JP3527444B2 - Cartridge use prohibition method and apparatus and system, cartridge, storage medium, cartridge used determination device, and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for prohibiting reuse of a cartridge that is set to be replaceable in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile, a copier, etc. when the cartridge is used up. And a system, a cartridge, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an electrophotographic printer, a toner cartridge filled with toner is used as a developing medium. This toner cartridge is filled with a certain amount of toner at the time of manufacture, and is set so as to be replaceable in the printer. This toner cartridge does not need to be replenished with toner from the replenishment bottle to the toner storage chamber inside the printer, so there is no concern that your hands or clothes will be soiled with toner, and you can simply replace the toner cartridge. Has the advantage that it is simple.

Further development of this toner cartridge,
A process cartridge is known in which a photosensitive drum, a charging roller, a developing roller, a cleaning unit, etc. are attached.
This process cartridge is widely used for personal printers and the like because it has advantages that the maintenance is easy and the maintenance contract is not particularly required because the photosensitive drum and the like are also changed at the same time as the toner is changed.

The used cartridge is collected by the printer manufacturer through the cartridge distributor. From the perspective of preventing environmental pollution and effectively using resources, printer manufacturers disassemble used cartridges, inspect each part and reuse normal ones, and dissolve and pelletize plastic parts as plastic materials. It is reused. In addition, by recycling this cartridge, we are also trying to reduce the selling price of the cartridge.

Not all of the used cartridges are returned to the printer manufacturer, but some of them are sent to a toner refiller. The toner refilling company undertakes the refilling at a predetermined fee, disassembles the cartridge, and supplies an appropriate toner. Further, there is a toner refilling company that purchases a used cartridge, disassembles it, supplies toner, and then sells it to a general user as a remanufactured cartridge at a considerably lower price than a new cartridge.

For the toner (genuine product) to be filled when the cartridge is manufactured, the toner components are determined in consideration of the printer process characteristics (photosensitive drum characteristics, charging voltage, cleaning characteristics, fixing characteristics). However, the toner used by the toner refilling company has a different composition component from the genuine toner, so that the print quality may deteriorate. Further, the toner may stick to the fixing roller and damage the fixing roller.

When the print quality is degraded or a failure occurs, the user often misunderstands that the printer has the cause, although the supplied toner has the cause. As a result, the reliability of the printers that have accumulated steadily is lost all at once. In addition, some users may not trust the manufacturer of the printer and may feel dislike of all products handled by this manufacturer.

In order to maintain the reliability of the printer manufacturer, it is necessary to prevent the refilling company from refilling the consumables such as toner and ink in advance, or to prevent the improper cartridge in which the consumables are refilled from being reused. It is necessary to consider measures such as

As a measure for preventing refilling of consumables, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-28320 discloses a process cartridge provided with a counter for counting the number of printed sheets and an electromagnetic brake for preventing rotation of the developing roller. In this process cartridge, the amount of toner consumed is indirectly checked from the number of prints, and when the number of prints reaches a certain value, it is estimated that the toner has run out and the electromagnetic brake is activated. Since the developing roller is prevented from rotating by this electromagnetic brake, once the toner runs out, the process cartridge cannot be used regardless of whether toner is replenished or not. Therefore, the process cartridge containing the toner but having the electromagnetic brake cannot be used even if the process cartridge is set in the printer. As a result, it is considered that the user gives up refilling the toner, so that the toner refilling is indirectly prevented.

[0010]

However, in the conventional measures for preventing toner refilling, the process cartridge must be provided with an electromagnetic brake, which causes a problem that the process cartridge becomes complicated and becomes large. Also, since the state in which the electromagnetic brake is applied can be immediately known, it is possible to remove the electromagnetic brake or disengage the brake when disassembling the process cartridge.Therefore, it is not possible to reliably prohibit the reuse of the cartridge. Can not. Therefore, it is not an effective refill prevention measure.

The present invention is a consumable item (toner, ink) with a simple structure without increasing the size of the cartridge.
The purpose is to securely prohibit the reuse of used cartridges that have been used up.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the cartridge use prohibiting device of the present invention checks the remaining amount of the consumables stored in the cartridge which is replaceably set in the image forming apparatus. Means for determining that the cartridge is used when the remaining amount of the consumables is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, and deactivating the cartridge when it is determined that the cartridge is used. It is characterized by comprising means for prohibiting the use.

[0013] Incidentally, when the cartridge is determined to be spent, Rukoto is preferably provided with means for warning
Yes.

[0014] Incidentally, the cartridge includes a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, toner image by developing a charging roller for charging receives feeding the photosensitive drum from the charging circuit, the electrostatic latent image with toner those with a developing roller to
Is preferred.

[0015] In addition, the means to examine the remaining amount of the consumables,
Photosensitive drum, estimation means for detecting the rotation of the developing roller or a charging roller, constituted by a means for storing the rotational speed of the cumulative value based on a signal from the rotation detecting means, the remaining amount of toner from the accumulated value Preferably.

