IP Library Granted Patent US 11,803,154
Granted Patent B2
US 11,803,154 · App. 18/173,136 · Granted Oct 31, 2023

Developing cartridge providing layout of electrodes and detection gear

Inventors: Keita Shimizu (Nagoya, JP); Tomoya Ichikawa (Nagoya, JP); Takashi Shimizu (Nagoya, JP); Kazuna Taguchi (Nagoya, JP)
Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
G03G21/1867G03G15/0868G03G21/1652G03G21/1857G03G21/1896G03G2221/166
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,803,154
App. No.
18/173,136
Granted
Oct 31, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A developing cartridge includes a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode includes a first electrical contact in contact with a developing roller shaft, and a second electrical contact positioned closer to the developing roller shaft than a second agitator gear is to the developing roller shaft. The second electrical contact is positioned farther from the developing roller shaft than the first electrical contact is from the developing roller shaft. The supply electrode includes a first electrical contact in contact with the supply roller shaft, and a second electrical contact positioned closer to the developing roller shaft than the second agitator gear is to the developing roller shaft. The second electrical contact of the supply electrode is positioned farther from the developing roller shaft than the second electrical contact of the developing electrode is from the developing roller shaft.

Claims (54)

1. A developing cartridge comprising:

a casing configured to accommodate toner therein;

a developing roller including a developing roller shaft extending in an axial direction;

a coupling rotatable about a rotational axis extending in the axial direction, the coupling being positioned at a first side of the casing in the axial direction;

a gear rotatable about a rotational axis extending in the axial direction from a first position to a second position, the gear being positioned at a second side of the casing in the axial direction;

a gear cover positioned at the second side of the casing in the axial direction, the gear cover covering at least a portion of the gear, the gear cover having an opening;

a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller shaft, the developing electrode including:

a first electrical contact in contact with the developing roller shaft; and

a second electrical contact positioned farther from the developing roller shaft than the first electrical contact is from the developing roller shaft, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact being electrically connected to the developing roller shaft; and

a protrusion movable according to the rotation of the gear, the protrusion being positioned at the second side of the casing, a distal end of the protrusion being positioned farther from the developing roller shaft than the second electrical contact is from the developing roller shaft, the distal end of the protrusion being exposed through the opening in a state where the gear is at the first position,

wherein the gear cover is spaced apart from the first electrical contact such that the first electrical contact is fully exposed.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the gear cover is spaced apart from the developing electrode such that the developing electrode is fully exposed.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein a first distance between the distal end of the protrusion and the second electrical contact is greater than a second distance between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the protrusion extends in a radial direction of the gear.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 4 ,

wherein the protrusion protrudes from the gear.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 4 ,

wherein the protrusion extends radially outward in the radial direction of the gear.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the developing electrode is positioned at the second side of the casing in the axial direction.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the protrusion is movably supported by the gear cover.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the gear cover is fixed to the casing by a screw.

10. A developing cartridge comprising:

a casing configured to accommodate toner therein;

a developing roller including a developing roller shaft extending in an axial direction;

a coupling rotatable about a rotational axis extending in the axial direction, the coupling being positioned at a first side of the casing in the axial direction;

a gear rotatable about a rotational axis extending in the axial direction from a first position to a second position, the gear being positioned at a second side of the casing in the axial direction;

a gear cover positioned at the second side of the casing in the axial direction, the gear cover covering at least a portion of the gear, the gear cover having an opening;

a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller shaft, the developing electrode including:

a first electrical contact in contact with the developing roller shaft; and

a second electrical contact positioned farther from the developing roller shaft than the first electrical contact is from the developing roller shaft, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact being electrically connected to the developing roller shaft; and

a protrusion movable according to the rotation of the gear, the protrusion being positioned at the second side of the casing, a distal end of the protrusion being positioned farther from the developing roller shaft than the second electrical contact is from the developing roller shaft, the distal end of the protrusion being exposed through the opening in a state where the gear is at the first position,

wherein the gear cover does not cover the first electrical contact such that the first electrical contact is fully exposed.

11. The developing cartridge according to claim 10 ,

wherein the gear cover is spaced apart from the developing electrode such that the developing electrode is fully exposed.

12. The developing cartridge according to claim 10 ,

wherein a first distance between the distal end of the protrusion and the second electrical contact is greater than a second distance between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

13. The developing cartridge according to claim 10 ,

wherein the protrusion extends in a radial direction of the gear.

14. The developing cartridge according to claim 13 ,

wherein the protrusion protrudes from the gear.

15. The developing cartridge according to claim 13 ,

wherein the protrusion extends radially outward in the radial direction of the gear.

16. The developing cartridge according to claim 10 ,

wherein the developing electrode is positioned at the second side of the casing in the axial direction.

17. The developing cartridge according to claim 10 ,

wherein the protrusion is movably supported by the gear cover.

18. The developing cartridge according to claim 10 ,

wherein the gear cover is fixed to the casing by a screw.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2023
From: SHIMIZU, KEITA; ICHIKAWA, TOMOYA; SHIMIZU, TAKASHI; TAGUCHI, KAZUNA
To: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 062778/0393 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2016-140410 · Jul 15, 2016 · national
Continuity (7)
Continuation 17869843 · Jul 21, 2022
Continuation 16989633 · Aug 10, 2020
Continuation 16534803 · Aug 7, 2019
Continuation 16284372 · Feb 25, 2019
Continuation 15957342 · Apr 19, 2018
Continuation 15473123 · Mar 29, 2017
Related Publication 20230205130A1 · Jun 29, 2023
Cited By (1)
US 12,204,275