Patent Description:
An image-forming apparatus often has a built-in drawer, and at least one process cartridge is accommodated in the drawer. By pushing and pulling the drawer, the process cartridge may be installed in the image-forming apparatus, or the process cartridge may be removed from the image-forming apparatus. The process cartridge needs to be electrically connected to a main body side of the image-forming apparatus, such that the main body side of the image-forming apparatus may obtain relevant information of the process cartridge. However, when the drawer is installed in the image-forming apparatus, a certain relative distance (e.g., gap) may be between the process cartridge and the drawer, and between the drawer and the main body side of the image-forming apparatus, which may affect electrical connection stability between the process cartridge and the main body side of the image-forming apparatus. The publication <CIT> discloses a prior art image forming apparatus having cartridges accommodated in a drawer.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides an installation bracket, configured to carry a process cartridge. The installation bracket includes a bracket main body; and a connection portion, disposed on the bracket main body, where the connection portion includes a conductive portion, configured to electrically connect a contact portion of a chip on the process cartridge and an electrical contact portion of an image-forming apparatus.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a process cartridge assembly. The process cartridge assembly includes an installation bracket and a process cartridge. The installation bracket is configured to carry the process cartridge and includes a bracket main body and a connection portion disposed on the bracket main body; and the connection portion includes a conductive portion, configured to electrically connect a contact portion of a chip on the process cartridge and an electrical contact portion of an image-forming apparatus; and the process cartridge is installed on the installation bracket; and the process cartridge includes a contact portion electrically connected to a first docking portion.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an image-forming apparatus. The image-forming apparatus includes an electrical contact portion; and an installation bracket disposed removably, where when the installation bracket is installed in the image-forming apparatus, a conductive portion is electrically connected to the electrical contact portion.

Other aspects of the present disclosure may be understood by those skilled in the art in light of the description, the claims, and the drawings of the present disclosure.

To clearly describe technical solutions of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings which need to be used for describing various embodiments are described below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings may be obtained in accordance with the drawings without creative efforts.

In order to better understand the technical solutions of the present disclosure, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to accompanying drawings.

It should be understood that described embodiments are only some of embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of embodiments. Based on embodiments in present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative efforts should fall within the protection scope of present disclosure.

The terms used in embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used in embodiments and appended claims, the singular forms "a," "the" and "said" are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It should be understood that the term "and/or" used in the present disclosure is only an association relationship describing related objects, indicating that there may be three relationships. For example, A and/or B may indicate three cases: A alone, both A and B, and B alone. In addition, the character "/" in the present disclosure indicate that related objects are an "or" relationship.

It should be noted that the orientation terms such as "upper", "lower", "left" and "right" described in embodiments of the present disclosure are described from the perspective shown in the drawings and should not be understood as a limitation on embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, it should be understood in the present disclosure that when an element is referred to as being connected "on" or "under" another element, it may not only be directly connected "on" or "under" another element, but also may be indirectly connected "on" or "under" another element through an intermediate element.

Any two of "the first direction", "the second direction" and "the third direction" described in embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to be intersected with each other, that is, any two of above three directions are not in parallel or overlapped with each other.

For example, any two of "the first direction", "the second direction" and "the third direction" are configured to be perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to each other.

As shown in <FIG>, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an image-forming apparatus <NUM>. The image-forming apparatus <NUM> may include an apparatus main body <NUM>, an installation bracket <NUM> and a process cartridge <NUM>. A chip on the process cartridge <NUM> may include a contact portion <NUM>, and the apparatus main body <NUM> may include an electrical contact portion <NUM>. When installing the process cartridge <NUM>, the process cartridge <NUM> may need to be placed on the installation bracket <NUM> first; and after the process cartridge <NUM> is supported and positioned by the installation bracket <NUM>, the process cartridge <NUM> may be placed in the apparatus main body <NUM> by pushing and pulling the installation bracket <NUM>, such that the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> may be electrically connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> to realize data transmission.