[0016] Incidentally, the disabling means, said light to the photosensitive drum is provided movably between an open position for opening it and a closed position covering the exposure opening incident, the cartridges is a spent If it is determined, it moves to the closed Ji position
It may be configured by a shutter.

[0017] Incidentally, the disable means, provided on a power supply path from the charging circuit, when the cartridge is determined to be spent, may be configured on switches off the power supply path.

[0018] Incidentally, the disable means, when the cartridge is determined to be spent, the photosensitive drum, with means for preventing rotation of the charging roller or a developing roller
You may comprise.

[0019] Incidentally, the disable means, when the cartridge is determined to be spent, composed of means for electrically breaking the electrical components provided in the cartridge
You may.

Further , the cartridge of the present invention is provided with a consumable item storage chamber for accommodating the expendable item used for image recording, and is a means for checking the remaining amount of the expendable item in the cartridge set to be replaceable in the image forming apparatus. , The cartridge has been used when the remaining amount of consumables falls below the specified amount .
And a means for disabling the cartridge and prohibiting its reuse when it is determined that the cartridge has been used.

[0021]

[0022] Incidentally, when the cartridge is determined to be spent, Rukoto is preferably provided with means for warning
Yes.

The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a charging roller for charging the photosensitive drum with electric power from a charging circuit, and a toner image formed by developing the electrostatic latent image with toner. those with a developing roller to
But it's okay.

[0024] In addition, the means to examine the remaining amount of the consumables,
Comprising a means for detecting the rotation of the photosensitive drum, the developing roller or the charging roller and a means for storing the cumulative value of the number of rotations based on the signal from the rotation detecting means .
Alternatively, the remaining amount of toner may be estimated.

[0025] Incidentally, the disabling means, said light to the photosensitive drum is provided movably between an open position for opening it and a closed position covering the exposure opening incident, the cartridges is a spent The shutter may be configured to move to the closed position when the determination is made .

[0026] Incidentally, the disable means, provided on a power supply path from the charging circuit, when the cartridge is determined to be spent, may be configured on switches off the power supply path.

[0027] Incidentally, the disable means, when the cartridge is determined to be spent, the photosensitive drum, with means for preventing rotation of the charging roller or a developing roller
You may comprise.

[0028] Incidentally, the disable means, when the cartridge is determined to be spent, composed of means for electrically breaking the electrical components provided in the cartridge
You may.

Further , a method of prohibiting the use of the cartridge of the present invention
The method checks the remaining amount of the consumables stored in the cartridge that is replaceably set in the image forming apparatus, determines that the cartridge has been used when the amount of the consumable falls below a predetermined amount, and When it is determined that the cartridge has been used, the cartridge is made inoperable and its reuse is prohibited.

Further , the use prohibition of the cartridge of the present invention is prohibited.
The stem includes a consumables storage chamber for storing consumables used for image recording, a means for checking the remaining amount of the consumables, and when the cartridge is determined to be used, it renders the cartridge inoperable. A cartridge having a means for prohibiting reuse, an image forming section for recording an image on a recording sheet, and a means for determining that the cartridge has been used when the remaining amount of the consumable item is below a predetermined amount And an image forming apparatus having.

In the storage medium of the present invention, the step of checking the remaining amount of the consumables stored in the cartridge that can be exchangeably set in the image forming apparatus, and the remaining amount of the consumables is below a predetermined amount. Sometimes stored a program that performs the steps of determining that the cartridge is used, and inactivating the cartridge and inhibiting its reuse when the cartridge is determined to be used. It is a feature.

Further , the cartridge of the present invention is provided with a consumable item storage chamber for accommodating the expendable item used for image recording, and detects that the cartridge is disassembled in the cartridge set to be replaceable in the image forming apparatus. Means and
Means for disabling the cartridge and prohibiting its reuse based on the signal from the detecting means.

It should be noted, when the cartridge is degraded, Rukoto a means for warning preferred.

[0034] Incidentally, the cartridge comprising: a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a charging roller for charging the photosensitive drum, and develops the electrostatic latent image with toner and a developing roller to the toner image It may be one.

[0035] Incidentally, the disabling means, said light to the photosensitive drum is provided to be movable between an open position for opening it and a closed position covering the exposure opening incident, when the cartridges are decomposed , A shutter that moves to the closed position
May be done.

It should be noted, the disable means, provided on a power supply path to the charging roller, when the cartridge is degraded, even if a switch to turn off the power supply path
Yes.

It should be noted that the use prohibiting means may be constituted by means for preventing the rotation of the photosensitive drum, the charging roller or the developing roller when the cartridge is disassembled .

It should be noted, the disable means, when the cartridge is degraded, may be constituted by means for electrically breaking the electrical components provided in the cartridge.

