Patent Grant
8064783
This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 246019/2007 filed in Japan on Sep. 21, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The technology is related to an image forming apparatus for use in an electrostatic copying machine, a laser printer, a facsimile, or the like.
An image forming apparatus (such as a copying machine and a printer) which forms an image by means of an electrophotographic printing method has the following feature: when toner, which is contained in a developing tank and which makes visible an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of a photoreceptor drum, is consumed and reduced in its amount, toner is supplied from a toner cartridge to the developing tank. For example, when two-component toner including toner and carrier is used, toner contained in a toner cartridge is supplied to a developing tank so that a toner density in toner in the developing tank is not less than a predetermined value. The toner cartridge is detachably and attachably arranged to a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus. When a toner cartridge which is attached to the image forming apparatus runs out of toner, the toner cartridge is exchanged with another.
The electrophotographic printing method in the image forming apparatus encompasses various kinds of methods such as a positive charging method and a reverse charging method. There are many types of toner having different characteristics for respective methods. Also, the type of toner is predetermined for each model of image forming apparatus.
An exchange of a toner cartridge is mostly carried out by a user. When a plurality of image forming apparatuses of different models are closely provided one to another, there is a possibility that a toner cartridge prepared for one model of the image forming apparatuses is attached to another model of the image forming apparatuses by mistake. Especially in image forming apparatuses of the same manufacturer, toner cartridges having the same shape often contain toner of different characteristics. In cases where a plurality of image forming apparatuses of different types closely provided one to another are thus of the same manufacturer, a user easily makes a mistake and attaches a wrong toner cartridge in an exchange.
In light of this, there has been known a conventional image forming apparatus in which, in a toner cartridge, an information storage section for storing inherent information such as a toner characteristic is provided. With this arrangement, it is possible (i) to judge and display whether or not an attached toner cartridge is suitable based on information which is read out from an information storage section by an information processing device provided on the image forming apparatus side (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication, Tokukaihei, No. 2-296259 (published on Dec. 6, 1990)); (ii) to inform remaining amount of toner to a user so that a toner cartridge does not run out of toner suddenly (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication, Tokukaihei, No. 9-134098 (published on May 20, 1997)).
The conventional image forming apparatus, however, has the following problem: when a toner cartridge is suddenly detached from the image forming apparatus during a communication between an information storage section and an information processing device, such a communication is interrupted, thereby causing a communication error. This will cause the following problem. For example, in a case where a toner end of a toner cartridge is determined in accordance with the number of rotations of a motor, the main body of an image forming apparatus transmits the number of rotations of the motor to an IC chip. Therefore, if the communication between the information storage section and the information processing device is interrupted, then the IC chip will have wrong information about the number of rotations of the motor. This will cause a timing of a toner end to be inaccurate. As a result, the following problems will occur: (i) even when it is judged to be a toner end, a large amount of toner still remains in a cartridge; (ii) even when toner in a cartridge runs out, it is not judged to be a toner end.
An object of the technology is to provide an image forming apparatus which does not cause any communication error in a communication between an information storage section and an information processing device, even when a toner cartridge is suddenly detached from the image forming apparatus.
In order to attain the object, an image forming apparatus of the technology includes: a toner cartridge detachably and attachably provided in a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus; a toner cartridge supporting member provided to support the toner cartridge, and to be installed so that the toner cartridge supporting member is movable between (i) an insertion position indicating that the toner cartridge is in the predetermined position and (ii) a draw-out position indicating that the toner cartridge is drawn out from the predetermined position; a detection device which detects a movement of the toner cartridge supporting member in a direction pointing from the insertion position toward the draw-out position; an information storage device, provided in the toner cartridge, in which inherent information of the toner cartridge is stored; a connector which is provided so as to be detached from or fitted to the information storage device and is provided on a connector attaching member in the image forming apparatus so as to be movable in a moving direction of the toner cartridge supporting member; and an information processing device which is capable of communicating with the information storage device via the connector, carries out writing and readout of the inherent information with respect to the information storage device, and carries out a communication stop process for causing a communication between the information processing device and the information storage device to be stopped when the detection device detects the movement of the toner cartridge supporting member.
