WO2021194476A1

WO2021194476A1 - Print material container

Info

Publication number: WO2021194476A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/024468
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gabriel Scott MCDANIEL; Jeffrey H. Luke
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2020-03-24
Filing date: 2020-03-24
Publication date: 2021-09-30

Abstract

A print material container including a drum section, a developing section, a hinge, and a belt. The drum section includes a drum pulley coupled to a drum. The developing section is coupled to the drum section, and is positonable to a tight position and a slack position. The developing section includes a developing pulley coupled to a developing unit. The hinge is coupled to the drum section and the developing section. The hinge is to position the developing section to the tight position or the slack position. The belt is located around the drum pulley and the developing pulley. The belt is to drive the developing pulley when the developing section is positioned in the tight position.

Description

PRINT MATERIAL CONTAINER

BACKGROUND

[0001]An image forming apparatus is an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium or in a space according to an input signal. Representative examples of an image forming apparatus include a printer, a copy machine, a facsimile, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that integrally implements these functions, a 3D printer, a biologic printer, an ink or liquid solution printer, a piezo-electric printer, a pressurized printer, a vacuum printer, a disbursement printer, and derivatives thereof that form images or objects. An image forming apparatus may also mean a display.

[0002]An electro-photographic (EP) image forming apparatus uses an electro photographic method that forms a visible image utilizing particulates and/or polymers such as toner on a photoconductor by supplying toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor, transfers the toner image by using an intermediate transfer medium, a direct transfer medium, or a chasm-crossing attraction-based transfer medium, and then fixes the transferred toner image on a recording medium.

[0003] By separating particular components susceptible to wear from a drive train, which is referred to as alienation, an image forming apparatus may turn off certain processes to alienate particular components when certain processes are not needed for a selected printing process. A clutch function, such as a mechanically-activated drive clutch, has been used to alienate particular components in an image forming apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a configuration of a print material container, according to an example;

[0005] FIG. 2 is a view of a print material container with a developing section in a slack position, according to an example;

[0006] FIG. 3 is a view of a print material container with a developing section in a tight position, according to an example;

[0007] FIGS. 4A and 4B are views of a print material container including a belt tensioner with a developing section in a tight position, according to examples; [0008] FIG. 5 is a view of a print material container including a belt tensioner with a developing section in a slack position, according to an example;

[0009] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a configuration of an image forming apparatus, according to an example;

[0010] FIG. 7 is a view of operational logic, according to an example;

[0011] FIGS. 8A and 8B are views of examples of belt, according to examples; [0012] FIGS. 9A and 9B are views of examples of pulleys, according to examples;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Various examples of the disclosure will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters denote like elements. Examples to be explained in the following may be modified and implemented in various different forms.

[0014] When it is stated in the disclosure that one element is "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, the expression encompasses not only an example of a direct connection or direct coupling, but also a connection with another element interposed therebetween. Further, when it is stated herein that one element "includes" another element, unless otherwise stated explicitly, it means that yet another element may be further included rather than being excluded.

[0015] As used herein, including in the claims, the word “or” is used in an inclusive manner. For example, “A or B” means any of the following: “A” alone, “B” alone, or both “A” and “B”.

[0016] A print material container may also be referred to as a print material cartridge.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a view of block diagram of a print material container 10.

The print material container includes a drum section 20, a developing section 30, a hinge 40, and a belt 50. The drum section 20 includes a drum pulley 22 coupled to a drum 24. The developing section 30 includes a developing pulley 32 coupled to a developing unit 34. The developing section 30 is coupled to the drum section 20, and is positonable to shift an operation mode thereof between a tight position mode and a slack position mode. The developing section 30 is positioned in an alienation state when the developing section 30 is positioned in the slack position. The tight position and the slack position of the developing section 30 are explained in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

[0018] Referring again to FIG. 1 , the hinge 40 is coupled to the drum section 20 and the developing section 30. The hinge 40 is to position the developing section 30 to the tight position or the slack position. The hinge 40 may also be referred to as an alienation hinge. The belt 50 is located around the drum pulley 22 and the developing pulley 32. The belt 50 is to drive the developing pulley 32 when the developing section 30 is positioned in the tight position.

[0019] As an example, the developing unit 34 may be a developer roller. As an example, the developing section 30 may also include a re-supply (“RS”) roller that may rotate when the developing pulley 32 is driven. In addition, the developing section 30 may also include toner, a stirring mechanism to stir the toner, and a developer plate. The developing section 30 may also include other features besides the features listed above.

[0020]As an example, the drum 24 may be an Organic Photo Conductor (“Opc”) d_rum The d_rum section 20 may also include a charge roller that rotates when the drum 24 rotates. The drum section 20 may also include other features besides the features listed above.