Further , a method of prohibiting the use of the cartridge of the present invention
According to the law, when a cartridge that contains consumable items and is set to be replaceable in the image forming apparatus is disassembled, the cartridge is made inoperable and its reuse is prohibited .

[0040]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an electrophotographic printer to which the present invention is applied. Printer 10
The cartridge 12 is set to be replaceable in the printer body 11. In addition to the toner chamber 13 filled with the toner 14, the cartridge 12 includes the photosensitive drum 1
5, a charging roller 16 and a developing roller 17 are provided, and are in the form of a so-called process cartridge.

The photosensitive drum 15 is provided with a photoconductive film on the outer peripheral surface of a metal cylindrical body. Charging roller 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes a metal shaft, a conductive urethane foam tubular body fitted to the outer periphery thereof, and a semiconductive plastic tube fitted to the outside of the urethane foam. The charging roller 16 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 15 by the elasticity of urethane foam. Also,
In order to apply a constant voltage between the photosensitive drum 15 and the charging roller 16, the cylindrical body of the photosensitive drum 15 and the shaft of the charging roller 16 are connected to a power supply circuit in the printer body 11. For this connection, the cartridge 12 and the printer body 11 are provided with electrical contacts (see reference numeral 68 in FIG. 5).

A plurality of recording papers 2 are placed on the paper feed tray 20.
1 is set. The recording paper 21 on the top of the paper feed tray 20 is pulled out by the paper feed roller 22 and fed toward the pair of conveyance rollers 23. The transport roller pair 23 is
The recording paper 21 is nipped and conveyed to the transfer position. A transfer roller 24 is arranged at this transfer position and comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 15 when the cartridge 12 is set.

During printing, the photosensitive drum 15 rotates clockwise at a constant speed. The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 15 is uniformly charged when passing through while contacting the charging roller 16. Further, the semiconductor laser 26 is driven according to the image data, and emits intensity-modulated laser light. This laser light is incident on the rotating photosensitive drum 15 via the polygon mirror 27. Polygon mirror 27
Means that the laser beam is directed in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 15 (main scanning direction).
Raster scan by waving to. Photosensitive drum 1
In No. 5, since the portion irradiated with the laser beam is eliminated, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer periphery thereof.

The toner 14 in the toner chamber 13 adheres to the outer circumference of the developing roller 17 which is rotating and is conveyed. Toner 1
4 passes through the regulation blade 28 (see FIG. 4) while being attached to the developing roller 17 and conveyed. At the time of this passage,
The toner 14 is charged to the opposite polarity to the photosensitive drum 15 due to the friction with the regulation blade 28. When this toner 14 is conveyed to the photosensitive drum 15, it is electrostatically charged.
The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 15 is visualized as a toner image.

The rotation of the photosensitive drum 15 moves the toner image to the transfer position. At this transfer position, the recording paper 2
1 is sandwiched between the transfer roller 24 and the photosensitive drum 15, and moves at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 15. Since the transfer roller 24 is biased to a potential opposite to that of the toner image, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 15 is transferred to the recording paper 21.

The recording paper 21 on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed toward the fixing device 29. The fixing device 29 includes a pair of fixing rollers 30 and a heater (not shown), and heats and melts the toner. The melted toner is attracted to the recording paper 21. Recording paper 2 that has been fixed
The sheet 1 is discharged from the printer body 11.

2 to 4 show an example of the cartridge. 2 shows the upper cartridge and FIG. 3 shows the lower cartridge. Further, FIG. 4 shows an assembled state.
The main bodies 34 and 35 of the upper cartridge 32 and the lower cartridge 33 are black plastic molded products.

2 and 4, a toner chamber 13 is formed in the upper cartridge 32, and a predetermined amount of toner is filled at the time of manufacture. An elongated toner supply port 13a is formed below the toner chamber 13,
Before use, it is sealed with a sealing tape (not shown). Further, a filling port (not shown) for filling the toner is provided on the side surface of the toner chamber 13, and after filling the toner, the filling port is sealed with a cap 37. Reference numeral 38 is
The top plate of the toner chamber 13 and the upper cartridge body 34
Is glued to.

When the cartridge 12 is assembled, the cap 37 is covered by the lower cartridge body 35 so that the cap 37 is not exposed to the outside. Therefore, once the cartridge 12 is assembled, the toner cannot be filled unless it is disassembled into the upper cartridge body 34 and the lower cartridge body 35.

The charging roller 16 is rotatably attached to the upper cartridge body 34. An exposure opening 39 is formed at a position close to the charging roller 16, and the laser light passes through the exposure opening 39 to expose the photosensitive drum 1 to light.
It is incident on 5.

Reference numeral 54 is a shutter that covers the exposure opening 39 and shuts off the laser beam to the photosensitive drum 15. The shutter 50 is movably attached between an open position that opens the exposure opening 39 and a closed position that closes it. The shutter 50 is set in the open position and shipped. Then, when the cartridge 12 is used and the remaining amount of the toner 14 becomes less than or equal to a predetermined amount and the cartridge 12 is used, the shutter 50 moves to the closed position to close the exposure opening 39. This renders the cartridge 12 inoperable and prohibits its reuse.

