EP2196865A2 - Cartouche d'encre intégrée avec agitateur d'encre et dispositif de détection - Google Patents

Cartouche d'encre intégrée avec agitateur d'encre et dispositif de détection Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2196865A2
EP2196865A2 EP10158326A EP10158326A EP2196865A2 EP 2196865 A2 EP2196865 A2 EP 2196865A2 EP 10158326 A EP10158326 A EP 10158326A EP 10158326 A EP10158326 A EP 10158326A EP 2196865 A2 EP2196865 A2 EP 2196865A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
toner
sensing device
primary shaft
gear
beater
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10158326A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2196865A3 (fr
Inventor
Steven Miller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cartridge Corp of America Inc
Original Assignee
Cartridge Corp of America Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cartridge Corp of America Inc filed Critical Cartridge Corp of America Inc
Publication of EP2196865A2 publication Critical patent/EP2196865A2/fr
Publication of EP2196865A3 publication Critical patent/EP2196865A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • G03G21/10—Collecting or recycling waste developer
    • G03G21/12—Toner waste containers
    • 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
    • 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
    • G03G15/0862—Detection or control means for the developer level the level being measured by optical 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
    • G03G15/0887—Arrangements for conveying and conditioning developer in the developing unit, e.g. agitating, removing impurities or humidity
    • G03G15/0889—Arrangements for conveying and conditioning developer in the developing unit, e.g. agitating, removing impurities or humidity for agitation or stirring
    • 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
    • G03G21/181—Manufacturing or assembling, recycling, reuse, transportation, packaging or storage
    • 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
    • G03G21/1817—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof having a submodular arrangement
    • G03G21/1821—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof having a submodular arrangement means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/08—Details of powder developing device not concerning the development directly
    • G03G2215/0802—Arrangements for agitating or circulating developer material
    • G03G2215/085—Stirring member in developer container
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/08—Details of powder developing device not concerning the development directly
    • G03G2215/0888—Arrangements for detecting toner level or concentration in the developing device

