JPH04371965A - Recyclable cartridge and device capable of mounting cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily judge the service life of a recycling cartridge which is refillable with toner. CONSTITUTION:A microcomputer(MPU) 26d reads data on the cumulative number of image forming times from a non-volatile RAM(NVRAM) 29 in a process cartridge 8, and writes it in a RAM 26c. Then, the MPU 26d counts the cumulative number of image forming times in accordance with image forming actions by a laser scanner part 7 and the process cartridge 8, rewrites the data on the cumulative number of image forming times in the RAM 26c, and judges that the service life of the process cartridge 8 expires when the cumulative number of image forming times exceeds the specified value of the span of life. After finishing the image forming actions, the data on the cumulative number of image forming times in the RAM 26c is written in the NVRAM 29.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cartridge that can be refilled and recycled when the consumable agent is used up, and a device into which the cartridge can be installed.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art There is a method in which toner and an image forming part, which are the components of an electrophotographic recording apparatus, are stored in a cartridge, and this cartridge is set in the electrophotographic recording apparatus for use. Conventionally, when the toner in the cartridge ran out, it was discarded as is, a so-called disposable method.

In recent years, there has been a movement to refill cartridges with toner and recycle them from the viewpoint of environmental issues and resource conservation.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the main body of a cartridge to be recycled has a limited lifespan, and there has been no suitable means for determining that lifespan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge in which the lifespan of a cartridge to be recycled can be easily determined, and a device into which the cartridge can be installed.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is capable of refilling the consumable agent when it runs out and recycling it by installing it in a device for installing a cartridge. The cartridge has a storage means for storing usage number data of the cartridge inputted from the cartridge mounting device, and the storage means is capable of outputting the usage number data to the cartridge mounting device.

[0007] The present invention also provides an apparatus for mounting a cartridge having a storage means for storing usage number data of the cartridge, including an input means for inputting the usage number data from the storage means; The apparatus includes a counting means for counting the number of times the cartridge has been used based on data on the number of times of use, and an output means for outputting the number of use data counted by the counting means to the storage means.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is equipped with a cartridge which has a storage means for storing data indicating the number of times image formation has been performed, and which can be refilled with developer for image formation and recycled. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium using the cartridge, an input means for inputting the image forming number data from the storage means, and an image forming number data input from the input means. Based on the above, the image forming apparatus includes a counting means for counting the number of times of image formation according to the image forming operation of the image forming means, and an output means for outputting data of the number of image forming times counted by the counting means to the storage means. It is.

The present invention also provides a cartridge which has a storage means for storing data indicating the number of times the developer used for image formation is used up, and which can be recycled by re-filling the developer. An image forming apparatus equipped with an image forming apparatus includes an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium using the cartridge, an input means for inputting the developer no-count data from the storage means, and detecting the absence of developer in the cartridge. a detecting means for counting the number of times the developer has not been used, based on data of the number of times the developer has not been used, which is inputted from the input means when the detecting means detects the absence of the developer; and output means for outputting drug-free frequency data to the storage means.

0010

[Operation] With the above structure, the storage means stores the number-of-use data of the cartridge input from the cartridge device, and also outputs the number-of-use data.

[0011] Also, with the above configuration, the counting means inputs the usage number data of the cartridge stored in the storage means from the input means, counts the number of times of use, and outputs the usage number data from the output means. Output to storage means.

0012

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a laser printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

The laser printer 1 has a cassette 2 that stores recording paper S, a cassette paper presence sensor 3 that detects the presence or absence of recording paper S in the cassette 2, and a cassette size sensor that detects the size of the recording paper S in the cassette 2. 4 (consisting of a plurality of microswitches), and a paper feed roller 5 that feeds recording paper from the cassette 2.

[0014] The recording paper S is downstream of the paper feed roller 5.
A pair of registration rollers 6 for synchronously conveying the images is provided. Further, downstream of the pair of registration rollers 6, a process cartridge 8 and a transfer charger 21 that form a toner image on a recording paper S based on laser light from a laser scanner unit 7, which will be described later, are arranged.

Furthermore, a fixing device 9 for thermally fixing the toner image formed on the recording paper S is provided downstream of the process cartridge 8. A paper discharge sensor 10 that detects the state, a paper discharge roller 11 that discharges the recording paper S, and a stacking tray 12 that stacks the recording paper S that has been recorded are provided.

