CN221039796U - Drum unit and processing box - Google Patents

Abstract

A drum unit for detachable mounting in a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a drum driving unit including a driving force transmitting member having a driving force transmitting portion, and a first braking force engaging member and a second braking force engaging member provided in the driving force transmitting member and movable in an axial direction relative thereto, the second braking force engaging member being provided in the first braking force engaging member and having a protruding coupling engaging portion, the coupling engaging portion of the second braking force engaging member having a third surface structure provided on a side of the coupling engaging portion of the second braking force engaging member remote from the driving force transmitting portion; the drum unit includes: a photosensitive drum; a coupling provided at one end of the photosensitive drum; the coupling is provided with a drive receiving structure capable of contacting the third surface structure, so that the driving force of the drum driving unit is acquired by the third surface structure and transmitted to the photosensitive drum.

Description

Drum unit and processing box

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to the field of electronic imaging technology, and in particular, to a drum unit and a process cartridge.

Background

Conventionally, in the field of electrophotographic image forming apparatuses (or image forming apparatuses, image forming apparatuses), an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) and a process device acting on the photosensitive drum are integrally formed as a cartridge (generally referred to as a process cartridge). Such a process cartridge is detachable from the main assembly of the image forming apparatus. In such a structure, the electrophotographic apparatus is provided with a driving force transmitting unit, and the process cartridge is provided with a driving force receiving unit, i.e., a coupling, which is engaged with the driving force transmitting unit to receive a rotational driving force, thereby transmitting the power to the photosensitive drum.

The existing driving force transmission unit and coupling disclosed in the Chinese patent CN113574469A are complex in structure, and the coupling is not stable enough to be connected with the driving force transmission unit and is easy to separate, so that the power transmission is unstable.

Disclosure of utility model

According to an aspect of the present utility model, there is provided a drum unit for detachable mounting in a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a drum driving unit including a driving force transmitting member having a driving force transmitting portion, and a first braking force engaging member and a second braking force engaging member provided in the driving force transmitting member and movable in an axial direction relative thereto, the second braking force engaging member being provided within the first braking force engaging member and having a protruding coupling engaging portion, the coupling engaging portion of the second braking force engaging member having a first surface structure at an axial tip thereof, a third surface structure at an axial side thereof, and a second surface structure connecting the first surface structure and the third surface structure, the third surface structure being provided on a side of the coupling engaging portion of the second braking force engaging member remote from the driving force transmitting portion;

The drum unit includes:

A photosensitive drum;

A coupling provided at one end of the photosensitive drum; the coupling is provided with a drive receiving structure capable of contacting the third surface structure, so that the driving force of the drum driving unit is acquired by the third surface structure and transmitted to the photosensitive drum.

The drum unit of the utility model is contacted and matched with the third surface structure of the second braking force joint component through the driving receiving structure on the coupler, receives the driving force from the drum driving unit, and provides a novel driving force transmission mode, and the coupler of the driving force transmission mode has simple arrangement, stable joint and favorable power stable transmission.

In some embodiments, the drive receiving structure is an inclined surface that is compatible with the third surface structure.

In some embodiments, the coupling is further provided with a third surface portion capable of contacting the second surface structure.

In some embodiments, the drum drive unit further comprises a brake force transmitting member having a projection provided thereon, the first brake force engaging member having a projection provided thereon,

The coupling is further provided with a fourth surface portion contactable with the first surface structure for generating an axial force to the second braking force engagement member so that the protruding portion of the first braking force engagement member is disengaged from the protruding portion of the braking force transmission member, the first braking force engagement member and the second braking force engagement member being rotatable relative to the braking force transmission member.

In some embodiments, the coupling further comprises an elastic member for providing an axial force to the fourth surface portion, thereby acting on the second braking force engagement member such that the protruding portion of the first braking force engagement member is disengaged from the protruding portion of the braking force transmission member.

In some embodiments, the coupling includes a driving part provided with at least one second coupling part protruding toward a direction away from the photosensitive drum, the second coupling part being formed with a first surface part at an axial tip thereof, a second surface part at an axial side thereof, and a third surface part, the first surface part, the second surface part, and the third surface part being sequentially connected, and the drive receiving structure being implemented as the second surface part.

In some embodiments, the driving part further includes a step part on which the second coupling part is disposed, and a fourth surface part is formed on the step part toward a direction away from the photosensitive drum, the fourth surface part being connected to the third surface part.

In some embodiments, the driving force transmission member has a positioning boss, and the driving portion further includes a shaft connecting portion provided with a hole portion into which the positioning boss can be inserted;

the stepped portion and the second coupling portion are disposed radially outward of the shaft connecting portion.

In some embodiments, the driving portion further includes a first coupling portion located at an outer periphery of the second coupling portion in a radial direction, the first coupling portion protruding toward a direction away from the photosensitive drum, and capable of being fitted into the recess portion of the driving force transmitting member.

In some embodiments, the coupling further comprises a drum connecting part fixedly connected with the photosensitive drum, and the drum connecting part is provided with a containing part;

The driving part is movably connected with the drum connecting part through the accommodating part and can axially move relative to the drum connecting part, and the elastic piece is arranged between the drum connecting part and the driving part and provides axial resetting force for the driving part.

In some embodiments, the inner wall of the receiving portion is provided with a recess, the outer wall of the driving portion is provided with a protrusion, and the recess of the receiving portion is adapted to the protrusion of the driving portion, so as to guide the driving portion to move axially relative to the drum connecting portion.

In some embodiments, the coupling is further provided with a snap-in protrusion extending in the circumferential direction of the coupling and being capable of being inserted into a radial gap between the coupling engagement portion of the first braking force engagement member and the coupling engagement portion of the second braking force engagement member, the snap-in protrusion being connected with the drive receiving structure.