In order to connect the upper cartridge 32 to the lower cartridge 33, the upper cartridge main body 3
4, four locking claws 40 are formed on the toner chamber 13 side, and two locking claws 41 are formed on the charging roller 16 side. The reference numerals 42 to 44 are, as is clear from FIG.
This is a sponge tape for closing the gap so that the toner 14 does not enter the exposure chamber 45.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the photosensitive drum 15 and the developing roller 17 are rotatably attached to the lower cartridge body 35. Further, the lower cartridge body 35 is provided with a driven gear 46 that meshes with a drive gear (not shown) provided in the printer body 11. The rotation of the driven gear 46 is transmitted to the developing roller 17 via the gear 47, and is further transmitted via the gear 48 to the photosensitive drum 15.
Be transmitted to. An opening 49 is formed in a portion located below the photosensitive drum 15. The transfer roller 24 enters through the opening 49 and contacts the photosensitive drum 15.

The driven gear 46 is prevented from rotating by the lock mechanism when the remaining amount of the toner 14 becomes less than a predetermined amount and the cartridge 12 is used. The lock mechanism includes a lock pin 51 and a solenoid (not shown) that drives the lock pin 51. The lock pin 51 is movably attached between an insertion position where it is inserted into the rotation path of the teeth 46a formed on the driven gear 46 and a retracted position where it is retracted from the rotation path. As is well known, the solenoid is composed of a movable iron core and a coil wound around the movable iron core. An electric current is passed through the coil to generate a magnetic field, and the magnetic force moves the movable iron core.

When the cartridge 12 is used up, the energization of the solenoid is started. When the solenoid is energized, the lock pin 51 moves to the insertion position under the pressure of the movable iron core. At this insertion position, the lock pin 51 enters between the teeth 46a, so that when the driven gear 46 tries to rotate, the teeth 46a engage with the lock pin 46a. Therefore, the rotation of the driven gear 46 is blocked, and the photosensitive drum 1
5. The developing roller 17 is locked.

A cleaning blade 54 is attached to the tip of the support plate 53, and the photosensitive drum 15 is
Scrape off any excess toner that has adhered to. In order to collect the scraped off toner in the waste toner chamber 55, a squisheet 56 is attached to the lower cartridge body 35. The waste toner chamber 55 is provided in the support plate 5
3, a cleaning blade 54, and a squishy sheet 56.

Since the upper end of the support plate 53 is in contact with the sponge tape 44, the waste toner chamber 55 and the exposure chamber 45 are separated from each other, so that the used toner does not leak from the cartridge 12 through the exposure chamber 45. I am trying. Further, the sponge tape 42 contacts the inside of the lower cartridge body 35, and the sponge tape 43 contacts the upper end of the regulation blade 28. By partitioning the toner chamber 13 side and the exposure chamber 45 with the sponge tapes 42 and 43, the unused toner 14 is removed from the exposure chamber 4.
Leakage from the cartridge 12 via 5 is prevented.

The lower cartridge body 35 has an engaging hole 5
7 and a locking protrusion 58 are provided. When the upper cartridge 32 is fitted into the lower cartridge 33, the engaging hole 5
7, the locking claw 40 of the upper cartridge body 34 is fitted,
The locking projections 58 are attached to the locking projections 58 of the upper cartridge body 34.
Engage. These locking claws 40, 41, engaging holes 57,
The locking protrusion 58 allows the upper cartridge 32 and the lower cartridge 33 to be integrally assembled.

In FIG. 5 showing the electrical configurations of the printer and the cartridge, the printer main body 11 comprises a CPU (hereinafter referred to as printer CPU) 60, a memory (hereinafter referred to as printer memory) 61, a laser 26 and a polygon mirror 27. The image forming unit 62, the display 63, the charging circuit 64 for applying a voltage to the charging roller 16, the transfer roller 24
And cartridge 12, paper feed roller 22, and transport roller 23
A motor 66 for driving and is provided.

The printer CPU 60 controls each part of the printer 10 in sequence. The printer body 11 and the cartridge 12 are provided with printer-side contacts 68a, 68b, 68c and cartridge-side contacts 69a, 69b, 69c for electrically connecting them. The drive motor 66 is driven by the driver 67 and rotates the photosensitive drum 15 via the driven gear 46, the gears 47 and 48.

The cartridge 12 includes a CPU (hereinafter, referred to as a cartridge CPU) 7 in addition to the photosensitive drum 15 and the like.
1, a memory (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge memory) 72,
A rotation detector 73, a shutter driver 74, a display 75, a lock mechanism 76, and a switch 77 are provided. In this example, the remaining amount of toner is indirectly checked based on the cumulative value of the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 15 to determine that the cartridge 12 has been used.

