WO2007095853A1

WO2007095853A1 - Developer cartridge for electrophotographic image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007095853A1
Application number: PCT/CN2007/000547
Authority: WO
Inventors: Qingguo Xiao; Long Lin
Original assignee: Print-Rite Technology Development Co., Ltd Of Zhuhai
Priority date: 2006-02-23
Filing date: 2007-02-15
Publication date: 2007-08-30
Also published as: CN2921898Y

Abstract

A developer cartridge for electrophotographic image-forming apparatus includes a cylindrical inner barrel (1) for storing powder and a protective case (2). The protective case (2) is provided on the cylindrical external wall of the inner barrel (1). A powder supply blade (302) in the inner barrel (1) is comprised of a fixed part (3021), a powder supply part (3022) and a powder hold part (3023). The fixed part (3021) is fixed on the center shaft (301) of a carbon powder stirring device (3). One end of the powder supply part (3022) is connected to the fixed part (3021), and the other end is connected to the powder hold part (3023). On the axial cross section of the inner barrel (1), the powder supply part (3022) forms an acute angle with respect to the rotation direction of the carbon powder stirring device (3). The length from the rotary shaft of the carbon powder stirring device (3) to the end portion of the powder supply part (3022) is slightly less than radius of the inner chamber (101). The powder hold part (3023) is represented as a chord or an arc of the inner chamber (101) on the axial cross section of the inner barrel (1).

Description

Developer cartridge for electrophotographic image forming apparatus

The present invention relates to a developer cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, particularly a developer cartridge used in a laser printer, an electrophotographic copying machine or a facsimile machine. The present invention is based on a Chinese utility model patent application filed on Feb. 23, 2006, with the application number 200620006535. 0, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Background technique .

Devices such as laser printers, facsimile machines, copiers, office centers, and the like are image forming apparatuses using an electrophotographic principle, and an image developing device is usually provided with a developer cartridge for storing a developer during operation. Such a developer cartridge is often designed to be replaceable or reusable after being refilled with toner, which is correspondingly constructed as a plurality of components that can be attached and detached.

A developer cartridge of such an image forming apparatus has a structure in which the developer cartridge has a substantially cylindrical cylindrical shape, which is provided by an inner cylinder for storing toner and for positioning of the developer cartridge relative to the developing device and has a protective effect. The shield is constructed. A shroud sleeve is placed over the cylindrical outer wall of the inner barrel. A toner supply port is opened in the cylindrical wall of the inner cylinder, and a stirring frame for stirring the carbon powder is disposed in the inner cavity of the inner cylinder. On the developing device frame for supporting the developer cartridge, a toner supply hole corresponding to the inner cylinder toner supply port is formed. The toner supply hole is matched with the inner cylinder toner supply port to provide a toner conveying passage for the toner to enter the developing device from the inner cylinder. A developing chamber is provided in the frame of the developing device, and a toner supply roller and a developing roller adjacent to each other are disposed in the developing chamber. Thus, after the toner supply hole is mated with the inner cylinder toner supply port, the toner input from the inner cylinder toner supply port is transported to the developing roller through the toner supply roller.

In the developing chamber of the above developing device, the sheet member is protruded outside the wall of the developing chamber. Corresponding to the cylindrical surface of the developing roller, the sheet member has a linear rim extending in the axial direction of the developing roller. The linear edge is in contact with the cylindrical surface of the developing roller, and a certain pressure is applied in the radial direction of the developing roller to adjust the thickness of the carbon layer adhered to the cylindrical surface of the developing roller. The photosensitive drum and the inner cylinder toner supply port are respectively opposed to both sides of the developing roller with respect to the developing roller, and the cylindrical drum surface of the photosensitive drum is in contact with the cylindrical surface of the developing roller. The image information output from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is transmitted to the cylindrical drum surface of the photosensitive drum by a laser beam by a corresponding laser scanning device to form an electrostatic latent image. Further, the electrostatic exposure of the developing roller to the drum surface of the photosensitive drum

1

Confirmation The image is developed as a visible image by supplying toner. Thereafter, the visible image on the drum surface is rotated to the transfer position, and the visible image is transferred to a recording medium such as paper by the corresponding transfer roller to form image information recorded in writing.

