KR100536268B1 - toner level sensing circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

The toner level detecting device of the present invention has a metal diaphragm (C), a piezoelectric disk (D), and a feedback stage (F), and is located at a predetermined portion within the toner cartridge (2) to determine the amount of toner in the toner cartridge (2). When the level is less than LV and a current is applied to the piezoelectric disk D, the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10 which outputs the first signal S1 to the feedback terminal F is received, and the piezoelectric signal is received by the first signal S1. Since no current is applied to the disk D, the feedback terminal F outputs the second signal S2. When the current flows through the piezoelectric disk D through the second signal S2, the feedback terminal F is connected to the first terminal. The vibration control unit 20 which outputs a signal S1 and outputs a vibration signal OSC that the feedback terminal F of the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10 vibrates at a predetermined cycle from the first signal S1 to the second signal S2. ), The filter 30 for outputting the DC signal DC by filtering the oscillation signal OSC, and the activated delay if the DC signal DC has a variable value that is not changed for a reference time and is continuously activated. A delay unit 40 and a delay signal DL for outputting a signal DL and outputting an inactivated delay signal DL when the DC signal DC is inactivated or a signal in which the DC signal DC is variable for a reference time. When is activated, the detection unit 50 detects that the amount of the toner 1 in the toner cartridge 2 is less than the reference level LV and outputs the activated output signal OUT.

Description

Toner level sensing circuit

The present invention relates to a toner level sensing device, and more particularly, by detecting an amount of toner in a toner cartridge of an image forming apparatus used for office equipment such as a copier, a printer, or a facsimile that prints an image using the toner. The present invention relates to a toner level detecting device for detecting a level below a level and informing a user.

In the case of a copier or a laser printer, the latent image is generated by scanning the image data to be printed on the photosensitive member, and the toner adheres to the latent image by passing through the developer, and the toner is buried as the paper passes between the injection transfer chargers and the fixing roller. By applying heat and pressure to complete the printing operation. Such toner is a consumable, and in the case of a copier or a laser printer, a sensing device for detecting the amount of toner is essential.

In the related art, a piezoelectric sensor or an optical sensor for toner detection is installed in a toner cartridge to detect an amount of toner or to count an amount of toner to be printed.

For example, in the case of a piezoelectric sensor, if a sufficient amount of toner is present, the piezoelectric sensor may flow a predetermined current by the load of the toner to detect the presence of the toner, and when the amount of the toner decreases below the standard, the piezoelectric sensor may stop operating. The current will be cut off and the toner may be detected. In addition, the light emitting part and the light receiving part made of an optical sensor are installed in a predetermined portion of the toner cartridge so that when there is a large amount of toner, the light receiving part does not detect the light emitted from the light emitting part so that no current flows in the light receiving part. The current flows by recognizing negative light, and thus it is possible to detect a shortage of toner.

In the conventional sensing device for detecting the amount of toner, if the toner cartridge is not mounted for a long time while the toner cartridge is mounted on a copy machine or a printer, the toner in the toner cartridge is solidified, so that the toner is not supplied smoothly to the drum. The toner stirrer is installed in the toner cartridge to smoothly mix the toner by using the power when the copier or the printer is running to prevent the quality of the product from being impaired. Without considering the amount of toner to be moved at all, it is detected as a lack of toner, which causes waste of toner, and has a problem in that the amount of toner cannot be accurately detected.

An object of the present invention is to use a piezoelectric vibrating sensor for detecting the presence of toner oscillating by its own oscillator, and accurately determine the amount of toner in the toner cartridge in consideration of the amount of toner moved by the stirring blade according to the operation of the toner stirrer. It is to provide a toner level detection device that can be detected.

In order to achieve the above object, the toner level detecting apparatus of the present invention has a metal diaphragm, a piezoelectric disk, and a feedback stage, and is located at a predetermined portion in the toner cartridge so that the amount of toner in the toner cartridge is less than the reference level, and the piezoelectric disk has a current. A piezoelectric vibrating sensor for outputting a first signal to the feedback stage when the signal is applied; Since the first signal is received and no current is applied to the piezoelectric disk by the first signal, the feedback terminal outputs the second signal. When the current flows through the piezoelectric disk, the feedback terminal outputs the first signal to piezoelectric. Vibration control means for outputting a vibration signal in which a feedback stage of the vibration sensor vibrates at a predetermined cycle from the first signal to the second signal; Filter means for receiving a vibration signal and filtering the same to output a DC signal; Receives a DC signal and outputs an activated delay signal if the DC signal is not variable for the reference time and continues to be activated. If the DC signal is inactive or a signal for which the DC signal is variable for the reference time, the delayed signal is output. Delay means; And sensing means for receiving the delay signal and detecting that the amount of toner in the toner cartridge is less than the reference level when the delay signal is activated, and outputting the activated output signal.

