CN220455668U - Developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model discloses a developing device which is detachably arranged in an image forming device, and comprises a box body, a carbon powder concentration sensor and a retaining member, wherein the box body is used for storing carbon powder, the carbon powder concentration sensor is arranged on the box body, the carbon powder concentration sensor can be used for detecting the concentration of the carbon powder in the box body, and the retaining member is detachably arranged on the box body and is used for supporting and fixing the carbon powder concentration sensor on the box body. The developing device of the utility model supports and fixes the carbon powder concentration sensor on the box body by using the retaining member, and can prevent the carbon powder concentration sensor from moving, thereby improving the detection performance of the carbon powder concentration sensor, having simple structure and process and reducing the assembly cost.

Description

Developing device

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to the field of image forming apparatuses, and more particularly, to a developing apparatus.

Background

The image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material by using an electrophotographic image forming type. Image forming apparatuses include electrophotographic copiers, electrophotographic printers (LED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), facsimile machines, multifunction machines having a plurality of functions of these machines, word processors, and the like. The inside of which can be detachably mounted with a developing device for supplying a developer (such as toner), as the developer is continuously involved in the electronic image formation, when the developer in the developing device is consumed, it is necessary for a user to replace the developing device in time or to inject a new developer into the developing device, which makes the developing device one of the frequently replaced consumables in the electronic image formation.

However, since the developing device in the prior art is to accurately acquire the concentration or the remaining amount of the toner in the developing bin, an opening and a toner concentration sensor are usually disposed on a wall portion of the developing bin, so as to prevent leakage of the toner, and further, a PET sheet or other visual material is disposed between the toner concentration sensor and an inner wall of the developing bin to block leakage of the toner from the opening, and a detecting head of the toner concentration sensor detects a change in the concentration of the toner in the developing bin through the opening.

The common toner concentration sensor is adhered to the wall of the developing bin in an adhesive manner, but the fixing manner is not durable, and the toner concentration sensor can be fallen off due to long time, so that the detection performance is affected. Still another is to weld the toner concentration sensor to the developer hopper, but this type of attachment is complicated in process, thereby increasing assembly costs.

Therefore, a technical solution to the above-mentioned problems is needed.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the technical problems in the prior art, an object of the present utility model is to provide a developing device to solve the technical problems.

In order to achieve the purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical scheme:

a developing device detachably attached to an image forming apparatus, comprising:

the box body is used for storing carbon powder;

the carbon powder concentration sensor is arranged on the box body and can be used for detecting the concentration of carbon powder in the box body; and

and a holding member detachably mounted on the cartridge body and configured to support and fix the toner concentration sensor on the cartridge body.

The developing device with the structure supports and fixes the carbon powder concentration sensor on the box body by using the retaining member, and can prevent the carbon powder concentration sensor from moving, thereby improving the detection performance of the carbon powder concentration sensor, and having simple structure and process and reducing the assembly cost.

Preferably, the holding member includes a support member provided with a receiving portion for receiving the toner concentration sensor, the support member being detachably attached to the cartridge body and covering an outer side of the toner concentration sensor, the toner concentration sensor being supported and fixed to the cartridge body. Therefore, the carbon powder concentration sensor can be protected outside the mounting groove through the supporting piece, and the carbon powder concentration sensor can be prevented from moving in the mounting groove through the limiting part, so that the detection performance is affected.

Preferably, the supporting piece is provided with a buckling part, the buckling part is provided with an upward buckling hook, the box body is provided with a buckling part, and the supporting piece is installed on the box body through the buckling part and the buckling hook in a buckling mode. Therefore, the supporting piece is detachably arranged on the box body, and the installation difficulty of the supporting piece is reduced.

Preferably, the holding member further includes a limiting portion provided between the supporting member and the toner concentration sensor when the supporting member is attached to the cartridge, the supporting member being capable of being pressed against the cartridge by the limiting portion against the toner concentration sensor. Therefore, when the supporting piece is installed on the box body, the limiting part is arranged between the carbon powder concentration sensor and the supporting piece, the limiting part can tightly prop against the carbon powder concentration sensor between the supporting piece and the box body, and the carbon powder concentration sensor can be prevented from moving, so that the detection performance of the carbon powder concentration sensor is improved.