Definitions

  • Laser printers use a coherent beam of light, hence the term “laser printer,” to expose discrete portions of an image transfer drum thus attracting the printing toner.
  • Toner is a mixture of pigment (most commonly black) and plastic particles.
  • the toner becomes electro-statically attracted to exposed portions of the image transfer drum
  • the toner is transferred to paper, or other medium, as it passes over the rotating image transfer drum. Subsequently, the paper is heated so that the plastic is melted thereby permanently affixing the ink to the paper.
  • the vast majority of commercially available desktop laser printers include replaceable or removeable toner cartridges that incorporate an image transfer drum, a toner tank, and a metering system.
  • a drive mechanism is connected to the drum and metering system
  • Modem toner cartridges often include a variety of sensors that interact with the laser printer to indicate the status of the cartridge. Indications relating to toner level, print quality and general cartridge function are often included as well.
  • the sensing system typically includes an encoder wheel interconnected with a rotating agitating paddle within a cylindrical toner tank. Movement of the agitating paddle feeds toner into the metering system. The encoder wheel reports the movement of the agitating paddle wheel through the toner reservoir.
  • the novel toner cartridge includes a waste bin at the leading end of the toner cartridge.
  • a main body connects to the waste bin at a trailing end of the waste bin.
  • the waste bin and main body are fixedly interconnected to one another and are held against movement relative to one another when fully installed within said toner cartridge receiving cavity.
  • a rear housing connects to the main body at the trailing end of the main body thereby defining a toner chamber therein.
  • the rear housing and main body are fixedly interconnected to one another and being held against movement relative to one another when manufactured.
  • the waste bin includes a leading end sculpted to mate with the cartridge receiving cavity of a plurality of printers.
  • the waste bin connects to the main body by fasteners chosen from the group consisting of adhesives, dovetail joinery, and mechanical fasteners.
  • the novel toner cartridge includes a toner beater and sensing device for use in a toner cartridge having a toner chamber including a primary shaft rotatable in the toner chamber having a plurality of support members protruding radially from the primary shaft.
  • a sensing device pivotally connects to the primary shaft such that the sensing device rotates within the toner chamber in the same path of travel as, and in leading relation to, the support members.
  • An encoder disk connects to one end of the primary shaft connected to the sensing device, such that the rotation of the sensing device coincides with the rotation of the encoder disk.
  • a gear is disposed at one end of the primary shaft such that rotation of the gear causes the primary shaft to rotate within the toner chamber.
  • the toner beater and sensing device include a biasing means attached to the encoder disk and primary shaft such that the sensing device is selectively forced, when no resistance is exerted upon thereon, into leading relation to the support members as the primary shaft rotates.
  • Adjacent to the gear, the toner beater and sensing device includes a spiral support material disposed along one of the primary shaft adjacent to the gear such that toner is urged from the perimeter of the toner chamber toward the center of the chamber.
  • encoder disk further includes a plurality of indicia capable of detection by a printer such that detection thereof indicates the level of toner in the toner chamber.
  • the encoder disk further includes a plurality of blades across its outer surface such that rotation of the encoder disk causes particulate matter to be blown away from the encoder disk thus cleaning the light sensor in the printer.
  • the gear connected to the primary shaft is a ratcheting gear.
  • the ratcheting gear includes a plurality of ratcheting detents radially oriented within the inner surface of the ratcheting gear.
  • a gear disk is rotatably disposed within the ratcheting gear, equipped with a plurality of pawls adapted to be received by the detents of the ratcheting gear such that the ratcheting gear will rotate about the gear disk when the resistance on the primary shaft exceeds the force applied by the rotation of the ratcheting gear.
  • Also provided is a method of sensing the amount of toner in a toner cartridge having a toner chamber by providing a primary shaft that plurality of support members that protruding radially from the primary shaft.
  • a sensing device is pivotally connected to the primary shaft such that the sensing device rotates within the toner chamber in the same path of travel as, and in leading relation to, the support members.
  • An encoder disk disposed at one end of the primary shaft connected to the sensing device, such that the rotation of the sensing device is conjoint with the rotation of the encoder disk.
  • a number of indicia established on the encoder disk are detected by a light source within the printer.
  • a toner usage algorithm is defined based on the position of the indicia on the encoder disk, as detected by the light source within the printer, when the sensing device contacts the toner.
  • the amount of toner estimated to be remaining within the toner chamber is communicated to the user by the interface provided by the printer software.
  • the novel toner cartridge has a photoconductive drum on which an electrostatic image is formed.
  • the photoconductive drum rotates in a plane perpendicular to that of the print medium passing through the toner cartridge.
  • a recovery blade is placed in direct contact with the photoconductive drum.
  • the photoconductive drum is exposed to light, usually a laser, which imprints a latent image thereon.
  • a developing roller converts the electrostatic-image into a toner-image.
  • Toner is then transferred to the print medium by means of static electricity, an opposite polar charge on the print medium, established by a transfer roller.
  • the recovery blade then scrapes the waste toner from the photoconductive drum and directs it to the waste bin.
  • Novel toner cartridge 1 denotes an illustrative embodiment of the novel toner cartridge as a whole.
  • Novel toner cartridge 1 is made by interconnecting waste bin 10 and rear housing 30 to main body 20. Specifically, as suggested by the alignment of parts in FIG. 3 , trailing end of waste bin 10 is connected to the leading end of main body 20. In similar fashion, the leading end of toner reservoir 30 is connected to the trailing end of main body 20 ( FIG. 2 ).
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate possible methods of connecting waste bin 10 with main body 20. In one embodiment ( FIG.
  • waste bin 10 is positioned over the leading end of main body 20 and then lowered until the two parts are interconnected via correlating connecting mechanisms 11 located on waste bin 10 and the leading end of main body 21. Illustrative embodiments of how waste bin 10 is connected to main body 20 are disclosed more fully herein.