In some embodiments, the coupling includes a driving force receiving portion protruding in a direction away from the photosensitive drum, the driving force receiving portion having an abutment slope on one side in an axial direction thereof and a catching projection connected to one side in the axial direction thereof, the driving force receiving structure being implemented as the abutment slope.

In some embodiments, the coupling includes a driving force transmission structure and an elastic member, the driving force transmission structure having a plurality of; when the coupler is engaged with the drum driving unit, the driving force transmission structure is embedded into a gap of the drum driving unit, the driving force transmission structure can axially move under the action of the elastic component to avoid the structure on the drum driving unit, and at least part of the driving force transmission structure receives the driving force of the drum driving unit;

The at least one driving force transmitting structure is capable of contacting the third surface structure to thereby receive driving force, and the driving receiving structure is realized as the at least one driving force transmitting structure contacting the third surface structure.

In some embodiments, the coupling is provided with a guide bore and the drive force transmitting structure is a post disposed in the guide bore and axially movable.

In some embodiments, the coupling further comprises a cylinder, and the first disk and the second disk are fixedly disposed in the cylinder; the cylinder is fixedly connected with the photosensitive drum; the guide hole is realized as a first hole on the first disk and a second hole on the second disk, and the driving force transmission structure passes through the first hole and the second hole and can move along the axial direction;

the elastic components are in one-to-one correspondence with the driving force transmission structures, the first ends of the elastic components are connected with the driving force transmission structures, and the second ends of the elastic components are abutted to the second disc.

In some embodiments: the driving force transmission structure is provided with an annular bulge, a first end of the annular bulge is abutted with the inner end surface of the first disc, and a second end of the annular bulge is abutted with the first end of the elastic component.

In some embodiments, the end of the driving force transmitting member of the drum driving unit has a small cylindrical portion that can be inserted into and abutted against the end of the cylinder.

The present utility model also provides a process cartridge for detachably mounting in a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, including a drum unit according to any one of the above.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus of the first embodiment;

fig. 2 is a schematic view of a drum driving unit of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a portion of the drum drive unit of FIG. 2 in an exploded view;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the first brake force engagement member and brake transfer member of FIG. 3;

fig. 5 is an exploded view of the process cartridge of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a photosensitive drum and a coupling in a drum unit of the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the explosion configuration of the coupling of FIG. 6;

Fig. 8 to 11 are schematic views of engagement of the coupling and the drum driving unit of the first embodiment;

Fig. 12 is a schematic structural view of a drum driving unit of the second embodiment;

fig. 13 is a schematic structural view of a photosensitive drum and a coupling according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of the coupling and drum drive unit of the second embodiment not engaged;

Fig. 15 is a schematic view showing the structure of the coupling and drum driving unit engagement of the second embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling of the second embodiment engaged with a drum drive unit;

FIG. 17 is another schematic view of the coupling of the second embodiment engaged with a drum drive unit;

fig. 18 is a schematic structural view of a photosensitive drum and a coupling according to the third embodiment;

Fig. 19 is an exploded view of a coupling of the third embodiment;

fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a coupling of the third embodiment;

fig. 21 is a schematic structural view of the coupling of the third embodiment before the coupling is not engaged with the drum drive unit;

fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling of the third embodiment after mating with the drum drive unit.

Detailed Description

The present utility model will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the embodiments described are 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.

It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implying a number of technical features being indicated. Thus, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present utility model, the meaning of "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless specifically defined otherwise.

In the present utility model, unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "secured," and the like are to be construed broadly and include, for example, either fixedly attached, detachably attached, or integrally formed; may be a mechanical connection; either directly or indirectly, through intermediaries, or both, may be in communication with each other or in interaction with each other, unless expressly defined otherwise. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the specific circumstances.

In the present utility model, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, a first feature "up" or "down" a second feature may be the first and second features in direct contact, or the first and second features in indirect contact via an intervening medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above," "over" and "on" a second feature may be a first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is level higher than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "below" and "beneath" the second feature may be the first feature being directly under or obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is less level than the second feature.

In the above description, descriptions of the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples," etc., mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the utility model. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms are not necessarily directed to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples may be combined and combined by those skilled in the art without contradiction.

Example 1

Referring to fig. 1 to 4, the image forming apparatus may be a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, etc.), a multifunction printer thereof, etc. The present utility model will be described by taking a laser beam printer as an example. The process cartridge is detachable from a main assembly (apparatus main assembly) of the image forming apparatus, and when consumables in the process cartridge are used, it is necessary to detach the old consumable cartridge and then mount a new consumable cartridge. The process cartridge contains developer (e.g., toner) therein, and may also be referred to as a "process cartridge", "toner container", "toner cartridge", and the like. In the present utility model, it is also possible to detachable the drum unit 108, and when the drum unit is replaced, the drum unit 108 on the original consumable cartridge is detached, then a new drum unit 108 is mounted on the process cartridge, and then the process cartridge is reinstalled on the apparatus main assembly.

