WO2013063933A1 - 处理盒及其余量检测方法和成像装置及其控制方法 - Google Patents

处理盒及其余量检测方法和成像装置及其控制方法 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013063933A1
WO2013063933A1 PCT/CN2012/076472 CN2012076472W WO2013063933A1 WO 2013063933 A1 WO2013063933 A1 WO 2013063933A1 CN 2012076472 W CN2012076472 W CN 2012076472W WO 2013063933 A1 WO2013063933 A1 WO 2013063933A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
process cartridge
detecting
conductor
developing roller
voltage
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2012/076472
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
刘卫臣
Original Assignee
珠海艾派克微电子有限公司
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Publication of WO2013063933A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013063933A1/zh

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1803—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof
    • G03G21/1814—Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0848—Arrangements for testing or measuring developer properties or quality, e.g. charge, size, flowability
    • G03G15/0849—Detection or control means for the developer concentration
    • G03G15/0851—Detection or control means for the developer concentration the concentration being measured by electrical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0848—Arrangements for testing or measuring developer properties or quality, e.g. charge, size, flowability
    • G03G15/0856—Detection or control means for the developer level
    • G03G15/086—Detection or control means for the developer level the level being measured by electro-magnetic means

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the present invention relate to imaging device detection techniques, and in particular, to a process cartridge, a remaining amount detection method, an imaging device, and a control method thereof. Background technique
  • Imaging devices such as printers, copying machines, and facsimile machines have been widely used in people's work and life, and are capable of outputting images to a recording medium such as paper based on input image signals.
  • the basic imaging principle of the image forming apparatus is: forming a electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum by laser scanning with a photosensitive drum having a predetermined uniform potential; and then developing the electrostatic latent image by adhering the developer to the electrostatic latent image Visualize the image and then transfer and fix the visible image onto the paper.
  • An image forming apparatus which realizes the above-described image forming process is generally detachably provided with a process cartridge for accommodating an image forming device and for storing a developer as a recording material.
  • the process cartridge can be roughly classified into contact type and non-contact type according to whether or not the photosensitive drum is in contact with the developing roller.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of a conventional non-contact type process cartridge
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the structure of a conventional contact type process cartridge.
  • the basic structure of the two types of process cartridges is similar, and a charging device 1, a photosensitive drum 2, a developing roller 3, a powder discharging knife 4, and a cleaning device 5 are housed in the process cartridge casing 6.
  • a developer accommodating chamber 7 and a developing chamber 8 are formed on the side of the developing roller 3, and a developing roller 3 is disposed in the developing chamber 8, and a stirring conveying device 15 is disposed in the developer accommodating chamber 7.
  • the two chambers are isolated by a sealing strip 9 before being used. When starting to use, the sealing strip 9 is peeled off, and the developer stored in the developer accommodating chamber 7 is gradually supplied to the developing chamber 8.
  • the photosensitive drum 2 is not in direct contact with the developing roller 3, and accordingly, the developer is stirred in the developing chamber 8 by providing the stirring member 10, and is attached to the developing roller. 3 Surface, the developer on the surface of the developing roller 3 is flattened by the powder discharging knife 4 to maintain a certain thickness.
  • the photosensitive drum 2 is in direct contact with the developing roller 3, and accordingly, the developer feeding chamber 8 is provided with the powder feeding roller 11 to adhere the developer to the surface of the developing roller 3, and then The powder discharging knife 4 scrapes the developer on the surface of the developing roller 3 to a certain thickness.
  • the developer is consumed and reduced as the image is formed. But by Since the developer is contained in the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus, the remaining amount of the developer cannot be confirmed from the outside by visual observation.
  • a detection device for adding a developer to the process cartridge is widely used, and it is a common method to measure the developer balance by electrostatic electricity.
  • a method of detecting the remaining amount of the developer which is common in the non-contact type process cartridge is to provide an antenna 12 as a developer remaining amount detecting member in the developing chamber 8.
  • a margin detecting capacitance is formed between the developing roller 3 and the antenna 12.
  • the bias power source 13 is applied to the developing roller 3, and then the current flowing to the detecting antenna 12 is measured by the detecting means 14, and finally the detected current value is converted into the remaining amount of the developer amount.
  • the above-described developer remaining amount detecting method has many drawbacks: On the one hand, the arrangement of the antenna increases the cost of the process cartridge; on the other hand, due to the presence of the stirring member, the position where the antenna is disposed in the developing chamber is narrow, thereby causing the developer The detection capability of the remaining amount is reduced, which affects the transmission of the developer; on the other hand, since the detecting antenna is far away from the developing roller in the developing chamber, the electrostatic capacitance value is low, and it is necessary to apply a high frequency and voltage on the developing roller. The AC voltage can obtain a perceptible current, and thus the external voltage and loss of the AC voltage are significant, resulting in waste of energy and radiation. The same drawback is also observed in the use of an antenna to detect the developer balance in the contact type process cartridge. Summary of the invention
  • Embodiments of the present invention provide a process cartridge, a remaining amount detecting method, an image forming apparatus, and a control method thereof, to optimize a developer remaining amount detecting mode in a process cartridge.
  • An embodiment of the present invention provides a process cartridge including a process cartridge housing, wherein at least a developing roller and a powder discharging knife are housed in the processing cartridge housing, and a developer accommodating chamber and a developing chamber are formed in the processing cartridge housing.
  • the developing roller is located in the developing chamber, wherein:
  • a margin detecting capacitance is formed between the first conductor of the powder discharging blade and the second conductor of the developing roller, and the first conductor and the second conductor are respectively connected to the detecting pin and the voltage pin, and are used for measuring the remaining The amount detects the change in capacitance.
  • the process cartridge is a contact type process cartridge; a powdered knife of a metal material is used as the first conductor, and is fixed to the inside of the process cartridge casing by a frame; the developing roller includes a metal mandrel and an outer rubber sleeve, the metal mandrel serving as a second conductor.
  • the process cartridge as described above preferably: the process cartridge is a contact type process cartridge; the powder discharge knife comprises a metal body and an end rubber strip, and is fixed to the inside of the process cartridge casing by a frame; the metal The body serves as the first conductor; the developing roller includes a metal core shaft and an outer rubber sleeve, and the metal core shaft serves as a second conductor.
  • the process cartridge as described above, preferably: the process cartridge is a non-contact process cartridge; the powder discharge knife includes a metal body and an end rubber strip, and is fixed to the inside of the process cartridge casing by a frame, The metal body serves as the first conductor; the developing roller of a metal material serves as the second conductor.