Preferably, the outer wall of the box body is provided with a mounting groove for mounting the carbon powder concentration sensor. Therefore, the carbon powder concentration sensor can be arranged on the outer wall of the box body.

Preferably, the mounting groove is also internally provided with a limiting part capable of limiting the movement of the carbon powder concentration sensor. Therefore, the carbon powder concentration sensor is arranged in the mounting groove and cannot freely move, and the detection performance of the carbon powder concentration sensor is provided.

Preferably, the limiting part comprises a first positioning protrusion and a second positioning protrusion, the carbon powder concentration sensor is provided with a groove matched with the first positioning protrusion and the second positioning protrusion, and the carbon powder concentration sensor is limited in the mounting groove by being embedded in the groove through the first positioning protrusion and the second positioning protrusion. Therefore, the limiting part can be used for pre-limiting when the carbon powder concentration sensor is installed.

Preferably, the mounting groove is internally provided with an opening communicated with the box body, the carbon powder concentration sensor is provided with a detection head for detecting the concentration of the carbon powder, when the carbon powder concentration sensor is arranged on the box body, the detection head is in clearance fit with the opening, and the detection head can detect the concentration of the carbon powder in the box body in the opening. Thereby, the toner concentration sensor can detect the toner concentration in the cartridge.

Preferably, a transparent baffle is arranged in the opening, and the transparent baffle can baffle the carbon powder concentration sensor to be communicated into the box body in the opening. Therefore, carbon powder in the box body can be prevented from being stained on the detection head by arranging the transparent separation baffle, and the transparent separation baffle can not influence the use of the carbon powder concentration sensor.

Preferably, the carbon powder concentration sensor is further provided with a power line, and the box body is further provided with a wiring groove for accommodating the power line. Therefore, the wiring groove is arranged on the box body and used for accommodating the power line, so that the developing device can be kept clean and attractive.

Preferably, a guiding part for guiding the power line to be arranged along the S shape in the wiring groove is also arranged in the wiring groove. Therefore, the arrangement of the guide part of the wiring groove enables the trend of the power line to be S-shaped, the friction force between the wiring groove and the power line can be increased, and the power line is prevented from falling from the wiring groove.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present utility model, the drawings that are needed in the embodiments will be briefly described below, it being obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and that other drawings may be obtained according to these drawings without inventive effort for a person skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a developing device of the present utility model;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view of a developing device according to the present utility model;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of the structure of the position B in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support member according to the present utility model;

FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the support member of the present utility model;

fig. 7 is a bottom view of the developing device of the present utility model.

In the figure: 100. a case body; 110. a developing roller; 120. a developing bin; 130. a powder mixing bin; 140. a stirring screw; 150. an opening; 160. a mounting groove; 161. opening holes; 162. a limit part; 1621. a first positioning protrusion; 1622. a second positioning protrusion; 170. an engagement portion; 180. wiring grooves; 181. a wire inlet; 182. a wire outlet; 183. a protrusion; 200. a carbon powder concentration sensor; 210. a detection head; 220. a groove; 300. a holding member; 310. a limiting part; 320. a support; 321. a fastening part; 322. and a housing part.

Detailed Description

For a better understanding of the technical solution of the present utility model, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present utility model refers to the accompanying drawings.

It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, but not all, embodiments of the utility model. All other embodiments, which can be made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the utility model without making any inventive effort, are intended to be within the scope of the utility model.

As shown in the figure, the whole structure of the developing device is schematically shown.

As shown in fig. 1, a developing device, which is a component of an image forming apparatus that is often required to be replaced, is detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus (not shown), and may be a cartridge, a ribbon, or the like, in which a developing medium for printing is stored, such as: carbon powder, which can be used to supply developing medium to the image forming apparatus.

