Patent Description:
Currently, a process cartridge for image formation is detachably installed on an image-forming apparatus such as a printer. A process cartridge chip is installed on the process cartridge. After the process cartridge is installed on the image-forming apparatus, the process cartridge chip needs to communicate with the image-forming apparatus. The process cartridge chip is disposed with four contacts, that is, a power contact (e.g., volt current condenser VCC), a data signal contact (e.g., serial data SDA), a clock signal contact (e.g., CLK) and a grounding contact (GND). If the grounding contact of the process cartridge chip is unstable, the process cartridge chip may be damaged, thereby affecting the use of the image-forming apparatus.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a use of a process cartridge chip installed on a process cartridge. The process cartridge is detachably installed on a main body of an image-forming apparatus. The process cartridge chip includes a first grounding portion and a second grounding portion electrically connected to the first grounding portion. The first grounding portion is connected to a reference-ground supply part disposed at the main body of the image-forming apparatus by electrically connecting to a first connecting part, in order to be connected to a potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part, and the second grounding portion is connected to the reference-ground supply part by electrically connecting to a second connecting part, wherein the first connecting part is different from the second connecting part, the second connecting part is not included in the first connecting part, and the first connecting part is not included in the second connecting part.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a process cartridge, detachably installed on a main body of an image-forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a process cartridge chip and a cartridge body, wherein the process cartridge chip, installed on the process cartridge, includes a first grounding portion and a second grounding portion electrically connected to the first grounding portion. The first grounding portion is connected to a reference-ground supply part disposed at the main body of the image-forming apparatus by electrically connecting to a first connecting part, in order to be connected to a potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part; and the second grounding portion is connected to the reference-ground supply part by electrically connecting to a second connecting part, wherein the first connecting part is different from the second connecting part, the second connecting part is not included in the first connecting part, and the first connecting part is not included in the second connecting part.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a process cartridge, detachably installed on a main body of an image-forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a process cartridge chip and a cartridge body. The process cartridge chip includes a first grounding portion; the cartridge body includes a second grounding portion; and the first grounding portion is electrically connected to the second grounding portion; the first grounding portion is connected to a reference-ground supply part disposed at the main body of the image-forming apparatus by electrically connecting to a first connecting part, in order to be connected to a potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part; and the second grounding portion is connected to the reference-ground supply part by electrically connecting to a third connecting part, wherein the first connecting part is different from the third connecting part, the third connecting part is not included in the first connecting part, and the first connecting part is not included in the third connecting part.

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 according to 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.

Before a detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure, terms that may be applied in embodiments of the present disclosure are first defined. For a potential reference point, a certain point A in a circuit is selected as the potential reference point, which indicates that the potential at such point is configured to be zero. The potential reference point is marked with a symbol "⊥" in the circuit. In practice, the potential reference point is chosen to be ground potential, in other words, the ground potential is chosen to be zero potential. In electronic circuits, a common point or a housing is selected as zero potential. It should be noted that, although the potential reference point is specified to be zero potential, actual potential of such potential reference point is not necessarily zero. For the convenience of subsequent description, the connection to the potential reference point may also be referred to as "ground".

A substrate is basic material for manufacturing PCB. The substrate is a copper clad laminate (CCL). During manufacturing of single and double-sided printed boards, hole processing, chemical plating of copper, electroplating of copper, etching and other processes are selectively performed on the substrate material, that is, copper clad laminate, to obtain required circuit graphics. Another type manufacturing of multi-layer printed boards may also use inner-core thin copper clad laminate as the base substrate. Conductive pattern layers and prepregs are alternately laminated and bonded together at one time to form more than three conductive pattern layers interconnected with each other, which may have three functions including conduction, insulation and support. Performance, quality, manufacturing processability, manufacturing cost, manufacturing level and the like of printed boards largely depend on the substrate material.

Currently, a process cartridge for image formation is detachably installed on an image-forming apparatus such as a printer. A process cartridge chip is installed on the process cartridge. After the process cartridge is installed on the image-forming apparatus, the process cartridge chip needs to communicate with the image-forming apparatus. The process cartridge chip is disposed with four contacts, that is, a power contact (e.g., volt current condenser or VCC), a data signal contact (e.g., serial data or SDA), a clock signal contact (e.g., CLK) and a grounding contact (GND). If the grounding contact of the process cartridge chip is unstable, the process cartridge chip may be damaged, thereby affecting the use of the image-forming apparatus.