A positioning mechanism is provided between the powder inner cylinder of the developer cartridge and the shroud. The positioning mechanism combines the powder inner cylinder and the shroud into a complete developer cartridge while allowing the powder inner cylinder and the shroud to reciprocate within a certain angular range about a common rotating shaft. Corresponding to the inner cylinder toner supply port, the cover is provided with an opening and closing device. The opening and closing device is a slit and a sponge seal which are sequentially disposed in the circumferential direction of the shield. In the above-mentioned range of the rotation angle, the opening and closing device on the shroud cooperates with the reciprocating rotation of the shroud to open or close the inner cylinder toner supply port to realize the flow of the toner or block the flow of the toner.

In order to supply the toner to the developing device, a stirring frame is arranged in the inner cylinder of the developer cartridge for agitating the carbon powder in the powder storage chamber of the inner cylinder, and the toner is disposed by the powder feeding blade provided on the mixing frame It is fed into the developing chamber of the above developing device. Usually, the above-mentioned powder feeding blade is a complete sheet. In the natural placement state, the length of the powder feeding blade in the diameter direction of the inner cylinder of the powder storage from the rotating shaft of the stirring frame to the end thereof is larger than the radius of the powder storage chamber of the inner cylinder of the powder storage. In the case where the developer cartridge is assembled, one end of the powder feeding blade is fixed to the rotating shaft of the stirring frame, and the other end is elastically contacted with the inner wall of the powder storage chamber of the powder storage inner cylinder. In this state, the free end of the powder feeding blade is pressed by the inner wall of the powder storage chamber of the powder storage cylinder, causing deformation of the powder feeding blade. With the rotation of the agitator, the powder feeding blade is deformed into a meniscus shape on the axial cross section of the inner cylinder of the powder storage, thereby accumulating the elastic potential energy restored to the original state. When the free end of the powder feeding blade travels to the toner supply port, the free end quickly comes out of contact with the inner wall of the powder storage cavity of the powder storage cylinder, pops out to the toner supply port, and the accumulated elastic potential energy is released, and the toner is ejected. The toner supply port is brought into the powder inlet of the developing device.

During the toner conveying process, the deformation caused by the free end of the powder feeding blade bounded by the inner wall of the powder storage chamber of the powder storage tank can be recovered only in the carbon powder supply port of the powder storage inner cylinder. Other parts than the powder supply port will be in this deformed state. Therefore, in one rotation cycle of the agitator, the free ends of the powder feeding blades will alternate between the original state and the deformed state. In other words, the free end of the powder feeding blade in the deformed state, along with the rotation of the mixing frame, also generates friction with the inner wall of the powder storage cavity of the powder storage inner cylinder, and then the friction is located at the free end of the powder feeding blade and the powder storage inner cylinder The toner between the gaps in the inner wall of the cavity changes the performance of the toner, which in turn affects the print quality. Further, the powder inlet of the developing device is usually located below or near the horizontal plane of the axis of the inner cylinder of the powder storage. In this state, the toner is fed from the powder supply port of the powder storage inner cylinder to the powder inlet of the developing device, in addition to the elastic action of the free end of the powder feeding blade, and carbon The flow caused by the gravity of the powder itself. Therefore, after the free end of the powder feeding blade leaves the toner supply port of the inner cylinder of the powder storage, the position of the powder inlet of the developing device changes, and the toner returns to the inner storage chamber of the powder storage tank due to its own gravity. The toner supply is intermittent. Summary of the invention

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a developer cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which is capable of effectively preventing the physical properties of a developer from being changed by friction and which is stable and reliable in developer transmission.