Referring to fig. 1 to 7, the developing device provided in this embodiment includes a box body 100, a developing roller 110, a developing bin 120 and a powder mixing bin 130 are disposed in the box body 100, the developing bin 120 and the powder mixing bin 130 in the box body 100 are mutually communicated, and stirring screws 140 are disposed in the developing bin 120 and the powder mixing bin 130; the mixing bin 130 is used for storing carbon powder and carrier, and the stirring screw 140 can be used for mixing the carbon powder and the carrier in the mixing bin 130 so as to lead the carbon powder and the carrier to rub each other, thereby leading the carbon powder and the carrier to have different electricity; then, the charged toner and carrier are fed into the developing hopper 120, and the stirring screw 140 in the developing hopper 120 is used to carry the toner so that the toner adheres to the surface of the developing roller; and one side of the box body 100 is provided with an opening 150, the opening 150 is communicated into the powder mixing bin 130, the developing roller 110 is axially rotatably supported at the opening 150 of the box body 100 and is partially exposed outside the box body 100, charged carbon powder in the developing bin 120 is adsorbed on the surface of the developing roller 110 capable of axially rotating through the conveying of the stirring screw 140, the carrier is not adsorbed by the developing roller 110 because the carrier is provided with the same charge as the developing roller 110, so that the carrier is left in the developing bin 120 and is conveyed to the powder mixing bin 130, the carbon powder in the box body 100 can be conveyed out after the developing roller 110 rotates, and the carbon powder can be conveyed to an image forming device when the developing device is installed in the image forming device. The operation of the image forming apparatus and the developing apparatus is related to the prior art, and will not be described here.

Referring to fig. 2, the developing device further includes a toner concentration sensor 200, and the toner concentration sensor 200 is mounted on the cartridge 100 and can be used to detect the concentration of toner in the cartridge 100. Specifically, in this embodiment, the toner concentration sensor 200 may be one of optical sensors, the outer wall of the cartridge 100 is provided with a mounting groove 160, the mounting groove 160 is located on the outer side of the developing bin 120 on the cartridge 100, an opening 161 is provided in the mounting groove 160, and the opening 161 is connected to the developing bin 120 of the cartridge 100 in the mounting groove 160, so that the mounting groove 160 is communicated with the developing bin 120; the carbon powder concentration sensor 200 is provided with a detection head 210, and when the carbon powder concentration sensor is installed in the installation groove 160, the detection head 210 can extend into the opening 161; and a transparent barrier sheet (not shown) is provided in the opening 161, the transparent barrier sheet is made of a visualized material, preferably the transparent barrier sheet may be a PET sheet, the transparent barrier sheet can block the detection head 210 of the toner concentration sensor 200 from being communicated into the developing hopper 120 in the opening 161, and because the toner concentration sensor 200 is a type of photosensor, the detection head 210 of the toner concentration sensor 200 can still be used for detecting the toner concentration in the developing hopper 120 through the transparent barrier sheet, and the toner concentration sensor 200 can be used for detecting the toner concentration in the developing hopper 120 while preventing the toner concentration sensor 200 from being stained with toner, thereby confirming the concentration and the remaining amount in the developing hopper 120.

Further, referring to fig. 3 and 4, the cartridge 100 is further provided with a limiting portion 162, and when the toner concentration sensor 200 is mounted on the cartridge 100, the limiting portion 162 can pre-limit the toner concentration sensor 200. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the limiting portion 162 is a first positioning protrusion 1621 and a second positioning protrusion 1622 provided in the mounting groove 160, the toner concentration sensor 200 is provided with a groove 220, the groove 220 on the toner concentration sensor 200 is provided with two positioning protrusions 1621 and 1622 respectively adapted to the shape of the first positioning protrusion 1621 and the second positioning protrusion 1622, when the toner concentration sensor 200 is mounted in the mounting groove 160, the first positioning protrusion 1621 and the second positioning protrusion 1622 provided on the mounting groove 160 respectively correspond to the positions of the groove 220 on the toner sensor, and the first positioning protrusion 1621 and the second positioning protrusion 1622 can be inserted into the groove 220, so that the first positioning protrusion 1621 and the second positioning protrusion 1622 can position and limit the toner concentration sensor 200, and by the cooperation between the limiting portion 162 and the groove 220, the mounting position of the toner concentration sensor 200 can also be prevented from being deviated or falling off from the mounting groove 160, so as to facilitate the subsequent mounting of the holding member 300 described later. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the groove 220 on the toner concentration sensor 200 may be a notch or a through hole, so long as the limiting portion 162 can be defined, which is not limited herein.