  • a wall surface of the process cartridge casing is bent at an intersection of the developer accommodating chamber and the developing chamber and protrudes inward, and a frame of the powder discharging knife is fixed toward the developing On the wall surface of the roller, and the frame is made of a conductive material, and the first conductor is connected to the detecting pin through the frame.
  • An embodiment of the present invention further provides an image forming apparatus, comprising: a process cartridge according to any embodiment of the present invention, wherein the detecting pin is connected to a detecting device, the voltage pin is connected to a power source, and the image forming device control component is The detecting device is connected to obtain a remaining amount detecting signal according to the measured residual amount detecting capacitance change.
  • the embodiment of the present invention further provides a processing box remaining amount detecting method, which is applicable to the imaging device provided by the present invention, wherein the method includes:
  • the control power supply applies a voltage to the voltage pin, and the detection device detects a change in the remaining capacitance on the detection pin;
  • the change in the margin detecting capacitance is converted into a margin detecting signal according to a set conversion mapping rule.
  • the control power source applies a voltage to the voltage pin, and the change of the remaining amount detecting capacitance is measured by the detecting means on the detecting pin I:
  • the developing roller is stopped to rotate, and the electric signal applied to the powder discharging knife is stopped;
  • the voltage value outputted on the detection pin is acquired by the detecting means as a change in the margin detecting capacitance.
  • the processing cartridge remaining amount detecting method preferably has a control power supply on a voltage pin Before applying the voltage, the method further includes: controlling the separation of the photosensitive drum that is in contact with the developing roller.
  • An embodiment of the present invention further provides an imaging device control method, including:
  • the processing cartridge remaining amount detecting method provided by the present invention is performed;
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a conventional non-contact type process cartridge
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a conventional contact type processing cartridge
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a circuit box according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a processing box remaining amount detecting method according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a voltage-to-balance map applicable to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an imaging device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
  • 6-process cartridge housing 7-developer receiving chamber; 8-developing chamber;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
  • the process cartridge includes a process cartridge casing 6 in which at least a developing roller 3 and a powder discharging blade 4 are housed, and a developer accommodating chamber 7 and a developing chamber 8 are formed in the process cartridge casing 6, and a developing roller 3 is located in the developing chamber 8.
  • the imaging device in the process cartridge provided in this embodiment is not limited thereto, and corresponding devices may be provided according to other needs, such as a charging device 1, a photosensitive drum 2, a cleaning device 5, a powder feeding roller 1 1 , and a stirring conveying device. 15 and sealing strip 9 and so on.
  • a margin detecting capacitance is formed between the first conductor of the powder discharging blade 4 and the second conductor of the developing roller 3, and the first conductor and the second conductor are respectively connected to the detecting pin and the voltage pin. Connected to determine the change in the residual capacitance. Specifically, the form of the change in capacitance can be determined by measuring a current change value or a voltage change value caused by a change in capacitance.
  • the detection pin is used to connect the detecting device 14, and the voltage pin is used to connect the power source 13.
  • the voltage supplied by the power source 13 is an alternating voltage signal, preferably an alternating voltage signal superimposed with a direct current bias.
  • the corresponding connection relationship between the first conductor and the second conductor and the detecting means 14 and the power source 13 is not limited as long as the detection of the remaining amount detecting capacitance can be formed.
  • the first conductor of the powder discharging blade 4 is connected to the detecting pin, and the second conductor of the developing roller 3 is connected to the voltage pin to facilitate voltage application.
  • the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various types of processing boxes.
  • the first conductor and the second conductor can be different structures in the powder discharging knife and the developing roller, respectively.
  • the contact type process cartridge since the photosensitive drum 2 and the developing roller 3 are in direct contact, the developing roller 3 specifically includes a metal mandrel 31 and a rubber sleeve 32 wrapped around the metal mandrel 31 to avoid The developing roller 3 is in rigid contact with the photosensitive drum 2.
  • the powder discharging knife 4 can be made of a metal material and directly cooperates with the rubber sleeve 32 on the surface of the developing roller 3 to smooth the developer.
  • the metal powder discharging knife 4 itself serves as a first conductor and is fixed to the inside of the process cartridge casing 6 by the frame 16.
  • the metal mandrel 31 of the developing roller 3 serves as a second conductor.
  • the frame 16 of the powder discharging knife 4 can be made of an insulating material for fixing the powder discharging knife 4 only, or preferably the frame 16 is made of a conductive material and also serves as a part of the first conductor for facilitating the detection of the lead or voltage.
  • the foot is connected to the powder knife 4 through the frame 16, or the detecting pin or the voltage pin may be directly connected to the body of the powder discharging knife 4.
  • the powder discharging knife structure in the contact type processing box may also include a metal body and a rubber strip at the end, and is fixed to the inside of the process cartridge casing through the frame; the metal body serves as a first conductor;
  • the roller includes a metal mandrel and an outer rubber sleeve, and the metal mandrel serves as a second conductor.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a circuit principle applicable to a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
  • a voltage pin is connected to a power source 13 for applying a voltage to a second conductor 33 of the developing roller 3, and a detection pin is used for determining
  • the detecting means 14 flows to the voltage of the first conductor 43 of the powder blade 4.
  • the detecting means 14 and the converting means 17 for converting the detected voltage value into the remaining amount of the developer in the image forming apparatus and the processing means 18 are electrically connected to each other through respective contacts, and the detected voltage value is converted into a margin detecting signal.
  • the control unit in the image forming apparatus can thereby determine the remaining amount of the developer in the current developer accommodating chamber 7.
  • the technical solution of the embodiment adopts an electrostatic capacitance method to detect the remaining amount of the developer, and the conductors in the powder discharging knife and the developing roller are respectively used as the two poles of the residual detecting capacitor, and the developer in the vicinity of the developing roller, such as toner, etc.
  • the medium change between the two poles of the margin detecting capacitor is inevitably caused, thereby changing the capacitance value, whereby the remaining amount of the developer in the developer accommodating chamber can be determined.
  • the cost can be reduced, and it is not limited by the space existing in the process cartridge, and does not affect the flow of the developer; on the other hand, the powder knife As an existing device in the process cartridge, its function is to maintain the set thickness of the developer on the surface of the developing roller, so the distance between the powder discharging blade and the surface of the developing roller is usually strictly controlled, and high precision can be achieved, and As the developer is consumed, the distance between the powder discharging blade and the developing roller is also very stable. Therefore, the requirement that the distance between the two poles of the margin detecting capacitor be as constant as possible can be satisfied, and it is not necessary to separately increase the cost of strictly controlling the distance.
  • the solution of the embodiment of the invention realizes stable electrostatic capacitance detection of the remaining amount of the developer
  • the powder knife itself functions to smooth the developer on the surface of the developing roller, the distance from the developing roller is small, and the distance between the two poles of the margin detecting capacitor is minimized, thereby reducing the driving voltage. Consumption, reduce the effect of radiation.