The image forming apparatus 10 in the present utility model is a laser beam printer, a process cartridge is mounted to a tray (not shown in fig. 1), and a tray carrying the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus 10. The main assembly of the image forming apparatus 10 can mount 4 process cartridges. The 4 process cartridges may be of the same color or of different colors. Preferably, the 4 process cartridges are respectively 4 different colors (black, red, yellow, blue), and the image forming apparatus 10 can print color images on media (e.g., copy paper, photo paper). The image forming apparatus 10 has a main assembly including: the intermediate transfer belt 12, the drum driving unit 203 (the drum driving unit 203 includes the driving force transmitting member 180), and the developing driving unit (the developing driving unit includes the driving force transmitting member 185). It can be understood that: the image forming apparatus 10 also has no developing drive unit if the process cartridge has no developing unit 109. When the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 can perform a printing operation. After the image forming apparatus 10 receives a print command, the developer in the process cartridge reaches the intermediate transfer belt 12, and the developer on the intermediate transfer belt 12 is transferred to a medium by a secondary transfer device (not shown), and then passes through a fixing device (not shown), and an image to be printed is presented on the medium. The front door 11 is interlocked with the driving force transmitting member 180 of the drum driving unit 203 and the driving force transmitting member 185 of the developing driving unit, and when the front door 11 is closed, the front door 11 moves along the black arrow in fig. 1, and during the closing of the front door 11, the drum driving unit 203 and the developing driving unit protrude and are engaged with the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 of the process cartridge, thereby achieving the mounting of the main assembly and the process cartridge in place. When the front door 11 is opened, the drum driving unit 203 and the developing driving unit retract and disengage from the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 of the process cartridge, and the tray and the process cartridge can be smoothly taken out from the main assembly.

And establishing a three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system XYZ coordinate system. The X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis are mutually perpendicular. The plumb direction at the time of normal use of the imaging apparatus 10 is the-Z axis direction, and the direction immediately above is the +z axis direction. The direction in which the front door 11 points to the main assembly is the +x-axis direction, and the direction in which the main assembly points to the front door 11 is the-X-axis direction. The direction in which the drum driving unit 203 and the developing driving unit are extended is the +y-axis direction, and the direction in which they are retracted is the-Y-axis direction.

The drum driving unit 203 includes a first braking force engagement member 204, a second braking force engagement member 208, a driving force transmission member 180, a braking member 206, and a braking force transmission member 207. Wherein the driving force transmitting member 180 includes a cylindrical portion 180c, a driving force transmitting portion 180v, a positioning boss 180i, and a flange portion 180a, wherein an end of the cylindrical portion 180c is provided with a small cylindrical portion 180e. The drum driving unit 203 can integrally move in the Y-axis direction, completing the extending and retracting actions. The first braking force engagement member 204 and the second braking force engagement member 208 are engaged with each other when driven, specifically, the groove 204c provided on the first braking force engagement member 204 and the projection 208c provided on the second braking force engagement member 208 are engaged with each other, and move together in the Y-axis direction and rotate together about the Y-axis as the center axis. The first and second braking force engagement members 204, 208 do not move relative to each other. The first braking force engagement member 204 and the braking member 206 are connected together by a spring (not shown). The first braking force engagement member 204 and the second braking force engagement member 208 are movable in the Y-axis direction relative to the braking member 206. The braking force transmitting member 207 includes a flange portion 207a and a shaft portion 207b. The flange portion 207a is provided with a protrusion 207e, and the protrusion 207e is engaged with a protrusion 204e provided on the flange portion 204a of the first braking force engagement member 204. The flange portion 207a of the braking force transmitting member 207 is provided between the flange portion 204a of the first braking force engaging member 204 and the flange portion 208a of the second braking force engaging member 208. The first and second braking force engagement members 204 and 208 are connected to the braking member 206 through a braking force transmission member 207, and a braking engagement spring (not shown) is further provided between the braking member 206 and the first braking force engagement member 204, and when the driving force transmission member 180 rotates, the braking force transmission member 207 is positioned relative to the first braking force engagement member 204 at a position where the projection 207e of the braking force transmission member 207 engages with the projection 204e of the first braking force engagement member 204, and the first braking force engagement member 204 and the second braking force engagement member 208 rotate integrally. On the other hand, when the braking force transmitting member 207 is at a position where the projection 207e is not engaged with the projection 204e with respect to the first braking force engaging member 204 in the axial direction, the braking force transmitting member 207 does not restrict the rotation of the first braking force engaging member 204 and the second braking force engaging member 208. That is, the first braking force engagement member 204 and the second braking force engagement member 208 are rotatable relative to the braking force transmission member 207.

The driving force transmitting portion 180v is provided with a driving force transmitting surface 180d on a side facing the first braking force engagement member 204. The first braking force engagement member 204 has a flange portion 204a and two coupling engagement portions 204b protruding in the form of claws protruding toward the direction of the process cartridge (i.e., the +y direction) and engaging with the coupling 143. The coupler engagement portion 204b of the first braking force engagement member 204 may abut against the driving force transmission surface 180d, so that driving force is transmitted through the driving force transmission portion 180v, the first braking force engagement member 204, and the second braking force engagement member 208 in this order. The second braking force engaging member 208 has two coupling engaging portions 208b protruding in the form of claws protruding toward the direction of the process cartridge (i.e., the +y direction) and engaging with the drum coupling 143, the coupling engaging portions 208b having a first surface structure 2081 at the axial tip thereof (i.e., the +y direction), a third surface structure 2083 at one axial side thereof, and a second surface structure 2082 connecting the first surface structure and the third surface structure. Wherein the third surface structure 2083 is located on a side of the coupling engagement portion 208b that is remote from the driving force transmitting portion 180 v.

Referring to fig. 5, the process cartridge accommodates developer (e.g., toner), and may also be referred to as a "process cartridge", "toner container", "cartridge", and the like. The three-dimensional coordinate system of the process cartridge coincides with the coordinate system of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a drum unit 108, a developing unit 109, a driving-side end cap 116, and a non-driving-side end cap 117. The drum unit 108 includes a drum holding frame 115 (one of the process cartridge cases) and a photosensitive drum 104 rotatably supported on the drum holding frame 115, and a coupling 143 provided at an end of the photosensitive drum 104. The developing unit 109 includes a developing frame 125 (one of the process cartridge housings) and a developing roller 106 rotatably supported on the developing frame 125, and a coupling portion 132 provided at an end of the developing roller 106. When the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the coupling portion 132 is engaged with the driving force transmitting member 185 of the developing drive unit. At this time, the coupling portion 132 is rotated by the drive of the developing drive unit, and thereby drives the developing roller 106 to rotate the developing unit 109.

The drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are connected in a relatively rotatable manner. The drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are connected by a driving-side end cap 116 and a non-driving-side end cap 117 provided at the respective ends in the Y direction of the process cartridge, and one end of the process cartridge where the coupling 143 is provided is defined as a driving end, and the opposite other end is defined as a non-driving end.

The process cartridge can be detachably mounted to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus 10, and when the drum unit 108 is a replaceable item, the drum unit 108 can be detachably mounted to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus 10. Referring to fig. 6, the photosensitive drum 104 has a first end 24a and a second end 24b opposite the first end 24a, and the coupling 143 is connected to the photosensitive drum 104 and is capable of receiving the driving force applied by the driving force transmitting member 180. During normal use, the photosensitive drum 104 transfers developer onto the intermediate transfer belt 12. When the drum unit 108/process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the first end 24a is located closer to the driving force transmitting member 180 of the main assembly than the second end 24 b. The coupling 143 is disposed at the first end 24 a.

When the process cartridge is to be mounted to the image forming apparatus 10, the process cartridge is mounted to the tray, and then the process cartridge is pushed into the main assembly together with the tray, the front door 11 is closed, the drum driving unit 203, the developing driving unit are protruded to be engaged with the drum unit 108, the developing unit 109, and the process cartridge is mounted together with the main assembly.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, the axial direction of the coupling 143 coincides with the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 104, and is the Y direction. The coupling 143 includes: driving portion 243a, elastic member 243a4, and drum connecting portion 243b. The driving portion 243a is engaged with the photosensitive drum 104 by the drum connecting portion 243b, and specifically, the drum connecting portion 243b is inserted into the photosensitive drum 104, and is detachably or non-detachably assembled, thereby being fixedly connected to the photosensitive drum 104.

The driving portion 243a includes a shaft portion 243a1, an acting portion 243a2, and a receiving portion 243a3, the receiving portion 243a3 being located between the acting portion 243a2 and the shaft portion 243a1 and being connected to each other, and at least one protrusion 243a31 being provided on an outer peripheral surface of the receiving portion 243a3 at intervals. An elastic member 243a4 is sleeved on the lower side (i.e., the +y side) of the shaft portion 243a1, a limiting groove 243a11 is formed on the lower side (i.e., the +y side) of the body of the shaft portion 243a1, and a clamp spring 243a5 is arranged in the limiting groove 243a11 and used for limiting the elastic member 243a 3. The drum connecting portion 243b has a receiving portion 243b1, a through hole 243b11 is provided in the lower side (i.e., the +y side) of the receiving portion 243b1, and at least one groove 243b12 is provided in the inner peripheral surface of the receiving portion 243b1 at intervals. At least one protrusion 243b13 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the drum connecting portion 243b in a spaced manner, and when the photosensitive drum 104, the driving portion 243a, and the drum connecting portion 243b are in an installed state, the drum connecting portion 243b is connected to the photosensitive drum 104 by the protrusion 243b13 provided on the outer circumferential surface, at least one protrusion 243a31 on the circumferential surface of the receiving portion 243a3 in the driving portion 243a is inserted into a corresponding at least one groove 243b12 on the inner circumferential surface of the receiving portion 243b1, so that the driving portion 243a can be guided to move in the axial direction with respect to the drum connecting portion 243b, the shaft portion 243a1, the elastic member 243a4 are accommodated in the receiving portion 243b1 in the drum connecting portion 243b, and a portion of the shaft portion 243a1 protrudes from the through hole 243b11 on the lower side (i.e., + Y side) of the receiving portion 243b 1.

The acting portion 243a2 is configured to include a first flange portion 243a21, at least one first coupling portion 243a211 is provided on a circumferential surface of the first flange portion 243a21 in the radial direction, and any one of the first coupling portions 243a211 is configured to protrude in the-Y axis direction toward a surface direction away from the first flange portion 243a21 and to have a portion located at a radial outer periphery of the first flange portion 243a 21. In the embodiment provided by the utility model, the number of the first coupling parts 243a211 is preferably two, and the two first coupling parts 243a211 may be symmetrically arranged at 180 ° intervals or asymmetrically arranged. The number of the first coupling portions 243a211 may also be plural. When the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the two first coupling portions 243a211 are respectively located in the recessed portions 180f (see fig. 2) provided in the driving force transmitting member 180, the recessed portions 180f being formed in the circumferential space between the adjacent driving force transmitting portions 180v, so that the acting portion 243a2 is better positioned with respect to the driving force transmitting member 180 by the first coupling portions 243a 211.

The acting portion 243a2 is further provided with a shaft connecting portion 243a22, and the shaft connecting portion 243a22 is provided with a hole portion 243a221 in the-Y direction. When the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the positioning boss 180i is inserted into the hole portion 243a221 of the shaft connecting portion 243a22, and the hole portion 243a221 accommodates the positioning boss 180i, thereby maintaining coaxiality therebetween.