In order to solve above technical problems, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a process cartridge chip, a process cartridge, an image-forming apparatus and a ground detection method. Above-mentioned process cartridge chip may be installed on the process cartridge, and above-mentioned process cartridge may be detachably installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus. Above-mentioned process cartridge chip may include a first grounding portion and a second grounding portion electrically connected to the first grounding portion. The first grounding portion is configured to be connected to a reference-ground supply part (e.g., a part used for providing reference ground) disposed at the main body of the image-forming apparatus by electrically connecting to a first connecting part, in order to be connected to a potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part; and the second grounding portion is configured to be connected to the reference-ground supply part by electrically connecting to a second connecting part, where the first connecting part is different from the second connecting part, the second connecting part is not included in the first connecting part, and the first connecting part is not included in the second connecting part. That is, above-mentioned process cartridge chip may be disposed with two grounding portions electrically connected to each other, that is, the first grounding portion and the second grounding portion; and the first grounding portion may be connected to the reference-ground supply part disposed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus through the first connecting part, and the second grounding portion may be connected to the reference-ground supply part disposed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus through the second connecting part. The first connecting part may be different from the second connecting part; and there may be no mutually inclusive relationship between such two parts. That is, the first grounding portion and the second grounding portion may have different grounding paths for being connected to the potential reference point, so that the process cartridge chip may be connected to the potential reference point through two grounding paths. Even if the first grounding portion fails to be stably connected to the potential reference point through the first connecting part, since the first grounding portion is electrically connected to the second grounding portion, the first grounding portion may be still connected to the potential reference point through the second grounding portion which is grounded. Therefore, the process cartridge chip may be stably connected to the potential reference point, thereby improving grounding stability of the process cartridge chip and making the process cartridge chip less likely to be damaged.

<FIG> illustrates a structural schematic of a process cartridge chip provided by exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Above-mentioned process cartridge chip may be installed on the process cartridge, and the process cartridge may be detachably installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus.

Above-mentioned process cartridge chip may include a first grounding portion <NUM> and a second grounding portion <NUM> electrically connected to the first grounding portion <NUM>. The first grounding portion <NUM> may be configured to be connected to the reference-ground supply part disposed at the main body of the image-forming apparatus by electrically connecting to the first connecting part, in order to be connected to the potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part; and the second grounding portion <NUM> may be configured to be connected to the reference-ground supply part by electrically connecting to the second connecting part, where the first connecting part is different from the second connecting part, the second connecting part is not included in the first connecting part, and the first connecting part is not included in the second connecting part.

For example, in order to stabilize the grounding of the process cartridge chip, two grounding portions including the first grounding portion <NUM> and the second grounding portion <NUM> electrically connected to the first grounding portion <NUM> may be disposed on the process cartridge chip <NUM>. When the process cartridge chip <NUM> is installed on the process cartridge and the process cartridge is detachably installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus, the first grounding portion <NUM> of the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be connected to the reference-ground provide by electrically connecting to the first connecting part. For example, the reference-ground supply part may be a data board, a power board, or a sheet metal disposed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus. The second grounding portion <NUM> may be connected to the reference-ground supply part by electrically connecting to the second connecting part, such that the first grounding portion and the second grounding portion may be respectively connected to the potential reference point (i.e., grounding). The first connecting part and the second connecting part may be conductive connecting parts such as conductive contact springs, wires, conductive springs and the like.

It should be noted that the first grounding portion <NUM> and the second grounding portion <NUM> may be electrically connected inside the process cartridge chip <NUM> or may be electrically connected outside the process cartridge chip <NUM> through conductive connectors such as wires, which may not be limited in the present disclosure.

It should be noted that embodiments of the present disclosure may not limit the positions of the first grounding portion <NUM> and the second grounding portion <NUM> on the process cartridge chip <NUM>, as long as it ensures that the first grounding portion <NUM> and the second grounding portion <NUM> may be respectively connected to the potential reference point through the reference-ground supply part. For example, a grounding contact may be disposed on each of the front and the back of the process cartridge chip <NUM>. The first grounding portion <NUM> may be a grounding contact disposed on the front of the process cartridge chip <NUM>, and the second grounding portion <NUM> may be a grounding contact disposed on the back of the process cartridge chip <NUM>. The process cartridge chip <NUM> may be installed on the process cartridge through a chip bracket, and a conductive part may be disposed on the chip bracket for electrical connection with the second grounding portion <NUM>. The surface of the chip bracket adjacent to the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be the front of the chip bracket, and the surface of the chip bracket away from the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be the back of the chip bracket. The surface of the chip bracket between the front and the back may be the side of the chip bracket. The conductive part may extend from the front to the side of the chip bracket. When the chip bracket is installed on the process cartridge, and the process cartridge may be installed on a drawer of the image-forming apparatus, the conductive part located on the side of the chip bracket may be adjoined with the drawer, and the drawer may be electrically connected to the sheet metal of the frame body in the image-forming apparatus. The drawer and the conductive part may be a part of the sheet metal of the image-forming apparatus, which may be configured as the reference-ground supply part, such that the second grounding portion <NUM> may be connected to the potential reference point. Obviously, the first grounding portion <NUM> and the second grounding portion <NUM> may also be disposed at other locations on the process cartridge chip <NUM>, which may not be limited in the present disclosure.

It should be noted that when the first grounding portion <NUM> and the second grounding portion <NUM> are respectively connected to the potential reference point, the first grounding portion <NUM> and the second grounding portion <NUM> may be connected to the potential reference point through different paths. Therefore, although the first grounding portion and the second grounding portion are both connected to the potential reference point, it does not mean that the potentials of the first grounding portion and the second grounding portion are exactly same, and a certain potential difference may be between the first grounding portion and the second grounding portion. However, such potential difference may be relatively small and may not affect communication between the process cartridge chip <NUM> and the main body of the image-forming apparatus.