The laser scanner section 7 also includes a laser unit 13 that emits a laser beam modulated based on an image signal (VDO signal) sent from an external device 28, which will be described later, and a laser beam emitted from the laser unit 13. a polygon motor 14 for scanning on a photosensitive drum 17, which will be described later;
It is composed of an imaging lens group 15 and a folding mirror 16.

The process cartridge 8 has the following features:
It is equipped with a photosensitive drum 17, a pre-exposure lamp 18, a primary charger 19, a developer 20, and a cleaner 22 necessary for a known electrophotographic process, and is configured to be detachable from the main body of the laser printer 1. At the same time, the toner in the developing device 20 is configured to be refillable. Further, the process cartridge 8 includes a non-volatile RAM (hereinafter NVR).
AM) 29, and this NVRAM 29
Stores data on the cumulative number of times the process cartridge 8 has formed an image (the cumulative number of times the process cartridge 8 has formed an image).

The main motor 23 also drives the paper feed roller 5 via the paper feed clutch 24, drives the registration roller pair 6 via the registration clutch 25, and also drives the photosensitive drum 17, the fixing device 9, and the ejector. It drives the paper roller 11 and the like.

26 is a printer control unit that controls the laser printer 1, and includes a timer 26a and a ROM 26.
MPU (micro computer) 26d equipped with b, RAM 26c, etc. and various input/output control circuits (not shown)
It is made up of etc.

Further, the printer control unit 26 is connected to an external device 28 such as a personal computer via an interface 27 and to an NVRAM 29 in the process cartridge 8 via an interface 30.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration related to the interface 27.

First, SBSY, CBSY, SC, and C
LK is a signal used for handshake type serial communication, and a timing chart of these signals is shown in FIG.

SBSY is a status valid signal;
It is sent from the printer control unit 26 to the external device 28.

CBSY is a command valid signal and is sent from the external device 28 to the printer control unit 26.

SC is a status/command data signal, and when SBSY is TRUE, it is sent to the printer control unit 26 as status data indicating the internal state of the printer.
If CBSY is TRUE, the command data is sent from the external device 28 to the printer control unit 26 as command data indicating a command to the laser printer.

CLK is a synchronization clock for status/command data signals, and is sent from the external device 28 to the printer control unit 26.

In response to one command from the external device 28, the printer control unit 26 returns one status corresponding to the command.

Next, referring again to FIG. 2, RDY is TRUE when the printer control unit 26 is in a printable state.
This is a ready signal that is sent from the printer control unit 26 to the external device 28.

PRINT is a print signal that is set to TRUE when the external device 28 instructs to start printing.
The data is sent from the external device 28 to the printer control unit 26.

Furthermore, VSREQ is the printer control unit 26
is a vertical synchronizing signal VSY, which will be described later, to the external device 28.
This is a vertical synchronization request signal requesting the output of the NC.

VSYNC is a vertical synchronization signal that synchronizes the image output sent from the external device 28 to the printer control unit 26 in the vertical direction (sub-scanning direction/paper conveyance direction).

HSYNC is a horizontal synchronization signal that synchronizes the image output sent from the printer control unit 26 to the external device 28 in the horizontal direction (main scanning direction/laser scanning direction).

[0033]The VDO is transmitted from the external device 28 to the printer control unit 26 by the VSYNC signal and the HSYNC signal.
This is an image signal that serially transmits dot images in synchronization with the signal. A timing chart of the HSYNC signal and VDO signal is shown in FIG. HSYNC
After a predetermined period tH has elapsed since the signal became TRUE, output of one scanning image signal as a VDO signal is started. Such operations are repeated to output image signals for one page.

Note that the printer control section 26 has a built-in timer 26a for timing the output of the various signals mentioned above.

Next, the printing operation of the laser printer 1 will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the timing chart of FIG. 6.

When the printer becomes ready for printing, the printer control unit 26 sets the RDY signal to TRUE (step S1).

On the other hand, in the external device 28, the RDY signal is TRU.
After confirming that it is E, the PRINT signal is set to TRUE.
shall be.