The acting portion 243a2 is further provided with a stepped portion 243a23 between the shaft connecting portion 243a22 and the first flange portion 243a21, the stepped portion 243a23 being provided around the shaft connecting portion 243a22, the stepped portion 243a23 being provided with fourth surface portions 243a231 at intervals toward a side (i.e., -Y side) away from the photosensitive drum 104, in this embodiment, the fourth surface portions 243a231 being provided perpendicular to the Y axis. The step portion 243a23 is provided with at least one second coupling portion 243a24, any one of the second coupling portions 243a24 is configured to protrude in a direction away from the step portion 243a23 along the-Y axis direction, and in the embodiment provided by the present utility model, the number of the second coupling portions 243a24 is preferably two, and the two second coupling portions 243a24 may be symmetrically arranged at 180 ° intervals or asymmetrically arranged. The number of the second coupling portions 243a24 may also be plural. Any one of the two second coupling portions 243a24 is configured to include a first surface portion 243a241 at an axial tip end (i.e., a +y end) thereof, a second surface portion 243a242 at an axial side thereof, and a third surface portion 243a243, the first surface portion 243a241 being connected to the second surface portion 243a242, the second surface portion 243a242 being connected to the third surface portion 243a243, one end of the third surface portion 243a being connected to the fourth surface portion 243a231, the second surface portion 243a242 being inclined with respect to the first surface portion 243a241, and the third surface portion 243a243 being inclined with respect to the second surface portion 243a 242. In the present embodiment, the first surface portion 243a241 is disposed perpendicular to the Y axis, the second surface portion 243a242 is inclined with respect to the Y axis, and the third surface portion 243a243 is parallel to the Y axis.

In the present embodiment, the coupling 143 is provided with a drive receiving structure capable of contacting the third surface structure 2083 of the second braking force engagement member 208, so that the driving force of the drum driving unit 203 is acquired by the third surface structure 2083 and transmitted to the photosensitive drum 104. Further, the driving receiving structure is an inclined surface adapted to the third surface structure 2083, and in this embodiment, the driving receiving structure is embodied as the second surface portion 243a242.

When the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the fourth surface portion 243a231 of the stepped portion 243a23 contacts the first surface structure 2081 of the second braking force engagement member 208 and presses the second braking force engagement member 208 in the-Y direction, and since the first braking force engagement member 204 and the second braking force engagement member 208 are connected to each other, both move in the-Y direction, thereby achieving disengagement of the protrusion 207e of the braking force transmission member 207 from the protrusion 204e of the first braking force engagement member 204. That is, the first and second braking force engagement members 204 and 208 are disconnected from the braking force transmission member 207, and the braking force is not transmitted from the braking force transmission member 207. The first braking force engagement member 204 and the second braking force engagement member 208 can rotate relative to the braking force transmission member 207 without receiving the rotational load generated by the braking member 206, so that the problem that the protrusion 207e of the braking force transmission member 207 and the protrusion 204e of the first braking force engagement member 204 cause structural interference and generate abnormal noise when the driving force transmission member 180 rotates is effectively avoided. At the same time, the second surface structure 2082 of the second braking force engaging member 208 abuts against the third surface portion 243a243, and the third surface structure 2083 abuts against the second surface portion 243a242, so that the driving force on the main assembly is applied to the coupling 143, the coupling 143 receives the driving force, rotates in the rotation direction a, and thereby rotates the photosensitive drum 104, and the photosensitive drum 104 rotates to transfer the developer onto the transfer belt 12.

The shaft connecting portion 243a22 is provided at the front end side in the-Y direction with a guide portion (not shown in the drawing) configured as a conical chamfer structure for guiding during engagement of the positioning boss 180i with the hole portion 243a 221.

Referring to fig. 8 to 11, the engagement process of the coupling 143 with the drum driving unit 203 is described in detail as follows:

When the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, the front door of the image forming apparatus is closed, the drum driving unit 203 in the image forming apparatus is controlled to protrude from the side wall of the image forming apparatus by the link mechanism, the first and second braking force engagement members 204 and 208 are moved toward the +y axis direction, the first surface portion 243a241 of the second coupling portion 243a24 of the coupling 143 of the process cartridge abuts against the first surface structure 2081 (see fig. 3) of the second braking force engagement member 208, and at this time the elastic piece 243a4 provided on the lower side of the shaft portion 243a1 of the driving portion 243a is deformed, when the motor in the image forming apparatus drives the driving force transmitting member 180 to rotate, the driving force transmitting member 180 rotates the first and second braking force engagement members 204 and 208 in the a direction shown with reference to fig. 8, the first surface structure 2081 of the second braking force engagement member 208 slides from the first surface portion 243a241 of the second coupling portion 243a24 to be disengaged therefrom, the positioning boss 180i is inserted into the hole portion 243a221 through the guide portion provided on the shaft connecting portion 243a22, the elastic piece 243a4 provided on the lower side of the shaft portion 243a1 of the driving portion 243a gradually starts to resume its shape change, the second surface structure 2082 and the third surface structure 2083 of the second braking force engaging member 208 slide along the second surface portion 243a242 of the second coupling portion 243a24, until the second surface structure 2082 and the third surface structure 2083 of the second braking force engaging member 208 respectively abut against the third surface portion 243a243 and the second surface portion 243a242 on the coupling 143, thereby applying the driving force on the main assembly to the coupling 143, the coupling 143 receives the driving force, rotates in the rotation direction a, and thereby rotates the photosensitive drum 104, while the first surface structure 2081 of the second braking force engaging member 208 moves into contact with the fourth surface portion 243a231 of the stepped portion 243a23, the fourth surface portion 243a231 presses the second braking force engaging member 208 in the-Y direction, that is, applies an axial force thereto, and the second braking force engaging member 208 drives the first braking force engaging member 204 to move in the-Y direction synchronously, thereby realizing that the protrusion 207e of the braking force transmitting member 207 is disengaged from the protrusion 204e of the first braking force engaging member 204, and avoiding the problem that the protrusion 207e of the braking force transmitting member 207 and the protrusion 204e of the first braking force engaging member 204 cause structural interference and generate abnormal noise when rotating. At this time, the portion of the elastic piece 243a4 provided on the lower side of the shaft portion 243a1 of the driving portion 243a is deformed such that the fourth surface portion 243a231 continues to maintain the axial force in the-Y direction to the second braking force engaging member 208, so that the protruding portion 207e of the braking force transmitting member 207 continues to maintain separation from the protruding portion 204e of the first braking force engaging member 204. In addition, the two first coupling portions 243a211 provided on the first flange portion 243a21 of the acting portion 243a2 fall into the recess 180f provided in the driving force transmitting member 180. Since the coupling 143 is abutted with the second braking force engagement member 208 through the third surface portion 243a243 and the second surface portion 243a242, the coupling 143 and the driving force transmission member 180 are prevented from coming out of contact with each other in the radial direction at the time of rotation.