As an optional implementation, the second connecting part may include a preset analog circuit, that is, the second grounding portion <NUM> may be connected to the potential reference point through the preset analog circuit, and the preset analog circuit may be configured to generate a preset electrical signal.

For example, when the second grounding portion <NUM> is electrically connected to the preset analog circuit, the preset analog circuit may provide a same or similar voltage as the potential reference point, such that the potential difference between the second grounding portion <NUM> and the first grounding portion <NUM> may be <NUM> or relatively small.

Furthermore, such preset analog circuit may also include a power supply. The power supply may be configured to provide power to the preset analog circuit. The power supply may be a power supply part such as a battery or the like, or an energy storage part such as a capacitor, as long as it may provide power to the preset analog circuit, which may not be limited herein.

Optionally, the power supply and the reference-ground supply part may be electrically connected to each other, but the power supply and the reference-ground supply part may be at a same potential or have a certain potential difference.

As an optional implementation, the second grounding portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to or disconnected from the data signal contact (serial data or SDA) or the clock signal contact (clock or CLK) through a switch circuit. That is, the switch circuit may be configured to electrically connect or disconnect the second grounding portion <NUM> from the data signal contact or the clock signal contact. In an operating state, the switch circuit may be configured to disconnect the second grounding portion <NUM> from the data signal contact or the clock signal contact; and in a detection state, the switch circuit may be configured to electrically connect the second grounding portion <NUM> with the data signal contact or the clock signal contact. The switch circuit may include a switch configured to electrically connect or disconnect the second grounding portion <NUM> from the data signal contact or the clock signal contact. Furthermore, the switch circuit may also include a power supply part configured to supply power to the switch, such that the switch may be switched on and off in a controlled manner.

Furthermore, the second grounding portion <NUM> may also be electrically connected to the data signal contact point or the clock signal contact point through above-mentioned preset analog circuit.

As an optional implementation, the main body may be disposed with an electrical contact portion electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part. The first grounding portion may be configured to be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part by electrically connecting to the electrical contact portion provided on the main body, in order to be connected to the potential reference point. The first connecting part may be the electrical contact portion.

For example, the main body of the image-forming apparatus may be disposed with the electrical contact portion electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part. The first grounding portion <NUM> may be configured to be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part by electrically connecting to the electrical contact portion, in order to be connected to the potential reference point. That is, the first grounding portion <NUM> may be directly electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part through the electrical contact portion. At this point, the first connecting part may be the electrical contact portion. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the first grounding portion <NUM> may be disposed on the process cartridge chip <NUM>, and the second grounding portion <NUM> may be disposed on the back of the process cartridge chip. When the process cartridge chip <NUM> is installed on the process cartridge <NUM> and the process cartridge <NUM> is detachably installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus <NUM>, the first grounding portion <NUM> of the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part <NUM> by electrically connecting to the electrical contact portion <NUM> disposed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus <NUM>.

As an optional implementation, as shown in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> may be also disposed with a connecting circuit board <NUM>. The connecting circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the reference-ground supply part <NUM> respectively. The first grounding portion <NUM> may be configured to be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part <NUM> by electrically connecting to the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the connecting circuit board <NUM>, in order to be connected to the potential reference point. The first connecting part <NUM> may include the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the connecting circuit board <NUM>.

For example, in the image-forming apparatus, the process cartridge chip may be electrically connected to the data board through the connecting circuit board. Therefore, the main body of the image-forming apparatus may also include the connecting circuit board <NUM>. When the process cartridge chip <NUM> is installed on the process cartridge <NUM> and the process cartridge <NUM> is detachably installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus <NUM>, the first grounding portion <NUM> of the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be electrically connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM>, and the electrical contact portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the connecting circuit board <NUM>, such that the first grounding portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part <NUM>. At this point, the reference-ground supply part <NUM> may be the data board. Since the data board may provide a potential reference point, the first grounding portion <NUM> may be regarded as grounding. That is, the first connecting part <NUM> may include the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the connecting circuit board <NUM>; and the first grounding portion <NUM> may be connected to the potential reference point through the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the connecting circuit board <NUM>.

It should be noted that the image-forming apparatus may include an image-forming control unit. The image-forming control unit may be an SoC (System on Chip). The SoC is a miniature system including multiple system parts configured to control image-forming processing operations of the image-forming apparatus, for example, performing linear correction, noise reduction, bad pixel removal, detail enhancement and the like on the image data to improve image output quality. The image-forming control unit may be also configured to perform processing operations related to data transmission and reception, command transmission and reception, and engine control of printing images. For example, the image-forming control unit may send and receive data, print engine control commands, status and the like through an interface unit (including but not limited to a USB port, a wired network port, a wireless network port, other interface, and/or the like). The image-forming control unit may be a data board.

As an optional implementation, the reference-ground supply part <NUM> may include the image-forming control unit and/or the power supply unit.

