JP2003345203A - Waste toner detection device and electrophotographic recording means - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely detect the existence/absence of a waste toner box and the state of waste toner in the waste toner box while simplifying a device configuration. <P>SOLUTION: A waste toner detection device is provided with a single photosensor 102 which shields light with waste toner when a fixed amount of waste toner or more waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box 101 for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of a photoreceptor formed with a transparent or translucent container, and a light shielding mechanism 103 which retracts from a detection area of the photosensor 102 when the waste toner box 101 is mounted and meanwhile, advances to the detection area of the photosensor 102 when the waste toner box 101 is removed from the device to make the photosensor 102 a light shielding state. The waste toner detection device determines the existence/absence of the waste toner box 101 and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box in accordance with an output from the photosensor 102. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to waste toner detection for detecting the presence or absence of a waste toner box for accumulating waste toner that has become unnecessary in an electrophotographic recording apparatus using toner and the state of the waste toner in this waste toner box. The present invention relates to an apparatus and an electrophotographic recording apparatus including the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the periphery of a photoconductor of a typical electrophotographic recording apparatus has a structure as shown in FIG. That is, around the photosensitive body 801, a charging roller 802 that charges the photosensitive body 801, a polygon mirror 803 that irradiates a laser beam from a laser circuit to a predetermined position of the photosensitive body 801, and a surface potential that the laser beam irradiates. Developing unit 804 for adhering toner T, which is a developer, to the portion where
A transfer roller 806 for transferring the toner T adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 801 onto the recording paper 805 being conveyed, and a cleaning blade 807 for removing the waste toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 801 after the transfer onto the recording paper 805. And a cleaning unit 808 including

As shown in FIG. 9, a waste toner box 901 for accumulating the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit 808 is arranged beside the photoconductor 801. The waste toner box 901 is connected to one end of the cleaning unit 808. The cleaning unit 808 is
A screw 902 that conveys the waste toner removed from the photoconductor 801 to the waste toner box 901 is provided inside. A waste toner discharge port 903 is provided at a position where the waste toner is conveyed by the screw 902 and is connected to the waste toner box 901.

The discharge port 903 has a waste toner box 901.
Is not connected to the cleaning unit 808, a waste toner drop prevention shutter (hereinafter simply referred to as “shutter”) 904 is provided so that the waste toner inside does not leak.
Is blocked by. The shutter 904 has one end biased toward the waste toner box 901 by a spring. When the waste toner box 901 is connected to the cleaning unit 808, the shutter 904 retracts from the discharge port 903, and the waste toner drops into the waste toner box 901 via the discharge port 903.

The above-mentioned waste toner box 901 needs to be replaced when a certain amount of waste toner is accumulated.
This is because if the recording operation is continuously performed in a state where the amount of waste toner exceeds a certain amount, the screw 902 of the cleaning unit 808 cannot freely operate due to the waste toner and may be damaged.

On the other hand, when the recording operation is performed with the waste toner box 901 removed, the discharge port 903 is blocked by the shutter 904, so that the screw 902 of the cleaning unit 808 is closed as in the case described above. There is a possibility that it cannot operate freely and is damaged, or that the inside of the electrophotographic recording apparatus is contaminated by the waste toner that cannot be prevented from falling by the shutter 904.

In order to prevent such a situation, conventionally, a waste toner detecting device which detects the presence or absence of the waste toner box 901 and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box 901 by using a photosensor has been adopted. ing. FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of a conventional waste toner detection device. In FIG. 10, the cleaning unit 8
Structures such as 08 are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional waste toner detecting device has two first photosensors arranged vertically for detecting the state of the waste toner box 901 or the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box 901. A photo sensor 1001 and a second photo sensor 1002 are provided. The waste toner box 901 is composed of a transparent or translucent container made of resin or the like. A part of the container has such a shape that when the waste toner box 901 is connected to the cleaning unit 808, the container is housed in the detection area of the first photo sensor 1001 arranged above.

