JPH03160484A - Toner cartridge replacement guide system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and surely replace a toner cartridge even by a beginner by displaying a prescribed operation instruction message in accordance with the each stage of replacing the toner cartridge based on the output of a loading detecting means and a rotating position detecting means. CONSTITUTION:At the each stage of replacing the toner cartridge, a signal showing the ON/OFF state of a loading detecting switch SW1 for detecting whether or not the toner cartridge 1 is loaded, the signal showing the ON/OFF state of the rotating position detecting switch SW2 for detecting whether or not the loaded toner cartridge is rotated by the angle of 180 deg. and the output signal of a toner quantity detecting part 23 showing whether or not the toner is emptied out of a hopper 32 are inputted in a microcomputer 24 (controlling means). The processing is performed by the microcomputer 24 based on these signals, so that the cartridge loading state in replacing the toner cartridge is identified and the message in accordance with the each loading state is displayed on a display part 25 by the microcomputer 24. Thus, the toner cartridge can be easily and surely replaced even by the beginner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a toner cartridge replacement guide system in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer. Conventional History and Technology Street Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the developing device in the image forming apparatus.
(not shown) and the toner is consumed. Then, the consumed amount of toner is removed from the toner replenishment roller (3
3), it is replenished from the hopper (32). When the image formation is repeated and the toner in the hopper (32) is exhausted, it is detected that the hopper (32) is empty and the user is notified by a display on the display unit. In such a case, the user removes the old toner cartridge (empty toner cartridge) installed in the mounting section (31) and replaces it with a new toner cartridge, thereby removing the hopper (32).
). This toner cartridge has a cylindrical shape, and when installing it, please refer to Figure 6 (a).
) As shown in (b), the seal member (
42), insert it with its opening (41> facing upwards, then rotate the toner cartridge 180 degrees so that its opening (41) faces downwards, and supply the toner to the hopper (32). [Figure 6(c)). And finally,
It is preferable to shake the toner cartridge by slightly rotating it left and right several times so that no toner remains inside the toner cartridge (Figure 6 (d)). +1<゜I The explanation of the above toner cartridge replacement procedure (Fig. 6) is written on the toner cartridge box (100), etc., but beginners may not be able to fully understand it. It is not always easy to replace the toner cartridge. In particular, it is often difficult to correctly read from the instructions what operations to perform at what times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge replacement guide system that allows even a beginner to easily and reliably replace a toner cartridge.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes the step of rotating the toner cartridge in order to change the direction of the opening of the toner cartridge while the toner cartridge is installed in the mounting section of the image forming apparatus. A system that guides a procedure for replacing a toner cartridge includes a mounting detection means for detecting whether or not a toner cartridge is mounted, a rotational position detection means for detecting a rotational position of the mounted toner cartridge, and an operation instruction message. a display means for displaying a message; and a display means for determining which stage of the toner cartridge replacement the toner cartridge is in based on the outputs of the attachment detecting means and the rotational position detecting means, and displaying a predetermined operation instruction message corresponding to each stage. According to this system, at each stage of toner cartridge replacement, an operation instruction message corresponding to each stage is displayed. Section L: An embodiment of the toner cartridge replacement guide system of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the toner cartridge of this embodiment has a cylindrical outer shell adapted to be inserted into the mounting portion (31) of the hopper (32) in FIG. An opening (41) is provided for discharge. 1st
Figures (a) and (b) show this toner cartridge in the hopper (
32), cross-sectional views of the mounting part (31) when the toner cartridge is being inserted into the mounting part (31), Figures 1(c) and 1(d) show the toner cartridge being inserted (completely inserted) into the mounting part, and then the toner cartridge is inserted into the mounting part (31), with the toner cartridge centered around the cylindrical axis. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the mounting portion when rotated 180 degrees to the left when viewed from the front. And, Fig. 1(b) is similar to Fig. 1(a).
Fig. 1(a) is a sectional view taken along line c-c' of Fig. 1(b).
) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A'. Similarly, FIG. 1(d) is a sectional view taken along line DD' of FIG. 1(c), and FIG. 1(c) is a sectional view taken along line BB' of FIG. 1(d). It has become. Before using the toner cartridge (1), the opening (41) for discharging toner is closed by a sealing member (42).
42) is shown in FIG. 1(b) after closing the opening (41).
As shown in e), it is folded back and extends to the right, with a portion thereof protruding from the outer shell of the toner cartridge (1).

Therefore, the toner cartridge (1) is attached to the mounting portion (31).
) is attached to the seal member (4) and pull it to the right.
1) will be peeled off sequentially from the left to the right to reveal the opening (41), and then the toner cartridge (1) will be peeled off sequentially from the left to the right.
) is rotated 180 degrees around the cylindrical axis, Figure 1 (d
), the toner in the toner cartridge (1) falls from the opening (41). In addition, Fig. 1(b)
As shown in (d), a handle (2) is attached to the right side of the toner cartridge (1), and is used for attaching and detaching the toner cartridge and for rotating the toner cartridge. As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting portion (31) of the hopper (32) includes a switch (SWI) as a mounting detection means for detecting whether or not the toner cartridge (1) is mounted, and a toner cartridge ( 1) is provided with a switch (SW2) as a rotational position detection means for detecting the rotational position. The switch switch (SWI) provided on the bottom of the cylinder at the back of the mounting section (3l) is turned ON when the toner cartridge (1) is mounted (fully inserted) in the mounting section (31). , OFF in other conditions
It is a push-button switch with a shape. In addition, a switch (SW
2), as shown in FIGS. 1(c) and 1(d), the toner cartridge (1) is installed and rotated 180 degrees around the cylindrical axis (the opening 41 is facing downward). It becomes ON state when
It is a switch that becomes the state. That is, a protrusion (3) is provided on the cylindrical side surface of the toner cartridge (1) on the side opposite to the handle (2) (back side when installed), and this protrusion (3)
) has passed through the guide groove (4) and is in the installed state (state B with the toner cartridge completely inserted), the toner cartridge (1) can rotate to the left around the cylindrical shaft when viewed from the front. When the switch (SW2) is rotated 180 degrees to the left, the protrusion (3) comes into contact with the operator (5) of the switch (SW2), as shown in Fig. 1(c) and (d).
2) is in the ON state. FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the installed state of the cartridge and the state of the switch (SWI) (SW2), and each state (SW2) when replacing the toner cartridge.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display message at each stage. As you can see from this diagram, the switch (SWI) (
It is not possible to distinguish between the state in which a new cartridge is installed and the state in which an old cartridge (used empty cartridge) is installed only by the ON/OFF state of SW2). For example, switch (SW1) is
When the switch (SW2) is in the N state and the switch (SW2) is in the OFF state, it is possible to identify whether a new cartridge is installed and the opening is facing upward, or an old cartridge is installed and the opening is facing upward. I can't. As a countermeasure to this, both messages ID (M2) and (M3) are displayed when the switch is in such a state, so that the user can decide which of the two messages to operate according to. , one possible method is to devise the message content. Similarly, the switch (SWI) is in the ON state. When the switch (SW2) is in the ON state, both messages ID (M4) and (M5) are displayed, and the user decides which message to follow. As another countermeasure, Swissochi (S
WI) (SW2) as well as the status of the switch (SW2)
2) By detecting a change in the state of SW2 (SW2) or a change in the signal indicating that the toner in the hopper (32) is empty, or by using a timer, it is possible to detect whether a new cartridge is installed or an old cartridge is installed. There are also ways to identify whether or not there are any. Below, we will discuss the third part of the toner cartridge replacement guide system realized based on the latter method.
This will be explained based on the diagram and Fig. 4. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the toner cartridge replacement guide system. Installation detection to detect whether or not a toner cartridge is installed? A signal indicating the ON/OFF state of the switch (SWI). Has the installed toner cartridge been rotated 180 degrees? (Is the opening facing downward?)
Turn on the rotational position detection switch (SW2) that detects whether
A signal indicating the /OFF state and an output signal of the toner amount detection section (23) indicating whether or not the toner in the hopper (32) is empty are input to the microcomputer (24), and the microcomputer (24) 4th signal based on
By performing the process shown in the flowchart in the figure, the cartridge mounting state during toner cartridge replacement is identified, and a message corresponding to each mounting state is displayed on the display unit (25).
