Carbon powder supply method and device, image forming equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a carbon powder supply method which is executed on image forming equipment. The image forming equipment comprises a drum assembly, a developing box, a laser emitting unit, a carbon powder supply assembly, a carbon powder container and a concentration sensor, wherein the developing box is used for conveying a developing agent to the drum assembly; the laser emitting unit is used for forming a latent image on the drum assembly; the concentration sensor is used for detecting the concentration of carbon powder in the developing box; the carbon powder supply assembly is used for supplying carbon powder in the carbon powder container to the developing box, and comprises the following steps: when the imaging operation executed by the image forming equipment reaches a preset page number, executing a first carbon powder supply operation according to a first carbon powder supply amount calculated according to an adjusting value; therefore, the problem that the quality of formed images is low due to the fact that carbon powder is not supplied in time or the supply amount is improper is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of image formation, and particularly to a toner supply method, apparatus, image forming device, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] An image forming device performs image forming processing of receiving toner from a developing cartridge and forming a toner image on a photosensitive drum. The image forming device transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum to a printing medium.

[0003] During the process of an image forming device using two-component toner (a combination of toner + carrier) for imaging, a toner cartridge (powder cylinder) is required to supply toner to the developing cartridge. However, if the toner supply is not timely or the supplied amount is inappropriate, the quality of the formed image will be low and cannot meet the requirements of users. Therefore, it is necessary to control the toner supply process to meet the imaging requirements.

[0004] A detachable toner cartridge and a developing cartridge are provided in the image forming device, and the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge are connected by a transfer device. The toner cartridge stores toner or toner and a small amount of carrier. The developing cartridge can be used to consume toner for image development. The transfer device performs the action of transporting the toner in the toner cartridge to the developing cartridge. The developing cartridge is usually provided with a toner concentration sensor for detecting the ratio of toner in the toner and carrier in the developing cartridge. However, since the charge amount of the toner in the developer increases as the flowing time in the developing cartridge becomes longer; the increase in the charge amount of the toner causes an increase in the number of toner particles adhering to the carrier, thereby resulting in a decrease in the magnetic permeability of the developer. In this case, the output of the voltage signal detected by the concentration sensor is low, and the detected voltage signal of the concentration sensor becomes unreliable. In such a scenario, the toner supply action based on the detected voltage signal of the concentration sensor becomes inaccurate.

[0005] Meanwhile, the environment where the image forming device is located will also affect the quality of the printed image. In the case of poor environmental temperature and humidity, it is necessary to adjust the printing parameters to ensure the printing quality. The environmental temperature and humidity are usually detected by a temperature and humidity sensor. When the temperature and humidity sensor fails, the specific data of the environmental temperature and humidity cannot be obtained, which will cause the image forming device to be unable to adjust the printing parameters, resulting in a decrease in the quality of the printed image. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the toner supply action of the image forming device when the temperature and humidity sensor fails. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Aiming at the deficiencies of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a toner supply method, apparatus, image forming device, and storage medium, which are at least used to solve one of the technical problems.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner supply method, which is executed in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a drum unit, a developing cartridge for transporting toner onto the drum unit, a laser emitting unit for forming a latent image on the drum unit, a toner supply assembly, a toner container, and a concentration sensor for detecting the toner concentration in the developing cartridge. The toner supply assembly is configured to supply the toner in the toner container to the developing cartridge. The method is characterized in that it includes:

[0008] When the image forming apparatus executes an imaging job to reach a predetermined number of pages, a first toner supply operation is performed according to a first toner supply amount calculated based on an adjustment value. Wherein, the adjustment value changes according to the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit, and includes:

[0009] Obtain the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit;

[0010] When the cumulative rotation distance reaches an upper limit value, calculate an average coverage rate according to the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit;

[0011] Obtain the adjustment value according to the average coverage rate;

[0012] When the cumulative rotation distance does not reach the upper limit value, calculate the first toner supply amount according to a default adjustment value or the last obtained adjustment value.

[0013] The toner supply method of the present invention calculates the first toner supply amount through an adjustment value and performs the first toner supply operation, thereby solving the problem of low image quality caused by untimely toner supply or inappropriate supply amount.