For example, the reference-ground supply part <NUM> may include the image-forming control unit and/or the power supply unit. The power supply unit may be configured to supply power to the image-forming control unit, and the image-forming control unit may be configured to control the image-forming apparatus to form images. Both the image-forming control unit and the power supply unit may provide the potential reference point.

As an optional implementation, the reference-ground supply part <NUM> may include a first sheet metal part on the main body of the image-forming apparatus. The second grounding portion may be configured to be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part by electrically connecting to the first sheet metal part on the main body of the image-forming apparatus. The second connecting part may include a first conductor for electrically connecting the second grounding portion and the first sheet metal part.

For example, since the first sheet metal part on the main body of the image-forming apparatus is grounded, the reference-ground supply part <NUM> may include the first sheet metal part on the main body of the image-forming apparatus. When the process cartridge chip is installed on the process cartridge and the process cartridge is detachably installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus, the second grounding portion <NUM> may be configured to be connected to the potential reference point by electrically connecting to the first sheet metal part on the main body of the image-forming apparatus. The second grounding portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first sheet metal part on the main body through the first conductor to achieve grounding. At this point, the second connecting part may include the first conductor for electrically connecting the second grounding portion and the first sheet metal part.

As an optional implementation, the reference-ground supply part204 may include the first sheet metal part on the main body, an installation base may be detachably installed on the main body, the installation base may include a plurality of accommodating portions for installing the process cartridges, and the installation base may include a second sheet metal part. The second grounding portion may be configured to, by electrically connecting to the second sheet metal part, be connected to the reference-ground supply part when the second sheet metal part is electrically connected to the first sheet metal part. The second connecting part may include a second conductor for electrically connecting the second grounding portion and the second sheet metal part.

For example, if the process cartridge disposed with the process cartridge chip <NUM> is installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus, the installation base may be detachably installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus. The installation base may include a plurality of accommodating portions for installing the process cartridges, and the process cartridges may be directly installed on the installation base. The main body of the image-forming apparatus may be disposed with the first sheet metal part, and the installation base may include the second sheet metal part. When the process cartridge disposed with the process cartridge chip <NUM> is installed on the installation base and the installation base is installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus, the second sheet metal part and the first sheet metal part may be electrically connected to be conductive to each other. Since the first sheet metal part is grounded, the second sheet metal part may be grounded through the first sheet metal part. At this point, the second grounding portion <NUM> of the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second sheet metal part, thereby being electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part <NUM> (the first sheet metal part), such that the second grounding portion <NUM> of the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be connected to the potential reference point. The second connecting part may include the second conductor for electrically connecting the second grounding portion and the second sheet metal part.

Exemplarily, it is assumed that the process cartridge chip <NUM> is the process cartridge chip as shown in <FIG>, and four electrical contacts may be disposed on the front of the process cartridge chip <NUM> including a power contact (volt current condenser or VCC), a data signal contact (serial data or SDA), a clock signal contact (CLK) and a first grounding contact GND1; and the second grounding contact GND2 may be disposed on the back of the process cartridge chip <NUM>. The first grounding contact GND1 and the second grounding contact GND2 may be electrically connected to each other inside the chip. As shown in <FIG>, a chip contact elastic piece may be disposed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus, where the contact spring used for grounding may be the electrical contact portion. When the process cartridge chip <NUM> is installed on the process cartridge, and the process cartridge is installed on the installation base and loaded into the main body of the image-forming apparatus, the chip contact elastic pieces <NUM> disposed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus may be electrically connected to four electrical contacts <NUM> on the front of the process cartridge chip <NUM>, and the chip contact elastic piece <NUM> may be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part (e.g., the image-forming control unit) through the connecting circuit board. At this point, the image-forming control unit may be the data board, and the data board may be fixed on the sheet metal of the frame body of the image-forming apparatus through locking screws. Since the sheet metal of the frame body of the image-forming apparatus is grounded, the data board may be grounded through the sheet metal of the frame body of the image-forming apparatus. Therefore, the grounding contact GND1 on the front of the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be grounded through the data board. As shown in <FIG>, the grounding contact GND2 on the back of the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be electrically connected to one end of a conductive part <NUM>, and the other end of the conductive part <NUM> may be electrically connected to the drawer sheet metal <NUM>. At this point, the drawer sheet metal may be the second sheet metal part mentioned above. When the drawer sheet metal <NUM> is installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus, the drawer sheet metal <NUM> may be in contact with the sheet metal of the frame body to achieve electrical connection, such that the drawer sheet metal <NUM> may be grounded through the sheet metal of the frame body. The sheet metal of the frame body may be the first sheet metal part, and the conductive part <NUM> may be the second conductor. Therefore, the second grounding contact GND2 on the back of the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be grounded by electrically connecting to the drawer sheet metal <NUM>. In such way, the first grounding contact GND1 on the front of the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be grounded; and when the first grounding contact GND1 is grounded unstably through the data board, the first grounding contact GND1 may be grounded through the second grounding contact GND2 electrically connected thereto, thereby achieving stable grounding of the process cartridge chip.