On the other hand, a light shielding plate 1003 is provided below the portion housed in the first photo sensor 1001.
The light blocking plate 1003 is provided below the second photo sensor 1002 when the waste toner box 901 is connected.
Enter the detection area of.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of the first photosensor 1001 and the second photosensor 1002 of the waste toner detecting device having such a structure. The first photosensor 1001 and the second photosensor 1002 have the same structure and include a light emitting LED 1101 (1104) and a phototransistor 1102 (1105). The output of the phototransistor 1102 (1105) is given to the microcomputer 1103 (1106).

When a certain amount or more of waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box 901, the waste toner blocks light from the light emitting LED 1101 of the first photosensor 1001. At this time, the phototransistor 1102 is turned off and a HIGH output is produced. In the microcomputer 1103, this H
When IGHT output is recognized, it is determined that the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 901 is a certain amount or more. On the other hand, when the light from the light emitting LED 1101 is in the light transmitting state, the microcomputer 1103 determines that the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 901 is less than a certain amount.

On the other hand, when the waste toner box 901 is attached to the electrophotographic recording apparatus, the light from the light emitting LED 1104 of the second photo sensor 1002 is blocked by the light blocking plate 1003. At this time, the phototransistor 1105 is turned off and a HIGH output is produced. Upon recognizing the HIGHT output, the microcomputer 1106 recognizes the waste toner box 901.
Determine that is installed. On the other hand, light emission L
If the light from the ED1104 is in the transparent state, the microcomputer 1
At 106, it is determined that the waste toner box 901 has been removed.

[0013]

However, in the conventional waste toner detecting device as described above, the state of the waste toner in the waste toner box 901 is detected by the first photo sensor 1001 and the microcomputer 1103 connected thereto. On the other hand, the presence or absence of the waste toner box 901 is detected by the second photo sensor 1002 and the microcomputer 1106 connected thereto. Therefore, two photosensors are indispensable and two input ports to the microcomputer are indispensable, which causes a problem that the structure of the waste toner detecting device becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to reliably detect the presence or absence of a waste toner box and the status of the waste toner in the waste toner box while simplifying the structure of the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a waste toner detecting device and an electrophotographic recording device including the same.

[0015]

According to the present invention, a waste toner box formed of a transparent or translucent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of a photoconductor, and a part of the waste toner box in a detection area are housed. A single photosensor which is in a light blocking state with the waste toner when a predetermined amount or more of the waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box, and the waste toner is retracted from the detection area when the waste toner box is attached. Light-blocking means that enters the detection area when the box is removed from the device and sets the photosensor in a light-blocking state,
And a control unit that determines the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box according to the output from the photo sensor.

According to this, since the function similar to the conventional one in which two or more photosensors are used with only a single photosensor is realized by using the light-shielding mechanism, the structure of the device is simplified and reliable. The presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box can be detected.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A waste toner detecting device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a waste toner box formed of a transparent or translucent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of a photoconductor, and a detection area. A single photo sensor that accommodates a part of the waste toner box and is in a light-shielded state with the waste toner when a certain amount or more of the waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box; and the detection when the waste toner box is attached. While retracting from the area, when the waste toner box is detached from the apparatus, it enters the detection area and shields the photosensor, and the presence or absence of the waste toner box according to the output from the photosensor. And a control unit that determines the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box.

According to this structure, the light shielding mechanism is used to realize the same function as the conventional one in which two or more photosensors are used with only a single photosensor. Therefore, while simplifying the structure of the device, It is possible to reliably detect the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box.

A waste toner detecting device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a waste toner box formed of a transparent or translucent container for accumulating the waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and the waste toner box in the detection area. A single photosensor that accommodates a part of the waste toner box and is shielded by the waste toner when a predetermined amount or more of the waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box; and mounting of the waste toner box connected in series with the photosensor Sometimes the photosensor is operable, while the waste toner box is removed from the device, the switch disables the photosensor, and the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the waste toner box depending on the output from the photosensor. And a control unit that determines the state of the waste toner accumulated in the toner box.

According to this structure, the switch is used to realize the same function as the conventional one in which two or more photosensors are used with only a single photosensor, so that the structure of the device can be simplified and reliable. The presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box can be detected.

