The present disclosure relates generally to image forming devices and more particularly to a toner container having a common input gear for a toner agitator assembly and an encoded member.
In electrophotographic image forming devices, one or more replaceable toner containers may be used to supply toner for printing onto sheets of media. Each toner container often includes a toner agitator assembly that agitates and mixes toner stored in a toner reservoir to prevent the toner from clumping and that moves the toner to an outlet of the toner container. It is often desired for each toner container to communicate characteristics of the toner container to the image forming device for proper operation. For example, it may be desired to communicate such information as authentication or validation information, toner fill amount, toner color, toner type, etc.
A toner container for use in an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. An input gear is positioned on the housing for mating with a corresponding output gear in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. A toner agitator is movably positioned in the reservoir. The toner agitator is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a first rotational direction causes movement of the toner agitator for agitating toner in the reservoir. An encoded member is encoded with authentication information of the toner container and is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a second rotational direction causes movement of the encoded member for communicating the authentication information of the toner container to a controller of the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device.
In some embodiments, the toner container includes a one-way clutch positioned to decouple the toner agitator from the input gear when the input gear rotates in the second rotational direction such that the toner agitator does not move with the input gear when the input gear rotates in the second rotational direction.
In some embodiments, the toner agitator includes a shaft rotatably positioned in the reservoir and a plurality of extensions outward from the shaft for agitating toner in the reservoir. In some embodiments, the toner agitator includes a rotatable auger positioned to move toner to an outlet port on the housing for exiting toner from the toner container.
Embodiments include those wherein the encoded member is rotatably connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in the second rotational direction causes rotation of the encoded member. In some embodiments, the encoded member is positioned on an axial face of the input gear. In some embodiments, the encoded member is coaxial with the input gear.
In some embodiments, the encoded member is directly connected to the input gear. In other embodiments, the encoded member is indirectly connected to the input gear.
Embodiments include those wherein the encoded member is encoded with authentication information of the toner container by a random distribution of magnetized particles dispersed on the encoded member.
A toner container for use in an electrophotographic image forming device according to another example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. An input gear is positioned on the housing for mating with a corresponding output gear in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. A toner agitator is movably positioned in the reservoir. The toner agitator is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a first rotational direction causes movement of the toner agitator for agitating toner in the reservoir. An encoded member is encoded with identifying information of the toner container and is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a second rotational direction causes movement of the encoded member for communicating the identifying information of the toner container to a sensor of the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. A one-way clutch is positioned to decouple the toner agitator from the input gear when the input gear rotates in the second rotational direction such that the toner agitator does not move with the input gear when the input gear rotates in the second rotational direction.
A toner container for use in an electrophotographic image forming device according to another example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. An input gear is positioned on the housing for mating with a corresponding output gear in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. A toner agitator is rotatably positioned in the reservoir. The toner agitator is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a first rotational direction causes rotation of the toner agitator in an operative rotational direction of the toner agitator for agitating toner in the reservoir. An encoded member is encoded with information pertaining to the toner container and is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a second rotational direction causes movement of the encoded member for reading of the information pertaining to the toner container by a sensor when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. A one-way clutch is configured to limit rotation of the toner agitator with the input gear to the operative rotational direction of the toner agitator.
A toner container for use in an electrophotographic image forming device according to another example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. An input gear is positioned on the housing for mating with a corresponding output gear in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. An outlet port is positioned on the housing and is in fluid communication with the reservoir for exiting toner from the toner container. An auger is positioned within the housing and is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a first rotational direction causes rotation of the auger in an operative rotational direction of the auger. The auger is positioned to move toner to the outlet port when the auger rotates in the operative rotational direction of the auger. A toner agitator is positioned in the reservoir that includes a rotatable drive shaft. The toner agitator is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in the first rotational direction causes rotation of the drive shaft in an operative rotational direction of the toner agitator for agitating toner in the reservoir. An encoded member is encoded with identifying information of the toner container and is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a second rotational direction causes movement of the encoded member for communicating the identifying information of the toner container to a sensor of the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. A one-way clutch is positioned to decouple the auger and the toner agitator from the input gear when the input gear rotates in the second rotational direction such that the auger and the drive shaft do not rotate with the input gear when the input gear rotates in the second rotational direction.
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings where like numerals represent like elements. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical, and mechanical changes, etc., may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Examples merely typify possible variations. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of others. The following description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to
In the example embodiment shown in
Controller 28 includes a processor unit and associated electronic memory 29. The processor may include one or more integrated circuits in the form of a microprocessor or central processing unit and may be formed as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Memory 29 may be any volatile or non-volatile memory or combination thereof, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory and/or non-volatile RAM (NVRAM). Memory 29 may be in the form of a separate memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM), a hard drive, a CD or MD drive, or any memory device convenient for use with controller 28. Controller 28 may be, for example, a combined printer and scanner controller.