As an optional implementation manner, the process cartridge chip <NUM> may further include a first grounding contact and a substrate; the first grounding contact may be disposed on the substrate; and the first grounding portion may be a part of the first grounding contact.

For example, in order to facilitate disposing the first grounding portion <NUM> and the second grounding portion <NUM>, the first grounding contact and the substrate may be disposed on the process cartridge chip <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a first grounding contact <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>, and the first grounding portion <NUM> may be a part of the first grounding contact <NUM>.

As an optional implementation manner, the second grounding portion <NUM> may be another part of the first grounding contact <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, a substrate <NUM> may be disposed on the process cartridge chip <NUM>, and the first grounding contact <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The first grounding portion <NUM> may be a part of the first grounding contact <NUM>, and the second grounding portion <NUM> may be another part of the first grounding contact <NUM>. In such way, the first grounding portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second grounding portion <NUM> without using additional conductive lines.

As an optional implementation manner, the second grounding portion <NUM> and the first grounding portion <NUM> may be respectively located on different surfaces of the substrate <NUM>.

For example, according to actual needs, the second grounding portion <NUM> and the first grounding portion <NUM> may be disposed on different surfaces of the substrate <NUM>, which may not be limited in the present disclosure.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, in order to facilitate electrical connection with other parts, the first grounding contact <NUM> of the process cartridge chip may be configured with a relatively large area. As shown in <FIG>, a conductive contact elastic piece <NUM> (e.g., the electrical contact portion) and a conductive spring <NUM> may be disposed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus. When the process cartridge chip is installed on the process cartridge and the process cartridge is installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus, the conductive contact elastic piece <NUM> may be in contact with a portion of the first grounding contact <NUM>, such that the process cartridge chip may be electrically connected to the image-forming apparatus control unit disposed in the main body through the first grounding contact <NUM> to achieve grounding. The conductive spring <NUM> may be electrically connected to another portion of first grounding contact <NUM>. In addition, since the conductive spring <NUM> is in contact with the sheet metal of the main body to be grounded, the process cartridge chip may be electrically connected to the conductive spring <NUM> through the first grounding contact <NUM> to achieve grounding.

Furthermore, as shown in <FIG>, a conductive part <NUM> may be installed on a chip installation bracket <NUM> of the process cartridge. One end of the conductive part <NUM> may be in contact with the first grounding contact <NUM> of the process cartridge chip <NUM>; and the chip contact elastic piece <NUM> (e.g., the electrical contact portion) on the main body may be in contact with one end of the conductive part <NUM>. Therefore, the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be electrically connected to the image-forming apparatus control unit disposed in the main body to achieve grounding. When installation of the chip <NUM> is completed, another end of the conductive part may be in contact with the drawer sheet metal <NUM>, such that the process cartridge chip may be grounded through the drawer sheet metal <NUM>.

Corresponding to above-mentioned embodiments, embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a process cartridge. The process cartridge may be detachably installed on the image-forming apparatus and include a process cartridge chip and a cartridge body. The process cartridge chip may be the process cartridge chip described in any one of above-mentioned embodiments.

Corresponding to above-mentioned embodiments, embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a process cartridge. As shown in <FIG>, above-mentioned process cartridge may include a process cartridge chip <NUM> and a cartridge body <NUM>. The process cartridge chip <NUM> may include a first grounding portion <NUM>, and the cartridge body <NUM> may include a second grounding portion <NUM>; and the first grounding portion <NUM> and the second grounding portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other.

The first grounding portion <NUM> may be configured to be connected to the reference-ground supply part disposed on the main body, by electrically connecting to the first connecting part, in order to be connected to the potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part.

The second grounding portion <NUM> may be configured to be connected to the reference-ground supply part by electrically connecting to the third connecting part. The first connecting part may be different from the third connecting part, the third connecting part may be not included in the first connecting part, and the first connecting part may be not included in the third connecting part.

For example, in addition to disposing the second grounding portion on the process cartridge chip, since the process cartridge chip needs to be installed on the process cartridge for use, the second grounding portion may also be disposed on the main body of the process cartridge. Based on above, the process cartridge provided by embodiments of the present disclosure may include the process cartridge chip <NUM> and the cartridge body <NUM>. The process cartridge chip <NUM> may include the first grounding portion <NUM>, and the cartridge body <NUM> may include the second grounding portion <NUM>; and the first grounding portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second grounding portion <NUM>. The first grounding portion <NUM> may be connected to the potential reference point through the first connecting part; the second grounding portion <NUM> may be connected to the potential reference point through the third connecting part; and the first grounding portion <NUM> and the second grounding portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other. Therefore, when the first grounding portion <NUM> cannot be stably connected to the potential reference point, the first grounding portion <NUM> may also be connected to the potential reference point through the second grounding portion <NUM> connected to the potential reference point, such that the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be grounded stably.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the main body of the image-forming apparatus <NUM> may be configured with an electrical contact portion <NUM> which is electrically connected to a reference-ground supply part <NUM>. The first grounding portion <NUM> may be configured to be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part by electrically connecting to the electrical contact portion, in order to be connected to the potential reference point. That is, the first grounding portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part through the electrical contact portion directly. At this point, the first connecting part may be the electrical contact portion. The first grounding portion <NUM> of the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part <NUM> by electrically connecting to the electrical contact portion <NUM> disposed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus <NUM>.