The use of the process cartridge <NUM> may include two processes which are installing the process cartridge <NUM> on the installation bracket <NUM> and installing the installation bracket <NUM> in the apparatus main body <NUM>. Position deviation or position inaccuracy may occur in above-mentioned two processes, which may result in unstable electrical connection between the process cartridge <NUM> and the apparatus main body <NUM>. Therefore, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in one embodiment, the installation bracket <NUM> may include a bracket main body <NUM> and a connection portion <NUM>; and the connection portion <NUM> may be disposed at the bracket main body <NUM>. The connection portion <NUM> may include a conductive portion 132a which may be configured to electrically connect the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> and the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the image-forming apparatus <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the connection portion <NUM> may be disposed on the bracket main body <NUM> and include the conductive portion 132a. After the installation bracket <NUM> carrying the process cartridge <NUM> is installed in the image-forming apparatus <NUM>, the conductive portion 132a may electrically connect the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> and the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM>, which ensures electrical connection stability between the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> and the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM>.

The process of installing the process cartridge <NUM> in the apparatus main body <NUM> is described hereinafter. First, the process cartridge <NUM> may be installed on the installation bracket <NUM>, such that the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> may be in contact with the conductive portion 132a of the installation bracket <NUM>. Next, the installation bracket <NUM> carrying the process cartridge <NUM> may be installed in the apparatus main body <NUM>. As an operator pushes the installation bracket <NUM> in the apparatus main body <NUM>, the installation bracket <NUM> may continue to be installed in the apparatus main body <NUM>, such that the state of the conductive portion 132a of the connection portion <NUM> and the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> may be changed from a non-contact state to a contact state. When the installation bracket <NUM> is installed in the apparatus main body <NUM> in place, the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> and the conductive portion 132a may be electrically connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM>, thereby realizing information transmission between the process cartridge <NUM> and the apparatus main body <NUM>. In one embodiment, the connection portion <NUM> may be configured as an intermediate part, such that the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> may be in indirect contact with the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM>, which may reduce error and improve electrical connection stability between the process cartridge <NUM> and the apparatus main body <NUM>.

Furthermore, as shown in <FIG>, the bracket main body <NUM> may include a first side plate 131a and a second side plate 131b which are arranged sequentially along a first direction X. The first side plate 131a and the second side plate 131b may enclose an accommodating space for loading the process cartridge <NUM>; and at least a part of the process cartridge <NUM> may extend into the accommodating space. When the installation bracket <NUM> is installed in the image-forming apparatus <NUM>, the second side plate 131b may be adjacent to the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the image-forming apparatus <NUM> relative to the first side plate 131a. The connection portion <NUM> may be located at the second side plate 131b. When the installation bracket <NUM> is configured to carry the process cartridge <NUM>, the connection portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the process cartridge <NUM>.

The first side plate 131a and the second side plate 131b may be spaced apart along the first direction X, such that the first side plate 131a and the second side plate 131b may enclose to the accommodating space for loading the process cartridge <NUM>; and at least a part of the process cartridge <NUM> may extend into the accommodating space.

In one embodiment, the connection portion <NUM> may be disposed at the second side plate 131b. When the process cartridge <NUM> is installed on the installation bracket <NUM>, the connection portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the process cartridge <NUM>. When the installation bracket <NUM> carrying the process cartridge <NUM> is installed in the apparatus main body <NUM>, the connection portion <NUM> may also be electrically connected to the apparatus main body <NUM>, such that the process cartridge <NUM> may be electrically connected to the apparatus main body <NUM> through the connection portion <NUM>. By disposing the connection portion <NUM>, it avoids that a gap may be between the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> and the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> due to installation error, such that electrical connection therebetween may not be realized, thereby ensuring data transmission stability between the process cartridge <NUM> and the apparatus main body <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, a first groove 131b1 may be formed at the second side plate 131b to be engaged with the process cartridge <NUM> for position confining; and a second groove 131a1 may be formed at the first side plate 131a to be engaged with the process cartridge <NUM> for position confining. One end of a positioning axle of the process cartridge <NUM> may be disposed in the first groove 131b1, and another end of the positioning axle may be disposed in the second groove 131a1, which may realize position confining installation of the process cartridge <NUM> on the installation bracket <NUM> and limit position movement when the process cartridge <NUM> is pushed or pulled by the installation bracket <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the connection portion <NUM> may include an avoiding groove 132b; and the avoiding groove 132b may be disposed opposite to the first groove 131b1. Since the connection portion <NUM> is disposed at the second side plate 131b, in order to install the positioning axle of the process cartridge <NUM> in the first groove 131b1, the avoiding groove 132b may be formed at the position of the connection portion <NUM> corresponding to the first groove 131b1, which may be convenient for the positioning axle of the process cartridge <NUM> to be installed in the first groove 131b1.