With this arrangement, the connector is provided so that the connector is movable in the moving direction of the toner cartridge supporting member. That is, when the detection device detects the movement of the toner cartridge supporting member in a direction pointing from the insertion position toward the draw-out position, the connector is fitted into the information storage device. Thereby, the information storage device on the toner cartridge side can maintain the communication with the information processing device on the image forming apparatus side. This allows the information processing device to carry out a predetermined communication stop process before the communication is stopped between the information processing device and the information storage device. This makes it possible to ensure time necessary for the information processing device to carry out the communication stop process for stopping the communication between the information processing device and the information storage device before the communication is stopped between the two after the detection device detects that the toner cartridge supporting member moves in the direction pointing from the insertion position toward the draw-out position.
This prevents a communication error from occurring in the communication between the information processing device and the information storage device even when the toner cartridge supporting member is suddenly drawn out from the insertion position in the image forming apparatus.
The following describes one embodiment with reference to the drawings.
The scanner 63 scans an image from an original document. The photoreceptor drum 64 is rotatably provided and holds an electrostatic latent image on its peripheral surface so as to form the image scanned from the original document by the scanner 63. The charging device 65 charges the photoreceptor drum 64. The exposure device 66 includes a laser beam scanner for forming, on the photoreceptor drum 64, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image of the original document. The developing device 67 develops the electrostatic latent image so as to form a toner image.
The transfer device 68 transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 64 onto a sheet. The cleaning device 69 removes remaining developer on the photoreceptor drum 64. The sheet feeding unit 70 feeds a sheet to the photoreceptor drum 64. The toner image thus transferred is fixed on the sheet by the fixing unit 71.
In the present embodiment, a toner cartridge 1 and a toner hopper 13 are horizontally juxtaposed to each other. Toner contained in the toner cartridge 1 is supplied to the toner hopper 13, is supplied to the developing device 67, and is ultimately fixed on a sheet so as to form an image.
As shown in
The toner cartridge 1 includes (i) a toner container 2, which has a bottom and a cylindrical shape and contains toner to be supplied, and (ii) a supporting member 3, which supports the toner container 2 so that the toner container 2 is rotatable around an axis line L1.
The toner container 2 includes a container-side connecting section 6 (illustrated in a dotted line in
The toner cartridge 1 is attached to the toner cartridge supporting member 7 in the image forming device. When the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the toner cartridge supporting member 7, the toner cartridge 1 is fixed at a predetermined position in the toner cartridge supporting member 7.
The toner cartridge supporting member 7 includes a bottom wall section 22 and a front wall section 12. The bottom wall section 22 extends in a back and forth direction (front-rear direction) of the image forming apparatus, and serves as a base part on which the toner cartridge 1 is placed. In the toner cartridge supporting member 7, the front wall section 12 is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus, and serves as a part of the front exterior 14.
It is in a storage space 23 (see
The toner cartridge supporting member 7 is provided so as to be movable back and forth (i.e., move in a front-back direction) between (i) a state where the toner cartridge supporting member 7 is stored in the storage space 23 and (ii) a state where the toner cartridge supporting member 7 is drawn out forward (in a front direction) from the storage space 23.
The bottom wall section 22 of the toner cartridge supporting member 7 includes two guide members 8 so that the toner cartridge supporting member 7 is movable as descried above. That is, the toner cartridge supporting member 7 is supported by the two guide members 8 which are extendable, in parallel with the axis line L1, over the housing front section 16 from the housing back section 17. This allows the toner cartridge supporting member 7 and the toner cartridge 1 to be drawn out, in the draw-out direction H in the extending direction of the guide members 8, from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the outside of the front exterior 14.
As shown in
The drive force transmission mechanism 11 in the toner cartridge storage space 23 is formed in substantially a disc shape, and is fixed to the rotation axis 24 so that the drive force transmission mechanism 11 and the rotation axis 24 can integrally rotate around an axis line L2. The drive force transmission mechanism 11 has a surface, getting into contact with the toner cartridge 1, on which a fitting recessed section 11a, having a cross-shape, is provided so that the container-side connecting section 6 of the toner cartridge 1 can fit the fitting recessed section 11a.
The compression spring 25 is made of a coil spring, and is provided between the housing back section 17 and the drive force transmission mechanism 11. The compression spring 25 gives spring force such that the drive force transmission mechanism 11 moves away from the housing back section 17, without interfering the rotations of the rotation axis 24 and the drive force transmission mechanism 11.
