12 and 43 are not arranged, and the pressurizing portion 443, which is illustrated in Figure 21, functions as the second contact portion. Accordingly, the pressing force that comes into contact with the first contact portion 391a and the second contact portion can be effectively used as the pressing force that fixes the developing cartridge 300a to the mounting portion 201a, and can pressurize so Stable the developing cartridge 300a by balancing the pressing force in the length direction B.

Figure 24 illustrates an illustrative relationship between the first and second guide protrusions 310a and 320a and the first and second housing portions 241a and 242a while the developing cartridge 300a is mounted on the photoreceptor cartridge 200a. Referring to FIG. 24, when the developing cartridge 300a is mounted to the photoreceptor cartridge 200a, the first and second guide protrusions 310a and 320a are respectively disposed on the first and second housing portions 241a and 242a. When the lid 400a is closed at this time, the developing cartridge 300a is pushed in the mounting direction A1 by the pressurizing unit 440, and thus the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 reach the locations illustrated in Figure 3A or 3B, and the developing cartridge 300a no longer moves in the mounting direction A1. The developing roller 4 rotates when the second gear 43 provided on the axis of rotation 41 of the development roller 4 and the first gear 12 provided on the axis of rotation 11 of the photoconductive drum 1 are engaged. In the contact development method, a repulsive force F resulting from the compression deformation of the developing roller 4 can be applied to the developing cartridge 300a. The extraction (withdrawal) of the developing cartridge 300a due to the repulsive power F causes a coupling amount of the first and second gears 12 and 43 to be reduced, a contact amount of the developing roller 4 and the photoconductive drum is reduced. 1 when the contact development method is used, and the interval between the development roller 4 and the photoconductive drum 1 is increased when the non-contact development method is used. How As a result, an image skipping or an image defect caused by improper rotation of the developing roller 4 can be generated. According to an illustrative embodiment, to prevent the developing cartridge 300a from being pushed, the first housing portion 241a includes a withdrawal prevention portion 243a located at the rear portion of the first guide boss 310a to support the first guide boss 310a. The first guide boss 310a functions as a location determining boss to determine a mounting location of the developing cartridge 300a.

The second guide boss 320a may be located in the second housing portion 242a. When the first and second gears 12 and 43 rotate, the rotational moment M is applied to the developing cartridge 300a. To prevent the developing cartridge 300a from rotating, the second housing portion 242a includes a rotation preventing portion 244a that supports the second guide boss 320a as it is located downstream of the second guide boss 320 in the direction of rotation of the first gear. (or development roller 4). The second guide boss 320a functions as a development cartridge rotation prevention boss 300a.

Accordingly, the developing cartridge 300a can maintain a stable position without being removed or rotated while the development roller 4 rotates, and a relative location of the photoconductive drum 1 and the development roller 4 can be stably maintained.

While the present invention has been shown and described particularly with reference to illustrative embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made to the form and details therein without departing from the scope of the present invention. as defined in the following claims.

Claims (11)

1. A developing cartridge (300) mountable in a mounting portion (201) provided on a photoreceptor cartridge (200) comprising a photoreceptor (1) and mountable in a body (100) of an apparatus imaging, the developing cartridge (300) comprising: a developing roller (4) for developing an image by supplying toner to the photoreceptor (1); a plurality of pressure receiving portions (371a, 372a, 373a) arranged in an axial direction of the developing roller (4) and configured to receive a pressing force from the body (100), wherein the pressing force is in a direction parallel to a center line connecting a center of the photoreceptor and a center of the developing roller when the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion of the photoreceptor cartridge; a memory unit (390) electrically connected to the body (100) for transferring information about the developing cartridge (300) to the body (100) and comprising a plurality of first contact portions (391a) contacting a plurality of second contact portions (443) on the body (100) for communication with the body (100), and a gear (43) for transferring the drive power from the body to the developing roller (4) characterized in that the plurality of first contact portions (391a) are a pressure receiving portion (372a) that is arranged opposite a location where The gear (43) is arranged, in the axial direction, from among the plurality of pressure receiving portions (371a, 372a, 373a), wherein the plurality of first contact portions comprises a surface configured to receive the pressure force to fixing the developing cartridge to the mounting portion of the photoreceptor cartridge, where the surface is perpendicular to the center line. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pressure receiving portions (371,381) comprises a first pressure receiving portion (371) and a second pressure receiving portion (381) spaced from the center line (L1) connecting a center of the photoreceptor (1) and a center of the developing roller (4) in opposite directions respectively by a first distance (D1) and a second distance (D2). The developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the first distance (D1) is different from the second distance (D2). 4. The developing cartridge according to claim 3, wherein: a first pressure force (F1) applied to the first pressure receiving portion (371) generates a first moment in a direction opposite to a rotational moment generated by the rotation of the developing roller (4), a second pressure force ( F2) applied to the second pressure receiving portion (381) generates a second moment in the same direction as the rotational moment generated by the rotation of the developing roller (4), and the first moment is greater than the second moment. 5. The developing cartridge according to claim 4, the first distance (D1) is longer than the second distance (D2). The developing cartridge of any preceding claim, wherein the developing roller (4) is in a leading region of the developing cartridge (300) based on a mounting direction of the developing cartridge (300) mounted on the portion of assembly (201), and wherein the plurality of pressure receiving portions (371a, 372a, 373a) is in a rear region of the developing cartridge (300) based on the mounting direction of the developing cartridge (300) mounted on the mounting portion (201 ). The developing cartridge according to claim 6, further comprising a handle (360) for detaching the developing cartridge (300), wherein the handle (360) is disposed in a rear central portion of the developing cartridge (300). The developing cartridge according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of pressure receiving portions (371a, 372a, 373a) is located on each side of the handle (360). 9. A process cartridge comprising: a photoreceptor cartridge (200) mountable in a body (100) of an image forming apparatus, and comprising a photoreceptor (1) and a mounting portion (201); Y a developing cartridge (300) of any preceding claim. 10. An imaging apparatus comprising: a body (100) having an opening (101); a photoreceptor cartridge (200) mountable to a body (100) of an image forming apparatus through the aperture (101), and comprising a photoreceptor (1) and a mounting portion (201); a developing cartridge (300) of one of claims 1 to 8; Y a cap (400) for opening and closing the opening (101), and comprising a plurality of pressurizing portions (441, 442, 443, 444) for providing the pressing force to the plurality of pressure receiving portions (371a, 372a, 373a). The imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of pressure receiving portions (371a, 372a, 373a) comprises a surface perpendicular to a center line (L1) connecting a center of the photoreceptor (1) and a center of the developing roller (4).