A developer cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which achieves the above object, comprising a cylindrical powder storage inner cylinder and a shield. The inner cylinder of the powder storage has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has an inner cavity for storing carbon powder, the inner end of which has a mouth at the axial end, and the other end is closed by the end cover, and the cylindrical surface of the cylinder is provided with a through-column wall for The laser printer developing device supplies a toner supply port of the toner. A toner agitator for agitating the toner is disposed in the inner chamber. The toner mixing rack is provided with a powder feeding blade. The shield is substantially cylindrical and coaxially sleeved on the outer cylindrical wall of the inner cylinder of the powder storage, and is reciprocally rotatable with respect to the inner cylinder of the powder storage, and is arranged to control the opening and closing of the toner supply port. State opening and closing mechanism. It is characterized in that the length of the powder feeding blade in the axial direction of the inner cylinder of the powder storage corresponds to the toner supply port. In the axial cross section of the inner cylinder of the powder storage, the powder feeding blade is presented as a three-section segment with a bend connected one by one: a fixing portion, a powder feeding portion and a powder holding portion.

A further solution is that the fixing portion is fixed to the central shaft of the toner agitating frame. In the axial cross section of the inner cylinder of the powder storage, one end of the powder feeding portion is connected to the fixing portion, and the other end is connected to the powder holding portion. In the axial cross section of the inner cylinder of the powder storage, the powder feeding portion maintains an acute angle with the direction of rotation of the toner agitating frame. The length from the rotating shaft of the toner agitating frame to the connecting end of the powder feeding portion and the powder holding portion is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner cylinder of the powder storage inner cylinder. The powder holding portion is expressed as a string or arc of the inner cavity of the powder storage inner cylinder in the axial cross section of the inner cylinder of the powder storage.

In the above developer cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the powder holding portion is a flat sheet. The connecting end of the sheet and the powder feeding portion and the opposite end thereof maintain a gap with the inner wall of the inner cylinder of the powder storage.

In the above developer cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the powder holding portion is a cylindrical sheet. A gap is maintained between the outer cylindrical surface of the sheet and the inner wall of the inner cylinder of the powder storage.

1 is a schematic view showing the outer shape of a developer cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing a state in which a toner remaining amount detecting window on a powder storage inner cylinder is located on a visible surface; 2 is a second schematic structural view of the developer cartridge for the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing a state in which the toner supply port on the inner cylinder of the powder storage is located on the visible surface;

3 is a schematic view showing the outer structure of a developer cartridge cover for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing a state in which a shield observation window corresponding to a toner remaining amount detecting window on a powder storage inner cylinder is located on a visible surface;

Figure 4 is a schematic view showing the outline of the structure of the developer cartridge cover for the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, showing the state in which the shutter opening and closing mechanism corresponding to the toner supply port on the inner cylinder of the powder storage is located on the visible surface;

Figure 5 is a schematic view showing the outer structure of the inner cylinder of the developer cartridge for the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing the state in which the toner remaining amount detecting window on the inner cylinder of the powder storage is located on the visible surface;

Figure 6 is a schematic view showing the outer structure of the inner cylinder of the developer cartridge for the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing the state in which the toner supply port on the inner cylinder of the powder storage is located on the visible surface;

Figure 7 is a partial structural view showing the outer shape of the inner cylinder of the developer cartridge for the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing the closed end state of the closed end of the powder storage inner cylinder for matching connection with the shield;

Figure 8 is a partial structural view showing the outer shape of the inner cylinder of the developer cartridge for the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing the state of the open end of the powder storage inner cylinder for transmitting the rotational moment to the agitating frame;

9 is a schematic exploded view showing the structure of the inner cylinder of the developer cartridge for the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention, wherein the agitating frame and the sealed end cap are assembled along the dotted arrow storage powder inner cylinder;