In some embodiments, taking any point of the first side plate 131a as a reference point, the conductive portion 132a may include a first docking portion 132a1 for being electrically connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the image-forming apparatus <NUM>. The distance between the first docking portion 132a1 and the reference point along the first direction X of the installation bracket <NUM> is L1; and the distance between the side of the second side plate 131b away from the first side plate 131a and the reference point along the first direction X of the installation bracket <NUM> is L2, where L1>L2.

In one embodiment, after the installation bracket <NUM> is installed in the apparatus main body <NUM>, the first docking portion 132a1 may be in contact with the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM>. By limiting the distance between the first docking portion 132a1 and the reference point along the first direction X to be greater than the distance between the side of the second side plate 131b away from the first side plate 131a and the reference point along the first direction X, the first docking portion 132a1 may be closer to the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> than the first side plate 131a, which may prevent the second side plate 131b from colliding with the apparatus main body <NUM> when the installation bracket <NUM> is installed in the apparatus main body <NUM>. Therefore, electrical connection stability between the first docking portion 132a1 and the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> may be ensured, and positional interference may be avoided.

The conductive portion 132a may include a second docking portion 132a2 for being electrically connected to the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM>; and the second docking portion 132a2 may be elastic.

In one embodiment, after the process cartridge <NUM> is installed on the installation bracket <NUM>, the second docking portion 132a2 may be in contact with the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM>; and after the installation bracket <NUM> carrying the process cartridge <NUM> is installed in the apparatus main body <NUM>, the first docking portion 132a1 may be in contact with the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM>, such that the conductive portion 132a may be respectively in contact with the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> and the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM>. Therefore, the conductive portion 132a may electrically connect the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> and the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM>.

Since the second docking portion 132a2 needs to be in contact with the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM>, the second docking portion 132a2 may be configured as an elastic member such as an elastic piece, a spring or the like, such that the second docking portion 132a2 may move relative to the connection portion <NUM>. That is, when the process cartridge <NUM> is installed on the installation bracket <NUM>, the chip of the process cartridge <NUM> may move close to the second docking portion 132a2 and exert a force on the second docking portion 132a2. At this point, the second docking portion 132a2 may undergo elastic deformation; and the second docking portion 132a2 may be abutted against the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> through own elastic force, which may improve electrical connection stability between the second docking portion 132a2 and the contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM>. Since the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> can be configured as an elastic structure, the first docking portion 132a1 may be fixed on the connection portion <NUM>. When the installation bracket <NUM> carrying the process cartridge <NUM> is installed in the apparatus main body <NUM>, the first docking portion 132a1 may move close to the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> and exert a force on the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM>. At this point, the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> may undergo elastic deformation; and the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> may be abutted against the first docking portion 132a1 through own elastic force, which may ensure electrical connection stability between the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the first docking portion 132a1.

Furthermore, the distance between the connection portion <NUM> and the reference point along the first direction X of the installation bracket <NUM> is L3, where L3≤L1.