The delay means may include: a fifth resistor having one terminal connected to a DC signal and the other terminal connected to the delay signal; A second capacitor having one terminal connected to the delay signal and the other terminal connected to the second supply voltage; And a sixth resistor connected at one terminal to the delay signal, and at the other terminal to the second supply voltage.

The sensing means includes: a pull-up resistor having one terminal connected to a first supply voltage and the other terminal outputting an output signal; Comparison means for receiving a delay signal and a reference voltage which are outputs of the delay means and outputting an activated comparison signal when the delay signal is greater than the reference voltage; And a base stage, an emitter stage, and a collector stage, the base stage being connected to a comparison signal, the collector stage being connected to the other terminal of the pull-up resistor, and the emitter stage having a second transistor connected to the second supply voltage. It features.

Hereinafter, a toner level detecting apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing a toner level sensing device of the present invention.

The toner level detecting apparatus of the present invention of FIG. 1 has a metal diaphragm C, a piezoelectric disk D, and a feedback stage F, and is located at a predetermined portion of the toner cartridge 2 to remove toner in the toner cartridge 2. When the amount is less than the reference level LV and a current is applied to the piezoelectric disk D, the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10 and the first signal S1 that output the first signal S1 to the feedback terminal F are received. As a current is not applied to the piezoelectric disk D by the first signal S1, the feedback terminal F outputs the second signal S2, and the current to the piezoelectric disk D is applied to the second signal S2. Flows, the feedback stage F outputs the first signal S1 so that the feedback stage F of the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10 vibrates at a predetermined cycle from the first signal S1 to the second signal S2. The oscillation controller 20 for outputting the OSC, the filter 30 for receiving the vibration signal OSC and filtering the oscillation signal OSC, and the DC signal DC for receiving the DC signal DC, For standard time The delayed signal DL is output when the DC signal is deactivated or the DC signal is changed during the reference time. When the delay signal DL is activated by receiving the delay unit 40 and the delay signal DL, the output signal activated by detecting that the amount of the toner 1 in the toner cartridge 2 is less than the reference level LV is detected. And a sensing unit 50 for outputting OUT.

The vibration control unit 20 has a first resistor R1, a base end, an emitter end, and a collector end having one terminal connected to the first supply voltage Vcc and the other terminal connected to the piezoelectric disk D. Is connected to a feedback terminal (F), the collector terminal is connected to the other terminal of the first resistor (R1), the emitter terminal is a first transistor (Q1) for outputting a vibration signal (OSC), one terminal is a first transistor The second resistor R2 and one terminal connected to the emitter terminal of Q1, the other terminal connected to the metal diaphragm C, and one terminal to the other terminal of the second resistor R2, and the other terminal to the second supply voltage And a third resistor R3 connected to (Vss).

The filter 30 has one terminal connected to the oscillation signal OSC, the other terminal connected to the first capacitor C1 connected to the DC signal DC, one terminal connected to the DC signal DC, and the other terminal provided to the first terminal C1. A fourth resistor R4 connected to the second supply voltage Vss, an anode terminal, and a cathode terminal are provided, and the cathode terminal is connected to the DC signal DC, and the anode terminal is composed of a diode connected to the second supply voltage Vss. .

The delay unit 40 includes a fifth resistor R5 having one terminal connected to the DC signal DC, the other terminal connected to the delay signal DL, the one terminal connected to the delay signal DL, and the other terminal connected to the DC signal DC. The second capacitor C2 connected to the second supply voltage Vss and one terminal are connected to the delay signal DL, and the other terminal is configured of a sixth resistor R6 connected to the second supply voltage Vss.