As an optional implementation, as shown in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> maybe also disposed with a connecting circuit board <NUM>. The connecting circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the reference-ground supply part <NUM>, respectively. The first grounding portion <NUM> may be configured to be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part <NUM> by electrically connecting to the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the connecting circuit board <NUM>, in order to be connected to the potential reference point. The first connecting part <NUM> may include the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the connecting circuit board <NUM>.

For example, in the image-forming apparatus, the process cartridge chip may be electrically connected to the data board through the connecting circuit board. Therefore, the main body of the image-forming apparatus <NUM> may also include the connecting circuit board <NUM>. When the process cartridge chip <NUM> is installed on the process cartridge and the process cartridge is detachably installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus <NUM>, the first grounding portion <NUM> of the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be electrically connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM>, and the electrical contact portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the connecting circuit board <NUM>. Therefore, the first grounding portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part <NUM>, thereby being connected to the potential reference point. That is, the first connecting part <NUM> may include the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the connecting circuit board <NUM>; and the first grounding portion <NUM> may be connected to the reference-ground supply part <NUM> through the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the connecting circuit board <NUM>, in order to be connected to the potential reference point.

As an optional implementation manner, the reference-ground supply part may include an image-forming control unit and/or a power supply unit.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the reference-ground supply part <NUM> may include an image-forming control unit <NUM> and/or a power supply unit <NUM>. The power supply unit <NUM> may be configured to supply power to the image-forming control unit <NUM>, and the image-forming control unit <NUM> may be configured to control the image formed by the image-forming apparatus. Both the image-forming control unit <NUM> and the power supply unit <NUM> may provide the potential reference point.

As an optional implementation manner, the reference-ground supply part may include the first sheet metal part on the main body of the image-forming apparatus; the second grounding portion may be configured to be electrically connected the reference-ground supply part by electrically connecting to the first sheet metal part on the main body of the image-forming apparatus. ; and the third connecting part may include a third conductor for electrically connecting the second grounding portion and the first sheet metal part.

For example, since the first sheet metal part on the main body of the image-forming apparatus is grounded, the reference-ground supply part <NUM> may include the first sheet metal part on the main body of the image-forming apparatus. When the process cartridge is detachably installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus, the second grounding portion <NUM> on the cartridge body <NUM> may be configured to be connected to the potential reference point by electrically connecting to the first sheet metal part on the main body of the image-forming apparatus. The second grounding portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first sheet metal part on the main body through the first conductor to achieve grounding. At this point, the third connecting part may include the third conductor for electrically connecting the second grounding portion and the first sheet metal part.

As an optional implementation manner, the reference-ground supply part may include the first sheet metal part on the main body, the installation base may be detachably installed on the main body, the installation base may include a plurality of accommodating portions for the process cartridges, the installation base may include the second sheet metal piece, the second grounding portion may be configured to be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part when the second sheet metal part is electrically connected to the first sheet metal part by electrically connecting to the second sheet metal part; and the third connecting part may include a fourth conductor for electrically connecting the second grounding portion and the second sheet metal part.

For example, if the process cartridge is installed in the main body of the image-forming apparatus, the installation base may be detachably installed on the main body of the image-forming apparatus. The installation base may include a plurality of accommodating portions for installing the process cartridges, and the process cartridge may be directly installed on the installation base. The main body of the image-forming apparatus may be disposed with the first sheet metal part, and the installation base may include the second sheet metal part. When the process cartridge is installed on the installation base on the main body of the image-forming apparatus, the second sheet metal part and the first sheet metal part may be electrically connected to be conductive to each other. Since the first sheet metal part is grounded, the second sheet metal part may be grounded through the first sheet metal part. At this point, the second grounding portion <NUM> of the process cartridge chip <NUM> in the process cartridge may be electrically connected to the second sheet metal part through the second conductor, thereby being electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part <NUM> (e.g., the first sheet metal part). Therefore, the second connecting part <NUM> of the process cartridge chip <NUM> may be connected to the potential reference point. The second connecting part may include a fourth conductor for electrically connecting the second grounding portion and the second sheet metal part.

Corresponding to above-mentioned embodiments, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an image-forming apparatus including a main body and a process cartridge. Above-mentioned process cartridge may be the process cartridge described in any one of embodiments of <FIG>.