In one embodiment, by limiting the distance between another portion of the connection portion <NUM> except the first docking portion 132a1 and the reference point along the first direction X to be less than or equal to the distance between the first docking portion 132a1 and the reference point along the first direction X, the first docking portion 132a1 may be closer to the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the image-forming apparatus <NUM> than another portion of the connection portion <NUM> except the first docking portion 132a1, which may prevent another portion of the connection portion <NUM> except the first docking portion 132a1 from colliding with the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> during the installation of the installation bracket <NUM> in the image-forming apparatus <NUM>. Therefore, electrical connection stability between the first docking portion 132a1 and the electrical contact portion <NUM> of the apparatus main body <NUM> may be ensured.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments, at least two connection portions <NUM> including a first connection portion and a second connection portion may be configured. The first connection portion and the second connection portion may be arranged sequentially along a second direction Y. The second direction Y may be the direction that the installation bracket <NUM> is installed in the image-forming apparatus <NUM>. The second direction Y may intersect the first direction X. For example, the second direction Y may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction X. The distance along the first direction between the first docking portion on the first connection portion and the reference point is a, and the distance along the first direction between the first docking portion on the second connection portion and the reference point is b, where a is greater than b.

As shown in <FIG>, four process cartridges <NUM> may be installed on the installation bracket <NUM>; and four connection portions <NUM> may be configured accordingly. Four connection portions <NUM> may be arranged sequentially along the second direction Y, and each connection portion <NUM> may be configured with the conductive portion 132a. Optionally, the quantity of connection portions <NUM> may also be configured as a different number. If the quantity of the contact portions of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> is n, and n≥<NUM>, the quantity of the electrical contact portions <NUM> configured corresponding to one process cartridge <NUM> on the image-forming apparatus <NUM> may also be n. Therefore, it ensures that n conductive portions 132a insulated from each other may be configured corresponding to each process cartridge <NUM>; and each contact portion <NUM> of the chip on the process cartridge <NUM> may have the conductive portion 132a which may be electrically connected to the electrical contact portion corresponding to the image-forming apparatus <NUM>. Different conductive parts 132a may be insulated from each other. For example, the connection portions <NUM> corresponding to different process cartridges <NUM> may be connected through insulators. Optionally, n=<NUM>. Obviously, based on different configurations of the image-forming apparatus <NUM> and the process cartridge <NUM>, n may also be other numbers, such as n=<NUM>, n=<NUM>, n=<NUM>, n=<NUM>, n=<NUM> and the like.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, relative to the second side plate 131b, the protruding distance of four connection portions <NUM> on the installation bracket <NUM> away from the first side plate 131a may decrease sequentially along the second direction Y. The apparatus main body <NUM> may be also disposed with four electrical contact portions <NUM> corresponding to the connection portions <NUM>. Taking the rightmost connection portion <NUM> in <FIG> as an example, when the installation bracket <NUM> is installed in the apparatus main body <NUM>, the connection portion <NUM> that first enters the apparatus main body <NUM> may be the rightmost connection portion <NUM> in <FIG>. When the rightmost connection portion <NUM> in <FIG> passes the first three electrical contact portions <NUM> in the apparatus main body <NUM>, the distances between the first three electrical contact portions <NUM> and the rightmost connection portion <NUM> in <FIG> may be relatively large, which may prevent positional interference problems and also prevent the installation bracket <NUM> or the apparatus main body <NUM> from being scratched.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments, the connection portion <NUM> may be higher than the second side plate 131b along a third direction Z; and the third direction Z may be the height direction of the second side plate 131b. The third direction Z may intersect the first direction X. For example, the first direction X and the third direction Z may be perpendicular to each other.

The connection portion <NUM> may be a plate-like structure. The second direction Y and the third direction Z may be in parallel or approximately parallel with the plane where the connection portion <NUM> is located. The first direction X may be perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the plane where the connection portion <NUM> is located.