A waste toner detecting apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is a waste toner box formed of a transparent or semitransparent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of a photoconductor, and the waste toner box in a detection area. A single photosensor that stores a part of the waste toner box and is shielded by the waste toner when a predetermined amount or more of the waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box; On the other hand, when the waste toner box is removed from the apparatus, it enters the detection area and puts the photo sensor in a light blocking state, and the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the waste toner box depending on the output from the photo sensor. The state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box is judged and the waste toner box is removed or the waste toner box in the waste toner box is removed. There a control means for inhibiting a recording operation in an electrophotographic recording device mounted in the case of more than a certain amount, a configuration that comprises.

According to this structure, by using the light-shielding mechanism, the same function as the conventional one in which two or more photosensors are used with only a single photosensor is realized. Therefore, while simplifying the structure of the device, It is possible to reliably detect the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box. Then, since the recording operation of the electrophotographic recording apparatus mounted according to the detection result is prohibited, the state in which the waste toner box is not mounted or the state in which a certain amount or more of waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box It is possible to reliably avoid the recording operation in.

A waste toner detecting apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a waste toner box formed of a transparent or semitransparent container for accumulating the waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and the waste toner box in the detection area. A single photosensor that accommodates a part of the waste toner box and is shielded by the waste toner when a predetermined amount or more of the waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box; and mounting of the waste toner box connected in series with the photosensor Sometimes the photosensor is operable, while the waste toner box is removed from the device, the switch disables the photosensor, and the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the waste toner box depending on the output from the photosensor. When the state of the waste toner accumulated in the toner box is determined and the waste toner box is removed, or the waste toner is removed. A configuration in which the waste toner in the box is provided and a control means for inhibiting a recording operation in an electrophotographic recording device mounted in the case of more than a certain amount.

According to this structure, by using the switch, the same function as the conventional one in which two or more photosensors are used can be realized with only a single photosensor, so that the structure of the device can be simplified and reliable. The presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box can be detected. Then, since the recording operation of the electrophotographic recording apparatus mounted according to the detection result is prohibited, the state in which the waste toner box is not mounted or the state in which a certain amount or more of waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box It is possible to reliably avoid the recording operation in.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the waste toner detecting device according to the third or fourth aspect, the control means is
When it is determined that a predetermined amount or more of waste toner has accumulated in the waste toner box, a recording operation is prohibited in the electrophotographic recording apparatus mounted after a predetermined number of recording operations are performed.

According to this structure, the recording operation can be prohibited after the recording operation of the predetermined number of sheets is completed after the accumulated amount of the waste toner reaches a certain amount or more. This allows
Even if the amount of waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box exceeds a certain amount, it is possible to record a certain number of sheets with the electrophotographic recording device, so it is possible to reliably avoid the situation where recording cannot be performed immediately. Therefore, it is possible to provide the electrophotographic recording device which is excellent in the usability for the user.

The electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention comprises a waste toner box formed of a transparent or translucent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and the waste toner box in the detection area. A single photosensor that stores a part of the waste toner box and is shielded by the waste toner when a predetermined amount or more of the waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box; On the other hand, when the waste toner box is removed from the apparatus, it enters the detection area and puts the photo sensor in a light blocking state, and the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the waste toner box depending on the output from the photo sensor. And a control unit that determines the state of the waste toner accumulated inside.

According to this structure, by using the light shielding mechanism, the same function as the conventional one in which two or more photosensors are used with only a single photosensor is realized, so that the structure of the device is simplified and It is possible to reliably detect the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box.

The electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention comprises a waste toner box formed of a transparent or translucent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and the waste toner box in the detection area. A single photosensor that accommodates a part of the waste toner box and is shielded by the waste toner when a predetermined amount or more of the waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box; and mounting of the waste toner box connected in series with the photosensor Sometimes the photosensor is operable, while the waste toner box is removed from the device, the switch disables the photosensor, and the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the waste toner box depending on the output from the photosensor. And a control unit that determines the state of the waste toner accumulated in the toner box.

According to this structure, the switch is used to realize the same function as the conventional one in which two or more photosensors are used with only a single photosensor. Therefore, while simplifying the structure of the device, it is possible to ensure the reliability. The presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box can be detected.

The electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is a waste toner box formed of a transparent or semitransparent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and the waste toner box in the detection area. A single photosensor that stores a part of the waste toner box and is shielded by the waste toner when a predetermined amount or more of the waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box; On the other hand, when the waste toner box is removed from the apparatus, it enters the detection area and puts the photo sensor in a light blocking state, and the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the waste toner box depending on the output from the photo sensor. The state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box is judged and the waste toner box is removed or the waste toner box in the waste toner box is removed. There a control means for prohibiting the recording operation in the recording unit in the case of more than a certain amount, a configuration that comprises.

According to this structure, the light shielding mechanism is used to realize the same function as the conventional one in which two or more photosensors are used with only a single photosensor. Therefore, while simplifying the structure of the device, It is possible to reliably detect the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box. Since the recording operation in the recording unit is prohibited according to the detection result, it is possible to perform the recording operation in a state where the waste toner box is not mounted or a state where the waste toner box has accumulated a certain amount or more of waste toner. It can be avoided without fail.

The electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention comprises a waste toner box formed of a transparent or semitransparent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and the waste toner box in the detection area. A single photosensor that accommodates a part of the waste toner box and is shielded by the waste toner when a predetermined amount or more of the waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box; and mounting of the waste toner box connected in series with the photosensor Sometimes the photosensor is operable, while the waste toner box is removed from the device, the switch disables the photosensor, and the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the waste toner box depending on the output from the photosensor. When the state of the waste toner accumulated in the toner box is determined and the waste toner box is removed, or the waste toner is removed. And control means the waste toner in the box is to prohibit the recording operation in the recording unit in the case of more than a certain amount,
The configuration including is adopted.

According to this structure, by using the switch, the same function as the conventional one in which two or more photosensors are used can be realized with only a single photosensor, so that the structure of the device can be simplified and reliable. The presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box can be detected. Since the recording operation in the recording unit is prohibited according to the detection result, it is possible to perform the recording operation in a state where the waste toner box is not mounted or a state where the waste toner box has accumulated a certain amount or more of waste toner. It can be avoided without fail.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the eighth or ninth aspect, wherein the control means confirms that a predetermined amount or more of waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box. If it is determined, the recording operation in the recording unit is prohibited after the recording operation of the predetermined number of sheets is performed.

According to this structure, the recording operation can be prohibited after the recording operation of a predetermined number of sheets is completed after the accumulated amount of waste toner reaches a certain amount or more. This allows
Even if the amount of waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box exceeds a certain amount, a certain number of sheets can be recorded in the recording unit, so it is possible to surely avoid the situation where recording cannot be performed immediately. Therefore, it is possible to provide an electrophotographic recording device that is excellent in user usability.

Hereinafter, the waste toner detecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a waste toner detecting device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1A is a perspective view of the waste toner detection device 100, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the waste toner detection device 100. The waste toner detection device 100 according to the present embodiment
The structure around the photoconductor of the electrophotographic recording device in which the is mounted is the same as that described in the related art.

As shown in the figure, this waste toner detecting device 1
00 includes a waste toner box 101 and a single photo sensor 102 for detecting the state of waste toner accumulated inside the waste toner box 101. The photo sensor 102 includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. This waste toner detection device 1
As will be described later, 00 allows the recording operation of the electrophotographic recording device when the light from the light emitting element is in the light transmitting state,
The recording operation is prohibited in the light-shielded state.

The waste toner box 101 is composed of a transparent or semitransparent container made of resin or the like.
Part of the container has a shape to be housed in the detection area of the photo sensor 102 when the waste toner box 101 is connected to a cleaning unit that removes waste toner from the photoconductor. A portion of the waste toner box 101 that is accommodated in the detection area of the photo sensor 102 is referred to as a detected portion 101a of the container.

In the detection area of the photo sensor 102, a light blocking mechanism 103 for blocking the light from the light emitting element of the photo sensor 102 when the waste toner box 101 is removed from the electrophotographic recording apparatus is arranged. Shading mechanism 103
Is the detected portion 101 of the container, as shown in FIG.
It is composed of a contact plate 103a that comes into contact with a and a light shielding plate 103b.