  • the solution of the embodiment of the present invention requires only an AC bias having a relatively low frequency and voltage value to detect the remaining amount of the developer.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
  • the process cartridge of this embodiment is a non-contact processing cartridge. Since the photosensitive drum 2 and the developing roller 3 are non-contact developing, the developing roller 3 can be a rigid surface. Accordingly, the contact between the developing roller 3 and the surface of the powder discharging blade 4 is damaged, and the surface of the powder discharging blade 4 needs to be an elastic surface, so the powder discharging blade 4 usually includes a metal body and a rubber strip at the end, and is fixed by the frame 16 at The inside of the cartridge case 6 is processed.
  • the rubber strip is disposed at the end of the powder discharging blade 4 that contacts the developing roller 3, so that the rigid contact damage can be avoided.
  • the metal body of the powder discharging blade 4 serves as the first conductor, and the metal material developing roller can directly serve as the second conductor.
  • the frame 16 can be either a conductive material or an insulating material.
  • the frame 16 is prepared by using a conductive material such as metal.
  • the frame 16 is connected to the metal body of the powder discharging knife 4, and the detecting pin or the voltage pin can be directly connected to the frame 16.
  • the process cartridge provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the first conductor of the powder discharging blade and the second conductor of the developing roller are not limited to the above two structures.
  • the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention makes clever use of the metal portion of the powder discharging knife in the process cartridge.
  • a powder discharging knife is usually provided on the developing roller for limiting the thickness of the developer adhered on the developing roller while making the developing roller The thickness of the developer is uniform.
  • the powder knives contain some metal parts and some are all metal. Therefore, the technical solution of the present invention can be applied to various types of process cartridges, and can be equally applied to both contact and non-contact process cartridges, enhancing the versatility of the detection means.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. This embodiment can be based on any of the foregoing embodiments.
  • the wall surface of the process cartridge casing 6 of the present embodiment is bent at an intersection of the developer accommodating chamber 7 and the developing chamber 8, and protrudes inward, and the frame 16 of the powder discharging blade 4 is fixed to the wall surface facing the developing roller 3, and the frame 16 is made of a conductive material, and the first conductor is connected to the detecting pin through the frame 16.
  • the wall is bent to the shortest distance from the surface of the developing roller 3, that is, the tangent line A of the developing roller 3 parallel to the wall surface, and the tangent line A has a distance between the wall surface, and by adjusting the angle of the wall surface, different tangent lines and corresponding lines can be obtained. the distance.
  • the bending angle of the wall surface of the shortest distance can be obtained in the obtained distance, that is, the requirement that the wall surface is bent to the shortest distance from the surface of the developing roller 3 is satisfied. This is equivalent to making the distance between the frame 16 fixed to the wall surface and the developing roller 3 the shortest.
  • the above technical solution is advantageous in that: by bending and projecting inward at the intersection of the developer accommodating chamber 7 and the developing chamber 8, a semi-closed space can be formed between the powder discharging blade 4 and the developing roller 3, so that The space ratio of the developer accommodating chamber 7 to the developing chamber 8 is increased, so that the amount of remaining developer between the developing roller 3 and the powder discharging blade 4 can more accurately represent the remaining amount of the developer in the developer accommodating chamber 7. Further, when the frame 16 made of a conductive material is used as a part of the first conductor, it also serves as a factor that affects the margin value of the capacitance.
  • the angle between the frame 16 and the powder discharging knife 4 is 45 degrees.
  • An embodiment of the present invention further provides an image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge provided by any embodiment of the invention, wherein the detecting pin is connected to the detecting device, the voltage pin is connected to the power source, and the image forming device control component is connected to the detecting device, and is used for A margin detection signal is provided based on the measured residual capacitance change.
  • the detecting device and the power source may be disposed in the process cartridge or may be disposed in the image forming device.
  • the image forming apparatus charges the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 2 with a uniform negative charge by the charging device 1.
  • the laser light 19 carrying the data information formed based on the image is irradiated onto the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 2, the photosensitive drum 2 becomes a conductor, the static charge disappears, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.
  • the developer is stored in the developer accommodating chamber 7, and the developer is sent to the developing chamber 8 by the rotation of the agitation conveying device 15. In the developing chamber 8, the developer is attached to the developing roller 3 by the powder feeding roller 11.
  • a uniform thickness of the developer layer of a set thickness is formed on the surface of the developing roller 3.
  • the powder discharging knife 4 is connected to the process cartridge casing 6 through the first conductor and the frame 16.
  • the developing roller 3 is rotated in the direction indicated by the rotation direction F around the metal core shaft 31, and the developer attached to the surface of the developing roller 3 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 2 in accordance with the rotation of the developing roller 3, and is applied.
  • the electrostatic latent image is developed as a visible developer image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 driven in the rotational direction E.
  • the photosensitive drum 2 carrying the developer image continues to rotate and meets the recording medium 20 of the same speed, and the transfer roller 21 applies a voltage to the back surface of the recording medium 20, so that the developer image on the photosensitive drum 2 is attracted to the recording medium 20. .
  • the developer transferred onto the recording medium 20 is heated and pressurized by the fixing member 22, and is fixed to the surface of the recording medium 20 after the developer is melted.
  • the developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is removed by the cleaning device 5.
  • the embodiment of the present invention further provides a processing box margin detecting method, which is applicable to an imaging apparatus provided by any embodiment of the present invention, which can generally perform control of other hardware by a control component in the imaging apparatus.
  • the method comprises the following steps:
  • the control power supply applies a voltage on the voltage pin, and the detection device detects the change of the remaining capacitance on the detection pin; the specific measurement of the change of the capacitance can be determined by measuring the current change value or the voltage change value of the capacitance change electric signal.
  • the change of the margin detecting capacitance is converted into a margin detecting signal according to the set conversion mapping rule.
  • the method for detecting the remaining amount of the processing cartridge provided by the embodiment of the present invention, in combination with the control needs of different imaging devices, may have various specific embodiments, which are specifically described below by way of embodiments.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a processing box remaining amount detecting method according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, where the method includes the following steps:
  • Step 710 When the imaging device control component recognizes that the imaging operation of the imaging device ends, stop the rotation of the developing roller, and stop the electrical signal applied on the powder discharging knife;
  • the electrical signal applied to the powder discharging knife may be an electrical signal to be applied during the image forming operation, and in order to reduce the influence on the margin detecting, the application of such an electrical signal is stopped in advance.
  • Step 720 The imaging device control component controls the power supply to apply a voltage on the voltage pin.