When the printer control unit 26 confirms that the PRINT signal is TRUE (step S2), it starts driving each motor (driving the main motor 23 and driving the polygon motor 14) (step S3). Drives the high voltage of the primary charger 19 and transfer charger 21 (
Step S4). A timer 26a built in the printer control unit 26 is started (step S5). When the count value of the timer 26a reaches a time t11 seconds, which is sufficient for the rotation of the polygon motor 14 to reach steady rotation (step S6
), the paper feed roller clutch 24 is turned on (step S7), and the paper feed roller 5 is driven to feed the recording paper S toward the pair of registration rollers 6. Then, the count value of the timer 26a is
The time it takes for the leading edge of the recording paper S to reach the registration roller pair 6 (t
11+t12) seconds (step S8), the paper feed roller clutch 24 is turned off (step S9), the timer 26a is stopped (step S10), the VSREQ signal is set to TRUE (step S11), and the signal is sent from the external device 28. Wait for the VSYNC signal (step S1
2).

The external device 28 develops the image information into a dot image. When the preparation for outputting the VDO signal, which is the image signal of the dot image, is completed, it is confirmed that the VSREQ signal is TRUE, and the VSYNC signal is set to T.
RUE. In synchronization with this VSYNC signal, the VDO signal is output after tV1 seconds.

At this time, when the printer control unit 26 confirms that the VSYNC signal from the external device 28 is TRUE, it increments by one a counter that counts the cumulative number of times the cartridge 8 has formed an image (step S13). ). Then set the VSREQ signal to FALSE (
Step S14), the timer 26a is restarted (step S15), and the developing bias applied to the developing device 20 is driven (step S16). The count value of timer 26a is t13
seconds (timing when the developing bias reaches a steady state)
Then, the registration roller clutch 25 is turned on to drive the registration roller pair 6 (step S18), and the recording paper S is conveyed in the direction of the process cartridge 8. Then, if the paper ejection sensor 10 does not detect the recording paper S by a predetermined time (
Steps S19 and S20), it is determined that there is a paper discharge delay jam,
Predetermined jam processing is performed (step S21).

If the paper ejection sensor 10 detects recording paper in step S19, the count value of the timer 26a becomes (t
13+t14) seconds, the registration roller clutch 2
5 is turned off (step S23), and the driving of the developing bias is stopped (step S24).

[0042] Between steps S13 and S23,
The printer control unit 26 performs HSYNC in synchronization with laser scanning.
The signal is sent to an external device 28, and the laser light emitted from the laser unit 13 is modulated based on the VDO signal.

After step S24, if the paper ejection sensor 10 still detects the recording paper S even after a predetermined period of time has passed (steps S25, S26), it is determined that there is a paper ejection retention jam, and predetermined jam handling is performed (step S27). ).

When the paper discharge sensor 10 detects that the recording paper S has run out in step S25, the drive of each motor (main motor 23, polygon motor 14) is stopped (step S28), and the primary charger 19 and transfer charger are stopped. 21 is stopped (step S29), the timer 26a is stopped (step S30), and the printing operation is ended.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the interface between the MPU 26d and the NVRAM 29. MPU26d
In addition to controlling the printing operation described above, the controller 8 monitors the cumulative number of image formations of the process cartridge 8 to determine the lifespan of the process cartridge 8. The ROM 26b stores the lifespan of the process cartridge 8, that is, the cumulative number of times that images can be formed using one process cartridge 8 (referred to as the number of lifetimes).
is stored, and the MPU 26d determines the lifespan of the process cartridge 8 by comparing this lifespan number with the cumulative number of image formations of the process cartridge 8. CS
, SK, DO, and DI are signals used when exchanging data between the MPU 26d and the NVRAM 29. CS is process cartridge 8 for NVRAM 29
SK is a clock signal that synchronizes data input and output, DI is a serial data input signal related to the cumulative number of image formations, DO is serial data output It's a signal. CSENS is a signal for detecting that the process cartridge 8 is attached to the main body of the laser printer 1, and indicates "L" if the process cartridge 8 is attached, and "H" if it is not attached. MPU26d is this CSENS
The signals are constantly monitored to recognize whether the process cartridge 8 is attached or removed, and control is performed according to the attachment or detachment.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart of a data read operation for the NVRAM 29. The MPU 26d sets the CS signal to "H" while inputting/outputting data, and the DI
Read start instruction code 1, 1, 0 from the signal line,
Subsequently, the address (6 bits) in which the data to be read is stored is sent out in synchronization with the clock signal SK. The NVRAM 29 that received the address data DOES the data (8 bits) stored at the specified address.
It is serially sent out from the signal line following the dummy bit "0".