Further, the opening 161 and the detecting head 210 of the toner concentration sensor 200 are clearance fit, and the first positioning boss 1621 and the second positioning boss 1622 are not identical in shape. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the diameter of the opening 161 is slightly larger than the diameter of the detecting head 210 of the toner concentration sensor 200, so that the detecting head 210 of the toner concentration sensor 200 can be smoothly mounted in the mounting groove 160 by being in clearance fit with the opening 161; the cross section of the first positioning boss 1621 is circular, the cross section of the second positioning boss 1622 is semicircular, two circular and semicircular grooves 220 are arranged on the carbon powder concentration sensor 200, the circular groove 220 corresponds to the first positioning boss 1621 with the circular cross section, the semicircular groove 220 corresponds to the second positioning boss 1622 with the semicircular cross section, the first positioning boss 1621 is embedded into the circular groove 220, the second positioning boss 1622 is embedded into the semicircular groove 220, and the carbon powder concentration sensor 200 is limited in the mounting groove 160; and within the mounting groove 160, the aperture 161 is also located between the first and second positioning protrusions 1621, 1622.

The developing device further includes a holding member 300, the holding member 300 being provided on the cartridge 100, and the holding member 300 being capable of supporting and fixing the toner concentration sensor 200 on the cartridge 100 when the toner concentration sensor 200 is mounted on the cartridge 100, the holding member 300 including a defining portion 310 and a supporter 320.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the supporting member 320 is detachably mounted on the cartridge 100, and when the toner concentration sensor 200 is mounted on the outer wall of the cartridge 100 and is disposed in the mounting groove 160, the supporting member 320 wraps the outer side of the toner concentration sensor 200, so as to support and protect the toner concentration sensor 200. Specifically, in this embodiment, the supporting member 320 is a housing that is adapted to the shape of the outer wall of the box body 100, preferably, the supporting member 320 is a housing with a substantially C-shaped structure, so that a receiving portion 322 for receiving the toner concentration sensor 200 is formed on one side of the supporting member 320, and the cross section of the receiving portion 322 is a curved surface, or, in some other embodiments, the cross section of the receiving portion 322 may be a trapezoid, a rectangle, a polygon, a semicircle or an ellipse, and the curved receiving portion increases the receiving space of the supporting member 320, so that the requirement on the installation accuracy of the toner concentration sensor is not high, and the installation is easier; the periphery on the support piece 320 is also provided with a clamping part 321, the periphery of the installation groove 160 is provided with clamping parts 170, preferably, the number of the clamping parts 321 is four, the clamping parts 170 on the installation groove 160 are also four, the clamping parts 321 are provided with upwards-arranged clamping hooks, the support piece 320 is detachably installed on the box body 100 through the clamping hooks on the clamping parts 321 and the clamping parts 170, the outside of the installation groove 160 is covered, namely, the installation groove 160 and the support piece 320 form a containing cavity for wrapping the carbon powder concentration sensor 200, when the carbon powder concentration sensor 200 is installed in the installation groove 160, the support piece 320 can protect the carbon powder concentration sensor 200 at the outside, and the support piece 320 is installed at the position of the installation groove 160 on the box body 100, so that the box body 100 can keep the whole attractive appearance, and the clamping hooks upwards-arranged on the clamping parts 321 can enable the clamping parts 321 and the clamping parts 170 to be clamped firmly, and the support piece 320 is prevented from falling off. Of course, in some other embodiments, the support 320 and the case 100 may be fixed to the case 100 by a screw or the like, which is not limited herein.