Example two

The main difference between this embodiment and the embodiment is that: the drive receiving structure of the present embodiment is implemented as an abutment slope 143b2 on the drive force receiving portion 143b, and the coupling of the present embodiment may further include an engagement projection 143b1, the engagement projection 143b1 extending in the circumferential direction of the coupling and being capable of being fitted into a radial gap between the coupling engagement portion 204b of the first braking force engagement member 204 and the coupling engagement portion 208b of the second braking force engagement member 208, the engagement projection 143b1 being connected to the abutment slope 143b 2.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 12 after the assembly of the components of the drum driving unit 203 is completed, the second braking force engagement member 208 is closer to the positioning boss 180i than the first braking force engagement member 204 with the positioning boss 180i of the driving force transmission member 180 as the axis. The coupling engagement portion 204b of the first braking force engagement member 204 is located within the same radius as the driving force transmission portion 180v (i.e., a distance corresponding to the center axis of the driving force transmission member 180) as viewed in the axial direction of the driving force transmission member 180, and since the second braking force engagement member 208 is located inside the first braking force engagement member 204, the coupling engagement portion 208b of the second braking force engagement member 208 is located within a different radius from the driving force transmission portion 180v, i.e., a radial gap is formed between the coupling engagement portion 204b of the first braking force engagement member 204 and the coupling engagement portion 208b of the second braking force engagement member 208.

Referring to fig. 13, a coupling 143 is provided at one end of the photosensitive drum 104, a guide post 143a having a central opening 143a1 is provided on the coupling 143, which cooperates with a positioning boss 180i on the driving force transmission member 180, driving force receiving portions 143b are provided at intervals on both sides of the guide post 143a, and at least two driving force receiving portions 143b are provided.

The driving force receiving portion 143b is provided with an engaging projection 143b1 extending circumferentially along the coupling 143; at the same time, an abutment inclined surface 143b2 is provided, the abutment inclined surface 143b2 is adjacent to the guide post 143a and is connected adjacent to the engagement protrusion 143b1, and the abutment inclined surface 143b2 can abut against the third surface structure 2083 on the second braking force engagement member 208, thereby receiving the driving force.

The matching working process comprises the following steps:

The front door 11 of the main assembly is closed, and the drum driving unit 203 of the main assembly is extended and approaches the coupling 143 of the process cartridge in the +y direction;

As shown in fig. 14 to 17, the guide post 143a on the driving force receiving portion 143b is first fitted with the positioning boss 180i on the driving force transmitting member 180, i.e., the positioning boss 180i is to be inserted into the center hole 143a1 on the guide post 143a, and the engaging projection 143b1 on the driving force receiving portion 143b is then inserted into the radial gap between the coupling engaging portion 204b of the first braking force engaging member 204 and the coupling engaging portion 208b of the second braking force engaging member 208, so that the engagement of the driving force receiving portion 143b with the drum driving unit 203 is more stable. Here, the engagement projection 143b1 may or may not abut against a side surface of the coupling engagement portion 208b of the second braking force engagement member 208, which is close to the coupling engagement portion 204b of the first braking force engagement member 204; the abutment slope 143b2 on the driving force receiving portion 143b abuts the third surface structure 2083 on the second braking force engagement member 208. In some embodiments, the driving force receiving portion 143b may also simultaneously abut the second surface structure 2082 of the second braking force engagement member 208 or be engaged in a turning position between the second surface structure 2082 and the third surface structure 2083.

Without other guide surfaces or structures, as the drum drive unit 203 and the driving force transmitting member 180 thereon rotate, the coupling engagement portion 204b of the first braking force engagement member 204 always abuts against the driving force transmitting surface 180d, and the driving force is transferred from the driving force transmitting surface 180d to the first braking force engagement member 204 and the second braking force engagement member 208, and thereby transferred to the driving force receiving portion 143b, and finally the driving force transmission between the drum drive unit 203 and the coupling 143 is achieved.

The process cartridge may further be provided with other locking mechanisms to lock the drive transmission member 180, preventing the detachment therebetween.

The processing box with the structure ensures that the joint of the driving force transmission component and the driving force receiving part is more stable, the driving force transmission component is not easy to separate from the driving force receiving part, and the power transmission is more stable.

Example III

The main difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that: the coupling 143 includes a driving force transmission structure having a plurality of, and an elastic member 144 c; when the coupling 143 is engaged with the drum driving unit 203, the driving force transmitting structure is embedded in the gap of the drum driving unit 203, the driving force transmitting structure can axially move under the action of the elastic member 144c, avoiding the structure on the drum driving unit 203, and at least part of the driving force transmitting structure receives the driving force of the drum driving unit 203; the at least one driving force transmitting structure is capable of contacting the third surface structure 2083 on the second braking force engagement member 208 to thereby receive the driving force, the driving receiving structure being the at least one driving force transmitting structure in contact with the third surface structure. In this embodiment, the driving force transmission structure is implemented as a post 144b.

Specifically, after the assembly of the respective components of the drum driving unit 203 is completed, the same as in the embodiment, see fig. 12.