The light-shielding mechanism 103 is swingable around a shaft 103c formed at the upper end of the contact plate 103a as a fulcrum. The spring 103d is attached to the shaft 103c by the contact plate 1
03a is attached so as to urge it in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. Therefore, the detected portion 10 of the container
When 1a is not housed in the photo sensor 102, the light shielding mechanism 103 is in the state shown in FIG. 1 (b). At this time, the light blocking plate 103b is attached to the photo sensor 10
The space between the light emitting element and the light receiving element forming element 2 is blocked.

When the detected portion 101a of the container is housed in the detection area of the photo sensor 102, as shown in FIG.
The light blocking mechanism 103 retracts to the left of the device shown in FIG. Even in this case, when the waste toner box 101 does not store a certain amount of waste toner or more, the light from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the photo sensor 102 of the waste toner detecting device 100 according to the first embodiment. The photo sensor 102 is a light emitting LE as a light emitting element.
It has a D301 and a phototransistor 302.
The output of the phototransistor 302 is given to the microcomputer 303. Since this waste toner detecting device 100 has only one photo sensor 102, only one input port to the microcomputer 303 is sufficient. The microcomputer 303 determines the presence or absence of the waste toner box 101 and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box 101 according to this output, and permits or prohibits the recording operation in the electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the determination.

Specifically, when a predetermined amount or more of waste toner is not accumulated in the detected portion 101a of the container, the light from the light emitting LED 301 is in a light transmitting state, the phototransistor 302 is turned on, and LOW output is made. Becomes Upon recognizing this LOW output, the microcomputer 303 determines that the waste toner box 101 is mounted and the waste toner accumulated inside is less than a certain amount. In response to this, the microcomputer 303 permits the recording operation of the electrophotographic recording apparatus.

On the other hand, when a certain amount or more of the waste toner is accumulated in the detected portion 101a of the container, the light from the light emitting LED 301 is blocked by the waste toner, the phototransistor 302 is turned off, and the HIGH output is output. Become. When the microcomputer 303 recognizes this HIGHT output,
It is determined whether the waste toner box 101 has been removed or the waste toner in the waste toner box 101 has accumulated over a certain amount. In response to this, the microcomputer 3
In 03, the recording operation of the electrophotographic recording apparatus is prohibited.

When the waste toner box 101 is removed from the electrophotographic recording device for replacement work or the like, the light blocking mechanism 103 moves to the position where the light of the light emitting LED 301 is blocked as described above. As a result, the light emitting LED 3
The light from 01 is blocked, and the phototransistor 302 is turned off and HI
GHT output. Also in this case, when the microcomputer 303 recognizes the HIGH output, it determines whether the waste toner box 101 has been removed, or that the waste toner in the waste toner box 101 has accumulated over a certain amount. In response to this, the microcomputer 303 prohibits the recording operation of the electrophotographic recording apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows a logical table that is referred to when determining whether to permit / prohibit the recording operation of the electrophotographic recording device in the microcomputer 303. As shown in the figure, when the state of the waste toner box 101 is that there is no waste toner box or there is a waste toner box, but if the amount of waste toner accumulated inside is a certain amount or more, the state of the photo sensor 102 Is in a light-shielded (HIGHT output) state. At this time, the microcomputer prohibits the recording operation in the electrophotographic recording device.

On the other hand, when the waste toner box is attached and the amount of waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box is less than a certain amount, the state of the photo sensor 102 is transparent (LOW output).
It becomes a state. At this time, the microcomputer permits the recording operation in the electrophotographic recording device.

As described above, according to the waste toner detecting device 100 of the first embodiment, by using the light shielding mechanism 103,
Presence or absence of the waste toner box 101 with one photo sensor 102 and one input port, and the waste toner box 101
The status of the waste toner accumulated inside is detected. As a result of the detection, the waste toner box 101 is attached, and
When the amount of waste toner accumulated inside is not over a certain amount, the recording operation in the electrophotographic recording device mounted is permitted, while when the waste toner box 101 is removed, or when the accumulated waste toner is accumulated. When the amount of toner exceeds a certain amount, the recording operation in the electrophotographic recording device is prohibited.