In the example embodiment illustrated, controller 28 communicates with print engine 30 via a communications link 50. Controller 28 communicates with imaging unit 200 and processing circuitry 44 thereon via a communications link 51. Controller 28 communicates with toner cartridge 100 and processing circuitry 45 thereon via a communications link 52. Controller 28 communicates with media feed system 38 via a communications link 53. Controller 28 communicates with scanner system 40 via a communications link 54. User interface 36 is communicatively coupled to controller 28 via a communications link 55. Controller 28 communicates with drive motor 70 via a communications link 56. Controller 28 communicates with sensor 72 via a communications link 57. Controller 28 processes print and scan data and operates print engine 30 during printing and scanner system 40 during scanning. Processing circuitry 44, 45 may provide authentication functions, safety and operational interlocks, operating parameters and usage information related to imaging unit 200 and toner cartridge 100, respectively. Each of processing circuitry 44, 45 includes a processor unit and associated electronic memory. As discussed above, the processor may include one or more integrated circuits in the form of a microprocessor or central processing unit and may include one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The memory may be any volatile or non-volatile memory or combination thereof or any memory device convenient for use with processing circuitry 44, 45.
Computer 24, which is optional, may be, for example, a personal computer, including electronic memory 60, such as RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM, an input device 62, such as a keyboard and/or a mouse, and a display monitor 64. Computer 24 also includes a processor, input-′output (I/O) interfaces, and may include at least one mass data storage device, such as a hard drive, a CD-ROM and/or a DVD unit (not shown). Computer 24 may also be a device capable of communicating with image forming device 22 other than a personal computer such as, for example, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or other electronic device.
In the example embodiment illustrated, computer 24 includes in its memory a software program including program instructions that function as an imaging driver 66, e.g., printer/scanner driver software, for image forming device 22. Imaging driver 66 is in communication with controller 28 of image forming device 22 via communications link 26. Imaging driver 66 facilitates communication between image forming device 22 and computer 24. One aspect of imaging driver 66 may be, for example, to provide formatted print data to image forming device 22, and more particularly to print engine 30, to print an image. Another aspect of imaging driver 66 may be, for example, to facilitate collection of scanned data from scanner system 40.
In some circumstances, it may be desirable to operate image forming device 22 in a standalone mode. In the standalone mode, image forming device 22 is capable of functioning without computer 24. Accordingly, all or a portion of imaging driver 66, or a similar driver, may be located in controller 28 of image forming device 22 so as to accommodate printing and/or scanning functionality when operating in the standalone mode.
Print engine 30 includes a laser scan unit (LSU) 31, toner cartridge 100, imaging unit 200 and a fuser 37, all mounted within image forming device 22. Imaging unit 200 is removably mounted in image forming device 22 and includes a developer unit 202 that houses a toner sump and a toner development system. In one embodiment, the toner development system utilizes what is commonly referred to as a single component development system. In this embodiment, the toner development system includes a toner adder roll that provides toner from the toner sump to a developer roll. A doctor blade provides a metered uniform layer of toner on the surface of the developer roll. In another embodiment, the toner development system utilizes what is commonly referred to as a dual component development system. In this embodiment, toner in the toner sump of developer unit 202 is mixed with magnetic carrier beads. The magnetic carrier beads may be coated with a polymeric film to provide triboelectric properties to attract toner to the carrier beads as the toner and the magnetic carrier beads are mixed in the toner sump. In this embodiment, developer unit 202 includes a magnetic roll that attracts the magnetic carrier beads having toner thereon to the magnetic roll through the use of magnetic fields. Imaging unit 200 also includes a cleaner unit 204 that houses a photoconductive drum and a waste toner removal system.
Toner cartridge 100 is removably mounted in imaging forming device 22 in a mating relationship with developer unit 202 of imaging unit 200. An outlet port on toner cartridge 100 communicates with an inlet port on developer unit 202 allowing toner to be periodically transferred from toner cartridge 100 to resupply the toner sump in developer unit 202.
The electrophotographic printing process is well known in the art and, therefore, is described briefly herein. During a printing operation, laser scan unit 31 creates a latent image on the photoconductive drum in cleaner unit 204. Toner is transferred from the toner sump in developer unit 202 to the latent image on the photoconductive drum by the developer roll (in the case of a single component development system) or by the magnetic roll (in the case of a dual component development system) to create a toned image. The toned image is then transferred to a media sheet received by imaging unit 200 from media input tray 39 for printing. Toner may be transferred directly to the media sheet by the photoconductive drum or by an intermediate transfer member that receives the toner from the photoconductive drum. Toner remnants are removed from the photoconductive drum by the waste toner removal system. The toner image is bonded to the media sheet in fuser 37 and then sent to an output location or to one or more finishing options such as a duplexer, a stapler or a hole-punch.