  • Waste Bin The waste bin is attached to the main body either permanently or by releasable means, for the purposes of maintenance.
  • the fasteners FIG. 4
  • FIG. 5 An alternative attachment method, FIG. 5 , is achieved by means of an integral fastener received by a flared receiving channel 12a, much like a dove-tail joint, on waste bin 10 that accepts a pin 22a, on main body 20 by way of a sliding action whereby the pin and channel interlock.
  • the wiper blade and the recovery blade are integrated with the front section.
  • FIG. 6 shows the construction of main body 20 independent of waste bin 10 and rear housing 30.
  • Main body 20 houses the doctor bar & spring, developer roller, toner adder roller, photoconductive drum, sealing members and a toner sifter (not shown).
  • main body 20 At its leading end, main body 20 has two extensions 21 at its lateral ends adapted to receive waste bin 10 (as discussed supra).
  • Doctor bar & spring, developer roller, toner adder roller, photoconductive drum, sealing members and a toner sifter are located between extensions 21 and in trailing relation to waste bin 10.
  • main body 20 As depicted in FIG. 7 , the trailing end of main body 20 is open, defining a space between the lateral walls thereof. On one end of main body 20 the side wall extends outward to form a male-connection point 25 which is received by rear housing 30, as discussed below. An opening 25a is disposed within male-connection point 25 through which extends the primary shaft of the beater/sensing device (discussed below) to communicate with the gear which drives the toner beater sensing device.
  • the adjacent side wall is adapted with a semi-circular inward recess defining a female-connection point 26 to receive a corresponding male-connection point on rear housing 30.
  • Protective cover 27 is disposed adjacent to the side wall comprising female-connection point 26 to prevent external forces, while in use or in storage, from causing damage to the moving parts of the toner cartridge.
  • Protective cover 27 also provides a contact point for a pin (73, FIG. 13 ) located on the encoder disk, opposite the gear which drives the rotation thereof. This contact point prevents lateral movement of the encoder disk during operation.
  • Vent 24 permits air to enter the toner chamber as toner is expelled, thus facilitating the flow of toner. Without vent 24, a vacuum would be created within the toner cartridge and the resulting external pressure would prevent toner from being applied.
  • a filtration material such as felt, is placed over vent 24 to prevent toner from escaping through vent 24. The filter material must be sufficiently permeable to allow air to pass into the toner chamber, while sufficiently impermeable to prevent the escape of toner.
  • Air channels 24a allow air to flow to vent 24 when a circuit board or retaining material is placed over circuit board-receptacle 24b.
  • Toner chamber As shown in FIG. 8 , the leading edge of rear housing 30 has a perimeter of a connecting surface 38 in the fashion of a tongue-and-groove, to mate with a corresponding connecting surface 28 of main body 20 ( FIG. 7 ).
  • Rear housing 30 includes vertical tabs 39 formed on its upper surface that engage slots 29 formed on main body 20 ( FIG. 7 ).
  • Rear housing 30 can be adhered to main body 20 by any means known in the art. Illustrative examples include, but are not limited to, adhesives, welding, and mechanical fasteners.
  • a toner chamber is defined by the cavity formed therein. Toner is discharged from a lower portion of main body 20 and supplied to the toner-adder roller.
  • the toner chamber holds fresh, unused toner and houses the beater and sensing device.
  • the toner beater and sensing device extend from the primary drive shaft.
  • the primary drive shaft is rotatably supported and driven, through a gear train, by a drive element in the laser printer.
  • the toner beater and sensing device agitate the toner, thus preventing the toner from becoming compacted. In this manner, the toner is kept sufficiently fluid to be discharged uniformly from main body 20.
  • Fill-hole 35 is disposed within the side wall of rear housing 30 ( FIG. 8 ).
  • Fill-hole 35 is preferably oval shaped, thus allowing air to escape the toner chamber as toner is funneled into the toner chamber.
  • Fill-cap 35a is inserted into fill-hole 35 so toner cannot escape there through.
  • fill-cap 35a is releasably placed within fill-hole 35 so the cartridge can be recycled and re-filled.
  • the novel toner cartridge can be manufactured using two halves which are adhered together.
  • FIG. 9 shows an alternate construction method of toner cartridge 1 wherein top portion 1a is adhered to bottom portion 1b. It is also contemplated that similar construction can be achieved using a left and right portion adhered along their longitudinal access. This construction also permits the addition of the elements necessary for operation (photoconductive drum, beater, toner adder roller, etc.).
  • One embodiment of the inventive apparatus includes a shaft assembly, denoted as whole by reference numeral 40 in FIG. 10 , comprising, generally, a primary drive shaft 50, having a cored-out region 52 ( Fig. 11 ) which provides a point of connection for a toner sensing device 60.
  • Primary shaft 50 further comprises a plurality of protruding support-members 55, spiraling support material 56 and axle 57 upon which is mounted gear 80 for conjoint rotation therewith ( Fig. 11 ).
  • Toner sensing device 60 is pivotally connected to primary drive shaft 50.
  • the range of motion of sensing device 60 is between zero (0) degrees (direct contact) and an angle not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) degrees with respect to protruding support members 55 affixed to primary shaft 50 (see FIG. 18 ).
  • sensing device 60 When sensing device 60 is oriented at zero (0) degrees, with relation to support members 55, it is in its position of engagement.
  • sensing device 60 is oriented at its greatest distance from support members 55, it is in its position of repose.
  • toner sensing device 60 comprises a sensing device shaft 63 which resides within a cored out region 52 of primary shaft 50.
  • sensing device 60 is spaced away from primary shaft 50 by extension arms 65. In this manner sensing device 60 moves in an arcuate path of travel in relation to both primary shaft 50 and sensing device shaft 63.
  • the range of motion of sensing device 60 is between zero (0) degrees (engagement) and an angle not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) degrees with respect to protruding support members 55 affixed to primary shaft 50 (repose) (see FIG. 18 ).
  • primary shaft 50 is hollow 52a to enable insertion of encoder axle 70 into primary shaft 50 at hollow end 52a and thereby extend into cored-out region 52.