  • the imaging device control component can control the power output voltage in the imaging device or in the process cartridge by using a signal.
  • the voltage is usually a signal that superimposes an alternating voltage on a direct current component, for example, an alternating voltage of 50 Hz, 100 volts.
  • the electrostatic capacitance between the two is large, so only the supply is required for the detection.
  • a lower AC voltage avoids wasted energy.
  • a stable physical state can be maintained between the developing roller and the metal member of the powder discharging blade, and the problem of the capacitance value jump is not easily generated, and the developer is ensured. The accuracy of the margin detection.
  • Step 730 The imaging device control component acquires, by using the detecting device, a voltage value outputted on the detecting pin as a change of the remaining detecting capacitance;
  • the detecting device can be only a voltage output pin, and the output voltage value can reflect the change of the remaining detecting capacitance.
  • Step 740 The imaging device control component converts the change of the remaining detection capacitance into a residual detection signal according to the set conversion mapping rule.
  • the set conversion mapping rule is usually based on the experimentally determined margin to detect the relationship between the voltage difference between the two poles of the capacitor and the remaining amount of the developer, as shown in FIG.
  • FIG. A schematic diagram of a voltage-to-balance mapping curve to which the example applies.
  • Fig. 8 when there is sufficient developer between the developing roller and the powder discharging knife, the capacitance between the developing roller and the discharging knife is very large, so that the voltage between the developing roller and the discharging knife The value is also very large.
  • the developer in the developer accommodating chamber As the developer in the developer accommodating chamber is continuously consumed, the developer in the developing chamber is also continuously reduced, and the capacitance value between the developing roller and the powder discharging knife is continuously decreased, and the corresponding voltage value is continuously reduced, and the The calculation results in an alarm value of a low developer amount and is set in the image forming apparatus control unit, and when the remaining amount of the developer reaches a predetermined low developer alarm value, the image forming apparatus alarm notifies the user that the process cartridge is in a low developer amount state.
  • the image forming apparatus stops imaging and notifies the user to replace the process cartridge.
  • the image forming apparatus control unit further controls the separation of the contact photosensitive drum from the developing roller to avoid the photosensitive drum. The interference of static electricity on the residual capacitance value.
  • the imaging device can be transferred to the next imaging operation.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an imaging device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
