IP Library Granted Patent US 11,675,289
Granted Patent B2
US 11,675,289 · App. 17/568,337 · Granted Jun 13, 2023

Developing cartridge capable of reducing size of image forming apparatus

Inventors: Nao Itabashi (Nagoya, JP); Junichi Yokoi (Nagoya, JP)
Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
G03G15/0867G03G15/0863G03G21/1647G03G21/1896
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,675,289
App. No.
17/568,337
Granted
Jun 13, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A developing cartridge may include: a casing configured to accommodate developer therein, the casing extending in the first direction; a coupling rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, the coupling being positioned at one side of the casing in the first direction; a detection gear rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the detection gear being positioned at another side of the casing in the first direction; and a storage medium including an electric contact surface, the electric contact surface being positioned at the one side of the casing in the first direction.

Claims (51)

1. A developing cartridge comprising:

a casing configured to accommodate developer therein;

a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller being positioned at one end portion of the casing in a second direction;

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

a detection gear rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction, and the detection gear being positioned at another side of the casing in the first direction;

a storage medium including an electric contact surface, the electric contact surface being positioned at the one side of the casing in the first direction; and

an electrode electrically connected to the developing roller, the electrode being positioned to the another side of the casing in the first direction,

wherein the electric contact surface is farther from the developing roller in the second direction than the electrode is from the developing roller.

2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the electric contact surface is farther from the developing roller in the second direction than the coupling is from the developing roller.

3. The developing cartridge according to claim 2 ,

wherein the electric contact surface is farther from the developing roller in the second direction than the detection gear is from the developing roller.

4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the electric contact surface is farther from the developing roller in the second direction than the detection gear is from the developing roller.

5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the second direction crosses the first direction.

6. The developing cartridge according to claim 5 ,

wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

7. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the detection gear rotates according to the rotation of the coupling.

8. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a shaft rotatable about a fourth axis extending in the first direction, the shaft being rotatable with the coupling,

wherein the detection gear rotates according to the rotation of the coupling via the shaft.

9. The developing cartridge according to claim 8 ,

wherein at least a portion of the shaft is positioned in the casing.

10. The developing cartridge according to claim 9 , further comprising:

an agitator including the shaft.

11. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the storage medium is positioned at the one side of the casing in the first direction.

12. The developing cartridge according to claim 11 ,

wherein the storage medium is farther from the developing roller in the second direction than the electrode is from the developing roller.

13. The developing cartridge according to claim 12 ,

wherein the storage medium is farther from the developing roller in the second direction than the coupling is from the developing roller.

14. The developing cartridge according to claim 13 ,

wherein the storage medium is farther from the developing roller in the second direction than the detection gear is from the developing roller.

15. The developing cartridge according to claim 12 ,

wherein the storage medium is farther from the developing roller in the second direction than the detection gear is from the developing roller.

16. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the detection gear is aligned with the electrode in the first direction.

17. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the coupling includes a recessed portion or a concave portion configured to receive driving force.

18. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the detection gear is rotatable between a first position representing the developing cartridge in an unused state and a second position representing the developing cartridge in a used state.

19. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the detection gear includes a plurality of gear teeth provided on a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the detection gear.

20. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the detection gear includes a protrusion extending in the first direction.

21. The developing cartridge according to claim 20 ,

wherein the detection gear includes a plurality of the protrusions.

22. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 ,

wherein the storage medium stores information regarding the developing cartridge.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 4, 2022
From: ITABASHI, NAO; YOKOI, JUNICHI
To: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 058543/0265 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2015-254201 · Dec 25, 2015 · national
Continuity (7)
Continuation 17077147 · Oct 22, 2020
Continuation 16867612 · May 6, 2020
Continuation 16593623 · Oct 4, 2019
Continuation 16361519 · Mar 22, 2019
Continuation 16031011 · Jul 10, 2018
Continuation 15280614 · Sep 29, 2016
Related Publication 20220128931A1 · Apr 28, 2022
Cited By (3)
US 12,204,275 US 12,411,453 US 12,601,990