Since the function similar to the conventional one is realized by only one photosensor 102 and one input port, the presence or absence of the waste toner box 101 and the accumulation in the waste toner box 101 can be ensured while simplifying the structure of the apparatus. The state of the waste toner thus collected can be detected. Then, since the recording operation of the electrophotographic recording device mounted is permitted or prohibited according to the detection result, the waste toner box 101 is not mounted or the waste toner box 10 is not mounted.
It is possible to reliably avoid the recording operation in the state where the waste toner of 1 is accumulated in the predetermined amount or more.

When the recording operation in the electrophotographic recording apparatus is prohibited by using the waste toner detecting device 100, when it is determined that the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box 101 becomes a certain amount or more. It is desirable to prohibit the recording operation after performing a certain number of recording operations from that point in time, instead of immediately prohibiting the recording operation.

FIG. 5 shows a control flow in the electrophotographic recording apparatus for prohibiting the recording operation after performing the recording operation for a certain number of sheets.

In order to prohibit the recording operation after performing the recording operation for a certain number of sheets, it is first judged whether or not the amount of waste toner becomes a certain amount or more (ST501), and from this point, the number of recordable sheets (hereinafter , "Recordable number") (X) is set (ST502). Here, "N" is set to the recordable number (X).

After that, it is judged whether the recording operation for one sheet is completed (ST503), and the number of recordable sheets (X) is decreased by one each time the recording operation for one sheet is completed (ST50).
4). Here, each time the recording operation is completed, "1" is subtracted from the current "N" for the number of recordable sheets (X).
1 ”is set.

Further, it is judged whether or not the recordable number (X) becomes "0" (ST505). Number of recordable sheets (X)
If still exists (that is, if it is not “0”), the process is returned to ST503, and ST50 is again executed.
The processing from 3 to ST505 is repeated. On the other hand, when the recordable number (X) becomes "0", the recording operation is prohibited (ST506).

By performing the processing as described above, it is possible to prohibit printing after the recording operation of a certain number of sheets is completed after the accumulated amount of waste toner reaches a certain amount or more. As a result, even if the amount of waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box 101 exceeds a certain amount, a certain number of sheets can be recorded by the electrophotographic recording device, so that it becomes impossible to perform recording immediately. It is possible to provide an electrophotographic recording device which can be reliably avoided and is excellent in user usability.

(Second Embodiment) The waste toner box 1 according to the first embodiment uses the shading mechanism 103 to block the detection area of the photosensor 102 so that the waste toner box 1
On the other hand, the waste toner detection device 200 according to the second embodiment determines whether the waste toner box 101 is turned on or off based on the on / off state of the switch connected in series to the light emitting LED 301 that configures the photo sensor 102. The difference is that the presence or absence is judged.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a waste toner detecting device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, configurations given the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have similar functions, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, the waste toner detecting device 200 according to the second embodiment is provided with a waste toner box detection switch below the photo sensor 102 instead of the light shielding mechanism 103 for blocking the detection area of the photo sensor 102. A 601 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “detection switch”) is provided.

The detection switch 601 has a shape protruding to a position where the detected portion 101a of the container abuts when the waste toner box 101 is connected to the cleaning unit. When the waste toner box 101 is connected, this portion is pushed and the detection switch 601 is turned on.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the photo sensor 102 of the waste toner detecting device 200 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, configurations given the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 have similar functions, and description thereof will be omitted.

The photosensor 102 includes a light emitting LED 301 as a light emitting element and a phototransistor 302, as in FIG. In addition, the phototransistor 30
The output of 2 is given to the microcomputer 303 as in FIG. Waste Toner Detection Device 200 According to Second Embodiment
The photo sensor 102 in the above is different from the photo sensor 102 according to the first embodiment in that the above-described detection switch 601 is connected in series to the light emitting LED 301.