  • the method for controlling an imaging device provided by this embodiment may include an independent processing box remaining amount detecting method provided by the present invention, or at least includes the following steps. :
  • Step 910 When the imaging device control component recognizes that the process cartridge is mounted on the imaging device, The processing box remaining amount detecting method provided by the present invention
  • Step 920 When the imaging device control component determines, according to the remaining amount detection signal, that the imaging dose in the developing chamber is lower than a set threshold, an alarm signal that the sealing strip is not removed is issued.
  • the technical solution of the embodiment further applies the margin detecting process to the seal strip detection of the process cartridge.
  • a weather strip for sealing the developer accommodating chamber is stuck between the developing chamber and the developer accommodating chamber, and the developer is prevented from leaking outward due to vibration generated by the process cartridge transportation process or the like.
  • the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus and ready for image formation, the developer remaining amount can be detected first. Since the seal strip is not torn, there is no developer in the developer chamber, and the voltage between the developing roller and the powder discharge knife is the lowest value, low.
  • the image forming apparatus alarms the user to check whether the process cartridge is matched, thereby preventing the case where the image forming work is caused to be damaged when the sealing strip is not peeled off without developing agent in the developing chamber.

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

一种处理盒，包括处理盒壳体（6），壳体（6）内至少容置有显影辊（3）和刮刀（4），且壳体（6）内形成有显影剂容纳室（7）和显影室（8）。其中：刮刀（4）的第一导体和显影辊（3）的第二导体之间形成余量检测电容，第一导体和第二导体分别与检测引脚和电压引脚相连，用于测定余量检测电容的变化。

Description

处理盒及其余量检测方法和成像装置及其控制方法 技术领域
本发明实施例涉及成像设备检测技术， 尤其涉及一种处理盒及其余量检 测方法和成像装置及其控制方法。 背景技术
诸如打印机、 复印件和传真机等成像装置， 已经广泛应用于人们的工作 和生活中， 其能够根据输入的图像信号将图像输出到纸张等记录介质上。
成像装置的基本成像原理是： 通过激光扫描照射带有预定均勾电势的感 光鼓， 在感光鼓上形成静电潜像； 然后通过将显影剂粘附到静电潜像上， 使 静电潜像显影为可视图像， 随后将可视图像转印和定影到纸张上。
实现上述成像过程的成像装置中通常都可拆卸地设置有处理盒， 处理盒 用于容置成像器件， 并用于存储作为记录材料的显影剂。
处理盒按照感光鼓与显影辊是否接触可大致分为接触式和非接触式两 类。 图 1所示为现有非接触式处理盒的结构示意图， 图 2所示为现有接触式 处理盒的结构示意图。 两类处理盒的基本结构类似， 在处理盒壳体 6内均容 置有充电装置 1、 感光鼓 2、 显影辊 3、 出粉刀 4和清洁装置 5。 处理盒壳体 6内部在显影辊 3—侧形成有显影剂容纳室 7和显影室 8 ,显影辊 3设置在显 影室 8中， 显影剂容纳室 7中设置有搅拌输送装置 15。 在未使用之前， 两室 以密封条 9相隔离。 开始使用时， 撕开密封条 9, 存储在显影剂容纳室 7中 的显影剂逐渐地供给至显影室 8。
在非接触式处理盒中， 如图 1所示， 感光鼓 2与显影辊 3不直接接触， 相应地， 其显影室 8中通过设置搅拌元件 10来搅拌显影剂， 并使其附着到显 影辊 3表面， 由出粉刀 4将显影辊 3表面的显影剂刮平至维持一定厚度。
在接触式处理盒中， 如图 2所示， 感光鼓 2与显影辊 3直接接触， 相应 地， 其显影室 8中通过设置送粉辊 11 , 使显影剂附着到显影辊 3表面， 再由 出粉刀 4将显影辊 3表面的显影剂刮平至维持一定厚度。
在处理盒工作过程中， 显影剂随着形成图像而被消耗并减少。 但是， 由 于显影剂是容纳在成像装置内部的处理盒中的， 所以不能通过目视从外部来 确认显影剂的剩余量。 为了在显影剂即将消耗尽时可以提醒用户更换， 在处 理盒中增加对显影剂的检测装置被广泛的应用， 其中采用静电电 佥测显影 剂余量是一种常见的方式。
如图 1所示， 在非接触式处理盒中常见的检测显影剂余量的方式是， 在 显影室 8内设置一天线 12作为显影剂余量检测元件。 显影辊 3与天线 12之 间形成一余量检测电容。 当显影剂的余量变化时， 则显影辊 3与天线 12之间 的介质发生变化， 导致电容值变化。 检测的时候， 将偏压电源 13加至显影辊 3上， 然后以检测装置 14测定流向检测天线 12的电流， 最后将检测的电流 值转换成显影剂量的余量。
但是， 上述显影剂余量检测方式存在诸多缺陷： 一方面， 天线的设置增 加了处理盒的成本； 另一方面， 由于搅拌元件的存在， 使得在显影室内设置 天线的位置狭小， 从而导致显影剂余量检测能力减低， 影响显影剂的传输； 再一方面， 由于检测天线在显影室内距离显影辊位置较远， 所以静电电容值 艮低，需在显影辊上施加频率和电压都^艮高的交流电压才能获得可感知电流， 由此交流电压对外的辐射和损耗明显， 造成了能量浪费， 同时也造成了辐射。 接触式处理盒中采用天线来检测显影剂余量也存在同样的缺陷。 发明内容