That is, the amount of toner used for printing one sheet changes depending on the number of characters, but its average value is empirically known. The number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 15 when printing one sheet depends on the photosensitive drum 1
It depends on the diameter of 5 and the print size. Therefore, if the cumulative value of the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 15 is known, it is possible to roughly check how much toner remains.

The rotation detector 73 detects the rotation of the photosensitive drum 15 in order to count the cumulative value of the photosensitive drum 15. As the rotation detecting unit 73, for example, a photo interrupter including a light source and a light receiving unit that receives this light is used.

A protrusion 15a is provided at one end of the photosensitive drum 15. The light source and the light receiving section are arranged at positions facing each other with the projection 15a interposed therebetween. When the photosensitive drum 15 rotates and the protrusion 15a passes through the rotation detecting section 73, the light traveling from the light source to the light receiving section is interrupted for a moment. The rotation detector 73 detects that the photosensitive drum 15 has made one rotation by detecting the passage of the protrusion 15a. A reflective photo sensor may be used instead of the photo interrupter. In addition, a micro switch is provided for the protrusion 15a.
Then, by turning it on, the passage of the protrusion 15a may be detected.

When the rotation detecting section 73 detects that the photosensitive drum 15 has rotated once, the rotation detecting section 73 outputs a detection signal to the cartridge CPU 71. When the cartridge CPU 71 receives the detection signal, the cartridge CPU 71 adds “1” to the cumulative value of the number of revolutions stored in the cartridge memory 72 up to the previous time, and writes the new cumulative value in the cartridge memory 72.

The cartridge memory 72 is preset with a predetermined value serving as a reference when it is determined that the cartridge 12 has been used. The rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 15 is used as the predetermined value. The photosensitive drum 15
Rotation speed, developing roller, charging roller, transfer roller 24
Since there is a correlation with the number of rotations such as
7, the remaining amount of toner may be checked from the number of rotations of the charging roller 16, the transfer roller 24, and the like. In this case, the rotation speed equivalent to the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 15 is used as the predetermined value. Further, instead of the photosensitive drum 15, for example, when detecting the rotation of the developing roller 17, a rotation number equivalent to the rotation number of the developing roller 17 is used.

The printer CPU 60, during the printing operation,
The cumulative value of the cartridge memory 72 is read out via the cartridge CPU 71, and when the cumulative value becomes a predetermined value or more, it is estimated that the remaining amount of the toner 14 has become a predetermined amount or less,
It is determined that the cartridge 12 has been used. When the printer CPU 60 determines that the cartridge 12 has been used, it indicates that the cartridge 12 is out of toner, that the cartridge 12 should be replaced with a new cartridge, and the like.
Display in 3. The display 63 is an operation panel (not shown)
In addition, it is provided on the outer surface of the printer body 11.

The shutter drive section 74 is for driving the shutter 50, and operates when the cartridge 12 is judged to be used, and moves the shutter 50 to the closed position. The lock mechanism 76 is for driving the solenoid, and like the shutter drive unit 74, operates when the cartridge 12 is determined to be used to move the lock pin 51 to the insertion position. The shutter drive unit 74 and the lock mechanism 76 are controlled by the printer CPU 60.

The switch 77 is arranged on the power feeding path from the charging circuit 64 to the charging roller 16, and turns off the power feeding path when it is determined that the cartridge 12 is used. This switch 77 is also the printer CPU 6
It is controlled by 0. The indicator 75 is provided on the outer surface of the main body of the cartridge 12, and when the cartridge 12 is determined to be used, it displays that the toner is exhausted, the cartridge 12 is prohibited from being used, and the like. Although the warning message is displayed on the liquid crystal display as the display units 63 and 75, for example, a sound warning may be used instead of the liquid crystal display.

The operation of the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. To load the cartridge 12 into the cartridge chamber (not shown) of the printer body 11, first, the seal tape is peeled off from the new cartridge to open the toner supply port 13a. When the toner outlet 13a is opened, the toner 14 in the toner chamber 13 can be supplied to the developing roller 17. Next, the lid of the cartridge chamber is opened and the cartridge 12 is loaded into the cartridge chamber. When the cartridge 12 is completely loaded in the cartridge chamber, the cartridge 12 and the printer body 11 are electrically connected.

In the case of a new cartridge, the cartridge 12 operates normally and the printing operation is performed.
When there is a print request from a personal computer or the like, the printer CPU 60 sequence-controls the image forming unit 62 and controls the recording paper
Images and characters are recorded in 1.

During the normal operation of the printer 10, the cartridge CPU 71 receives a detection signal from the rotation detecting section 73 every time the photosensitive drum 15 makes one rotation, and updates the cumulative value in the cartridge memory 72. The printer CPU 60 is
The cumulative value in the cartridge memory 72 is read for each update.
When the cumulative value reaches a predetermined value or more, it is determined that the cartridge has been used, and the display 63 indicates that the toner is exhausted.