FIG. 9 is a timing chart of a data write operation to the NVRAM 29. The MPU 26d sets the CS signal to "H" while outputting data, and outputs the DI
Write start command code 1, 0, 1, write address (6 bits), and write data (8 bits) from the signal line.
bit) is sent out continuously. Thereafter, when the CS signal is set to "L" for a certain period of time (tCS seconds), data is written to the designated address of the NVRAM 29.

Using the flowchart of FIG.
The lifespan determination of the process cartridge 8 using the method 6d will be explained below. First, after turning on the power, the presence or absence of the process cartridge 8 is determined by checking the CSENS signal (step S10).
1) If there is no process cartridge 8, step S
Repeat 101. If the process cartridge 8 is present in step S101, a change in the CSENS signal is checked to determine whether the process cartridge 8 has changed from absent to present (step S102). Step S102
, if the process cartridge 8 changes from absent to present, the NVRAM2 in the process cartridge 8
The cumulative image forming number data is read from 9 and written to the RAM 26c in the MPU 26d (step S103). In step S102, if the CSENS signal has not changed, step S103 is not performed and the process proceeds to the next process. Then, with the current cumulative image forming number data written in the RAM 26c, the printing operation as explained in FIG.
26C is rewritten (step S104). When the printing operation is completed (step S1
05), the cumulative image forming number data stored in the RAM 26 is written to the NVRAM 29 in the process cartridge 8 (step S106). Then, the cumulative image forming number data stored in the RAM 26C is compared with the life number (step S107), and if the cumulative image forming number data is equal to or greater than the life number, a message indicating that the life of the process cartridge 8 has come to an end is sent via the interface 27. The process is notified to the external device 28 (step S108), and the process ends. Step S
If the cumulative image forming number data is less than the lifetime number in step S107, the process returns to step S101.

As explained above, the lifespan is determined based on the cumulative number of image formations stored in the NVRAM 29 in the process cartridge 8, so the lifespan of the process cartridge 8 can be monitored when the process cartridge 8 is recycled and used. Therefore, the process cartridge 8 can be efficiently recycled.

Note that the lifespan of the process cartridge 8 may be notified by a display or a speaker (not shown) in the laser printer 1.

[0051] Furthermore, the NVRAM 29 explained in this embodiment
However, it is also possible to store the cumulative image forming number data in a magnetic medium provided in the process cartridge 8 and read and write it with a magnetic head.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a laser printer 201 which is a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the process cartridge 8 is
This is to determine the lifespan of the 32 is a toner remaining amount detection device that detects the presence or absence of toner;
1 to the MPU 26d. The remaining toner amount detection device 32 is a device that uses a piezo element or the like to detect the presence or absence of toner in the developing device 20, and has been conventionally used in copying machines and the like. In addition to controlling a series of printing operations, the MPU 26d monitors the number of times the process cartridge 8 runs out of toner to determine the lifespan of the process cartridge 8. The ROM 26b stores the number of times the toner can be replenished (referred to as the lifespan number 9) determined from the lifespan of the process cartridge 8, and the MPU 26d compares this lifespan with the number of times the process cartridge 8 is out of toner. The lifespan is determined.Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the MPU 26d, NVRAM 29, and remaining toner amount detection device 32. T.O.
NER is a signal indicating the presence or absence of toner, and is "H" when there is toner, and "L" when there is no toner. C.S., S.
K, DI, DO, and CSENS are the same as in FIG.

MPU2 using the flowchart in FIG.
6d will be described to determine the lifespan of the process cartridge 8. First, after the power is turned on, the presence or absence of the process cartridge 8 is determined by checking the CSENS signal (step S201), and if the process cartridge 8 is not present, step S210 is repeated. If the process cartridge 8 is present in step S201, a change in the CSENS signal is checked to determine whether the process cartridge 8 has changed from absent to present (step S202). In step S202, if the process cartridge 8 has changed from absent to present, the NV in the process cartridge 8
Read out toner count data from RAM29, MPU2
Write to RAM 26c in 6d (step S203)
. In step S202, if the CSENS signal has not changed, step S203 is not performed and the process proceeds to the next process. Then, with the current toner out count data written in the RAM 26c, the printer operates as described with reference to FIG. 5 (step S204).