The sensing unit 50 has a pull-up resistor RP at which one terminal is connected to the first supply voltage Vcc, and the other terminal outputs an output signal OUT, and a delay signal DL which is an output of the delay unit 40. And a base end, an emitter end, and a collector end for receiving the reference voltage Vref and outputting the activated comparison signal CP when the delay signal DL is greater than the reference voltage Vref. Is connected to the comparison signal CP, the collector terminal is connected to the other terminal of the pull-up resistor (RP), the emitter terminal is composed of a second transistor (Q2) connected to the second supply voltage (Vss).

The operation of the toner level detecting device of the present invention according to the above configuration is as follows.

As shown in Figs. 4A to 4E, the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10 according to the present invention is installed on one side wall of the toner cartridge 2 in which the toner is contained. At this time, the metal vibrating plate (C) of the piezoelectric vibrating sensor 10 is installed in contact with the toner. The piezoelectric vibration sensor 10 has a metal diaphragm (C), a piezoelectric disk (D) and a feedback terminal (F) as shown in FIG. 3, and when the power is supplied, a first supply voltage to the piezoelectric disk (D). When Vcc is applied and current flows, the metal vibrating plate C starts vibration, and outputs a vibration signal which vibrates at a predetermined cycle to the feedback stage F.

Therefore, when the toner 1 in the toner cartridge 2 is filled above the reference level LV, the metal vibrating plate C does not vibrate due to the weight of the toner 1, so the feedback stage F is low logic. Will output the value. That is, the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10 detects whether the amount of the toner 1 in the toner cartridge 2 is lower than or equal to the reference level LV, and if the amount of toner is lower than or equal to the reference level LV, the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10 is determined as the feedback stage F. Outputs a vibrating signal that vibrates at the interval of.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A, when power is supplied, a current flows through the first resistor R1 to the first supply voltage Vcc and the piezoelectric disk D, thereby providing a feedback terminal of the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10. F) A vibration signal vibrating at a predetermined cycle should be output. However, since the amount of toner is filled in the toner cartridge 2 above the reference level LV, the metal vibration plate C of the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10 does not vibrate. Therefore, it does not forcibly output the vibration signal to the feedback stage (F) and outputs a low logic value. If the current flows through the piezoelectric disk D as shown in Fig. 4E, and the toner 1 is filled in the toner cartridge 2 below the reference level LV by the continuous use of the toner 1, the piezoelectric The feedback terminal F of the vibration sensor 10 outputs a vibration signal which vibrates at a predetermined cycle.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A, when the current flows through the first resistor R1 to the piezoelectric disk D, and the toner 1 is filled in the toner cartridge 2 above the reference level LV, the piezoelectric element is piezoelectric. The vibration sensor 10 does not forcibly output any signal to the feedback terminal F, so that the first transistor Q1 of the vibration control unit 20 is turned off so that the vibration signal OSC which is the output of the vibration control unit 20 is A ground voltage equal to the second supply voltage Vss is obtained. As a result, the DC signal DC, which is the output of the filter unit 30, outputs a low logic value, and since the voltage is not charged to the second capacitor C2 by the DC signal DC having the low logic value, the delay unit. The delay signal DL, which is an output of 40, outputs a low logic value. Since the comparison signal CP, which is the output of the comparator 51 of the sensing unit 50, outputs a low logic value that is an inactive signal, the second transistor Q2 is turned off. Accordingly, as shown in the operation timing diagram of FIG. 2, the output signal OUT, which is the output of the sensing unit 50, outputs a high logic value by the pull-up resistor RP during 0 to T1 time.

5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the toner stirrer.

The toner stirrer 101 of FIG. 5 is composed of a rotating shaft 104, a stirring blade 102, and a stirring pad 103 mounted through the toner cartridge 2 in the toner cartridge 2. When the printer or copier is operated, the rotating shaft 104 is rotated by its power to rotate the stirring blade 102 and the stirring pad 103, and the toner cartridge is rotated by the stirring blade 102 and the stirring pad 103. The toner 1 in (2) is mixed smoothly to prevent solidification of the toner 1.