Referring to fig. 4, 5 and 6, the defining part 310 is provided in the supporter 320, and when the supporter 320 is mounted in the cartridge 100, the defining part 310 is provided between the supporter 320 and the toner concentration sensor 200, i.e., between the supporter 320 and the toner concentration sensor 200, by the defining part 310, the supporter 320 can abut against the toner concentration sensor 200 by the defining part 310, and the defining part 310 is made of an elastically deformable material, and there is soft contact between the defining part 310 and the toner concentration sensor 200. Specifically, in this embodiment, the limiting portion 310 is a sponge, the supporting member 320 is provided with a recess (i.e., the accommodating portion 322 on the supporting member 320) for accommodating the sponge, when the toner concentration sensor 200 is assembled, the sponge is fixed in the recess (i.e., the accommodating portion 322) of the supporting member 320 by the double-sided adhesive tape, when the supporting member 320 is mounted in the mounting groove 160 of the cartridge 100 by the engagement portion 321 and the engagement portion 170, one surface of the sponge contacts with the inner wall of the supporting member 320, the other surface contacts with the back of the toner concentration sensor 200, the sponge is located between the toner concentration sensor 200 and the supporting member 320, the supporting member 320 can tightly press the toner concentration sensor 200 by the sponge, and the toner concentration sensor 200 can be prevented from damaging the toner concentration sensor 200 when the supporting member 320 is mounted by the sponge, and the sponge can uniformly press the back of the toner concentration sensor 200, so as to prevent the toner concentration sensor 200 from moving in the cartridge 100, thereby affecting the detection performance. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the restriction 310 may also be a spring, rubber pad, or the like.

Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the retaining member 300 may not include the limiting portion 310, the support 320 may be detachably mounted on the cartridge 100, and when the toner concentration sensor 200 is mounted on the outer wall of the cartridge 100 and disposed in the mounting groove 160, the support 320 wraps around the outside of the toner concentration sensor 200, and the inside of the support 320 directly abuts the toner concentration sensor 200, limiting the toner concentration sensor 200.

Referring to fig. 7, the toner concentration sensor 200 is further provided with a power line, the box body 100 is further provided with a wiring groove 180, when the toner concentration sensor 200 is arranged on the box body 100, the power line of the toner concentration sensor 200 is installed on the wiring groove 180 of the box body 100, and the power line is guided and stored through the wiring groove 180, so that the appearance of the developing device can be maintained, and the power line is prevented from being wound, so that connection looseness is caused. Specifically, in this embodiment, the casing 100 is provided with the wiring groove 180 on a side close to the mounting groove 160, preferably, the wiring groove 180 is disposed on a side of the mounting groove 160 in the length direction of the casing 100, and the wiring groove 180 is provided with the wire inlet 181 on a side close to the mounting groove 160, and the wire outlet 182 is provided on a side far away from the mounting groove 160, and the power wire disposed on the carbon powder concentration sensor 200 can enter the wiring groove 180 through the wire inlet 181, and then extends out of the other side of the wiring groove 180 for external power or a controller.

Further, the track of the power line in the track groove 180 is in an S-shaped structure. Specifically, in this embodiment, the wiring groove 180 is a strip-shaped groove disposed along the length direction of the box body 100, and a plurality of protrusions 183 are distributed on both sides of the width direction of the wiring groove 180, and each protrusion 183 is staggered in the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 110 (the length direction of the box body 100), so that the wiring track of the power line in the wiring groove 180 is in an "S" structure. Preferably, every three protrusions 183 are used as a set of guiding parts in the wiring groove 180, one of the guiding parts is two protrusions 183 on the upper side of the elongated groove, and one protrusion 183 on the lower side of the elongated groove is arranged between the two protrusions 183, so that when the power line is installed in the wiring groove 180, the power line keeps a curved roundabout line shape similar to an S shape. Alternatively, in another embodiment, in order to keep the power cord in an S-shaped trend, two protrusions 183 on the lower side of the elongated slot may be provided between the two protrusions 183 on the upper side of the elongated slot, and this arrangement can increase the friction between the protrusions 183 and the power cord, so as to prevent the power cord from loosening from the plug or falling from the wiring slot 180. Alternatively, the slot 180 may be directly provided with a slot formed by an "S" so that the power line maintains an "S" shape in the slot 180.