If the remaining toner amount detection device 32 detects that the toner amount has changed from the presence of toner to the absence of toner during or after the printing operation (step S205), the RAM
The toner out count data in the RAM 26c is incremented by 1 (step S206), and the toner out count data in the RAM 26c is written to the NVRAM 29 (step S207). Then, the out-of-toner count data stored in the RAM 26c is compared with the life count stored in the ROM 26d (step S208), and if the out-of-toner count data is equal to or greater than the life count, it is determined that the life of the process cartridge 8 has come to an end. Notification is made to the external device 28 via the interface 27 (step S209), and the process ends. Step S
If the out-of-toner count data is less than the life count in step S208, the process returns to step S201.

As described above, the toner out count data is stored in the NVRAM 29 in the process cartridge 8,
Since the lifespan of the process cartridge is determined based on this toner-out count data, the lifespan of the process cartridge 8 to be recycled can be monitored and recycled efficiently.

[0057]

As explained above, in the present invention, the storage means stores the data on the number of times the cartridge has been used, and the data on the number of times the cartridge has been used can be output to the device in which the cartridge is installed. This has the advantage that the device can determine the number of times the cartridge has been used. Further, in the present invention, the counting means counts the number of times the cartridge has been used based on the cartridge use number data inputted from the storage means, and outputs the counted number of use data to the storage means. This has the effect of making it possible to manage the cartridge and determine the lifespan of the cartridge.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1: Laser printer 1 which is a first embodiment of the present invention.
Configuration diagram.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram related to an interface 27 of the laser printer 1.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart of serial data communication.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart of VDO signal and HSINC signal.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the printing operation of the laser printer 1.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart of basic operations of the laser printer 1.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram related to the cartridge interface 30.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart of the cartridge interface 30.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart of the cartridge interface 30.

[Fig. 10] Process cartridge 8 of laser printer 1
lifespan determination flowchart.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a laser printer 201 that is a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12: Interface 3 of laser printer 201
1 is a configuration diagram related to 1.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for determining the lifespan of the process cartridge 8 of the laser printer 31.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Laser printer 8 Process cartridge 26 Printer control unit 26a Timer 26b RAM 26c MPU 27 Interface 28 External device 29 Nonvolatile RAM 30 Cartridge interface 32 Remaining toner amount detection device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. When the consumable is used up, the cartridge can be refilled with the consumable and installed in a cartridge loading device for recycling, and the cartridge can be used as input from the cartridge loading device. 1. A cartridge comprising: storage means for storing number-of-use data, wherein said storage means is capable of outputting said use-number data to said cartridge mounting device. 2. An apparatus for mounting a cartridge having a storage means for storing data on the number of times the cartridge has been used, further comprising an input means for inputting the number-of-use data from the storage means, and an input means for inputting the number-of-use data input from the input means. a counting means for counting the number of times the cartridge has been used based on the number of times the cartridge has been used; and an output means for outputting the number of use data counted by the counting means to the storage means;
A cartridge mounting device characterized by having: 3. The cartridge mounting device according to claim 2, further comprising determining means for determining the lifespan of said cartridge based on usage count data input from said input means. 4. A cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising determining means for determining the lifespan of said cartridge based on data on the number of times of use counted by said counting means.
cartridge loading device. 5. An image forming apparatus equipped with a cartridge that has a storage means for storing data indicating the number of times image formation has been performed and that can be recycled by refilling a developer for image formation. , an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium using the cartridge;
an input means for inputting the image forming number data from the storage means; and a counter for counting the number of image forming times according to the image forming operation of the image forming means based on the image forming number data input from the input means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a means for forming an image; and an output means for outputting data on the number of times of image formation counted by the counting means to the storage means. 6. An image in which a cartridge is installed, which has a storage means for storing data indicating the number of times the developer used to form an image is used up, and the cartridge can be recycled by re-enclosing the developer. In the forming apparatus, an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium using the cartridge, an input means for inputting the developer count data from the storage means, and a detection means for detecting the absence of developer in the cartridge. , a counting means for counting the number of times the developer has not been used based on the number of times the developer has not been used inputted from the input means when the detection means detects the absence of the developer; and data of the number of times there is no developer counted by the counting means; An image forming apparatus comprising: an output means for outputting the image to the recording means.