A gear 27 is fixed at one end of the rotation axis 24, the one end being on a side opposite to the drive force transmission mechanism 11. The gear 27 receives drive force for rotating the toner container 2, the drive force being transmitted from a drive source (not illustrated) of the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus includes a movement prevention mechanism 9 as a mechanism for surely maintaining a state where the toner cartridge supporting member 7 and the toner cartridge 1 are contained in the storage space 23. The movement prevention mechanism 9 includes (i) a hook member (a first member or a second member) 28 provided on the toner cartridge supporting member 7 and (ii) a locking member (the second member or the first member) 19 provided on the housing front section 16. The hook member 28 and the locking member 19 are arranged so that the hook member 28 is locked by the locking member 19, in a state where the toner cartridge supporting member 7 is completely contained in the storage space 23 of the image forming apparatus. The arrangement, in which the hook member 28 and the locking member 19 are provided, is not limited to the one described above. The hook member 28 may be provided on the housing front section 16, and the locking member 19 may be provided on the toner cartridge supporting member 7. Also, the image forming apparatus further includes a detection mechanism (a detection device) 10 at the position of the movement prevention mechanism 9. The detection mechanism 10 detects a state where the toner cartridge supporting member 7 is inserted into a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the detection mechanism 10 detects a state where the toner cartridge supporting member 7 is locked in the storage space 23 by the movement prevention mechanism 9, that is, a state where the movement prevention mechanism 9 prevents the toner cartridge supporting member 7 from moving from the storage space 23 toward the front of the image forming apparatus (in the draw-out direction H).
The detection mechanism 10 includes: a locking sensor 20 provided on the locking member 19; and a sensor activating section 21 provided on the hook member 28. The sensor activating section 21 is provided so that the locking sensor 20 is activated by the sensor activating section 21 in a state where the hook member 28 is locked by the locking member 19.
On this account, the sensor activating section 21 is provided, in the vicinity of a recessed corner section 28c (see
As illustrated in
The hook member 28 is supported by the front wall section 12 so that the hook member top section 28a can rotate around a rotational center L3, serving as a rotation axis (in a direction perpendicular to a sheet surface), by a rotational angle of approximately 30 degrees to the insertion direction S.
One end of the torsion spring 29 is locked by the front wall section 12 and the other end of the torsion spring 29 is locked by the hook member 28 so that the hook member 28 presses against the locking member 19. The hook member 28 is displaced so that the hook member 28 is away from the locking member 19 (in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
With the arrangement, it is possible to release the locking state of the hook member 28 simply by moving the release lever 30. This improves the workability in the operation of drawing out a toner cartridge supporting member 7. Further, a single action of pulling the release lever 30 makes it possible to (i) release a locking state of the hook member 28 and (ii) draw out the toner cartridge supporting member 7. This improves the workability in the operation of drawing out a toner cartridge supporting member 7 and exchanging a toner cartridge 1 with another.
In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, as illustrated in
The connector 42 is attached to a connector attaching member 31, and is movable in the insertion direction S or in the draw-out direction H. The connector attaching member 31 is provided between the housing front section 16 and the housing back section 17. The connector attaching member 31 has, for example, a plate shape.
Specifically, the connector 42 has a through-hole, and the connector attaching member 31 includes a guide bar 32. The guide bar 32 is inserted into the through-hole of the connector 42. With this arrangement, the connector 42 is guided by the guide bar 32 so as to move in the insertion direction S or in the draw-out direction H. The guide bar 32 includes a spring 33, causing the connector 42 to be pressed in the draw-out direction H, which is provided downstream of the connector 42 in the insertion direction S.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The information processing device 43 includes a CPU (a toner amount detection device) 45, a controller 46, and a memory 48. The CPU 45 is connected to the controller 46 and the memory 48, and the controller 46 is connected to a display (a display device) 47 in the image forming apparatus. The CPU 45 carries out processes with respect to various kinds of information. The controller 46 controls, in accordance with a command from the CPU 45, display operation of the display 47. The display 47 is, for example, a display section included in an operation panel of the image forming apparatus. The memory 48 functions as an operation area of the CPU 45, and stores various kinds of information.