Referring to fig. 18, 19 and 20, a coupling 143 is provided at one end of the photosensitive drum 104, the coupling 143 having a cylindrical shape, and the coupling 143 includes a cylinder 145, a first disc 143a, a second disc 144a, a post 144b and an elastic member 144c. A first circular plate 143a is fixedly provided on an inner circumferential wall of the cylinder 145 toward an end (i.e., -Y direction) away from the photosensitive drum, and a guide hole, specifically, a first hole 143a1 is provided on the first circular plate 143a, and the first holes 143a1 may be circular and arranged at intervals along a circumferential position of the first circular plate 143 a. The number of the first holes 143a1 is several, and the first holes 143a1 are not provided in the middle of the first disc 143 a. The first disc 143a may be integrally formed with the cylinder 145 or may be provided by being engaged with the cylinder.

A second disc 144a is fixedly provided on the inner peripheral wall of the cylinder 145 toward one end (i.e., the +y direction) near the photosensitive drum, and a guide hole, specifically, a second hole 144a1, is provided on the second disc 144a, which corresponds to the first hole 143a 1. The second holes 144a1 may be circular in shape, which are spaced apart along the circumferential position of the second disk 144 a. The number of the second holes 144a1 is several, and the second holes 144a1 are not provided in the middle of the second disc 144 a. The second disc 144a may be integrally formed with the cylinder 145 or may be provided by being engaged with the cylinder.

The posts 144b are in one-to-one correspondence with the first holes 143a1 of the first disc 143a and the second holes 144a1 of the second disc 144a, respectively, such that the posts 144b are axially movable relative to the cylinder 145.

Further, the posts 144b are cylindrical in shape, and each post 144b has one end passing through the second hole 144a1 of the second disc 144a and the other end passing through the first hole 143a1 of the first disc 143a and being movable therebetween. One end of the post 144b remote from the photoreceptor drum 104 protrudes from the coupling 143, and a gap is provided between the other end and the photoreceptor drum 104, which allows the post 144b to move maximally within the coupling.

Each post 144b is provided with an annular protrusion 144b1, and a first end of the annular protrusion 144b1 abuts against an inner end surface of the first disc 143a to prevent the post 144b from sliding out of the coupling 143. The annular protrusion 144b1 may be integrally formed with the post 144b or may be provided by a snap fit.

The elastic members 144c are sleeved on the posts 144b, and the number of the elastic members corresponds to the number of the posts 144 b. The elastic member 144c is disposed between the annular protrusion 144b1 and the second disc 144a, i.e., a first end of the elastic member 144c abuts against a second end of the annular protrusion 144b1, and a second end of the elastic member 144c abuts against the second disc 144a and is elastically deformable therebetween, so that the post 144b is capable of moving in an axial direction (i.e., +y direction) toward the photosensitive drum 104 and has a tendency to reset in an axial direction (i.e., Y direction) toward a direction away from the photosensitive drum 104 under the elastic action of the elastic member 144 c. In this embodiment, the elastic member 144c is a spring, and in other embodiments, the elastic member 144c may have other elastic structures, and may not be in one-to-one correspondence with the pillars 144b, for example, the elastic member 144c may also be elastic sponge or elastic rubber, and different pillars 144b may be capable of generating different displacements at different positions on the elastic sponge or elastic rubber, and different elastic deformation amounts at different positions on the elastic sponge or elastic rubber.

Referring to fig. 20, after the coupling 143 is mounted, the elastic member 144b is compressed, the post 144b is always abutted against the first disc 143a of the coupling 143 by the elastic force of the elastic member 144c, the post 144b is always protruded outside the cylinder 145, and the post 144b is prevented from sliding out of the second hole 144a1 of the second disc 144 a. In other embodiments, post 144b may not protrude from barrel 145.

The matching working process comprises the following steps:

The front door 11 of the main assembly is closed, and the drum driving unit 203 of the main assembly is extended and approaches the coupling 143 of the drum unit in the +y direction.

As shown in fig. 21 and 22, the positioning boss 180i of the driving force transmission member 180 is inserted into the intermediate position of the first disc 143a in the coupling 143, and may or may not abut against the first disc 143 a. At this time, the plurality of posts 144b are inserted into the driving force transmission member 180 in a state where the posts 144b are inserted into the driving force transmission member 180 with a gap therebetween, and the posts are abutted against the obstacle and moved toward the end near the photosensitive drum 104, and at this time, the elastic member 144c is deeply compressed under the abutment of the annular projection 144b1, as shown in fig. 22. At the same time, the small cylindrical portion 180e of the driving force transmitting member 180 is inserted into the cylinder 145 of the coupling 143 and abuts against the edge or inner peripheral wall of the cylinder 145, preventing the displacement of the driving force transmitting member 180.

Further, the post 144b is stably engaged with each component in the driving force transmitting member 180 by the bi-directional action of the elastic component 144c and the driving force transmitting member 180, and as the drum driving unit 203 and the driving force transmitting member 180 thereon rotate, the post 144b is stably engaged with each component in the driving force transmitting member 180 by the bi-directional action of the elastic component 144c and the driving force transmitting member 180, for example, with the driving force transmitting portion 180v, the first braking force engaging member 204, and/or the second braking force engaging member 208, thereby achieving driving force transmission between the drum driving unit 203 and the coupling 143.

Other locking mechanisms may also be provided on the drum unit to lock the drive transmitting member 180 to prevent disengagement therebetween.

The drum unit with the structure ensures that the driving force transmission component and the coupling are more stable, the driving force transmission component and the coupling are not easy to separate, and the power transmission is more stable.

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 several modifications and improvements can be made to the above-described embodiments, or the above-described embodiments can be freely combined, including the technical features of the different embodiments described above, without departing from the inventive concept of the present utility model.