[0014] In some embodiments, after each page of the imaging job is executed by the image forming apparatus, obtain the current rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge rotated during the execution of the imaging job and the current number of light points emitted by the laser emitting unit during the execution of the imaging job;

[0015] Calculate the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit according to the current rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the current number of light points of the laser emitting unit obtained for each page of the imaging job. In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0016] Obtain a first detection signal value of the concentration sensor;

[0017] Judge whether the first detection signal value is greater than a first threshold value;

[0018] When the first detection signal value is greater than the first threshold, the first toner supply operation is allowed to be performed or the execution frequency of the first toner supply operation is increased. In some embodiments, before determining whether the first detection signal value is greater than the first threshold, it further includes:

[0019] Adjust the first threshold according to the adjustment value.

[0020] In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0021] Determine whether the first toner supply amount is greater than the minimum toner supply amount;

[0022] If the first toner supply amount is not greater than the minimum toner supply amount, the first toner supply operation is not performed. In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0023] Obtain the number of times the first toner supply operation is not performed; if the number of times the first toner supply operation is not performed is greater than the preset number of times allowed not to perform the first toner supply operation, perform a second toner supply operation according to the preset toner supply amount. In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0024] If the number of times is not greater than the preset number of times allowed not to perform the first toner supply operation, the second toner supply operation is not performed. In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0025] Obtain the first detection signal value of the concentration sensor and the cumulative number of light points emitted by the laser emission unit;

[0026] Calculate the first toner consumption based on the cumulative number of light points of the laser emission unit;

[0027] Determine whether the concentration sensor is prohibited from being used;

[0028] If the concentration sensor is prohibited from being used, calculate the second toner supply amount based on the first toner consumption, and perform a third toner supply operation according to the second toner supply amount;

[0029] If the concentration sensor is not prohibited from being used, perform the first toner supply operation according to the first toner supply amount calculated based on the adjustment value.

[0030] In some embodiments, determining whether the concentration sensor is prohibited from being used includes:

[0031] Determine whether the first detection signal value is within the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal;

[0032] If the first detection signal value is not within the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal, determine whether the cumulative number of light points is greater than the cumulative number of light points threshold;

[0033] If the cumulative number of light points is not greater than the cumulative number of light points threshold, the concentration sensor is prohibited from being used.

[0034] In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0035] If the concentration sensor is disabled, determine whether the first detection signal value is within the preset detection signal value range;

[0036] If so, accumulate that the concentration sensor works normally once. When the number of times the concentration sensor works normally reaches the preset number of normal working times, enable the concentration sensor, and perform the first toner supply operation according to the first toner supply amount calculated based on the adjustment value;

[0037] If not, discard the first detection signal value.

[0038] In some embodiments, if the cumulative number of light points is not greater than the cumulative number of light points threshold, that the concentration sensor is prohibited from being used further includes:

[0039] Perform a concentration sensor fault reminder.

[0040] In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0041] Obtain the first detection signal value of the concentration sensor;

[0042] Determine whether the first detection signal value is within the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal;

[0043] If the first detection signal value is not within the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal, adjust the gain voltage of the concentration sensor;

[0044] Obtain the first detection signal value output by the concentration sensor after adjusting the gain voltage again;

[0045] If the first detection signal value is not within the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal, perform a concentration sensor fault reminder.

[0046] In some embodiments, adjusting the gain voltage of the concentration sensor includes:

[0047] Determine whether the first detection signal value is less than the upper limit value of the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal;

[0048] If the first detection signal value is less than the upper limit value of the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal, increase the gain voltage; or

[0049] If the value of the first detection signal is not less than the upper limit value of the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal, the gain voltage is reduced.

[0050] In some embodiments, the concentration sensor fault reminder when the value of the first detection signal is not within the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal further includes:

[0051] If the value of the first detection signal is not within the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal and the value of the first detection signal is less than the lower limit value of the normal output range of the concentration sensor, a concentration sensor fault reminder is performed.

[0052] In some embodiments, it further includes

[0053] Obtain the toner supply rate of the image forming apparatus;

[0054] Calculate the first toner supply time for performing the first toner supply operation according to the first toner supply amount and the toner supply rate;

[0055] Control the execution of the first toner supply operation according to the first toner supply time.

[0056] In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0057] Obtain the toner supply rate of the image forming apparatus;

[0058] Calculate the second toner supply time for performing the second toner supply operation according to the preset toner supply amount and the toner supply rate,

[0059] Control the execution of the second toner supply operation according to the second toner supply time.

[0060] In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0061] Obtain the toner supply rate of the image forming apparatus;

[0062] Calculate the third toner supply time for performing the third toner supply operation according to the second toner supply amount and the toner supply rate,

[0063] Control the execution of the third toner supply operation according to the third toner supply time.