本发明实施例提供一种处理盒及其余量检测方法和成像装置及其控制方 法， 以优化处理盒中的显影剂余量检测方式。
本发明实施例提供了一种处理盒， 包括处理盒壳体， 所述处理盒壳体内 至少容置有显影辊和出粉刀， 且所述处理盒壳体内形成有显影剂容纳室和显 影室， 所述显影辊位于显影室中， 其中：
所述出粉刀的第一导体和所述显影辊的第二导体之间形成余量检测电 容， 所述第一导体和第二导体分别与检测引脚和电压引脚相连， 用于测定余 量检测电容的变化。
如上所述的处理盒， 优选的是： 所述处理盒为接触式处理盒； 金属材质 的出粉刀作为所述第一导体， 并通过框架固定在处理盒壳体内侧； 所述显影 辊包括金属芯轴和外侧的橡胶套， 所述金属芯轴作为第二导体。 如上所述的处理盒， 优选的是： 所述处理盒为接触式处理盒； 所述出粉 刀包括金属本体和端部的橡胶条， 并通过框架固定在处理盒壳体内侧； 所述 金属本体作为所述第一导体； 所述显影辊包括金属芯轴和外侧的橡胶套， 所 述金属芯轴作为第二导体。
如上所述的处理盒， 优选的是： 所述处理盒为非接触式处理盒； 所述出 粉刀包括金属本体和端部的橡胶条， 并通过框架固定在处理盒壳体内侧， 所 述金属本体作为所述第一导体； 金属材质的所述显影辊作为所述第二导体。
如上所述的处理盒， 优选的是： 所述处理盒壳体的壁面在显影剂容纳室 和显影室的交点处弯折且向内突出， 所述出粉刀的框架固定在朝向所述显影 辊的壁面上， 且所述框架为导电材料制成， 所述第一导体通过所述框架与检 测引脚相连。
本发明实施例还提供了一种成像装置， 其中： 包括本发明任意实施例所 提供的处理盒， 所述检测引脚与检测装置相连， 所述电压引脚与电源相连， 成像装置控制组件与所述检测装置相连， 用于根据测定的余量检测电容的变 化获取余量检测信号。
本发明实施例还提供了一种处理盒余量检测方法， 适用于本发明所提供 的成像装置， 其中， 所述方法包括：
控制电源在电压引脚上施加电压， 且通过检测装置在所述检测引脚上测 定余量检测电容的变化；
根据设定的转换映射规则， 将所述余量检测电容的变化转换为余量检测 信号。
如上所述的处理盒余量检测方法， 优选的是， 所述控制电源在电压引脚 上施加电压， 且通过检测装置在所述检测弓 I脚上测定余量检测电容的变化包 括：
当识别到成像装置结束成像操作时， 停止显影辊转动， 且停止施加在所 述出粉刀上的电信号；
控制电源在电压引脚上施加电压；
通过检测装置获取所述检测引脚上输出的电压值， 作为所述余量检测电 容的变化。
如上所述的处理盒余量检测方法， 优选的是， 在控制电源在电压引脚上 施加电压之前， 还包括： 控制将接触的感光鼓与显影辊分离。
本发明实施例还提供了一种成像装置控制方法， 包括：
当识别到处理盒安装到成像装置上时， 执行本发明所提供的处理盒余量 检测方法；
当根据所述余量检测信号判断出显影室内的显影剂量低于设定门限值 时， 发出密封条未去除的报警信号。
本发明实施例所提供的处理盒及其余量检测方法和成像装置及其控制方 法， 通过采用出粉刀和显影辊的导体作为余量检测电容的两极， 利用已有出 粉刀与显影辊距离最为接近， 且距离控制严格的特点， 使得显影剂余量检测 方案的成本降低、 受已有空间的限制小， 并且精度较高的距离使得余量检测 电容更加稳定， 不会出现突变的电容变化， 因此优化了成像装置的显影剂余 量检测方案。 附图说明 图 1所示为现有非接触式处理盒的结构示意图；
图 2所示为现有接触式处理盒的结构示意图；
图 3为本发明实施例一提供的处理盒的结构示意图；
图 4为本发明实施例一所提供处理盒适用的电路原理结构示意图； 图 5为本发明实施例二提供的处理盒的结构示意图；
图 6为本发明实施例三提供的处理盒的结构示意图；
图 7为本发明实施例四提供的处理盒余量检测方法的流程图；
图 8为本发明实施例所适用的电压 -余量映射曲线的示意图；
图 9为本发明实施例五提供的成像装置控制方法的流程图。
图中， 附图标记如下：
1-充电装置； 2-感光鼓； 3-显影辊；
31-金属芯轴； 32-橡胶套； 33-第二导体;
4-出粉刀； 43-第一导体； 5-清洁装置；
6-处理盒壳体； 7-显影剂容纳室； 8-显影室；
9-密封条； 10-搅拌元件； 11-送粉辊；
12-天线； 13-电源； 14-检测装置; 15-搅拌输送装置 16-框架； 17-转换装置;
18-处理装置； 19-激光； 20-记录介质;
21-转印辊； 22-定影部件。 具体实施方式 为使本发明实施例的目的、 技术方案和优点更加清楚， 下面将结合本发 明实施例中的附图， 对本发明实施例中的技术方案进行清楚、 完整地描述， 显然， 所描述的实施例是本发明一部分实施例， 而不是全部的实施例。 基于 本发明中的实施例， 本领域普通技术人员在没有作出创造性劳动前提下所获 得的所有其他实施例， 都属于本发明保护的范围。
实施例
图 3为本发明实施例一提供的处理盒的结构示意图， 本实施例具体以接 触式处理盒为例进行说明。 该处理盒包括处理盒壳体 6, 处理盒壳体 6 内至 少容置有显影辊 3和出粉刀 4, 且处理盒壳体 6内形成有显影剂容纳室 7和 显影室 8 , 显影辊 3位于显影室 8中。 当然， 本实施例所提供处理盒中的成 像器件并不限于此， 还可以根据其他需要设置相应的器件， 例如充电装置 1、 感光鼓 2、 清洁装置 5、 送粉辊 1 1、 搅拌输送装置 15和密封条 9等。 本实施 例所提供的处理盒中， 出粉刀 4的第一导体和显影辊 3的第二导体之间形成 余量检测电容， 第一导体和第二导体分别与检测引脚和电压引脚相连， 用于 测定余量检测电容的变化。 具体测定电容变化的形式可以通过测定电容变化 引起的电流变化值或电压变化值等电信号。
其中， 检测引脚用于连接检测装置 14, 电压引脚用于连接电源 13。 电源 13所提供电压为交流电压信号， 优选为叠加有直流偏压的交流电压信号。 第 一导体和第二导体与检测装置 14和电源 13的对应连接关系不限， 只要能形 成对余量检测电容的检测即可。优选是将出粉刀 4的第一导体连接检测引脚， 将显影辊 3的第二导体连接电压引脚， 可便于施加电压。
本发明实施例的技术方案可适用于各类处理盒中， 根据不同类别处理盒 结构的差异，第一导体和第二导体可以分别是出粉刀和显影辊中的不同结构。 如图 3所示为接触式处理盒， 由于感光鼓 2和显影辊 3需直接接触， 所以显 影辊 3具体是包括金属芯轴 31和金属芯轴 31外侧包裹的橡胶套 32, 以避免 显影辊 3与感光鼓 2的刚性接触。相应地， 出粉刀 4可以采用金属材质制备， 直接与显影辊 3表面的橡胶套 32配合来刮平显影剂。 在接触式处理盒中， 金 属材质的出粉刀 4本身即作为第一导体， 并通过框架 16固定在处理盒壳体 6 内侧。 显影辊 3的金属芯轴 31作为第二导体。 出粉刀 4的框架 16可以由绝 缘材质制成， 仅用于固定出粉刀 4, 或者优选是框架 16由导电材质制成， 也 作为第一导体的一部分，便于将检测引脚或电压引脚通过框架 16连接出粉刀 4, 或者， 检测引脚或电压引脚也可以直接连在出粉刀 4的本体上。
当采用足够硬度的橡胶材质时， 接触式处理盒中的出粉刀结构也可以包 括金属本体和端部的橡胶条， 并通过框架固定在处理盒壳体内侧； 金属本体 作为第一导体； 显影辊包括金属芯轴和外侧的橡胶套， 金属芯轴作为第二导 体。