Display on . The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 will be explained below. In each decision in the flowchart in Figure 4, (V+.V1V3) means the attachment detection switch (S
WI) is L+, the rotational position detection switch (SW2) is V■, and there is a signal indicating that the toner in the hopper (32) is empty, then it is determined to be Yes, and otherwise it is determined to be No. It means something. However, Vi(i-1
．． 2. 3) is O or l, vil=0 (i=
1. 2) is when the switch is OFF, νi− 1 (i
=1.2> indicates that the switch is in the ON state, and V
Let s=O represent that the toner in the hopper (32) is empty, and V, = 1 represent that the toner in the hopper (32) is not empty. When the power is turned on, the state is changed in step 01). (0,0
, 0), and if (0, 0. 0),
Since both the installation detection switch (SWI) and the rotation position detection switch (S-2) are in the OFF state, no toner cartridge is installed and the toner in the hopper (32) is also empty, so proceed to step (l6). , display section (25)
``Please insert a new toner cartridge and peel off the sticker.'' is displayed. And step 07
), it is determined again whether the state is (0. 0. 0), and the display in step (I6) continues unless this state changes. The user inserts the toner cartridge into the mounting portion (31) according to this display and peels off the sealing member (42) to reveal the opening (4l).
) Attachment detection switch (SW1) based on the judgment of (18)
A change from the OFF state to the ON state is detected and the process proceeds to step 09). In step 09), it is recognized that the toner cartridge has been installed (completely inserted), and the display section (25) displays "Turn it all the way to the left." This display changes to (1, 0). .0) continues unless the state changes (step 110).When the user rotates the toner cartridge 180 degrees to the left according to this display, step 010) (Il1) turns the rotational position detection switch (SW2) OFF. When a change from the state to the ON state is detected, the process proceeds to step 012) and starts a timer. Then, in step 013), the display section (
25) displays the message "Please shake from side to side 2 to 3 times." Following this display, the user shakes the toner cartridge by slightly rotating it left and right to completely remove the toner inside the toner cartridge. This display continues while the state is (1, 1.0), and also when the state is (1, 1.0).
．． 1. If the timer does not exceed 1), the display continues. Step (114) (+115)
(116) detects a change in the signal indicating that the toner in the hopper (32) is empty from 0 to 1 (toner has been supplied), and the timer exceeds (from step 12, a predetermined period of time has elapsed). If it is detected that 01) has passed, the process proceeds to step 017). In step 017), the unit recognizes that the toner cartridge replacement has been completed, and the display unit (2)
5) Delete the toner cartridge replacement operation instruction message displayed in step 5). Thereafter, the toner in the hopper (32) is consumed and step m8) (1119) causes the change of the signal from l to 0 (1119) indicating that the toner in the hopper (32) is empty.
When it is detected that the toner is running out, step 02
Proceed to 0). In step 020), the display section (25) displays the message "When replacing toner, turn the cartridge fully to the right." This display is (1. 1.
0) continues unless the state changes (step 121
). When the user follows this display, the toner cartridge (1
) to the right by 180 degrees, the step ($21
) (122), the rotational position detection switch (S A2
)'s ONall! A change in the OFF state is detected from a, and the process proceeds to step 023). In step 023), the display section (25) displays the message "Please remove the old cartridge gently." This display continues as long as the state of (1, 0.0) does not change (step 124).User follows this display and inserts the toner cartridge (1) into the mounting section (3).
When extracted from 1), steps (124) (125)
turns the attachment detection switch (SWI) from ON to OFF.
After detecting a change in the F state, return to step 06) and repeat the above operation. Step (18) in the above operation
(Il1) (115) (It19) (122)
If any of the decisions in (125) is determined as NO, it is considered that a failure has occurred, so the process proceeds to step 05) and performs error processing. Further, in step (II), the state is Y0, 0. 0) but (1.
0,″0), (1. 1. 0), (1, 1.