[0021] In an example, as shown in FIGS. 2-5, the developing section 30 may further include an idler pulley 36. The belt 50 is located around the drum pulley 22, the developing pulley 32, and the idler pulley 36. In an example, the developing section may also include a plurality of idler pulleys 36.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows an example of the developing section 30 positioned in a slack position. In this example, the developing section 30 is located in the slack position when the developing section 30 is adjacent to the drum section 20.

The hinge 40 is coupled to the drum section 20 and the developing section 30. The developing section 30 is coupled to the drum section 20 and is positionable to either a tight position or the slack position by use of the hinge 40.

[0023] When the developing section 30 is in the slack position, the belt 50 is not wrapped tightly around the developing pulley 32. When the developing section 30 is in the slack position, the tension in the belt 50 is below a threshold so the belt 50 may not engage with the developing pulley 32. Thus, the developing pulley 32 may not be driven when the belt 50 is rotated. When the belt 50 is rotated when the developing section 30 is in the slack position, the belt 50 may not drive the developing pulley 32. When the developing pulley 32 is not driven by the belt 50, the developing pulley 32 may not drive the developing unit 34. [0024] FIG. 3 shows an example of the developing section 30 positioned in a tight position. In this example, the developing section 30 is located in the tight position when the developing section 30 is positioned away from the drum section 20. When the developing section 30 is positioned away from the drum section, the developing section 30 may be temporarily locked in that position by a variety of locking mechanisms. The hinge 40 is coupled to the drum section 20 and the developing section 30. The developing section 30 is coupled to the drum section 20 and is positionable to either a tight position or the slack position by use of the hinge 40. The belt 50 is located around the drum pulley 22, the developing pulley 32, and the idler pulley 36.

[0025] When the developing section 30 is in the tight position, the belt 50 is wrapped tightly around the developing pulley 32. When the developing section 30 is in the tight position, the tension in the belt 50 is above a threshold so the belt 50 engages with the developing pulley 32. Thus, the developing pulley 32 may be driven when the belt 50 is rotated. When the belt 50 is rotated when the developing section 30 is in the tight position, the belt 50 drives the developing pulley 32. When the developing pulley 32 is driven by the belt 50, the developing pulley 32 drives the developing unit 34. When the belt 50 is transitioned to engaging with the developing pulley 32, a settling time may be provided so an image is not printed until after a period of time to stabilize the OPC to an intermediate transfer belt speed.

[0026] When the developing pulley 32 and the developing unit 34 are to be driven, the developing section may be positioned in the tight position so the belt 50 is wrapped tightly around the developing pulley 32. When the developing pulley 32 and the developing unit 34 are not to be driven, the developing section 30 may be positioned in the slack position so the belt 50 is not wrapped tightly around and is not engaged with the developing pulley 32 so the developing pulley 32 and the developing unit 34 are not driven when the belt 50 driven.

The developing section 30 may be engaged with the drum section 20 when the developing section 30 is in the tight position, and the developing section 30 may be alienated from the drum section 20 when the developing section 30 is in the slack position. The rotation and translation geometry provided in the print material container 10 of Figures 2 and 3 may help to decouple the developing pulley 32 from the belt 50 that is being driven when the developing section 30 is positioned in the slack position.

[0027] Thus, this configuration may help save wear and tear on the developing pulley 32 and developing unit 34 when the belt 50 is to be driven but the developing pulley 32 and the developing unit 34 are not to be driven because the developer may not rotate unnecessarily, which may help extend the life of the developing pulley 32 and the developing unit 34.

[0028] The developing section 30 is positioned in the tight position when a movable portion of the developing section 30 is positioned a predetermined distance from the drum section 20. The developing section 30 is positioned in the slack position when the movable portion of the developing section 30 is positioned adjacent to the drum section 20.

[0029] FIG. 4A shows an example of the print material container 10 also including a belt tensioner 60. The belt tensioner 60 is positioned to contact the belt 50. In an example, the belt tensioner 60 may be positioned to contact an outer surface of the belt 50. In another example, the belt tensioner 60 may be positioned to contact an inner surface of the belt 50. FIG. 4A also shows an example of the print material container 10 including a belt tensioner 60 positioned in the tight position.

[0030] When the print material container 10 includes a belt tensioner 60, the developing section 30 is positioned in the tight position when a movable portion of the developing section 30 is positioned adjacent to the drum section 20. When the developing section 30 is positioned in the tight position the belt tensioner 60 exerts tension on the belt 50 to position the belt 50 to drive the developing pulley 32.