When the waste toner box 101 is connected, the detection switch 601 is turned on and a current flows through the light emitting LED 301, so that the light emitting LED 301 emits light. At this time, since the photosensor 102 is in a light-transmitting state in a state where a predetermined amount or more of waste toner is not accumulated in the detected portion 101a of the container, the phototransistor 302 is turned on and becomes LOW output. When the microcomputer 303 recognizes this LOW output, the waste toner box 1
It is determined that 01 is mounted and the amount of accumulated waste toner is less than a certain amount. In response to this, the microcomputer 303 permits the recording operation of the electrophotographic recording apparatus.

On the other hand, when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 101 exceeds a certain amount and the photo sensor 102 is in a light-shielded state, the phototransistor 302 is turned off and a HIGH output is produced. With a microcomputer, this HIGH
When the T output is recognized, it is determined that the waste toner box 101 has been removed, or that the waste toner in the waste toner box 101 has accumulated over a certain amount. At this time, the microcomputer 303 prohibits the recording operation of the electrophotographic recording device.

Further, when the waste toner box 101 is removed, the detection switch 601 is turned off, so that no current is supplied to the light emitting LED 301. For this reason, the phototransistor 302 is turned off and a HIGH output is produced, as in the case where the amount of waste toner exceeds a certain amount. Also in this case, the microcomputer 303 is
When the T output is recognized, it is determined that the waste toner box 101 has been removed, or that the waste toner in the waste toner box 101 has accumulated over a certain amount. In response to this, the microcomputer 303 prohibits the recording operation of the electrophotographic recording apparatus.

The logical table referenced when the microcomputer 303 determines whether to permit / prohibit the recording operation is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore its explanation is omitted (see FIG. 4).

As described above, according to the waste toner detecting device 200 of the second embodiment, by using the detection switch 601, the presence / absence of the waste toner box 101 and the waste toner box 101 with one photosensor 102 and one input port.
The status of the waste toner accumulated inside is detected. As a result of the detection, the waste toner box 101 is attached, and
When the amount of waste toner accumulated inside is not over a certain amount, the recording operation in the electrophotographic recording device mounted is permitted, while when the waste toner box 101 is removed, or when the accumulated waste toner is accumulated. When the amount of toner exceeds a certain amount, the recording operation in the electrophotographic recording device is prohibited.

Since the same function as the conventional one can be realized by only one photo sensor 102 and one input port, the presence or absence of the waste toner box 101 and the waste toner box 101 can be surely achieved while simplifying the structure of the apparatus. It is possible to detect the status of the waste toner accumulated inside. Then, since the recording operation of the electrophotographic recording apparatus mounted according to the detection result is permitted or prohibited, the waste toner box 101 is not mounted, or the waste toner box 101 has a predetermined amount or more of waste toner. It is possible to reliably avoid the recording operation in the accumulated state.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention, the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the status of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box can be reliably detected while simplifying the structure of the apparatus. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a waste toner detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a side view of a waste toner detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the waste toner detection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a photo sensor of the waste toner detection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a logical table that is referred to when determining whether printing is possible by a microcomputer connected to a photo sensor of the waste toner detection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a control flow chart for prohibiting printing after printing a certain number of sheets in the electrophotographic recording apparatus equipped with the waste toner detection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a waste toner detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a photo sensor of the waste toner detection device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration around a photoconductor of a typical conventional electrophotographic recording apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration around a photoconductor of a typical conventional electrophotographic recording device.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional waste toner detection device.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of a first photo sensor and a second photo sensor of a conventional waste toner detection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

100,200 Waste toner detection device 101 Waste Toner Box 102 photo sensor 103 light blocking mechanism 301 LED 302 Phototransistor 601 Waste toner box detection switch