图 4为本发明实施例一所提供处理盒适用的电路原理结构示意图， 如图 4所示， 电压引脚连接给显影辊 3的第二导体 33施加电压的电源 13 , 检测引 脚用于测定流向出粉刀 4第一导体 43的电压的检测装置 14。 检测装置 14与 成像装置中用于将检测的电压值转换成显影剂余量的转换装置 17 以及处理 装置 18 通过相应的触点彼此电连接， 将检测到的电压值转换为余量检测信 号。 成像装置中的控制组件由此可以确定当前显影剂容纳室 7中的显影剂剩 余量。
本实施例的技术方案采用静电电容方式来检测显影剂余量， 将出粉刀和 显影辊中的导体分别作为余量检测电容的两极， 显影辊附近的显影剂， 如碳 粉等， 当其剂量变化时， 必然导致余量检测电容两极之间的介质变化， 从而 改变电容值， 据此可确定显影剂容纳室中的显影剂余量。
本实施例的技术方案相比于已有技术具有诸多优势：
一方面， 由于无需在处理盒中增加诸如天线等额外器件， 因此能够降低 成本， 并且不会受到处理盒中已有空间的限制， 也不会影响显影剂的流动； 另一方面， 出粉刀作为处理盒中的已有器件， 其本身的功能是要维持显 影辊表面显影剂的设定厚度， 所以出粉刀与显影辊表面的距离通常是严格控 制的， 能达到很高的精度， 并且随着显影剂的消耗， 出粉刀与显影辊之间的 距离状态也是非常稳定的。 所以能满足余量检测电容两极间距离尽量恒定的 要求， 且不必为此另行增加严格控制距离的成本。 相比于将余量检测电容设 置于显影辊和诸如送粉辊等其他器件之间的技术方案而言， 满足了距离精确 度要求， 能够避免由于距离突变而导致的误检测信号。 因此， 本发明实施例 的方案实现了稳定地对显影剂余量进行静电电容检测；
再一方面， 由于出粉刀本身功能用于刮平显影辊表面的显影剂， 所以距 离显影辊的距离很小， 实现了余量检测电容两极之间距离尽量小， 从而能减 小驱动电压能耗， 减少辐射的效果。 本发明实施例的方案只需要频率和电压 值都比较低的交流偏压即可进行显影剂剩余量的检测。
实施例二
图 5为本发明实施例二提供的处理盒的结构示意图， 本实施例与实施例 一的区别在于， 本实施例的处理盒为非接触式处理盒。 由于感光鼓 2与显影 辊 3为非接触式显影， 所以显影辊 3可以为刚性表面。 相应地， 未免显影辊 3和出粉刀 4表面的接触损伤， 出粉刀 4的表面需为弹性表面， 所以出粉刀 4 通常包括金属本体和端部的橡胶条，并通过框架 16固定在处理盒壳体 6内侧。 橡胶条设置在出粉刀 4接触显影辊 3的端部， 可以避免刚性接触损伤。 则在 上述结构的非接触式处理盒中， 出粉刀 4的金属本体作为第一导体， 金属材 质的显影辊可以直接作为第二导体。 框架 16可以是导电材质， 也可以是绝缘 材质。 优选采用如金属等导电材质制备框架 16, 框架 16与出粉刀 4的金属 本体连接， 则可以将检测引脚或电压引脚直接连接在框架 16上。
本发明实施例所提供的处理盒， 出粉刀的第一导体和显影辊的第二导体 并不限于上述两种结构。
由上述实施例可知， 本发明实施例的技术方案， 巧妙利用了处理盒中的 出粉刀的金属部分。 在处理盒中为了能够更好的显影， 得到高质量的显影效 果， 在显影辊上通常都会设置有出粉刀， 用来限制显影辊上粘附的显影剂的 厚度， 同时使得显影辊上的显影剂的厚度均匀一致。 通常情况下出粉刀是含 有一部分金属部件的， 有些是全部金属的。 所以， 本发明的技术方案可适用 于各类处理盒， 对于接触式和非接触式处理盒而言， 都可以同样适用， 增强 了检测手段的通用性。
实施例三
图 6为本发明实施例三提供的处理盒的结构示意图， 本实施例可以以上 述任意实施例为基础， 为图示清楚， 仅以实施例二所示结构为例进行说明。 本实施例的处理盒壳体 6的壁面在显影剂容纳室 7和显影室 8的交点处弯折 且向内突出， 出粉刀 4的框架 16固定在朝向显影辊 3的壁面上， 且框架 16 为导电材料制成， 第一导体通过框架 16与检测引脚相连。
优选是将壁面弯折至与显影辊 3表面的距离最短。 所谓壁面弯折至与显 影辊 3表面的距离最短， 即取显影辊 3平行于壁面的切线 A, 该切线 A与壁 面之间具有一距离， 通过调整壁面的角度， 可取得不同的切线和对应的距离。 在可获得的距离中能够取得最短距离的壁面所弯折角度， 即满足壁面弯折至 与显影辊 3表面的距离最短的要求。相当于使得固定在壁面上的框架 16与显 影辊 3之间的距离最短。
上述技术方案的有益之处在于： 通过在显影剂容纳室 7和显影室 8的交 点处弯折且向内突出， 可以使出粉刀 4与显影辊 3之间组成一个半封闭的空 间， 使得显影剂容纳室 7与显影室 8的空间比例增大， 从而显影辊 3与出粉 刀 4之间的剩余显影剂量可以更准确地代表显影剂容纳室 7里的显影剂剩余 量。 此外， 当导电材料制成的框架 16作为第一导体的一部分时， 其也作为影 响余量检测电容值的因素。 因此， 框架 16与显影辊 3的距离越短， 则电容值 越小， 驱动电容变化产生感知电流的电压值也就可以越小， 因而能够降低能 耗和辐射量。 优选是使得框架 16与出粉刀 4之间的夹角为 45度。
本发明实施例还提供了一种成像装置， 其包括发明任意实施例所提供的 处理盒， 检测引脚与检测装置相连， 电压引脚与电源相连， 成像装置控制组 件与检测装置相连，用于根据测定的余量检测电容的变化提供余量检测信号。 其中， 检测装置和电源即可以设置在处理盒中， 也可以设置在成像装置。
可参见图 3所示结构， 本发明提供的成像装置由充电装置 1给转动的感 光鼓 2表面充上一层均匀的负电荷。 携带有根据图像形成的数据信息的激光 19照射到带电的感光鼓 2表面， 感光鼓 2成为导体， 静电荷消失， 在感光鼓 2的表面形成了静电潜像。 显影剂储存在显影剂容纳室 7 内， 借助搅拌输送 装置 15的旋转， 显影剂被送入显影室 8。 在显影室 8内， 通过送粉辊 11使 得显影剂附着在显影辊 3上。 在出粉刀 4的控制下， 在显影辊 3表面形成一 设定厚度的均勾的显影剂层。 出粉刀 4通过第一导体和框架 16连接到处理盒 壳体 6上。显影辊 3以金属芯轴 31为中心，以旋转方向 F所指示的方向旋转， 附着在显影辊 3表面的显影剂随着显影辊 3的转动与感光鼓 2相接触， 并敷 设在往旋转方向 E驱动的感光鼓 2的表面上， 使静电潜像显影为可视的显影 剂图像。 携带显影剂图像的感光鼓 2继续转动， 并与同样速度的记录介质 20 相遇， 转印辊 21给记录介质 20背面施以电压， 使感光鼓 2上的显影剂图像 被吸引到记录介质 20上。 被转印到记录介质 20上的显影剂通过定影部件 22 加热加压， 待显影剂熔融之后， 被固定到记录介质 20的表面。 残留在感光鼓 2表面的显影剂通过清洁装置 5被除去。
本发明实施例又提供了一种处理盒余量检测方法， 适用于本发明任意实 施例所提供的成像装置， 该方法通常可以由成像装置中的控制组件来执行对 其他硬件的控制。 该方法包括如下步骤：
控制电源在电压引脚上施加电压， 且通过检测装置在检测引脚上测定余 量检测电容的变化； 具体测定电容变化的形式可以通过测定电容变化弓 I起的 电流变化值或电压变化值等电信号。
根据设定的转换映射规则，将余量检测电容的变化转换为余量检测信号。 本发明实施例提供的处理盒余量检测方法， 结合不同的成像装置控制需 要， 可以有多种具体的实施方式， 以下通过实施例具体说明。
实施例四
图 7为本发明实施例四提供的处理盒余量检测方法的流程图， 该方法包 括如下步骤：
步骤 710、 当成像装置控制组件识别到成像装置的成像操作结束时， 停 止显影辊转动， 且停止施加在出粉刀上的电信号；