  • Encoder axle 70 thereby engages sensing device shaft 63 causing sensing device 60 to rotate as force is exerted on encoder axle 70. Accordingly, encoder axle 70, and therefore sensing device shaft 63, rotate independently of primary shaft 50 when the disposition of sensing device 60 is between zero (0) degrees (direct contact) and an angle not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) degrees with respect to protruding support members 55 affixed to primary shaft 50 (see FIG. 11 ).
  • Biasing means 72 such as a spring, engages encoder disk 75 and primary shaft 50, preferably at a point along shaft 50 which is outside the body of the completed cartridge, such as point 72a. Biasing means 72 applies sufficient rotational force to encoder axle 70 (and thereby on sensing device shaft 63) to extend sensing device 60 to its point of repose, not greater than one hundred eighty (180) degrees from protruding support members 55 when no resistance, i.e. no toner, is exerted against sensing device 60.
  • gear 80 provides the rotational force for primary shaft 50 at all times and for toner sensing device 60 when toner sensing device 60 is at its point of repose, or its minimal distance, engagement.
  • Biasing means 72 provides rotational force for sensing device 60 when sensing device 60 is between its minimum and maximum extension range.
  • Conforming seals are used to prevent toner from leaking from the toner chamber.
  • Two seals 63a, 63b are placed on the ends of sensing device shaft 63 at its distal ends.
  • Conforming seal 63a is disposed at the distal end of sensing device shaft 63 where it abuts inner surface of cored-out region 52. In this manner, toner is prevented from traveling through the hollow section 52a of primary shaft 50 and out of the toner chamber.
  • Seal 63b prevents toner from infiltrating the contact space between sensing device shaft 63 and cored-out region 52 opposite encoder axle 70, which could cause binding of sensing device shaft 63 thus interfering with its pivoting action.
  • Conforming seals 50a and 50b insulate the distal ends of primary shaft 50 to prevent toner from escaping the chamber.
  • FIG. 12 shows a detail construction of encoder disk 75 in one embodiment of the inventive apparatus.
  • Biasing means 72 connects to encoder wheel 75 at point 72b.
  • the opposite end of biasing means 72 attaches to primary shaft 50 at point 72a as discussed supra.
  • the end of encoder axle 70 is provided with a contact surface 71 which engages sensing device shaft 63. In this manner, the force exerted on encoder axle 70 by biasing means 72 transfers to sensing device shaft 63 causing it to rotate if the force exceeds the resistance.
  • Toner level indicia 78 can be disposed along any radius of encoder disk 75.
  • a detecting source usually a beam of light
  • encoding disk 75 When the disk rotates so as to expose indicia 78 to the beam, the light passes through encoding disk 75 to a sensor which tells the printer the level of toner.
  • Window 79 is disposed within encoder disk 75 to serve as a reference point for the toner level sensor of the printer. Any number of indicia can be used, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.
  • a light sensitive sensor in the printer identifies the position of window 79 and relays a signal to the intelligence in the host printer which references the position of the window as the home position.
  • the home position is necessary for the printer to complete the initialization sequence.
  • An error signal is generated when the home position cannot be determined, thus disabling operation of the printer.
  • FIG. 13 offers an alternative view of how encoder axle 70 fits within the hollow end 52a of primary shaft 50.
  • Contact surface 71 extends to sensing device shaft 33, after passing through the hollow end 52a of primary shaft 50.
  • FIG. 13 also depicts the outer surface of encoder disk 75, which contains a series of blades 77.
  • sensing device 60 is released from resistance (usually provided by the presence of toner), it springs forward due to the rotational force provided by biasing means 72.
  • the increased rotation of encoder disk 75 causes blades 77 to channel air in a fan-like motion.
  • the fan-like action of encoder disk 75 helps to "blow-clean" any toner or other particulate matter from the toner sensing mechanism.
  • Gear 80 provides the rotational force for primary shaft 50.
  • Gear 80 engages the gear train of the toner cartridge (See FIG. 17 ) which connects to the drive means of the printer through drive dog gear 90.
  • the toner inside can settle and become compacted. Accordingly, when the beater mechanism contacts the compacted toner, the shaft may stop when the drive gear does not.
  • the drive gear can shear off the connecting end of primary shaft 50 causing catastrophic failure.
  • the beater assembly uses a ratcheting gear mechanism 80 ( FIGS. 14-16 ), although a rigid gear drive is envisioned as well.
  • the ratcheting gear assembly includes a ratcheting drive gear 80 with detent notches 82.
  • Gear disk 85 bearing ratcheting pawls 88 is disposed within gear 80.
  • gear disk 85 bearing ratcheting pawls 88 is disposed within gear 80.
  • gear disk 85 slips and engages gear 80, it drives the beater assembly through the toner slightly, as with a hammering movement.
  • Ratcheting pawls 88 continue to slip within detents 82 until the beater assembly has been driven through the toner and thus softened it from its hardened state.
  • alternating teeth 54 on support members 55 add strength and rigidity to the support members. Teeth 54 enable support members to plow through compacted toner, or alternatively "chip away" the compacted toner through the ratcheting motion of the apparatus.
  • toner sensing device 60 leads protruding support members 55 as primary shaft 50 and encoder axle 70 rotate ( FIG. 18A ). Sensing device 60 and support members 55 are not in contact as they move through the void of the toner container area above the body of toner. As the mechanism rotates through the toner chamber, sensing device 60 comes into contact with the toner where it stops ( FIG. 18B ) until support structures 55 of primary driving shaft 50 engage it ( FIG. 18C ) and drive it through the toner ( FIG. 18D ). When toner sensing device 60 emerges from the body of toner it springs forward and the cycle begins again ( FIG. 18E ).
  • encoder axle 70 and encoder disk 75 communicate to the printer the level of toner contained within the total cartridge.
  • Most printers employ a photo-optic system that determines the toner level by determining the location and timing measurements of voids within a timing disk (such as encoder disk 75) integral to the encoder axle. The printer determines the toner level by registering the point of contact where the toner level sensing device meets with the toner.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)
  • Cleaning In Electrography (AREA)
EP10158326A 2004-04-01 2005-04-01 Cartouche d'encre intégrée avec agitateur d'encre et dispositif de détection Withdrawn EP2196865A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US52132604P 2004-04-01 2004-04-01
EP05735117A EP1730601A4 (fr) 2004-04-01 2005-04-01 Cartouche de poudre imprimante integree avec agitateur de poudre imprimante et dispositif de detection