10a, b, and c are schematic views showing the axial cross-sectional structure of the inner cylinder of the developer cartridge for the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing the toner supply state when the agitating frame is at different phases;

11a and b are a schematic view and a projection view of a powder feeding blade of a developer cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention. '

The invention will now be further described in conjunction with the drawings and the preferred embodiments. detailed description

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, the corresponding structural schematic of the developer cartridge of the present invention. The developer cartridge structurally includes a powder inner cylinder 1 and a shroud 2. The shroud 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape and forms a cylindrical cavity along its axial direction. The cylindrical cavity is axially closed at one end by the end cap 201 and the other end is naturally Open state. The powder inner cylinder 1 is substantially cylindrical and has a cylindrical inner cavity 101 for storing toner. The cylindrical inner cavity 101 has an opening 102 at one axial end, and a plurality of mutually symmetric locking cards 108 are disposed on the cylindrical surface of the other end, and the locking recesses provided on the corresponding surfaces of the locking card 108 and the locking end cover 111 are mutually In cooperation, the opposite end port is closed by the latching end cap 111. The cylindrical inner cylinder of the powder storage inner cylinder 1 is provided with a toner supply port 104 penetrating the column wall for supplying toner to the laser printer developing device. In the assembled state, the powder storage inner cylinder 1 is embedded in the cylindrical cavity of the shroud 2, and is locked by the locking positioning claw 1111 on the outer end surface of the locking end cover 111 to the end surface of the end cover 201 of the shroud 2 The positioning track is in 2011.

Referring to Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, the developer cartridge powder storage inner cylinder 1 of the present invention. In the axially central portion of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage, two grooves 103 which are radially recessed along the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage are formed on the outer cylindrical surface thereof. Between the two grooves 103 is a portion 109 of the cylindrical wall of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage. The portion 109 has a certain axial width, which may be referred to as a toner detecting chamber 109, and the carbon powder may be along the cylindrical cavity of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage. 10 enters the toner detecting chamber 109, and the toner detecting chamber 109 and the groove 103 constitute a toner detecting window 110 adapted to the toner remaining amount detecting means provided on the developing device. The toner remaining amount detecting device emits detection light from one of the grooves 103, and axially traverses the two radial cavity walls of the toner detecting chamber 109 along the powder storing inner cylinder 1 to reach another corresponding groove 103, which is toner The receiving end of the remaining amount detecting device receives or is blocked by the toner in the toner detecting chamber 109 to achieve the purpose of detecting the remaining amount of toner.

A toner supply port 104 is disposed along the circumferential direction of the powder storage inner cylinder 1 at a predetermined distance from the toner detecting window 110 (see Fig. 6, in which the toner detecting window 110 is located on the back side of the inner cylinder 1). The toner supply port 104 and the toner detecting window 110 are located substantially at the same axially central portion of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage. The toner stored in the powder inner cylinder 1 can flow out along the toner supply port 104. Along the axial direction of the powder storage inner cylinder 1, a ring 107 extending radially along the outer cylindrical surface of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage cylinder is respectively disposed on both sides of the toner supply opening 104 or the carbon powder detecting window 110 to strengthen the shield. 2 and the sealing effect between the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage. In the direction toward the opening 102 of the powder storage inner cylinder 1 near the toner detecting window 110, a positioning projection 105 extending radially outwardly of the powder storage inner cylinder 1 adapted to the positioning position of the laser printer developing device is disposed on the ring 107 . In the axial cross section of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage, the positioning projection 105 has a rectangular layered structure. A set position block 106 is additionally provided in the vicinity of the toner detecting window 110 toward the side of the powder storage inner cylinder 1 closing end cover 111. The set position block 106 is maintained at an axial distance from the positioning projection 105 so that the mutual rotation between the shroud 2 and the powder storage inner cylinder 1 can be smoothly realized without generating torque. Referring to Fig. 9, the agitating frame 3 is composed of a support shaft 301, a powder feeding blade 302, and a stirring blade 303. After the mixing frame 3 and the locking end cover 111 and the powder storage inner cylinder 1 are mounted along the dotted arrow in the figure, one end of the support shaft 301 is supported by the opening end 102 of the powder storage inner cylinder 1 at the rotational driving end of the developing device, and the other end is supported at the locking end. The cover 111 is in the axially central portion of the shaft hole 1112. The agitator 3 is unidirectionally rotated in the powder storage inner cylinder 1 under the rotational driving of the laser printer developing device.