[0031]When the developing section 30 is in the tight position, the belt 50 is wrapped tightly around the developing pulley 32. When the developing section 30 is in the tight position, the tension in the belt 50 is above a threshold so the belt 50 engages with the developing pulley 32. Thus, when the belt 50 is rotated when the developing section 30 is in the tight position, the belt 50 drives the developing pulley 32. When the developing pulley 32 is driven by the belt 50, the developing pulley 32 drives the developing unit 34. When the belt 50 is transitioned to engaging with the developing pulley 32, a settling time may be provided so an image is not printed until after a period of time to stabilize the OPC to an intermediate transfer belt speed.

[0032] The belt tensioner 60 may be a variety of shapes such as rounded, oval, cylindrical, or a variety of other shapes so the belt tensioner 60 may exert tension on the belt 50. In an example, the belt tensioner 60 may maintain a constant tension on the belt 50.

[0033] FIG. 4B also shows an example of the print material container 10 including a belt tensioner 60 positioned in the tight position. As an example, the belt tensioner 60 in FIG. 4B may be moved, such as being rotated. The belt tensioner 60 may be moved while the belt 50 is being drive or may be moved when the belt 50 is not being driven.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows an example of the print material container 10 including a belt tensioner 60 positioned in the slack position. In this example, the developing section 30 is located in the slack position when the developing section 30 is positioned away from the drum section 20. When the developing section 30 is positioned away from the drum section, the developing section 30 may be temporarily locked in that position by a variety of locking mechanisms. [0035] When the print material container 10 includes a belt tensioner 60, the developing section 30 is positioned in the slack position when the movable portion of the developing section 30 is positioned a predetermined distance from the drum section 20. When the developing section 30 is positioned in the tight position the belt tensioner 60 exerts tension on the belt 50 such that the belt 50 is slack around the developing pulley 32. [0036] When the developing section 30 is in the slack position, the belt 50 is not wrapped tightly around the developing pulley 32. When the developing section 30 is in the slack position, the tension in the belt 50 is below a threshold so the belt 50 may not engage with the developing pulley 32. Thus, when the belt 50 is rotated when the developing section 30 is in the slack position, the belt 50 does not drive the developing pulley 32. When the developing pulley 32 is not driven by the belt 50, the developing pulley 32 does not drive the developing unit 34. The rotation and translation geometry provided in the print material container 10 of Figures 4A, 4B, and 5 may help to decouple the developing pulley 32 from the belt 50 that is being driven when the developing section 30 is positioned in the slack position.

[0037] Thus, this configuration may help save wear and tear on the developing pulley 32 and developing unit 34 when the belt 50 is to be rotated but the developing pulley 32 and the developing unit 34 are not to be driven because the developer may not rotate unnecessarily, which may help extend the life of the developing pulley 32 and the developing unit 34.

[0038] The belt 50 may be a variety of types of belts such as a v-belt, notched belt, or grooved belt. As an example a belt may be made of rubber, neoprene, urethane synthetic materials, and/or imbedded fibers or cords. FIG. 8A shows an example of a v-belt 80. FIG. 8B shows an example of a notched belt 85.

The belt 50 may also be a variety of other types of belts.

[0039]The developing pulley 32, the drum pulley 22, and the idler pulley 36 may be a variety of types of pulleys. FIGS. 9A and 9B show examples of types of pulleys the developing pulley 32, the drum pulley 22, and the idler pulley 36 may be. However, the developing pulley 32, the drum pulley 22, and the idler pulley 36 may also be a variety of other types of pulleys. FIG. 9A shows an example of a pulley 92. FIG. 9B shows another example of a pulley 94. As an example, the pulleys may be made of a variety of materials such as rubber, plastic, and/or metal. The pulleys may also be made of a variety of other materials as well. [0040]The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 6 may include a print material container 10, a device 110 to produce images or objects on a recording medium, a user interface 200, a memory 220, and a processor 210. However, not all the components shown in FIG. 6 are necessary components. The image forming apparatus 100 may be embodied by using less or more components than the components shown in the drawings. Hereinafter, the components will be described.

[0041]The processor 210 may control all operations of the image forming apparatus 100 and include at least one processor like a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 210 may control other components in the image forming apparatus 100 to perform operations corresponding to the user input received through the user interface 200. The processor 210 may include at least one specialized processor corresponding to functions or an all-in-one type processor.

[0042]The processor 210 may perform the operational logic shown in FIG. 7. The processor 210 may determine whether a developing pulley 32 in a developing section 30 of a print material container 10 is to be driven.

[0043] When it is determined the developing pulley 32 in the developer is to be driven, the processor 210 may transmit a signal to position the developing section 30 to a tight position with respect to a drum section 20 in the print material container 10, and drive the developing pulley 32 with a belt 50 when the developing section 30 is positioned in the tight position.

