Process cartridge and detection method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025147464-A1
Application number	US-202418938102-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 5, 2024
Priority date	Nov 6, 2023
Publication date	May 8, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a process cartridge and a detection method. A process cartridge, detachably installed on an image-forming apparatus, includes a main body configured to store a developer; and a working element disposed on the main body and configured to detect or obtain a first parameter related to the process cartridge, where when the first parameter or a second parameter obtained based on the first parameter does not meet expectation, the image-forming apparatus controls the process cartridge to stop conveying the developer.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A process cartridge, detachably installed on an image-forming apparatus, comprising:
a main body, configured to store a developer; and a working element, disposed on the main body and configured to detect or obtain a first parameter related to the process cartridge, wherein:
when the first parameter or a second parameter obtained based on the first parameter does not meet expectation, the image-forming apparatus controls the process cartridge to stop conveying the developer.

2 . The process cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein:
the working element is configured at an outer side or an inner side of the main body.

3 . The process cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein:
when the working element is configured at the outer side of the main body, an installation cavity is configured at the outer side of the main body, and the working element is at least partially in the installation cavity.

4 . The process cartridge according to claim 3 , wherein:
the main body includes a cartridge body and an end cover; the cartridge body is configured to store the developer; the end cover is installed at an end portion of the cartridge body; the end cover and the cartridge body enclose the installation cavity; and the working element is at least partially installed in the installation cavity.

5 . The process cartridge according to claim 4 , wherein:
the cartridge body includes a base and an upper cover; the upper cover and the base are connected to form an accommodating cavity configured to accommodate the developer; the end cover is installed at an end portion of the base; and the end cover, the upper cover and the base enclose the installation cavity.

6 . The process cartridge according to claim 5 , wherein:
the end cover is configured to be an inverted L shape; a lower portion of the end cover is connected to the end portion of the base, and an upper portion of the end cover is configured to be spaced apart from the base; and the upper portion of the end cover, the base and the upper cover enclose the installation cavity.

7 . The process cartridge according to claim 1 , further including:
an information processing apparatus, configured at the main body, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to communicate with the image-forming apparatus; the information processing apparatus includes a communication module configured to communicate with the image-forming apparatus; and the communication module and the working element are configured to be electrically connected to a same contact or different contacts of the image-forming apparatus.

8 . The process cartridge according to claim 7 , wherein:
when the communication module and the working element are configured to be electrically connected to the same contact of the image-forming apparatus, the communication module includes a data terminal; and the working element is electrically connected to the information processing apparatus; when the process cartridge is installed at a preset position on the image-forming apparatus, the working element is electrically connected to the image-forming apparatus through the data terminal of the information processing apparatus; or the working element is configured to be electrically connected to the image-forming apparatus through a first conductive part; a first end of the first conductive part is electrically connected to the working element, and a second end of the first conductive part is spaced apart from the data terminal of the information processing apparatus; and when the process cartridge is installed at a preset position on the image-forming apparatus, the second end of the first conductive part and the data terminal of the information processing apparatus are electrically connected to a same contact of the image-forming apparatus; or the working element is configured to be electrically connected to the image-forming apparatus through a second conductive part; a first end of the second conductive part is configured to be electrically connected to the working element; projections of a second end of the second conductive part and the data terminal of the information processing apparatus along a direction perpendicular to the information processing apparatus are at least partially overlapped with each other; a side surface of the second end of the second conductive part away from the data terminal of the information processing apparatus is a conductive surface; a side surface of the second end of the second conductive part adjacent to the data terminal of the information processing apparatus is an insulating surface; the conductive surface is insulated from the data terminal of the information processing apparatus; and when the process cartridge is installed at a preset position on the image-forming apparatus, the second end of the second conductive part and the data terminal of the information processing apparatus are electrically connected to a same contact of the image-forming apparatus.

9 . The process cartridge according to claim 8 , wherein when the working element is electrically connected to the information processing apparatus:
the information processing apparatus is configured with an input portion electrically connected to the data terminal, and the working element is electrically connected to the input portion; and the working element is electrically connected to the image-forming apparatus through the data terminal; or the working element is configured to be electrically connected to the image-forming apparatus through a third conductive part; and a first end of the third conductive part is electrically connected to the working element, and a second end of the third conductive part is electrically connected to the data terminal.

10 . The process cartridge according to claim 7 , wherein:
the working element is detachably and electrically connected to the information processing apparatus.

11 . The process cartridge according to claim 10 , wherein:
the process cartridge further includes a socket; the socket is configured at the main body and electrically connected to the information processing apparatus; and the working element includes a plug detachably plugged into the socket.

12 . The process cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein:
the working element is a working environment sensor configured to detect the first parameter of the process cartridge and enable the image-forming apparatus to obtain the first parameter; or the working element is a fixed resistor and configured to enable the image-forming apparatus to obtain the first parameter; or the working element is an adjustable resistor and configured to enable the image-forming apparatus to obtain the first parameter.

13 . The process cartridge according to claim 12 , wherein:
when the working element is the adjustable resistor, the adjustable resistor includes a switching element and at least two branch circuits; and the switching element is configured to receive a command signal and switch to turn on or off different branch circuits to form the adjustable resistor with different resistance values, wherein the adjustable resistor is configured to be electrically connected to the image-forming apparatus.

14 . The process cartridge according to claim 13 , wherein:
the at least two branch circuits are arranged in parallel; resistance values of different branch circuits are different; the switching element includes at least two controlled switches; a controlled switch is configured on a branch circuit; and based on different command signals corresponding to different temperatures, different controlle

Assignees

• Zhuhai Pantum Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Shao Zhe
• Zeng Wei
• Li Zhihao
• Chen Gui

Classifications

• G03G2215/068

  having a box like shape · CPC title

• G03G15/0875

  cartridges having a box like shape · CPC title

• G03G21/1803

  Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof · CPC title

• G03G21/20

  Humidity or temperature control {also ozone evacuation; Internal apparatus environment control} · CPC title

• G03G15/55

  Self-diagnostics; Malfunction or lifetime display · CPC title