Referring to Figures 10a, 10b, 10c, 11a, l ib , in the axial cross-section of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage, the powder feeding blades 302 are presented as three segments connected together with a bend: a fixing portion 3021 The powder feeding unit 3022 and the powder holding unit 3023. The fixing portion 3021 is fixed to the center shaft 301 of the toner agitating frame 3. On the axial cross section of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage, one end of the powder feeding portion 3022 is connected to the fixing portion 3021, and the other end is connected to the powder holding portion 3023. In the axial cross section of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage, the powder feeding portion 3022 maintains an acute angle ct with the direction of rotation of the toner agitating frame 3. The length from the rotating shaft 301 of the toner agitating frame 3 to the connecting end of the powder feeding portion 3022 and the powder holding portion 3021 is slightly smaller than the radius of the inner cavity 101 of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage. The powder holding portion 3023 appears as a chord or an arc of the inner chamber 101 of the powder storage inner cylinder in the axial cross section of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage. The length of the powder feeding blade 302 in the axial direction of the powder storing inner cylinder 1 corresponds to the toner supply port 104. The fixing portion 3021 and the powder feeding portion 3022 may be connected to each other by a buckle or a bent portion, and a groove 3024 for positioning the powder feeding blade 302 is disposed at the bent portion. Between the powder holding portion 3023 and the powder feeding portion 3022, a linear bending is formed directly on the entire sheet material to effect connection. The powder holding portion 3023 may be a flat sheet having a gap between the connecting end and the other end of the sheet feeding portion 3022 and the wall of the inner cavity 101 of the powder storing inner tube 1. The powder holding portion 3023 may also be a cylindrical sheet having an appropriate gap between the outer cylindrical surface of the sheet and the inner wall 101 of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage.

Referring to Figures 10a, 10b, and 10c, the agitator 3 is rotated clockwise along the dotted arrow in the figure, driven by the developing device. Fig. 10a shows a case where the powder feeding blade 302 is located outside the toner supply port 104. At this time, the fixing portion 3021 drives the powder feeding portion 3022 to apply a pushing force to the toner. Fig. 10b, when the powder feeding portion 3022 is screwed into the position of the toner supply port 104, the toner carried on the surface of the powder feeding portion 3022 is drawn by gravity, and is slid into the powder inlet of the developing device through the toner supply port 104. In Fig. 10c, the powder feeding portion 3022 continues to advance, and the space of the unsealed toner supply port 104 left behind is immediately closed by the powder holding portion 3023. After the developing device digests a part of the toner or adjusts the distribution of the toner, the powder holding portion 3023 slides off the powder supply inner tube 1 toner supply port 104 along with the end of the powder feeding portion 3022.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the lock positioning claws 1111 and the toner supply port 104 corresponding to the powder storage inner cylinder 1 are The toner detecting window 110, the setting block 106 and the positioning protrusion 105 are respectively provided with a positioning rail 2011 corresponding thereto, a toner supply opening and closing mechanism 205, a toner detecting port 202, a positioning groove 204, and A positioning recess 203 is formed in the cylindrical wall of the open end of the shroud 2 along its own axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, after the inner cylinder 1 is loaded into the shroud 2, the locking positioning claws 1111, the set position block 106 and the positioning protrusions 105 are respectively engaged with the positioning rails 2011, the positioning grooves 204, and the positioning recesses 203. in. The positioning rails 2011, the positioning grooves 204, and the positioning recesses 203 limit the movement strokes of the lock positioning claws 1111, the set position block 106, and the positioning projections 105 in the circumferential direction of the powder storage inner cylinder 1 at the same rotation angle. Thus, in the case where the powder storage inner cylinder 1 is fixed by the developing device, when the shroud 2 reciprocates relative to the powder storage inner cylinder 1, the opening and closing mechanism 205 provided on the shroud 2 will make the carbon of the inner cylinder 1 of the powder storage The powder supply port 104 is in an alternately interchanged state of opening or closing, thereby achieving toner supply or blocking of the toner inner cylinder 1 to the developing device. , industrial applicability