Further, the printer CPU 60 operates the shutter drive section 74 to move the shutter 50 to the closed position and close the exposure opening 39. Further, the switch 77 is turned off to cut off the power supply to the charging roller 16 and stop the charging of the photosensitive drum 15. Further, the lock mechanism 72 is operated to prevent the driven gear 42 from rotating and lock the rotation of the photosensitive drum 15 and the developing roller 17. These render the cartridge 12 inoperable and prohibit its use.

The used cartridge, which has run out of toner, is collected by the printer manufacturer through the cartridge distributor and recycled. Printer manufacturers disassemble the cartridge, clean it, and inspect each part. Normal parts are reused, and parts that have failed or have expired are returned to the materials for reuse.

Some users may request a refilling company to replenish toner for cartridges that are out of toner. A refiller removes the locking claw 40 from the engagement hole 57 and the locking claw 41 from the locking projection 58 to disassemble the cartridge 12 into an upper cartridge 32 and a lower cartridge 33.

After disassembling the cartridge 12, after cleaning each part, the toner discharge port 13a of the upper cartridge 32
Then, apply sealing tape and close it. next,
The cap 37 of the upper cartridge 32 is removed, and the toner is replenished in the toner chamber 13. After replenishing the toner, the cap 37 is fitted again to seal the toner chamber 13. After refilling the toner, the refilling company
2 and the lower cartridge 33 are assembled, and the assembled cartridge 12 is packaged and shipped to the user.

The user sets an improper cartridge, in which the toner is refilled by the refilling company, in the printer body 11. However, as described above, the exposure opening 39 of the cartridge 12 that has been once determined to be used is closed, the charging of the photosensitive drum 15 is stopped, and the photosensitive drum 15 and the developing roller 17 are also locked and disabled. And its reuse is prohibited.

When the cartridge 12 is in the reuse-prohibited state, the printer 10 cannot execute the printing operation even if there is a print request from a personal computer or the like, and therefore, an inappropriate cartridge in which toner is refilled cannot be used. As a result, the user gives up the request for refilling the toner thereafter and uses the proper cartridge provided by the printer manufacturer. This prevents deterioration of print quality due to the use of poor toner and contributes to prevention of printer failure. Further, in the process cartridge, it is possible to prevent the parts such as the photosensitive drum 15 from being used in a state where the quality guarantee period has passed, and to prevent the print quality from deteriorating.

In FIG. 7, when it is determined that the cartridge 12 has been used, the electric circuit provided in the cartridge 12 is electrically destroyed to make the cartridge 12 inoperable and its reuse is prohibited. Here is an example. The same members are designated by the same reference numerals. In this example, the switch 81 is provided on the power feeding path from the charging circuit 64 to the cartridge CPU 71. When the printer CPU 60 determines that the cartridge 12 has been used, the switch 8
1 is turned on, a high voltage is applied to the cartridge CPU 71 from the charging circuit 64, and the cartridge CPU 71 is electrically destroyed. As a result, the printer CPU 60
Cannot communicate with the cartridge CPU 71, and reuse of the cartridge 12 is prohibited.

In the above example, the printer CPU 60 reads the cumulative value of the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 15 written in the cartridge memory 72, and based on this, the cartridge 1
Although it is determined that No. 2 has been used, the determination may be made by the cartridge CPU 71 and the cartridge CPU 71 may control the shutter drive unit 74, the lock mechanism 76, and the switch 77. Further, the cartridge CPU 71 may not be provided, and the printer CPU 60 may receive the detection signal from the rotation detection unit 73 and update the cumulative value of the cartridge memory 72.

Further, the remaining amount of toner is indirectly checked from the cumulative value of the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 15. For example, a photo sensor is provided in the toner storage chamber to measure the remaining amount of toner. You may make it investigate directly.

The cartridge 83 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is
This is an example of disabling the cartridge when disassembling it and prohibiting its reuse. Next to the waste toner chamber 55 of the cartridge 83, a disassembly detection switch 84 and a circuit board 86 are provided. The disassembly detection switch 84 is for detecting that the cartridge 83 has been disassembled. The disassembly detection switch 84 includes a pair of contact pieces 84a and 84b, and is attached to the lower cartridge body 35. This disassembly detection switch 84
Are electrically connected to the circuit board 86. Further, the upper cartridge body 34 has an L-shaped pressing piece 34a.
Is provided.

The pressing piece 34a presses the open end of the contact piece 84a when the upper cartridge main body 34 and the lower cartridge main body 35 are assembled, and both contact pieces 84a,
It is for making 4b a non-contact state. When the upper cartridge main body 34 and the lower cartridge main body 35 are separated from each other, the pressing piece 34a is separated from the contact piece 84a, both contact pieces 84a and 84b contact each other, and the disassembly detection switch 84 is turned on. In addition to the disassembly detection switch, for example, a photo sensor or the like may be used as the disassembly detection means.