Corresponding to above-mentioned embodiments, embodiments of the present disclosure provide another image-forming apparatus. As shown in <FIG>, the image-forming apparatus may include a main body <NUM>; a reference-ground supply part <NUM>, configured to provide the potential reference point; an electrical contact portion <NUM>, where the electrical contact portion may be configured to be electrically connected to the electrical contact disposed on the process cartridge, and the process cartridge may be the process cartridge described in any one of embodiments of <FIG>; and a switch module <NUM>, where one end of the switch module <NUM> may be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part <NUM> to be connected to the potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part <NUM>, and the other end of the switch module <NUM> may be electrically connected to the power supply unit <NUM> and electrically connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM>. Optionally, the electrical contact portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first grounding portion <NUM> on the process cartridge. At this point, the first grounding portion <NUM> may be above-mentioned electrical contact. Obviously, the electrical contact may also be another portion used for electrical connection with the image-forming apparatus.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the image-forming apparatus may include the body <NUM>, the reference-ground supply part <NUM>, the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the switch module <NUM>. One end of the switch module <NUM> may be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part <NUM> to be connected to the potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part <NUM>. The other end of the switch module <NUM> may be electrically connected to the power supply unit <NUM> and electrically connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM>. Through above image-forming apparatus, whether the process cartridge meets expectation may be detected, which is described hereinafter.

It should be noted that the power supply unit <NUM> may be an external power supply or may be disposed in the image-forming apparatus, which may not be limited in present disclosure.

As an optional implementation, the reference-ground supply part <NUM> may include the image-forming control unit. The image-forming control unit may be configured to obtain an electrical signal of the electrical contact portion and determine whether the electrical signal meets expectation when the switch module <NUM> is in a disconnected state and configured to determine whether the process cartridge meets expectation when the electrical signal generated by the electrical contact portion meets expectation.

For example, in the image-forming apparatus, the image-forming control unit may be configured to control the image-forming apparatus to form images. Furthermore, since the image-forming control unit is grounded through the sheet metal part of the main body of the image-forming apparatus, the reference-ground supply part may include the image-forming control unit <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The image-forming control unit <NUM> may be configured to obtain the electrical signal of the electrical contact portion <NUM> and determine whether the electrical signal meets expectation when the switch module <NUM> is in a disconnected state, and configured to determine whether the process cartridge meets expectation when the electrical signal generated by the electrical contact portion <NUM> meets expectation. For example, the image-forming control unit <NUM> may disconnect the switch module <NUM> to disconnect the electrical contact portion <NUM> from the image-forming control unit. When the process cartridge in any one of above-mentioned embodiments is installed on the image-forming apparatus, the electrical contact portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first grounding portion of the process cartridge chip on the process cartridge. Therefore, if the first grounding portion is grounded stably, the potential of the electrical contact portion <NUM> should be a low level even if the switch module is disconnected. That is, when the switch module <NUM> is disconnected, the electrical signal of the electrical contact portion <NUM> may be obtained; and according to the electrical signal of the electrical contact portion <NUM>, whether the electrical signal meets expectation may be determined, that is, whether the electrical signal is a low level may be determined. When the electrical signal generated by the electrical contact portion <NUM> meets expectation, it determines that the process cartridge meets expectation. That is, when obtained electrical signal generated by the electrical contact portion <NUM> is determined to be a low-level signal, it determines that the process cartridge is grounded stably.

As an optional implementation, as shown in <FIG>, the image-forming apparatus may further include a detection unit <NUM>. The detection unit <NUM> may be electrically connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM> and configured to detect the electrical signal of the electrical contact portion <NUM>.

For example, in order to facilitate the detection of the electrical signal of the electrical contact portion <NUM>, the image-forming apparatus may be disposed with the detection unit <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the detection unit <NUM> may be electrically connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM>; and after the switch module <NUM> is disconnected by the image-forming control unit <NUM>, the detection unit <NUM> may detect the electrical signal of the electrical contact portion <NUM>.

As an optional implementation, both the switch module <NUM> and the detection unit <NUM> may be included in the image-forming control unit <NUM>.

For example, in order to save space, as shown in <FIG>, the switch module <NUM> and the detection unit <NUM> may be integrated in the image-forming control unit <NUM>. At this point, both the switch module <NUM> and the detection unit <NUM> may be included in the image-forming control unit <NUM>.

As an optional implementation method, the main body <NUM> may be also disposed with a connecting circuit board <NUM>. The connecting circuit board <NUM> is electrically connected to the electrical contact portion <NUM> and the image-forming control unit <NUM> respectively. The switch module <NUM> and the detection unit <NUM> are included in the connecting circuit board <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> is also provided with a connecting circuit board <NUM>. The switch module <NUM> and the detection unit <NUM> may be integrated on the connecting circuit board <NUM>. The connecting circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the image-forming control unit <NUM>, thereby controlling the conduction and disconnection of the switch module <NUM> in the connecting circuit board <NUM>.

Corresponding to above-mentioned embodiments, <FIG> illustrates a flowchart of a ground detection method provided by exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Above-mentioned ground detection method may be applied to the image-forming apparatus described in any one of above-mentioned embodiments, and above-mentioned method may include following exemplary steps.

At S2001, the switch module in the image-forming apparatus may be controlled to be in a disconnected state, such that the connection between the first grounding portion of the process cartridge chip of the process cartridge installed on the image-forming apparatus and the potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part provided on the image-forming apparatus may be disconnected.