The developer cartridge of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention improves the powder feeding blade into a three-stage structure, and maintains a proper gap between the end of the powder feeding portion and the inner wall of the inner cylinder of the powder storage without direct contact. Avoid changing the physical properties of the toner due to the friction between the end of the powder feeding section and the inner wall of the inner cylinder of the powder storage. When the end of the powder feeding portion is slid to the toner supply port of the powder storage inner cylinder, the toner carried on the surface of the powder feeding portion is smoothly pulled into the powder inlet of the developing device of the laser printer. In this initial stage, since the toner that slides into the powder inlet of the developing device is large, the portion that slides at the end of the powder feeding portion appears as a natural accumulation of carbon powder, which may cause the toner to slide back into the inner cavity of the powder storage cylinder. . For this purpose, a string-shaped or arc-shaped powder holding portion is provided at the end of the powder feeding portion, and after the end of the powder feeding portion slides over the powder inlet of the developing device, the powder holding portion closes the developing device into the powder opening. After the developing device digests a part of the carbon powder or adjusts the distribution of the carbon powder, the powder holding portion is slid away from the powder supply end of the powder storage unit to ensure the continuity of the toner supply.

Claims

Claim

1. A developer cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, including

The cylindrical powder storage inner cylinder has an opening at one axial end thereof, and the other end is closed by an end cover, and a cylindrical powder surface is provided with a toner supply port for supplying toner to the developing device through the cylindrical wall;

a toner mixing rack is disposed in the inner cylinder of the powder storage for agitating the carbon powder, and the toner mixing rack is provided with a powder feeding blade;

a shroud disposed coaxially on the outer cylindrical wall of the inner cylinder of the powder storage, capable of reciprocating rotation of a certain angle range with respect to the inner cylinder of the powder storage, and being arranged to control the opening and closing state of the toner supply opening Opening and closing mechanism;

It is characterized by:

• the length of the powder feeding blade in the axial direction of the powder storage inner cylinder corresponds to the toner supply port, and is connected to each other in a section of the axial direction of the powder storage inner cylinder with a bend The fixing portion, the powder feeding portion and the powder holding portion.

2. The developer cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the fixing portion is fixed to a center axis of the toner agitating frame;

The powder feeding portion is connected to the fixing portion at one end of the axial cross section of the powder storage inner cylinder, and the other end is connected to the powder holding portion, and the axial direction cross section of the powder storage inner cylinder is The powder feeding portion maintains an acute angle with the rotation direction of the toner agitating frame, and the length from the rotating shaft of the toner agitating frame to the connecting end of the powder feeding portion and the powder holding portion is slightly smaller than the length The inner cavity radius of the powder storage inner cylinder.

The developer cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the powder holding portion is present as an inner cavity of the powder storage inner cylinder in an axial cross section of the powder storage inner cylinder A string or arc.

A developer cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is characterized in that:

The powder holding portion is a flat sheet, and the connecting end and the other end of the powder feeding portion and the powder storage The inner cylinder wall has a gap.

The powder holding portion is a cylindrical sheet, and an outer cylindrical surface of the sheet holds a gap with a wall of the inner cylinder of the powder storage inner cylinder.