The cartridge CPU 71 detects that the disassembly detection switch 84 is turned on, and the shutter drive unit 74,
The lock mechanism 76 is operated and the switch 77 is turned off. Also, a warning is displayed on the display device 75. These are powered by the power supply battery 87 provided on the circuit board 86 to operate. Note that when the disassembly detection switch 84 is turned on, a high voltage may be applied to the cartridge CPU 71 to electrically destroy the cartridge CPU 71.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, when the cartridge 83 is disassembled, the disassembly detection switch 84
Turns on. As a result, the cartridge CPU 71 activates the display 75, the shutter drive unit 74, and the lock mechanism 76 to display a warning, close the exposure opening 39, and expose the photosensitive drum 1.
5 is stopped, and the photosensitive drum 15 and the developing roller 17 are locked. As a result, the cartridge 83 becomes inoperable and its reuse is prohibited. Since the cartridge 83 must be disassembled in order to refill the toner, this can prevent unauthorized refilling of the toner by a toner refiller.

FIG. 11 shows a storage medium (CD, floppy,
Measurement of remaining toner amount stored in IC memory, MO, etc.
An example of executing a procedure for prohibiting the use of a cartridge or installing a program for realizing a function or means in a printer will be shown. The printer body 90 is a personal computer 91
The character data and the image data of the personal computer 91 are sent to the printer main body 90 and printed on the recording paper.

The printer main body 9 executes the procedure for measuring the amount of remaining toner and disabling the cartridge as shown in FIG.
If it is not set to 0, it is not possible to check the remaining amount of toner or disable the cartridge. To such a printer body 90, it is necessary to install a program for measuring the remaining amount of toner and disabling the cartridge.

The CD 92, which is a storage medium, stores, for example, a program for executing the flowchart shown in FIG. The CD 92 is set in the CD drive (not shown) of the personal computer 91. PC 91 is a CD
The program stored in 92 is read and written in the hard disk 93 of the printer body 90.

The CPU 94 of the printer body 90 executes the program written in the hard disk 93 to check the remaining amount of toner as described above, and disables the warning and the cartridge.

The input device 95 is for inputting image data and character data from a scanner, a digital camera or the like. The ROM 96 stores a program for controlling the printing operation of the printing unit 97, a program for image processing, and the like. The RAM 98 is also used to temporarily store data.

The CD 92 may be set directly in the printer body 90 and the necessary programs may be written in the printer body 90. Further, the CD may be used while being set in the printer body 90, the program read from the CD may be executed, the remaining amount of toner may be checked, and the cartridge may be made inoperable.

In the above example, as the use prohibiting means, the shutter for closing the exposure opening, the switch for stopping the charging of the photosensitive drum, the photosensitive drum and the locking mechanism of the developing roller are combined. , Any one may be sufficient.

Further, although the process cartridge is used in the above example, the present invention can be applied to a toner cartridge containing only toner. The present invention is
Further, the invention can be applied to an ink cartridge containing ink for an inkjet printer, a ribbon cartridge containing an ink ribbon for a dot printer, a ribbon cartridge containing an ink ribbon for a thermal printer, and the like. Further, the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile and a copying machine in addition to the printer.

[0094]

As described in detail above, the present invention is
Check the remaining amount of the consumables stored in the cartridge that can be exchangeably set in the image forming apparatus, and determine that the cartridge has been used when the remaining amount of the consumables falls below a predetermined amount. When it is determined that the cartridge has been used, the cartridge is made inoperable, so that the reuse of the cartridge can be prohibited.

Further, according to the present invention, the fact that the cartridge is disassembled is detected and the cartridge is made inoperable based on the signal from this detecting means, so that the reuse of the cartridge can be prohibited. it can.

Then, the cartridge is combined with the closing of the exposure opening through which the light is incident on the photosensitive drum, the stopping of the charging of the photosensitive drum, the locking of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller, and the electrical destruction of the electric parts provided in the cartridge. Since it is made inoperable, it becomes difficult or impossible to release this inoperable state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cartridge from being reliably reused with a simple structure without increasing the size of the cartridge. As a result, it is possible to prevent the use of the cartridge in which the toner has been refilled illegally, and prevent the toner from being refilled.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an electrophotographic printer.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an upper cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a cartridge in which an upper cartridge and a lower cartridge are assembled.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an electrophotographic printer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of disabling a cartridge when the remaining amount of toner is checked and the cartridge is used up.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example in which a CPU is electrically destroyed to make a cartridge inoperable.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge showing an example of disabling the cartridge when the cartridge is disassembled.