The connector 42 is connected to a power source line 51, a ground line 52, a clock line 53, a data line (a communication state judging device) 54, and an attachment line (an electrical connection judging device) 55. The power source line 51 is supplied with power source via the information processing device 43. The ground line 52 is connected to a ground via the information processing device 43. The clock line 53, the data line 54, and the attachment line 55 are connected to the CPU 45.
Therefore, while the connector 42 is connected to the information storage device 41, (i) power source is supplied to the IC chip 44 via the power source line 51, (ii) the IC chip 44 is connected to the ground via the ground line 52, and (iii) a clock pulse is supplied to the IC chip 44 from the CPU 45, via the clock line 53. This allows data communication to be carried out between the IC chip 44 and the CPU 45, via the data line 54. The IC chip 44 receives, from the CPU 45 via the attachment line 55, information for checking whether or not the IC chip 44 and the CPU 45 are electrically connected to each other.
An arrangement for electrically connecting the information storage device 41 to the information processing device 43 is not limited to the arrangement in which the connector 42 connected to the information processing device 43 is directly connected to the information storage device 41. Examples of the arrangement encompass an arrangement in which the toner cartridge 1 includes another connector connected to the information storage device 41 and such another connector is connected to the connector 42 of the information processing device 43.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The information processing section 50 is arranged so as to write information into the memory 48 and read out information from the memory 48. The information processing section 50 also carries out various kinds of processing including a display control carried out with respect to the display 47 via the controller 46.
With the arrangement, as shown in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In an idle state where a read-out request or a writing request of data does not occur (S33), the information processing device 43 supplies a clock pulse, at a predetermined timing, to the IC chip 44 via the clock line 53 (S34). The predetermined timing refers to, for example, a timing at which a clock pulse is outputted for every predetermined period of time.
Next, the information processing device 43 judges whether or not the information storage device 41 has outputted an attachment pulse to the attachment line 55 in response to the clock pulse (S35). When it is judged that the attachment pulse has been outputted to the attachment line 55, the information processing device 43 judges that an electrical connection between the information processing device 43 and the information storage device 41 is normal. Then, the display 47 displays information indicating that the electrical connection between the information processing device 43 and the information storage device 41 is normal (S36). However, when no attachment pulse has been outputted to the attachment line 55, the information processing device 43 judges that the electrical connection between the information processing device 43 and the information storage device 41 is not normal. Then, the display 47 displays information indicating that the electrical connection between the information processing device 43 and the information storage device 41 is not normal (S37).
As illustrated in
After that, the information processing device 43 judges whether or not predetermined read-out data has been received from the information storage device 41 via the data line 54 (S43). When it is judged that the predetermined read-out data has been received from the information storage device 41, the information processing device 43 judges that a communication between the information processing device 43 and the information storage device 41 is normal. Then, the display 47 displays information indicting that the communication between the information processing device 43 and the information storage device 41 is normal (S44). However, when the predetermined read-out data has not been received from the information storage device 41, for example, within a predetermined period of time, the information processing device 43 judges that the communication between the information processing device 43 and the information storage device 41 is not normal. Then, the display 47 displays information indicating that the communication between the information processing device 43 and the information storage device 41 is not normal (S45).
When a writing request of data occurs with respect to the information storage device 41 (S46) while the toner cartridge 1 is attached to a predetermined position inside the image forming device, the information processing device 43 transmits the writing request to the information storage device 41 via the data line 54 (S47).
After that, the information processing device 43 judges whether or not a reply informing of the completion of the writing has been received from the information storage device 41 via the data line 54 (S48). When it is judged that the reply informing of the completion of the writing has been received from the information storage device 41, the information processing device 43 judges a communication between the information processing device 43 and the information storage device 41 is normal. Then, the display 47 displays information indicating that the communication between the information processing device 43 and the information storage device 41 is normal (S44). However, when no reply informing of the completion of the writing has been received from the information storage device 41, for example, within a predetermined period of time, the information processing device 43 judges that a communication between the information processing device 43 and the information storage device 41 is not normal. Then, the display 47 displays information indicating that the communication between the information processing device 43 and the information storage device 41 is not normal (S45).