Referring now to
With reference to
Sides 108, 109 may each include an alignment guide 124 that extends outward from the respective side 108, 109 to assist, the insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22. Alignment guides 124 travel in corresponding guide slots in image forming device 22 that guide the insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 22. In the example embodiment illustrated, an alignment guide 124 is positioned on the outer side of each end cap 112, 113. Alignment guides 124 may run along a front-to-rear dimension of housing 102 as shown in
With reference to
Toner agitator assembly 130 also includes a rotatable drive shaft 134 and one or more toner agitators 136 in the form of extensions outward from drive shaft 134. Drive shaft 134 includes a rotational axis 135. In the example embodiment illustrated, rotational axis 135 of drive shaft 134 is parallel to rotational axis 133 of auger 132. In operation, drive shaft 134 rotates in an operative rotational direction 139. Toner agitators 136 rotate with drive shaft 134 around rotational axis 135 when drive shaft 134 rotates in operative rotational direction 139. As drive shaft 134 rotates, toner agitators 136 agitate and mix the toner stored in toner reservoir 104 and, in the embodiment illustrated, move toner toward channel 128 where auger 132 moves the toner to outlet port 118. In the example embodiment illustrated, first and second ends of drive shaft 134 extend through aligned openings in side walls 114, 115, respectively. However, drive shaft 134 may take other positions and orientations as desired. Bushings may be provided on an inner side of each side wall 114, 115 where drive shaft 134 passes through side walls 114, 115.
A drive train 140 on housing 102 is operatively connected to auger 132 and drive shaft 134 and may be positioned within a space formed between end cap 112 and side wall 114. Drive train 140 includes an input gear 142 that engages with a corresponding output gear in image forming device 22 that provides rotational motion from drive motor 70 in image forming device 22 to input gear 142. As shown in
With reference to
In the example embodiment illustrated, authentication information is encoded on encoded member 160 by randomly distributed magnetized particles 164 dispersed on disk 162, e.g., on the surface of disk 162 and/or within disk 162. Particles 164 are distributed randomly such that it is difficult to reproduce the exact distribution and alignment of particles 164 thereby making the distribution difficult to copy. In this embodiment, sensor 72 is positioned in close proximity to encoded member 62 when toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 22, such as, adjacent to and facing the outboard side of disk 162 as schematically illustrated in
While the example embodiment illustrated includes information encoded by a random distribution of magnetized particles and detection by measuring the magnetic field of the particles, it will be appreciated that information may be encoded by a random distribution of non-magnetized particles and detection may occur according to other means, such as, for example, by measuring an optical property of the particles. Further, in lieu of a random pattern, information may be encoded according to a predetermined pattern using any suitable indicia and detection method. However, as discussed above, it is preferred for authentication information to be encoded according to a random pattern so that the encoded information is more difficult for a counterfeiter to reproduce.
With reference back to
In operation, controller 28 drives motor 70 in a first rotational direction to drive toner agitator assembly 130 and in a second rotational direction to perform a reading of encoded member 160 by sensor 72. In particular, when controller 28 drives motor 70 in the first rotational direction, input gear 142 rotates in a first rotational direction 152a and, in turn, rotates auger 132 and drive shaft 134 in operative rotational directions 138, 139 to feed toner from toner cartridge 100 to developer unit 202. When controller 28 drives motor 70 in the second rotational direction, input gear 142 rotates in a second rotational direction 152b. Sensor 72 is configured to read encoded member 160 as input gear 142 rotates in rotational direction 152b. In this manner, sensor 72 is able to perform a reading of encoded member 160 separately from a toner feed operation so that the authenticity or validity of toner cartridge 100 may be checked prior to the first use of toner cartridge 100 or at other times when toner cartridge 100 is not in use.
With reference to
In the example embodiment illustrated, one-way clutch 170 includes a clutch disk 172 positioned against an outboard face 145 of drive gear 144. Clutch disk 172 is biased against outboard face 145 of drive gear 144 by a bias spring 174. A bracket 176 positioned between end cap 112 and side wall 114 locates spring 174 relative to clutch disk 172 and drive gear 144. In the example embodiment illustrated, bracket 176 also locates input gear 142 relative to end cap 112 and to the rest of drive train 140.