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Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A waste toner box formed of a transparent or translucent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of a photoconductor, and a part of the waste toner box in a detection area, and a fixed amount of the waste toner box. A single photosensor which is in a light blocking state with the waste toner when the waste toner is accumulated, and withdraws from the detection area when the waste toner box is attached, and when the waste toner box is removed from the apparatus, Light-blocking means that enters the detection area to put the photosensor in a light-blocking state, and control that determines the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box according to the output from the photosensor A waste toner detecting device, comprising: 2. A waste toner box formed of a transparent or semi-transparent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and a part of the waste toner box in the detection area, and a fixed amount in the waste toner box. A single photosensor that is shielded by the waste toner when the waste toner is accumulated, and the photosensor that is connected in series with the photosensor and is operable when the waste toner box is attached A switch for disabling the photo sensor when the toner box is removed from the apparatus, and the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box are determined according to the output from the photo sensor. And a control unit for controlling the waste toner. 3. A waste toner box formed of a transparent or semi-transparent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and a part of the waste toner box in a detection area, and a fixed amount in the waste toner box. A single photosensor which is in a light blocking state with the waste toner when the waste toner is accumulated, and withdraws from the detection area when the waste toner box is attached, and when the waste toner box is removed from the apparatus, A light-shielding unit that enters the detection area to bring the photosensor into a light-shielding state, determines the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box according to the output from the photosensor, Electrophotographic recording mounted when the waste toner box is removed or when the waste toner in the waste toner box exceeds a certain amount A waste toner detection device, comprising: a control unit that prohibits a recording operation in the device. 4. A waste toner box formed of a transparent or translucent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and a part of the waste toner box in the detection area, and a fixed amount in the waste toner box. A single photosensor that is shielded by the waste toner when the waste toner is accumulated, and the photosensor that is connected in series with the photosensor and is operable when the waste toner box is attached A switch for disabling the photo sensor when the toner box is removed from the apparatus, and the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box are determined according to the output from the photo sensor. Installed when the waste toner box is removed or when the waste toner in the waste toner box exceeds a certain amount. And a control unit for prohibiting a recording operation in the electrophotographic recording apparatus described above. 5. When the control means determines that a certain amount or more of waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box, a recording operation in an electrophotographic recording apparatus mounted after a predetermined number of recording operations are performed. 5. The waste toner detection device according to claim 3, wherein the waste toner detection device is prohibited. 6. A waste toner box formed of a transparent or semi-transparent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and a part of the waste toner box in the detection area, and a fixed amount in the waste toner box. A single photosensor which is in a light blocking state with the waste toner when the waste toner is accumulated, and withdraws from the detection area when the waste toner box is attached, and when the waste toner box is removed from the apparatus, Light-blocking means that enters the detection area to put the photosensor in a light-blocking state, and control that determines the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box according to the output from the photosensor An electrophotographic recording device comprising: 7. A waste toner box formed of a transparent or translucent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and a part of the waste toner box in a detection area, and a fixed amount of the waste toner box. A single photosensor that is shielded by the waste toner when the waste toner is accumulated, and the photosensor that is connected in series with the photosensor and is operable when the waste toner box is attached A switch for disabling the photo sensor when the toner box is removed from the apparatus, and the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box are determined according to the output from the photo sensor. An electrophotographic recording device, comprising: 8. A waste toner box formed of a transparent or translucent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and a part of the waste toner box in a detection area, and a fixed amount of the waste toner box. A single photosensor which is in a light blocking state with the waste toner when the waste toner is accumulated, and withdraws from the detection area when the waste toner box is attached, and when the waste toner box is removed from the apparatus, A light-shielding unit that enters the detection area to bring the photosensor into a light-shielding state, determines the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box according to the output from the photosensor, Recording operation in the recording unit when the waste toner box is removed or when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box is a certain amount or more An electrophotographic recording device, comprising: 9. A waste toner box formed of a transparent or translucent container for accumulating waste toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and a part of the waste toner box in a detection area, and a fixed amount of the waste toner box. A single photosensor that is shielded by the waste toner when the waste toner is accumulated, and the photosensor that is connected in series with the photosensor and is operable when the waste toner box is attached A switch for disabling the photo sensor when the toner box is removed from the apparatus, and the presence or absence of the waste toner box and the state of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box are determined according to the output from the photo sensor. Record when the waste toner box is removed or when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box is a certain amount or more. An electrophotographic recording apparatus, comprising: a control unit that prohibits a recording operation in a section. 10. The control means, when determining that a predetermined amount or more of waste toner is accumulated in the waste toner box, prohibits the recording operation in the recording unit after the recording operation of a predetermined number of sheets is performed. The electrophotographic recording apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the above.