Note that a read-out request and a writing request are outputted from the CPU 45 while image forming operation (printing operation) is carried out, as well as immediately after the toner cartridge 1 is exchanged. The memory contents in the information storage device 41 are read out during the image forming operation because process conditions need to be changed in accordance with the information such as a lot number of toner contained in the toner cartridge 1. Information is written into the information storage device 41 during the image forming operation because the remaining amount of toner should be rewritten in the toner cartridge 1 in accordance with the supplied amount of toner. The supplied amount of toner in this case is found based on the information such as the number of rotations of the toner cartridge 1 and image information (dot count).
In the state illustrated in
Moving the toner cartridge supporting member 7 from the state illustrated in
That is, with the arrangement, even if the toner cartridge supporting member 7 is suddenly drawn out from the predetermined position inside the image forming apparatus, it is possible to ensure processing time (e.g., less than 0.1 seconds) required for carrying out the communication stop process for stopping the communication between the information storage device 41 and the information processing device 43.
Prior to the stopping of the communication, the communication control section 49 carries out a read-out request of inherent information of the toner cartridge 1 with respect to the information storage device 41. This inherent information is the one, which relates to the toner cartridge 1, to be updated. When the information processing device 43 obtains the inherent information from the information storage device 41, the information processing device 43 updates the inherent information stored in the memory 48 (S62). Thus, in the information processing device 43, the inherent information of the toner cartridge 1 is updated in the memory 48 before the communication is stopped between the information storage device 41 and the information processing device 43.
Therefore, even if the toner cartridge 1 is suddenly drawn out from the image forming device, the newest inherent information of the toner cartridge 1 is stored in the information storage device 41. This allows a user to remove the toner cartridge 1 and exchange it with another, regardless of how the image forming apparatus operates. When the inherent information stored in the information storage device 41 contains the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 1, the newest information regarding the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 1 can be obtained. This prevents a situation where the toner cartridge 1 becomes empty suddenly.
In order to obtain the information regarding the remaining amount of toner, the image forming apparatus includes a toner amount detection device. In the present embodiment, the toner amount detection device is realized by the CPU 45. The toner cartridge 1 rotates so as to supply toner to the toner hopper 13 (i.e., the developing device 67). The amount of each toner supply is fixed to a predetermined amount. The CPU 45 finds the amount of supplied toner by counting the number of toner supply made by the toner cartridge 1. Because the toner amount in the toner cartridge 1 which is not in use is a predetermined one, it is possible to find the current toner amount in the toner cartridge 1 by subtracting the supplied amount of toner from the toner amount in the toner cartridge 1 which is not in use.
After the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the toner cartridge supporting member 7, the toner cartridge supporting member 7 is inserted into the toner cartridge storage space 23 inside the image forming apparatus (in the insertion direction S) together with the toner cartridge 1. At this time, the toner cartridge supporting member 7 and the toner cartridge 1 move in the elongation/contraction direction of the guide member 8.
In the detection mechanism 10 of the present embodiment, the locking sensor 20 does not detect the position of the toner cartridge 1 nor the position of the toner cartridge supporting member 7, but detects the state where the hook member 28 is locked by the locking member 19. Therefore, according to this arrangement where the detection mechanism 10 detects the release operation, it is possible to ensure longer communication between the information storage device 41 and the information processing device 43 when the communication is stopped between the information storage device 41 and the information processing device 43 after the inherent information of the toner cartridge 1 is obtained from the memory 44a in the information storage device 41 and then is stored in the memory 48 in the information processing device 43. This makes it possible to more surely prevent a communication error from occurring when the communication between the information storage device 41 on the toner cartridge 1 side and the information processing device 43 on the image forming apparatus side is suddenly interrupted while the two is communicating with each other.
In the movement prevention mechanism 9, the sensor activating section 21 is provided on the hook member 28 so as to be detected by the locking sensor 20 only while the hook member 28 is locked by the locking member. Therefore, the detection mechanism 10 (i.e., the locking sensor 20) can detect, at an earlier stage, a state where the locking state between the hook member 28 and the locking member 19 is likely to be released.
In the detection mechanism 10, the locking sensor 20 is provided so as to be in the locking member 19 and not to touch the hook member 28. Therefore, the locking sensor 20 is less apt to be damaged even if the toner cartridge supporting member 7 is inserted and drawn out repeatedly. The hook member 28 is displaced, due to the action of the guide surface 19b, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction of the toner cartridge supporting member 7 when the toner cartridge supporting member 7 is inserted into the storage space 23. On this account, the locking sensor 20 is not directly subjected to a shock which occurs when the toner cartridge supporting member 7 containing the toner cartridge 1 is inserted. This causes a damage or a malfunction not to occur easily.