Claims (19)

1. A drum unit for detachable mounting in a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a drum driving unit including a driving force transmitting member, and a first braking force engagement member and a second braking force engagement member provided in the driving force transmitting member and movable in an axial direction relative thereto, the driving force transmitting member having a driving force transmitting portion, the second braking force engagement member being provided within the first braking force engagement member and having a protruding coupling engagement portion, the coupling engagement portion of the second braking force engagement member having a first surface structure at an axial tip thereof, a third surface structure at an axial side thereof, and a second surface structure connecting the first surface structure and the third surface structure, the third surface structure being provided on a side of the coupling engagement portion of the second braking force engagement member remote from the driving force transmitting portion;

Characterized in that the drum unit comprises:

A photosensitive drum;

A coupling provided at one end of the photosensitive drum; the coupling is provided with a drive receiving structure capable of contacting the third surface structure, so that the drive force of the drum drive unit is obtained by the third surface structure and transmitted to the photosensitive drum.

2. Drum unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: the drive receiving structure is an inclined surface adapted to the third surface structure.

3. Drum unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: the coupling is further provided with a third surface portion which is capable of being in contact with the second surface structure.

4. A drum unit according to claim 3, said drum driving unit further comprising a braking force transmitting member provided with a projection thereon, said first braking force engaging member provided with a projection thereon, characterized in that:

The coupling is further provided with a fourth surface portion contactable with the first surface structure for generating an axial force to the second braking force engagement member so as to disengage the protruding portion of the first braking force engagement member from the protruding portion of the braking force transmission member, the first and second braking force engagement members being rotatable relative to the braking force transmission member.

5. Drum unit according to claim 4, characterized in that: the coupling further includes an elastic member for providing an axial force to the fourth surface portion so as to act on the second braking force engagement member such that the protruding portion of the first braking force engagement member is disengaged from the protruding portion of the braking force transmission member.

6. Drum unit according to claim 5, characterized in that: the shaft coupling comprises a driving part, at least one second coupling part is arranged on the driving part, the second coupling part protrudes towards the direction away from the photosensitive drum, a first surface part positioned at the axial top end of the second coupling part, a second surface part positioned at one axial side of the second coupling part and a third surface part are formed on the second coupling part, the first surface part, the second surface part and the third surface part are sequentially connected, and the driving receiving structure is realized as the second surface part.

7. Drum unit according to claim 6, characterized in that: the driving part further comprises a step part, the second coupling part is arranged on the step part, the fourth surface part is formed on the step part towards the direction far away from the photosensitive drum, and the fourth surface part is connected with the third surface part.

8. A drum unit according to claim 7, said driving force transmitting member having a positioning boss, characterized in that: the driving part further comprises a shaft connecting part, and the shaft connecting part is provided with a hole part into which the positioning boss can be inserted;

the step portion and the second coupling portion are disposed radially outward of the shaft connecting portion.

9. Drum unit according to claim 6, characterized in that: the driving portion further includes a first coupling portion located at an outer periphery of the second coupling portion in a radial direction, the first coupling portion protruding toward a direction away from the photosensitive drum, and capable of being fitted into the recess portion of the driving force transmitting member.

10. Drum unit according to claim 6, characterized in that: the coupler also comprises a drum connecting part, wherein the drum connecting part is fixedly connected with the photosensitive drum, and the drum connecting part is provided with a containing part;

The driving part is movably connected with the drum connecting part through the accommodating part and can move along the axial direction relative to the drum connecting part, and the elastic piece is arranged between the drum connecting part and the driving part and provides axial resetting force for the driving part.

11. Drum unit according to claim 10, characterized in that: the inner wall of the accommodating part is provided with a groove, the outer wall of the driving part is provided with a protrusion, and the groove of the accommodating part is matched with the protrusion of the driving part, so that the driving part is guided to move along the axial direction relative to the drum connecting part.

12. Drum unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: the coupling is further provided with a snap-in protrusion extending in a circumferential direction of the coupling and being capable of being inserted into a radial gap between the coupling engagement portion of the first braking force engagement member and the coupling engagement portion of the second braking force engagement member, the snap-in protrusion being connected with the drive receiving structure.

13. Drum unit according to claim 12, characterized in that: the coupling includes a driving force receiving portion protruding in a direction away from the photosensitive drum, the driving force receiving portion having an abutment slope on an axial side thereof and the engaging projection connected to the axial side thereof, the driving force receiving structure being implemented as the abutment slope.

14. Drum unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: the coupling includes a driving force transmission structure having a plurality of driving force transmission structures and an elastic member; when the coupler is engaged with the drum driving unit, the driving force transmission structure is embedded into a gap of the drum driving unit and can axially move under the action of the elastic part so as to avoid the structure on the drum driving unit, and at least part of the driving force transmission structure receives the driving force of the drum driving unit;

At least one of the drive force transmitting structures is capable of contacting the third surface structure to receive a drive force, the drive receiving structure being implemented as at least one drive force transmitting structure contacting the third surface structure.

15. Drum unit according to claim 14, characterized in that: the coupling is provided with a guide hole, and the driving force transmission structure is a pillar which is arranged in the guide hole and can move along the axial direction.

16. Drum unit according to claim 15, wherein: the coupler also comprises a cylinder, and a first disc and a second disc fixedly arranged in the cylinder; the cylinder is fixedly connected with the photosensitive drum; the guide hole is implemented as a first hole on the first disk and a second hole on the second disk, through which the driving force transmission structure passes and is movable in the axial direction;

The elastic parts are in one-to-one correspondence with the driving force transmission structures, the first ends of the elastic parts are connected with the driving force transmission structures, and the second ends of the elastic parts are abutted to the second discs.

17. Drum unit according to claim 16, wherein: the driving force transmission structure is provided with an annular protrusion, a first end of the annular protrusion is abutted with the inner end surface of the first disc, and a second end of the annular protrusion is abutted with the first end of the elastic component.

18. A drum unit according to claim 16, wherein an end of the driving force transmitting member of said drum driving unit has a small cylindrical portion, characterized in that: the small cylindrical portion can be inserted into the end of the cylinder and abut the cylinder.

19. A process cartridge for detachably mounting in a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising the drum unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18.