上述步骤中， 施加在出粉刀上的电信号可以是成像操作过程中需施加的 电信号， 为减少对余量检测的影响， 预先停止施加这类电信号。
步骤 720、 成像装置控制组件控制电源在电压引脚上施加电压； 上述步骤中， 成像装置控制组件可以通过信号来控制成像装置中或处理 盒中的电源输出电压。 电压通常为在直流分量上叠加交流电压的信号， 例如 可以为 50HZ, 100V的交流电压。 相对于使用显影辊和显影室内的检测天线 作为检测元件的情况， 本实施例由于显影辊和出粉刀之间的距离非常接近， 两者之间的静电电容较大， 所以检测时只需要供给一较低的交流电压， 避免 了能量的浪费。 此外， 随着显影剂的不断消耗， 显影辊与出粉刀金属部件之 间能保持稳定的物理状态， 从而不容易产生电容值跳变的问题， 确保显影剂 余量检测的准确度。
步骤 730、 成像装置控制组件通过检测装置获取检测引脚上输出的电压 值， 作为余量检测电容的变化；
检测装置可以仅为一电压输出引脚， 其输出的电压值能够体现余量检测 电容的变化。
步骤 740、 成像装置控制组件根据设定的转换映射规则， 将余量检测电 容的变化转换为余量检测信号。
上述步骤上， 设定的转换映射规则通常是在设计产品时， 根据实验确定 的余量检测电容两极的电压差与显影剂余量之间的映射关系， 如图 8所示即 为本发明实施例所适用的电压 -余量映射曲线的示意图。 由图 8可见， 当显影 辊和出粉刀之间有充足的显影剂存在的时候， 流过显影辊和出粉刀之间的电 容值非常大， 从而显影辊和出粉刀之间的电压值也非常大。 随着显影剂容纳 室里的显影剂不断的消耗， 显影室内的显影剂也不断减少， 显影辊与出粉刀 之间的电容值随着不断减少， 相应的电压值也不断减少， 可以通过预先的计 算得出一低显影剂量的报警值并设置在成像装置控制组件里， 当显影剂剩余 量到达预定的低显影剂报警值时， 成像装置报警通知用户处理盒处于低显影 剂量状态。 当显影室内的显影剂消耗至低于预定的无显影剂量的结束值， 成 像装置停止成像并通知用户更换处理盒。
在上述实施例的基础上， 若对于接触式处理盒而言， 优选是在执行余量 检测流程之前， 进一步由成像装置控制组件控制将接触的感光鼓与显影辊分 离， 以避免感光鼓上的静电对余量检测电容值的干扰。
本实施例的技术方案， 优选在不进行成像操作时完成显影剂余量检测流 程， 例如在不进行成像操作的送纸间隔期间， 或者完成了成像工序而将记录 介质从成像装置排出到设备外部的期间等。 显影剂余量检测完成后， 成像装 置可转入下一个成像操作。
实施例五
图 9为本发明实施例五提供的成像装置控制方法的流程图， 本实施例所 提供的成像装置的控制方法可包括本发明所提供的独立的处理盒余量检测方 法， 或者至少包括如下步骤：
步骤 910、 当成像装置控制组件识别到处理盒安装到成像装置上时， 执 行本发明所提供的处理盒余量检测方法；
步骤 920、 当成像装置控制组件根据余量检测信号判断出显影室内的显 影剂量低于设定门限值时， 发出密封条未去除的报警信号。
本实施例的技术方案进一步将余量检测流程应用于处理盒的密封条检测 中。 用于密封显影剂容纳室的密封条被粘贴在显影室和显影剂容纳室之间， 可避免由于处理盒运输过程产生的振动或类似原因所引起的显影剂向外泄 露。 当处理盒安装在成像装置后准备成像前， 可先检测显影剂余量， 由于如 果密封条没有撕开， 显影室内没有显影剂， 显影辊与出粉刀之间的电压值是 最低值， 低于预定的无显影剂量的结束值， 成像装置会报警通知用户检查处 理盒是否匹配， 从而防止了当密封条没有撕开显影室内无显影剂而开始成像 工作导致处理盒损坏的情况。
本领域普通技术人员可以理解： 实现上述方法实施例的全部或部分步骤 可以通过程序指令相关的硬件来完成， 前述的程序可以存储于一计算机可读 取存储介质中， 该程序在执行时， 执行包括上述方法实施例的步骤； 而前述 的存储介质包括： ROM、 RAM, 磁碟或者光盘等各种可以存储程序代码的介 质。
最后应说明的是： 以上实施例仅用以说明本发明的技术方案， 而非对其 限制； 尽管参照前述实施例对本发明进行了详细的说明， 本领域的普通技术 人员应当理解： 其依然可以对前述各实施例所记载的技术方案进行修改， 或 者对其中部分技术特征进行等同替换； 而这些修改或者替换， 并不使相应技 术方案的本质脱离本发明各实施例技术方案的精神和范围。

Claims

权 利 要 求 书
1、 一种处理盒， 包括处理盒壳体， 所述处理盒壳体内至少容置有显影辊 和出粉刀， 且所述处理盒壳体内形成有显影剂容纳室和显影室， 所述显影辊 位于显影室中， 其特征在于：
所述出粉刀的第一导体和所述显影辊的第二导体之间形成余量检测电 容， 所述第一导体和第二导体分别与检测引脚和电压引脚相连， 用于测定余 量检测电容的变化。
2、 根据权利要求 1所述的处理盒， 其特征在于： 所述处理盒为接触式处 理盒； 金属材质的出粉刀作为所述第一导体， 并通过框架固定在处理盒壳体 内侧； 所述显影辊包括金属芯轴和外侧的橡胶套， 所述金属芯轴作为第二导 体。
3、 根据权利要求 1所述的处理盒， 其特征在于： 所述处理盒为接触式处 理盒； 所述出粉刀包括金属本体和端部的橡胶条， 并通过框架固定在处理盒 壳体内侧； 所述金属本体作为所述第一导体； 所述显影辊包括金属芯轴和外 侧的橡胶套， 所述金属芯轴作为第二导体。
4、 根据权利要求 1所述的处理盒， 其特征在于： 所述处理盒为非接触式 处理盒； 所述出粉刀包括金属本体和端部的橡胶条， 并通过框架固定在处理 盒壳体内侧， 所述金属本体作为所述第一导体； 金属材质的所述显影辊作为 所述第二导体。
5、 根据权利要求 2或 3或 4所述的处理盒， 其特征在于： 所述处理盒壳 体的壁面在显影剂容纳室和显影室的交点处弯折且向内突出， 所述出粉刀的 框架固定在朝向所述显影辊的壁面上， 且所述框架为导电材料制成， 所述第 一导体通过所述框架与检测引脚相连。
6、 一种成像装置， 其特征在于： 包括权利要求 1-5任一所述的处理盒， 所述检测引脚与检测装置相连， 所述电压引脚与电源相连， 成像装置控制组 件与所述检测装置相连， 用于根据测定的余量检测电容的变化获取余量检测 信号。
7、 一种处理盒余量检测方法， 适用于权利要求 6所述的成像装置， 其特 征在于， 包括：
控制电源在电压引脚上施加电压， 且通过检测装置在所述检测引脚上测 定余量检测电容的变化；
根据设定的转换映射规则， 将所述余量检测电容的变化转换为余量检测 信号。
8、 根据权利要求 7所述的处理盒余量检测方法， 其特征在于， 所述控制 电源在电压引脚上施加电压， 且通过检测装置在所述检测引脚上测定余量检 测电容的变化包括：
当识别到成像装置结束成像操作时， 停止显影辊转动， 且停止施加在所 述出粉刀上的电信号；
控制电源在电压引脚上施加电压；
通过检测装置获取所述检测引脚上输出的电压值， 作为所述余量检测电 容的变化。
9、 根据权利要求 7或 8所述的处理盒余量检测方法， 其特征在于， 在控 制电源在电压引脚上施加电压之前， 还包括： 控制将接触的感光鼓与显影辊 分离。
10、 一种成像装置控制方法， 其特征在于， 包括：
当识别到处理盒安装到成像装置上时， 执行权利要求 7-9任一所述的处 理盒余量检测方法；
当根据所述余量检测信号判断出显影室内的显影剂量低于设定门限值 时， 发出密封条未去除的报警信号。
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