The movement prevention mechanism 9 and the detection mechanism 10 can be provided in the same space. This enhances space efficiency in the image forming apparatus.
The detection mechanism 10 is arranged so as to detect a locking state of the hook member 28 (i.e., the toner cartridge supporting member 7) while the sensor activating section 21 shuts out a light path of the locking sensor 20. This eliminates the need for causing the locking sensor 20 to touch the sensor activating section 21 in the detection mechanism 10, and therefore the locking sensor 20 is not subjected to a shock. As a result, the detection mechanism 10 can stably carry out detection operation for a long term.
The technology is applicable to an apparatus, such as an electrostatic copying machine, a laser printer, or a facsimile each of which carries out a printing process with the use of toner, in which a toner cartridge that rotates and supplies toner contained inside the toner cartridge is detachably provided.
As described above, an image forming apparatus may have an arrangement where a range, in which the connector moves while the connector is fitted into the information storage device, is set to be between (i) a position where the connector is when the toner cartridge supporting member is at the insertion position and (ii) a position where the connector is before the toner cartridge supporting member reaches the draw-out position.
With this arrangement, when the toner cartridge supporting member is drawn out and reaches the draw-out position, the locking state between the information storage device and the connector is released. Therefore, the toner cartridge can be easily removed from the toner cartridge supporting member at the draw-out position of the toner cartridge supporting member, and the release operation of the fitting between the two does not need to be carried out.
The image forming apparatus may have an arrangement where the information processing device obtains the inherent information of the toner cartridge which is stored in the information storage device, before the communication stop process is carried out.
With this arrangement, the inherent information of the toner cartridge which inherent information is stored in the information storage device can be obtained even when the toner cartridge supporting member, that is, the toner cartridge is suddenly drawn out from the image forming apparatus. This allows a user to exchange a toner cartridge while the image forming apparatus is operating, by referring to the inherent information thus obtained (e.g., by referring to the inherent information thus obtained displayed on a display section on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus). This raises the operation rate of an image forming apparatus and enhances the operation efficiency in the use of an image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus may include a toner amount detection device which detects toner amount in the toner cartridge, and may have an arrangement where the inherent information includes information regarding the toner amount detected by the toner amount detection device.
With this arrangement, because the inherent information of the toner cartridge includes the information regarding the toner amount, the information regarding the toner amount is updated at an appropriate timing. This prevents a situation where the toner cartridge becomes empty suddenly.
The image forming apparatus may include a movement prevention mechanism that carries out (i) movement prevention operation for causing the toner cartridge supporting member to be prevented from moving in a direction pointing from the insertion position toward the draw-out position and (ii) release operation for causing the movement prevention operation to be released, and may have an arrangement where the detection device detects the release operation, when the toner cartridge supporting member moves in the direction pointing from the insertion position toward the draw-out position.
With this arrangement, the detection device detects the release operation of the movement prevention operation which is carried out by the movement prevention mechanism and which prevents the toner cartridge supporting member in the direction pointing from the insertion position toward the draw-out position, when the toner cartridge supporting member moves in the direction pointing from the insertion position toward the draw-out position. That is, when the release operation is carried out by the movement prevention mechanism, the toner cartridge supporting member can move from the insertion position toward the draw-out position. Therefore, if the information processing device carries out the communication stop process for stopping the communication between the information processing device and the information storage device at this point, the following case will be avoided more surely: The communication between the two is interrupted before the communication stop process is completed, and thereby a communication error occurs.
The image forming apparatus may have an arrangement where: the movement prevention mechanism includes a first member provided on the toner cartridge supporting member and a second member provided on the image forming apparatus, and carries out the movement prevention operation by locking operation between the first member and the second member; and the detection device detects the release operation by detecting a movement of the first member or the second member by which movement release operation of locking of the first member and the second member is followed.
With this arrangement, the detection device detects the release operation by detecting the release operation (carried out by the movement prevention mechanism) of the movement prevention operation which prevents the toner cartridge supporting member from moving in the direction pointing from the insertion position toward the draw-out position, that is, by detecting the movement of the first member or the second member by which movement release operation (carried out by the movement prevention mechanism) of locking of the first member and the second member is followed.