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05735117.3 Division 2005-04-01

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2196865A2 true EP2196865A2 (fr) 2010-06-16
EP2196865A3 EP2196865A3 (fr) 2010-09-01

Family

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10158326A Withdrawn EP2196865A3 (fr) 2004-04-01 2005-04-01 Cartouche d'encre intégrée avec agitateur d'encre et dispositif de détection
EP05735117A Withdrawn EP1730601A4 (fr) 2004-04-01 2005-04-01 Cartouche de poudre imprimante integree avec agitateur de poudre imprimante et dispositif de detection

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05735117A Withdrawn EP1730601A4 (fr) 2004-04-01 2005-04-01 Cartouche de poudre imprimante integree avec agitateur de poudre imprimante et dispositif de detection

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (2) EP2196865A3 (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0508061A (fr)
CA (2) CA2681904C (fr)
WO (2) WO2005098550A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013184102A1 (fr) * 2012-06-05 2013-12-12 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Récipient d'encre en poudre et dispositif d'impression

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JPH0798538A (ja) * 1993-09-29 1995-04-11 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 現像剤残量検出装置
BR9700989C1 (pt) * 1996-02-16 2000-04-25 Lexmark Int Inc Cartucho para uma máquinas eletrofotográfica
US5634169A (en) * 1996-02-16 1997-05-27 Lexmark International, Inc. Multiple function encoder wheel for cartridges utilized in an electrophotographic output device
US5768661A (en) * 1996-12-20 1998-06-16 Lexmark International, Inc. Toner cartridge with external planar installation guides
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Publication number Publication date
WO2005098549A2 (fr) 2005-10-20
EP1730601A2 (fr) 2006-12-13
CA2681904C (fr) 2013-06-25
CA2561070C (fr) 2010-03-16
WO2005098549A3 (fr) 2008-11-13
EP1730601A4 (fr) 2010-02-17
WO2005098550A1 (fr) 2005-10-20
CA2561070A1 (fr) 2005-10-20
CA2681904A1 (fr) 2005-10-20
BRPI0508061A (pt) 2007-07-17
EP2196865A3 (fr) 2010-09-01

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