With reference to
With reference to
Engagement members 186 of clutch disk 172 are positioned to engage corresponding dwells or openings 192 on drive gear 144 shown in
With reference to
While the example embodiment illustrated in
As discussed above, drive train 140 may take many suitable configurations for transferring rotational motion from input gear 142 to toner agitator assembly 130 and to encoded member 160. Further, while the exampled embodiment illustrated includes a one-way clutch 170 positioned on drive gear 144 connected to drive shaft 134, one or more one-way clutches may be positioned at any suitable point(s) along drive train 140 to limit the rotational motion of at least one component of toner agitator assembly 130 to its operative rotational direction. For example, a first one-way clutch may be positioned to limit the motion of auger 132 to operative rotational direction 138 and a second one-way clutch may be positioned to limit the motion of drive shaft 134 and toner agitators 136 to operative rotational direction 139. Alternatively, a single one-way clutch may be positioned to limit the motion of auger 132 as well as drive shaft 134 and toner agitators 136 to their operative rotational directions 138, 139.
For example,
When input gear 1142 rotates in a rotational direction 1152a, contact between contact faces 1188 of engagement members 1186 of input gear 1142 and lugs 1180 of drive gear 1172 causes drive gear 1172 to rotate with input gear 1142 as discussed above with respect to engagement members 186 of clutch disk 172 and openings 192 of drive gear 144, Drive gear 1144 connected to drive shaft 134 is meshed with drive gear 1172 such that rotation of drive gear 1172 causes drive gear 1144, drive shaft 134 and toner agitators 136 to rotate with input gear 1142 when input gear 1142 rotates in rotational direction 1152a. Drive gear 1146 is connected to drive gear 1144 by way of an idler gear 1148 and a compound idler gear 1150 such that rotation of drive gear 1172 causes drive gear 1146 and auger 132 to rotate with input gear 1142 when input gear 1142 rotates in rotational direction 1152a.
When input gear 1142 rotates in an opposite rotational direction 1152b, contact between lugs 1180 of drive gear 1172 and ramps 1190 of engagement members 1186 of input gear 1142 cause drive gear 1172 to translate axially away from input gear 1142 against the bias applied to drive gear 1172 by spring 1174 as discussed above with respect to engagement members 186 of clutch disk 172 and openings 192 of drive gear 144. As a result, drive gear 1142 continuously rotates independent of drive gear 1172 such that auger 132, drive shaft 134 and toner agitators 136 do not rotate with input gear 1142 when input gear 1142 rotates in rotational direction 1152b.
While the example embodiments illustrated include a one-way clutch to limit the rotational motion of at least one component of toner agitator assembly 130 to its operative rotational direction, toner cartridge 100 may also include a one-way clutch positioned to limit rotation of encoded member 160 to a single direction as desired for reading by sensor 72. For example,
As discussed above, while the example embodiments illustrated include an encoded member 160 that includes information encoded by a random distribution of magnetized particles, information may be encoded on an encoded member that is movably connected to an input gear of toner cartridge 100 according to many other suitable methods. For example,
While the example embodiments discussed above include a toner agitator assembly 130 that includes a rotatable auger 132 and a rotatable drive shaft 134 having toner agitators 136 extending outward therefrom, it will be appreciated that toner agitator assembly 130 may include any suitable combination of rotating, shifting, reciprocating or otherwise movable toner agitators, which may take many shapes, forms, sizes and orientations. For example, the toner agitator(s) may include any suitable combination of one or more paddles, augers, rakes, combs, scoops, plows, arms, extensions, prongs, flaps, mixers, conveyors, screws, etc.
While the example embodiment shown in
The foregoing description illustrates various aspects of the present disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive. Rather, it is chosen to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the present disclosure, including its various modifications that naturally follow. All modifications and variations are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims. Relatively apparent modifications include combining one or more features of various embodiments with features of other embodiments.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/087,944, filed Nov. 3, 2020, entitled “Toner Container Having a Common Input Gear for a Toner Agitator Assembly and an Encoded Member,” which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/690,203, filed Nov. 21, 2019, now U.S. patent Ser. No. 10,859,944, issued Dec. 8, 2020, entitled “Toner Container Having a Common Input Gear for a Toner Agitator Assembly and an Encoded Member,” which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/157,495, filed Oct. 11, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,527,967, issued Jan. 7, 2020, entitled “Toner Container Having a Common Input Gear for a Toner Agitator Assembly and an Encoded Member.”
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17087944 | Nov 2020 | US |
Child | 17543045 | US | |
Parent | 16690203 | Nov 2019 | US |
Child | 17087944 | US | |
Parent | 16157495 | Oct 2018 | US |
Child | 16690203 | US |