When the developing device of the utility model installs the toner concentration sensor 200, firstly, the toner concentration sensor 200 is installed in the installation groove 160 of the box body 100 by aligning the detection head 210 of the toner concentration sensor 200 with the opening 161 in the installation groove 160 and aligning the two grooves 220 of the toner concentration sensor 200 with the first positioning protrusion 1621 and the second positioning protrusion 1622; then, the sponge is fixed in the concave part (namely, the accommodating part 322) of the supporting piece 320 through the double-sided adhesive tape, the sponge is aligned with the carbon powder concentration sensor 200, the supporting piece 320 is fixed on the box body 100 through the matching of the clamping part 321 and the clamping part 170, and the carbon powder concentration sensor 200 can be supported and fixed through the retaining member 300; finally, the power cord of the carbon powder concentration sensor 200 is led out at one side of the mounting groove 160, pressed into the wiring groove 180 on the box body 100, and guided and stored in the wiring groove 180.

The developing device of the utility model uses the holding component to fix the carbon powder concentration sensor on the developing bin, has simple structure and process and reduces the assembly cost; the sponge is arranged between the carbon powder concentration sensor and the supporting piece, so that the sensor can be prevented from moving, and the detection performance is improved; and set up the wiring groove, protruding dislocation set on the wiring groove makes the trend of power cord be "S" type, can increase the frictional force of protruding and power cord, prevents that the power cord from droing from the wiring groove.

What has been described above is merely some embodiments of the present utility model. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit of the utility model.

Claims (10)

1. A developing device detachably attached to an image forming apparatus, comprising:

the box body is used for storing carbon powder;

the carbon powder concentration sensor is arranged on the box body and can be used for detecting the concentration of carbon powder in the box body; characterized in that and

and a holding member detachably mounted on the cartridge body and configured to support and fix the toner concentration sensor on the cartridge body.

2. A developing device according to claim 1, wherein said holding member includes a supporting member provided with a receiving portion for receiving said toner concentration sensor, said supporting member being detachably attached to said cartridge body and covering an outer side of said toner concentration sensor, and supporting and fixing said toner concentration sensor to said cartridge body.

3. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the supporting member is provided with a fastening portion, the fastening portion is provided with an upward fastening hook, the cartridge is provided with a fastening portion, and the supporting member is mounted on the cartridge by fastening the fastening hook and the fastening portion.

4. A developing device according to claim 2, wherein said holding member further includes a defining portion, said defining portion being interposed between said supporting member and said toner concentration sensor when said supporting member is attached to said cartridge, said supporting member being capable of abutting said toner concentration sensor against said cartridge via said defining portion.

5. A developing device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein a mounting groove for mounting said toner concentration sensor is provided on an outer wall of said cartridge.

6. A developing device according to claim 5, wherein a limiting portion capable of limiting movement of the toner concentration sensor is further provided in the mounting groove.

7. The developing device according to claim 6, wherein the limiting portion includes a first positioning projection and a second positioning projection, a groove adapted to the first positioning projection and the second positioning projection is provided on the toner concentration sensor, and the toner concentration sensor is limited in the mounting groove by being embedded in the groove by the first positioning projection and the second positioning projection.

8. The developing device according to claim 5, wherein an opening communicating with the inside of the cartridge body is provided in the mounting groove, a detecting head for detecting the toner concentration is provided on the toner concentration sensor, the detecting head is in clearance fit with the opening when the toner concentration sensor is mounted to the cartridge body, and the detecting head is capable of detecting the toner concentration in the cartridge body in the opening.

9. A developing device according to claim 8, wherein a transparent blocking piece is provided in said opening, said transparent blocking piece being capable of blocking communication of said toner concentration sensor into said cartridge in said opening.

10. A developing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said toner concentration sensor is further provided with a power supply line, a wiring groove for accommodating said power supply line is further provided on said cartridge, and a guide portion for guiding the power supply line to be arranged along an "S" shape in said wiring groove is provided in said wiring groove.