For example, when performing chip ground detection, the image-forming apparatus may control the switch module inside the image-forming apparatus to be disconnected; and when the switch module is disconnected, the connection between the first grounding portion of the process cartridge chip of the process cartridge installed on the image-forming apparatus and the potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part disposed on the image-forming apparatus may be disconnected.

It should be noted that above-mentioned process cartridge chip may be the process cartridge chip in any one of above-mentioned embodiments, and above-mentioned process cartridge may be the process cartridge in any of above-mentioned embodiments.

At S2002, the potential detection information of the electrical contact portion on the image-forming apparatus for electrical connection with the first grounding portion may be obtained.

For example, since the switch module is disconnected, the connection between the electrical contact portion on the image-forming apparatus and the potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part may be disconnected. At this point, the electrical contact portion may be also electrically connected to the first grounding portion of the process cartridge chip to obtain the potential detection information of the electrical contact portion.

At S2003, according to the potential detection information, whether the process cartridge meets expectation may be determined.

For example, the electrical contact portion may be electrically connected to the first grounding portion of the process cartridge chip. The first grounding portion of the process cartridge chip cannot be electrically connected to the reference-ground supply part through the electrical contact portion to achieve grounding. However, the second grounding portion may be grounded through the sheet metal in the image-forming apparatus, and the first grounding portion and the second grounding portion may be electrically connected to each other. Therefore, if the process cartridge chip in the process cartridge is grounded stably, the first grounding portion of the process cartridge chip may still be grounded through the second grounding portion of the process cartridge chip. At this point, the electrical contact portion may still be grounded through the first grounding portion. As disclosed above, based on the potential detection information, whether the process cartridge meets expectation may be determined, which is described hereinafter.

Furthermore, determining whether the process cartridge meets expectation according to the potential detection information as mentioned above may include that if the potential detection information is a high level, it determines that the process cartridge does not meet expectation; and if the potential detection information is a low level, it determines that the process cartridge meets expectation.

For example, if detected potential detection information is a high level, it indicates that the electrical connection between the first grounding portion and the second contact portion at the process cartridge chip in the process cartridge may be unstable; or the second contact portion may be grounded unstably; or other unstable grounding conditions may occur. At this point, it determines that the process cartridge does not meet expectation. If detected potential detection information is a low level, it indicates that the first grounding portion and the second contact portion of the process cartridge chip in the process cartridge may be stably grounded. At this point, it determines that the process cartridge meets expectation. In such way, through above-mentioned ground detection method, whether the process cartridge is grounded stably may be detected.

<FIG> illustrates another flowchart of a ground detection method provided by exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Above-mentioned ground detection method may be applied to the image-forming apparatus, and above-mentioned method may include following exemplary steps.

At S2101, the switch module in the image-forming apparatus may be controlled to be in a disconnected state, such that the connection between the first grounding portion of the process cartridge chip of the process cartridge installed on the image-forming apparatus and the potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part disposed on the image-forming apparatus may be disconnected, which may refer to above-mentioned S2001 and may not be described in detail herein.

At S2102, the power supply to the process cartridge chip may be turned off.

For example, in order to improve the safety of the detection process, before obtaining the potential detection information of the electrical contact portion, the power supply to the process cartridge chip may be turned off.

At S2103, the power supply to the electrical contact portion may be turned on.

For example, in order to improve detection accuracy, before obtaining the potential detection information of the electrical contact portion, the power supply of the electrical contact portion may be turned on to provide a high-level signal to the electrical contact portion. However, if the process cartridge is grounded stably, the electrical contact may still be at a low level at this point, thereby improving detection accuracy.

It should be noted that above-mentioned S2102 may be executed first, and then above-mentioned S2103 may be executed; or above-mentioned S2103 may be executed first, and then above-mentioned S2102 may be executed.

At S2104, the potential detection information of the electrical contact portion on the image-forming apparatus for electrical connection with the first grounding portion may be obtained, which may refer to above-mentioned S2002 and may not be described in detail herein.

At S2105, whether the process cartridge meets expectation may be determined according to the potential detection result, which may refer to above-mentioned S2003 and may not be described in detail herein.

Corresponding to above-mentioned embodiments, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an image-forming control apparatus including an image-forming control unit. Above-mentioned image-forming control unit may be configured to execute exemplary steps of the ground detection method described in any one of embodiments in <FIG> or <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A use of a process cartridge chip (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), installed on a process cartridge (<NUM>), wherein the process cartridge (<NUM>) is detachably installed on a main body (<NUM>) of an image-forming apparatus (<NUM>), the process cartridge chip (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a first grounding portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a second grounding portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) electrically connected to the first grounding portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), characterized in that:
the first grounding portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is connected to a reference-ground supply part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed at the main body (<NUM>) of the image-forming apparatus (<NUM>) by electrically connecting to a first connecting part, in order to be connected to a potential reference point provided by the reference-ground supply part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
the second grounding portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) is connected to the reference-ground supply part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) by electrically connecting to a second connecting part, wherein the first connecting part is different from the second connecting part, the second connecting part is not included in the first connecting part, and the first connecting part is not included in the second connecting part.