In one embodiment, along the third direction Z, the connection portion <NUM> may be disposed above the second side plate 131b. When the process cartridge <NUM> is installed on the installation bracket <NUM>, the connection portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the process cartridge <NUM>; and the connection portion <NUM> may also be used as a reference and position confining for the installation of the process cartridge <NUM>, such that the process cartridge <NUM> may be aligned with the installation position on the installation bracket <NUM>. In such way, it may prevent the problems that the end of the process cartridge <NUM> adjacent to the second side plate 131b may protrude excessively from the installation bracket <NUM>, when the process cartridge <NUM> is installed, to result in that the installation bracket <NUM> cannot be pushed in the apparatus main body <NUM>; and the cooperation between the end of the process cartridge <NUM> adjacent to the first side plate 131a and a driving assembly may be affected.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments, along the third direction Z, the highest point of the connection portion <NUM> may be lower than a first electrical connection portion <NUM> of the process cartridge <NUM> when the process cartridge <NUM> is installed on the installation bracket <NUM>. In such way, the first electrical connection portion <NUM> on the process cartridge <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second electrical connection portion of the apparatus main body <NUM>, thereby ensuring normal operation of the image-forming apparatus <NUM>.

Optionally, it may also configure that, along the third direction Z, the highest point of the connection portion <NUM> may be higher than the first electrical connection portion <NUM> of the process cartridge <NUM> when the process cartridge <NUM> is installed on the installation bracket <NUM>; and the connection portion <NUM> may also include an avoiding portion. The avoiding portion may be a through hole passing through the connection portion <NUM> along the first direction X, or may be formed by recessing a part of the connection portion <NUM> along the third direction Z. The avoiding portion may be configured to give way to (i.e., avoid) the electrical connection between the first electrical connection portion <NUM> of the process cartridge <NUM> and the second electrical connection portion <NUM> of the image-forming apparatus <NUM>, which may realize electrical connection between the first electrical connection portion <NUM> on the process cartridge <NUM> and the second electrical connection of the apparatus main body <NUM>, thereby ensuring normal operation of the image-forming apparatus <NUM>.

Optionally, it may also configure that the connection portion <NUM> may be disposed with a third electrical connection portion. The third electrical connection portion may be configured to be electrically connected to the first electrical connection portion <NUM> of the process cartridge <NUM> and the second electrical connection portion <NUM> of the image-forming apparatus <NUM> respectively, which may realize connection between the first electrical connection portion <NUM> on the process cartridge <NUM> and the apparatus main body, thereby ensuring normal operation of the image-forming apparatus <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the connection portion <NUM> and the bracket main body <NUM> may be formed into an integral structure. The connection portion <NUM> and the bracket main body <NUM> may be formed using a mold to save time. Optionally, the connection portion <NUM> and the bracket main body <NUM> may also be separate structures. After the connection portion <NUM> and the bracket main body <NUM> are respectively manufactured and formed, the connection portion <NUM> and the bracket main body <NUM> may be fixedly connected through a connection part or a welding manner to simplify the process.

Claim 1:
An installation bracket (<NUM>), configured to carry a process cartridge (<NUM>), comprising:
a bracket main body (<NUM>); and
a connection portion (<NUM>), disposed on the bracket main body (<NUM>), wherein:
the connection portion (<NUM>) includes a conductive portion (132a), configured to electrically connect a contact portion (<NUM>) of a chip on the process cartridge (<NUM>) and an electrical contact portion (<NUM>) of an image-forming apparatus (<NUM>);
the bracket main body (<NUM>) includes a first side plate (131a) and a second side plate (131b) arranged sequentially along a first direction X, and the connection portion (<NUM>) is located on the second side plate (131b);
when the installation bracket (<NUM>) is installed in the image-forming apparatus (<NUM>), the second side plate (131b) is adjacent to the electrical contact portion (<NUM>) of the image-forming apparatus (<NUM>) relative to the first side plate (131a); and
when the installation bracket (<NUM>) is configured to carry the process cartridge (<NUM>), the connection portion (<NUM>) is capable of being electrically connected to the process cartridge (<NUM>),
characterized in that,
the connection portion (<NUM>) is higher than the second side plate (131b) along a third direction Z; and the third direction Z is a height direction of the second side plate (131b) and intersects with the first direction X.