9 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the example of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example in which a program for measuring the remaining amount of the cartridge and disabling the cartridge is installed from the storage medium to the printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Printer 11 Printer body 12 cartridges 13 Toner chamber 14 Toner 32 upper cartridge 33 Lower cartridge 60 Printer CPU 61 Printer memory 71 cartridge CPU 72 Cartridge memory 73 Rotation detector 76 Lock mechanism 74 Shutter driver 77, 81 switch 84 Disassembly detection switch

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI G03G 21/16 G03G 21/00 390 (56) References JP-A-7-28320 (JP, A) JP-A-10-69139 ( JP, A) JP 8-79102 (JP, A) JP 3-220572 (JP, A) JP 9-6196 (JP, A) JP 8-137232 (JP, A) JP Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-244484 (JP, A) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-39693 (JP, A) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-31864 (JP, A) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-114334 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int .Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/00 512 G03G 15/02 102 G03G 15/08 506 G03G 15/08 507 G03G 21/04 G03G 21/16 G03G 15/04-15/04 120 G03G 21/00 370 -512

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A means for checking the remaining amount of a consumable item stored in a cartridge that has a consumable item storage chamber, a photosensitive drum, a charging roller, and a developing roller and is exchangeably set in an image forming apparatus; A means to determine that the cartridge is used when the remaining amount becomes less than or equal to a predetermined amount, and a prohibition to prohibit the reuse by deactivating the cartridge when it is determined that the cartridge is used. The use prohibiting means includes a shutter movably provided between a closed position that covers the exposure opening where light is incident on the photosensitive drum and an open position that opens the exposure opening, and the shutter closed position. When the cartridge is determined to be used, the shutter is moved to the closed position to close the exposure opening. Disabling device cartridge comprising a first disable means for inhibiting subsequent use. 2. A consumables storage chamber for storing consumables used for image recording, a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a charging roller for charging the photosensitive drum by receiving power from a charging circuit. In a cartridge that is equipped with a developing roller that develops an electrostatic latent image into a toner image and is set to be replaceable in an image forming apparatus, a means for checking the remaining amount of consumables and a remaining amount of the consumables are determined. From the means to determine that the cartridge is used when the quantity is below a certain amount, and the use prohibition means to disable the cartridge and prohibit its reuse when it is determined to be used. The use prohibiting means includes a shutter movably provided between a closed position that covers the exposure opening where the light is incident on the photosensitive drum and an open position that opens the exposure opening, and a closing position of the shutter. A shutter drive unit that moves to a first position, and when it is determined that the cartridge has been used, the shutter is moved to a closed position to close the exposure opening, thereby prohibiting subsequent use. A cartridge including a prohibition means. 3. A remaining amount of the consumables stored in a cartridge that has a consumables storage chamber and a photosensitive drum and is set to be replaceable in the image forming apparatus is checked, and when the amount of the consumables falls below a predetermined amount. When it is determined that the cartridge has been used, and when it is determined that the cartridge has been used, the exposure opening through which light is incident on the photosensitive drum is closed to make the cartridge inoperable for reuse. A method of prohibiting the use of a cartridge characterized by prohibiting. 4. A consumable storage chamber for storing a consumable used for image recording, a photosensitive drum for forming an electrostatic latent image, a means for checking the remaining amount of the consumable, and the cartridge being used. An image for recording an image on recording paper, and a cartridge having means for closing the exposure opening through which the light is incident on the photosensitive drum when the determination is made, thereby making the cartridge inoperable thereafter, and prohibiting reuse. A cartridge use prohibition system comprising: an image forming apparatus having a forming unit and means for determining that the cartridge has been used when the remaining amount of the consumable item is below a predetermined amount. 5. A step of checking the remaining amount of a consumable item stored in a cartridge set to be replaceable in an image forming apparatus, and the cartridge has been used when the remaining amount of the consumable item falls below a predetermined amount. The step of determining that there is, and when it is determined that the cartridge has been used, by closing the exposure opening through which light is incident on the photosensitive drum, the cartridge is made inoperable thereafter, and its reuse is prohibited. A storage medium storing a program for executing steps. 6. A cartridge provided with a consumables storage chamber for storing consumables used for image recording and a photosensitive drum for forming an electrostatic latent image, the cartridge being set to be replaceable in an image forming apparatus, wherein the cartridge is disassembled. There is provided means for detecting that the cartridge has been used and means for prohibiting use of the cartridge based on a signal from the detecting means so as to make the cartridge inoperable and prohibit its reuse. The use prohibiting means is the photosensitive drum. The shutter is movably provided between a closed position that covers the exposure opening where the light enters and an open position that opens the exposure opening, and a shutter drive unit that moves the shutter to the closed position. And a first use prohibiting means for prohibiting the subsequent use by moving the shutter to the closed position to close the exposure opening when the exposure is performed. Cartridge. 7. A consumable item storage chamber is provided together with a photosensitive drum, and when a cartridge set to be replaceable in an image forming apparatus is disassembled, the cartridge is made inoperable and its reuse is prohibited. In the method of prohibiting the use of the cartridge, when the cartridge is disassembled, the exposure opening through which light is incident on the photosensitive drum is closed by a shutter to prohibit the subsequent use.