As shown in FIG. 4E, even when the toner 1 is filled below the reference level LV in the toner cartridge 2 by the continuous use of the toner 1, the stirring blade 102 is operated even if the toner stirrer 101 is operated. When the toner 1 moved by the non-pressing metal vibrating plate C is not pressed at all, current flows through the piezoelectric disk D, so that the feedback terminal F of the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10 is the first transistor Q1. Outputs a signal that is turned on, and is turned on at the first supply voltage Vcc through the first transistor Q1, the second resistor R2, and the third resistor R3 by turning on the first transistor Q1. The current flows through the supply voltage (Vss). At this time, no current flows through the piezoelectric disk D of the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10, and a predetermined voltage is applied to the metal diaphragm C by voltage distribution by the second resistor R2 and the third resistor R3. Is approved. Therefore, the feedback terminal F outputs a signal in which the first transistor Q1 is turned off. As the first transistor Q1 is turned off, current flows again to the piezoelectric disk D of the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10, and the feedback terminal F outputs a signal to turn off the first transistor Q1. That is, the vibration signal OSC, which is the output of the vibration control unit 20 by turning on or off the first transistor Q1, is the second signal from the first signal S1 at T7 as shown in the operation timing diagram of FIG. 2. In step S2, a signal vibrating at a constant cycle is continuously output.

The filter unit 30 outputs a DC signal DC having a high logic value by a vibration signal OSC vibrating at a predetermined cycle. The diode D of the filter unit 30 converts the irregular vibration signal OSC into a constant signal. 2 seconds to 3 seconds, which is a reference time determined by the time constant values of the fifth resistor R5 and the second capacitor C2, to the second capacitor C2 by the DC signal DC having a high logic value. When the elapsed time is elapsed, that is, since the T1 is charged with the first supply voltage Vcc, the delay signal DL, which is the output of the delay unit 40, outputs a high logic value. The comparator 51 outputs the activated comparison signal CP having the high logic value by the delay signal DL having the high logic value, and the second transistor Q2 is turned on by the activated comparison signal CP. The output signal OUT, which is the output of the sensing unit 50, outputs an activated low logic value, so that the user can know the shortage of toner in the toner cartridge 2.

As shown in FIGS. 4B to 4D, the toner 1 is filled in the toner cartridge 2 below the reference level LV, but the toner stirrer 101 is moved by the stirring blade 102 by operation. When 1) is pressed the metal vibrating plate (C) the operation is as follows.

Initially, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the toner stirrer 101 operates from the beginning, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the stirring shaft 104 is rotated halfway, the toner 1 in the toner cartridge 2 is removed from the metal vibrating plate C. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4E, the vibration controller 20 outputs a vibration signal OSC oscillating at a predetermined cycle, and the filter unit 30 outputs a DC signal DC having a high logic value. As shown in FIG. 4D, when the stirring shaft 104 is rotated once by the operation of the toner stirrer 101, the metal vibrating plate C is pressurized by the toner 1 which is moved by the stirring blade 102. The diaphragm C is not vibrated so that the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10 does not forcibly output any signal to the feedback terminal F, so that the first transistor Q1 of the vibration control unit 20 is turned off to vibrate the control unit 20. The oscillation signal OSC, which is the output of N, becomes the same ground voltage as the second supply voltage Vss.

That is, although the amount of the toner 1 in the toner cartridge 2 is equal to or lower than the reference level LV, the toner moved by the stirring blade 102 as the stirring shaft 104 rotates by the operation of the toner stirrer 101. Since the metal vibrating plate C does not vibrate or vibrates due to (1), the vibration signal OSC, which is the output of the vibration control unit 20, is T3 for T2 time, as shown in FIG. At T4, the oscillator outputs a signal that vibrates at regular intervals, and outputs a low logic value at T2 at T3 and T4 at T5. In general, since the stirring shaft 104 takes about 2 seconds to rotate once, the oscillation signal OSC outputs a low logic value just before the elapse of 1 second when the oscillation signal is oscillated at a predetermined cycle.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the DC signal DC, which is the output of the filter unit 30, outputs a high logic value during the T2 (T4) time from T1 (T3), and the T3 (T5) time from T2 (T4). While the low logic value is outputted, the fifth resistor R5 and the second capacitor C2 of the delay unit 40 even if the DC signal DC has a high logic value during the time T1 (T3) to T2 (T4). By setting the time constant value of), the delay signal DL, which is the output of the delay unit 40, is prevented from being charged to the second capacitor C2 to the first supply voltage Vcc during the time T1 (T3) to T2 (T4). Will output a low logic value. The output signal OUT, which is the output of the sensing unit 50, outputs a high logic value by the pull-up resistor RP.