1), step (12) (13)
(114), the process jumps to the step corresponding to each state and starts the above-mentioned operation from the middle. That is, when (1.O.O), it is determined that the toner cartridge (1) is installed and the opening (41) is facing upward, and the process proceeds to step 09). and,
When (1, 1, O), it is determined that the toner cartridge (1) is installed and the opening (41) is facing downward, and that the toner in the hopper (32) is empty, and the process proceeds to step 01.
Proceed to 2). Also, if (1, 1. 1), it is determined that the toner cartridge replacement has been completed, and step 0 is executed.
Proceed to l7). Note that (0, 0. 0), (1,
0. OL (1.1.0), (1.1.1)
If it is not in any of the above states, proceed to step 05) and perform error handling. In the above embodiment, a contact type switch is applied to the switch (SWI) (SW2), and the switch (SWI) is located at the hopper (3).
The switch (SW2) is provided on the inner wall surface of the mounting portion (31) of 2) that the toner cartridge (1) comes into contact with, and the switch (SW2) is provided when the protrusion (3) of the cartridge (1) passes through when the cartridge (1) is rotated. Since it is provided on the inner wall of the mounting portion (31) on the trajectory of the toner cartridge (1), it is possible to reliably detect whether or not the cartridge is mounted and the rotational position without adding any special precautions to the toner cartridge (1). Can be done. In addition,
In the above embodiment, the switch (SWI) (SW2) is disposed on the front end side of the toner cartridge (1) insertion direction of the installation part <31) of the hopper (32). The position is not particularly limited as long as it is arranged so that the presence or absence and rotational position of the motor can be detected. In addition, the switch (SWI) and (SW2
) are provided separately, but they may also be provided as one unit. Furthermore, the attachment detection means and the rotational position detection means are not limited to contact type switches, but non-contact type switches such as reflective sensors may also be used. Furthermore, although the display message of message ID (M4) is for more completely dropping and replenishing the toner in the toner cartridge (1) installed in the hopper (32), this message may be omitted. Furthermore, the sealing member (42) may be peeled off from the toner cartridge (1) after insertion.

In the above embodiment, the toner cartridge has a cylindrical shape, but the toner cartridge is not limited to this, and can be applied to various shapes such as hexagonal or octagonal. As described above, according to the toner cartridge replacement guide system of the present invention, appropriate operation instruction messages are displayed in accordance with the installed state of the toner cartridge at each stage of toner cartridge replacement. Therefore, even a beginner can easily and reliably replace the toner cartridge by performing the operations in sequence according to the operation instruction messages. It is also possible to prevent mistakes when replacing the toner cartridge, such as not supplying toner to the hopper because the opening of the toner cartridge remains facing upward.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1(a). 1(b), 1(c), and 1(d) are cross-sectional views of the mounting portion of the hopper that receives the toner cartridge in the embodiment of the toner cartridge replacement guide system of the present invention, and FIG. e) is a diagram for explaining the sealing member that closes the opening of the toner cartridge, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining display messages corresponding to each step of toner cartridge replacement in the above embodiment, and FIG. is a block diagram of the above-mentioned embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control operation by the microcomputer. Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the developing device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a conventional toner cartridge replacement guide system. (1)-}ner cartridge. (2) - Handle. (
3) -11 protrusion. (4) 1 guide groove, (23) 1 toner amount detection section. (24) 1 microcomputer (control means), (2
5) 1.Display section. (31) - Mounting part. (41)・
·Aperture. (SWI)...Single installation detection switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A system for guiding a procedure for replacing a toner cartridge, which includes the step of rotating the toner cartridge in order to change the direction of the opening of the toner cartridge while the toner cartridge is installed in a mounting portion of an image forming apparatus, A mounting detection means for detecting whether or not a toner cartridge is mounted; a rotational position detection means for detecting a rotational position of the mounted toner cartridge; a display means for displaying an operation instruction message; a control means that determines which stage the toner cartridge replacement is in based on the output of the rotational position detection means and controls the display means to display a predetermined operation instruction message corresponding to each stage; Toner cartridge replacement guide system.