[0044] When it is determined the developing pulley 32 in the developer is not to be driven, the processor 210 may transmit a signal to position the developing section 30 to a slack position with respect to the drum section 20 such that the belt 50 is slack around the developing pulley 32 when the belt 50 is driven. [0045]The operating method of the image forming apparatus 100 may be embodied in the form of instructions stored on a machine-readable medium and executable by a computer or a processor. The method of operating the image forming apparatus 100 may be written as computer programs and may be implemented in general-use digital computers that execute the programs using a machine readable recording medium. The above-mentioned machine readable recording medium may be read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-RWs, CD+RWs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD- ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD-REs, a magnetic tape, floppy disc, a magnet optical recording medium, an optical data recording medium, hard disc, solid- state disc (SSD), and any kind of device capable of storing instructions of machine readable instructions, relevant data, data files, and data structure and capable of providing instructions or machine readable instructions, relevant data, data files, and data structures to a processor and a computer such that the processor or computer may execute the instruction. [0046] The foregoing examples are merely examples and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. The disclosure can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the examples of the disclosure is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. [0047] While the disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims described hereinafter and should not be construed as being limited to the above-described examples and/or drawings. It is to be clearly understood that improvements, changes, and modifications that are obvious to those skilled in the art are also within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A print material container comprising: a drum section including a drum pulley coupled to a drum; a developing section coupled to the drum section, the developing section being positionable to shift operation mode thereof between a tight position mode and a slack position mode and including a developing pulley coupled to a developing unit; a hinge coupled to the drum section and the developing section and to position the developing section to the tight position or the slack position; and a belt located around the drum pulley and the developing pulley, to drive the developing pulley when the developing section is positioned in the tight position.

2. The print material container of claim 1 , wherein the developing section is positioned in the tight position when a movable portion of the developing section is positioned a predetermined distance from the drum section.

3. The print material container of claim 2, wherein the developing section is positioned in the slack position when the movable portion of the developing section is positioned adjacent to the drum section.

4. The print material container of claim 1 further including a belt tensioner to contact the belt.

5. The print material container of claim 4, wherein the developing section is positioned in the tight position when a movable portion of the developing section is positioned adjacent to the drum section, and when the developing section is positioned in the tight position the belt tensioner exerts tension on the belt to position the belt to drive the developing pulley.

6. The print material container of claim 5, wherein the developing section is positioned in the slack position when the movable portion of the developing section is positioned a predetermined distance from the drum section, and when the developing section is positioned in the tight position the belt tensioner exerts tension on the belt such that the belt is slack around the developing pulley.

7. The print material container of claim 1 , wherein the developing section further includes an idler pulley, and the belt is located around the drum pulley, developing pulley, and the idler pulley.

8. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a device to produce images or objects on a recording medium; and a print material container coupled to the device, wherein the print material container comprises: a drum section including a drum pulley coupled to a drum; a developing section coupled to the drum section, the developing section being positonable to a tight position and a slack position and including a developing pulley coupled to a developing unit; a hinge coupled to the drum section and the developing section and to position the developing section to the tight position or the slack position; and a belt located around the drum pulley and the developing pulley, to drive the developing pulley when the developing section is positioned in the tight position.

9. The image forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein the developing section is positioned in the tight position when a movable portion of the developing section is positioned a predetermined distance from the drum section.

10. The image forming apparatus of claim 9, wherein the developing section is positioned in the slack position when the movable portion of the developing section is positioned adjacent to the drum section.

11. The image forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein the print material container further includes a belt tensioner to contact the belt.

12. The image forming apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the developing section is positioned in the tight position when a movable portion of the developing section is positioned adjacent to the drum section, and when the developing section is positioned in the tight position the belt tensioner exerts tension on the belt to position the belt to drive the developing pulley.

13. The print material container of claim 12, wherein the developing section is positioned in the slack position when the movable portion of the developing section is positioned a predetermined distance from the drum section, and when the developing section is positioned in the tight position the belt tensioner exerts tension on the belt such that the belt is slack around the developing pulley.

14. A method comprising: determining, by an image forming apparatus, whether a developing pulley in a developing section of a print material container is to be driven; when the image forming apparatus determines that the developing pulley is to be driven, positioning the developing section to a tight position with respect to a drum section in the print material container, and driving the developing pulley with a belt when the developing section is positioned in the tight position; and when the image forming apparatus determines that the developing pulley is not to be driven, positioning the developing section to a slack position with respect to the drum section such that the belt is slack around the developing pulley when the belt is driven.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the developing section is engaged with the drum section when the developing section is in the tight position, and the developing section is alienated from the drum section when the developing section is in the slack position.