This makes it possible to ensure longer communication between the information storage device and the information processing device before the connector of the image forming apparatus is detached from the information storage device in the toner cartridge, after the toner cartridge supporting member moves toward the draw-out position. This prevents more surely a communication error which occurs when the communication between the information processing device and the information storage device is interrupted before the communication stop process for stopping the communication between the two is completed.
The image forming apparatus may have an arrangement where: the detection device includes a sensor activating section and a locking sensor that detects the sensor activating section; one of the first and second members is realized by a hook member, and the other is realized by a locking member by which the hook member is locked; and the sensor activating section is provided on the hook member so as to be detected by the locking sensor only while the hook member is locked by the locking member.
With this arrangement, the sensor activating section is provided on the hook member so as to be detected by the locking sensor only while the hook member is locked by the locking member. This allows the locking sensor of the detection device to detect, at an earlier stage, a state where the locking state between the hook member and the locking member is likely to be released.
The image forming apparatus may have an arrangement where: the hook member is provided so as to be capable of being displaced in a direction in which the hook member gets into touch with the locking member or in a direction in which the hook member is away from the locking member, and is pressed in a direction in which the hook member gets into touch with the locking member; the locking member includes (a) a locking surface by which the hook member is locked, (b) a guide surface which guides the hook member so that the hook member is locked by the locking surface, and (c) a recessed section; the recessed section is provided with the locking sensor; and the sensor activating section is inserted into the recessed section and is detected by the locking sensor, while the hook member is locked by the locking surface, after the hook member is guided to the guide surface, in response to a movement of the toner cartridge supporting member toward the insertion position.
With this arrangement, the hook member is locked by the locking surface, after the hook member is guided to the guide surface, in response to the movement of the toner cartridge supporting member toward the insertion position. In this locking state, the sensor activating section provided on the hook member is inserted into the recessed section provided on the locking member and thereby is detected by the locking sensor. In the arrangement where the locking sensor is provided in the recessed section of the locking member and the locking sensor detects the sensor activating section inserted into the recessed section, such a case rarely occurs that things other than the sensor activating section activate the locking sensor. This allows the locking sensor to carry out accurate detection operation. Also, the locking sensor is less apt to be directly subjected to a shock which occurs when the toner cartridge supporting member containing the toner cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus, and thereby a damage or a malfunction does not easily occur in the locking sensor.
The image forming apparatus may have an arrangement where: the locking sensor includes a light emitting section and a light receiving section which are provided so as to face each other; and the sensor activating section is detected by the locking sensor when the sensor activating section shuts out a light path between the light emitting section and the light receiving section.
With this arrangement, the locking sensor is less apt to be subjected to a mechanical shock. This allows the locking sensor to stably carry out detection for a long term.
The image forming apparatus may have an arrangement where the toner cartridge supporting member includes a manually operable release operation section that releases the locking state between the first member and the second member.
With this arrangement, the release operation section to be operated in an exchange of a toner cartridge is provided on the toner cartridge supporting member which is drawn out from the image forming apparatus in the exchange of the toner cartridge. This improves workability in an exchange of a toner cartridge.
The image forming apparatus may have an arrangement where the release operation section serves as a knob to be used when the toner cartridge supporting member is drawn out from the image forming apparatus.
With this arrangement, the release operation section serves as a knob of the toner cartridge supporting member. Therefore, when a toner cartridge is exchanged, a single action can carry out (i) operation for the release operation section for releasing the locking state between the first member and the second member and (ii) operation for drawing out the toner cartridge supporting member from the image forming apparatus. This further improves the workability in an exchange of a toner cartridge.
The embodiments and concrete examples of implementation discussed in the foregoing detailed explanation serve solely to illustrate the technical details, which should not be narrowly interpreted within the limits of such embodiments and concrete examples, but rather may be applied in many variations within the spirit of the technology, provided such variations do not exceed the scope of the patent claims set forth below.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-246019 | Sep 2007 | JP | national |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 4961088 | Gilliland et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
| 5636032 | Springett | Jun 1997 | A |
| 20030228171 | Miyabe et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2004-069943 | Mar 2004 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20090080909 A1 | Mar 2009 | US |