Therefore, in the toner level detecting apparatus of the present invention, since the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10 oscillates by the feedback stage F and the vibration controller 20 of the piezoelectric vibration sensor 10, the oscillation signal is transmitted to the piezoelectric sensor as compared with the conventional art. There is no need for an additional oscillation circuit to generate, and in consideration of the operation of the toner stirrer 101, the toner 1 having the amount of toner below the reference level LV or moved by the stirring blade 102 is sufficiently made of a metal vibrating plate ( If the C) can be pressed, the sensing unit 50 outputs an output signal OUT having a high logic value so that the user can know that the amount of the toner 1 in the toner cartridge 2 is not insufficient. The metal vibrating plate C is moved by the toner 1 which is moved by the stirring blade 102 according to the operation of the toner stirrer 101 and the amount of toner is lower than the reference level LV by the continuous use of the toner. If it is unable to pressurize the sensing unit 50 is a low logic value So as to output an output signal (OUT) which the user can avoid unnecessary waste of the toner, to know the lack of the toner 1 in the toner cartridge 2, it is possible to accurately detect the toner level.

The toner level sensor of the present invention uses a piezoelectric vibration sensor for detecting the presence or absence of toner oscillating by its own oscillator, and considers the amount of toner in the toner cartridge in consideration of the amount of toner moved by the stirring blade according to the operation of the toner stirrer. The amount can be detected accurately.

1 is a configuration diagram of a toner level detecting device of the present invention;

2 is an operation timing diagram of FIG. 1;

3 is a configuration diagram of a piezoelectric vibration sensor of the present invention;

4A to 4E are schematic views in which a piezoelectric vibration sensor is installed in a toner cartridge;

5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the toner stirrer.

Claims (6)

A piezoelectric plate having a metal diaphragm, a piezoelectric disk, and a feedback stage, which is located at a predetermined portion in the toner cartridge, and has a toner amount below the reference level, and outputs a first signal to the feedback stage when a current is applied to the piezoelectric disk. Vibration sensor; The feedback terminal outputs a second signal because the current is not applied to the piezoelectric disk by the first signal after receiving the first signal. Vibration control means for outputting one signal and outputting a vibration signal in which a feedback stage of the piezoelectric vibration sensor vibrates at a predetermined cycle from a first signal to a second signal; Filter means for receiving the vibration signal and filtering the vibration signal to output a DC signal; Receiving the DC signal and outputting an activated delay signal if the DC signal is not variable for a reference time and continuously activated, if the DC signal is deactivated or the signal of the DC signal is changed during the reference time deactivated Delay means for outputting a delay signal; And And sensing means for receiving the delay signal and detecting that the amount of toner in the toner cartridge is less than a reference level when the delay signal is activated, and outputting an activated output signal. According to claim 1, wherein the vibration control means A first resistor having one terminal connected to the first supply voltage and the other terminal connected to the piezoelectric disk; A first transistor having a base end, an emitter end, and a collector end, wherein the base end is connected to the feedback end, the collector end is connected to the other terminal of the first resistor, and the emitter end is configured to output a vibration signal; A second resistor having one terminal connected to the emitter terminal of the first transistor and the other terminal connected to the metal diaphragm; And And a third resistor having one terminal connected to the other terminal of the second resistor and the other terminal connected to the second supply voltage. The method of claim 1, wherein the filter means A first capacitor having one terminal connected to the vibration signal and the other terminal connected to a DC signal; A fourth resistor having one terminal connected to the DC signal and the other terminal connected to a second supply voltage; And And an anode stage and a cathode stage, wherein the cathode stage is connected to a direct current signal, and the anode stage has a diode connected to a second supply voltage. The method of claim 1, wherein the delay means A fifth resistor in which one terminal is connected to the DC signal and the other terminal is connected to the delay signal; A second capacitor having one terminal connected to the delay signal and the other terminal connected to the second supply voltage; And And a sixth resistor connected at one terminal to a delay signal and at another terminal to the second supply voltage. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing means A pull-up resistor having one terminal connected to the first supply voltage and the other terminal outputting an output signal; Comparison means for receiving a delay signal and a reference voltage which are outputs of the delay means and outputting an activated comparison signal when the delay signal is greater than the reference voltage; And And a base end, an emitter end, and a collector end, wherein the base end is connected to the comparison signal, the collector end is connected to the other terminal of the pull-up resistor, and the emitter end has a second transistor connected to a second supply voltage. Toner level detection device, characterized in that. The toner level sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reference time is 2 seconds to 3 seconds.