[0064] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner supply device installed in an image forming apparatus, which includes a drum unit, a developing cartridge for transporting developer onto the drum unit, a laser emitting unit for forming a latent image on the drum unit, a toner supply assembly, a toner container, and a concentration sensor for detecting the toner concentration in the developing cartridge. The toner supply assembly is used to supply the toner in the toner container to the developing cartridge, and includes:

[0065] A controller for performing a first toner supply operation according to a first toner supply amount calculated based on an adjustment value when the image forming apparatus executes an imaging job to reach a predetermined number of pages; wherein the adjustment value changes according to the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit, including: obtaining the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit, when the cumulative distance reaches an upper limit value, calculating an average coverage rate according to the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit, obtaining the adjustment value according to the average coverage rate, or when the cumulative rotation distance does not reach the upper limit value, calculating the first toner supply amount according to a default adjustment value or the previously obtained adjustment value, and outputting a first control signal according to the first toner supply amount;

[0066] An execution unit for performing a first toner supply operation according to the first control signal.

[0067] In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0068] The controller determines that the first toner supply amount is not greater than the minimum toner supply amount, and does not output a first control signal for performing the first toner supply operation;

[0069] The controller determines that the number of times of not performing the first toner supply operation is greater than a preset number of times of allowing not to perform the first toner supply operation, and outputs a second control signal for performing a second toner supply operation;

[0070] The execution unit performs the second toner supply operation according to the second control signal.

[0071] In some embodiments, the output of the second control signal for performing the second toner supply operation further includes:

[0072] The controller calculates a second toner supply amount according to a preset toner supply amount and outputs the second control signal.

[0073] In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0074] The controller determines that the concentration sensor is prohibited from being used, calculates the first toner consumption based on the cumulative number of light points, calculates the third toner supply amount based on the first toner consumption, and outputs a third control signal for performing the third toner supply operation according to the third toner supply amount;

[0075] The execution unit performs the third toner supply operation according to the third control signal.

[0076] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner supply method, which is executed in an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus includes a detection unit for detecting the environmental temperature and humidity of the image forming apparatus. The method includes:

[0077] The initial temperature detection signal value and the initial humidity detection signal value output by the detection unit;

[0078] Heat the detection unit;

[0079] Obtain the heated temperature detection signal value and the heated humidity detection signal value output by the detection unit;

[0080] Compare the initial temperature detection signal value and the initial humidity detection signal value with the heated temperature detection signal value and the heated humidity detection signal value to determine whether the detection unit is abnormal; if the detection unit is abnormal, prohibit the image forming apparatus from performing toner supply.

[0081] The toner supply method of the present invention can realize the self-check of the environmental temperature and humidity of the image forming apparatus without manual control for detection. In the case where the detection unit cannot detect the environmental temperature and humidity, it is prompted that the detection unit for detecting the environmental temperature and humidity is abnormal, and the image forming apparatus is restricted from performing the toner supply operation, avoiding the situation that the printing parameter adjustment cannot be performed due to the inability to know the environmental temperature and humidity, resulting in a decrease in the quality of the printed image.

[0082] In some embodiments, before obtaining the initial temperature detection signal value and the initial humidity detection signal value output by the detection unit, it further includes: determining whether the image forming apparatus is in a powered-on state;

[0083] If the image forming apparatus is in a powered-on state, obtain the initial temperature detection signal value and the initial humidity detection signal value output by the detection unit. In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0084] If the image forming apparatus is not in a powered-on state, obtain the previous detection time difference, and determine whether the previous detection time difference is greater than the reference time difference;

[0085] If the last detection time difference is greater than the reference time difference, output the current temperature and current humidity of the image forming device; or

[0086] If the last detection time difference is not greater than the reference time difference, output the initial temperature and current humidity of the image forming device. In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0087] If the last detection time difference is greater than the reference time difference, obtain the working state of the temperature and humidity sensor;

[0088] If the working state of the temperature and humidity sensor is normal, output the current temperature and current humidity of the image forming device; or

[0089] If the last detection time difference is not greater than the reference time difference, obtain the working state of the temperature and humidity sensor;

[0090] If the working state of the temperature and humidity sensor is normal, output the initial temperature and initial humidity of the image forming device.

[0091] In some embodiments, the detection unit at least includes a first detection subunit for detecting the temperature and humidity of the internal environment of the image forming device and a second detection subunit for detecting the temperature and humidity of the external environment of the image forming device, and includes:

[0092] If the last detection time difference is greater than the reference time difference, obtain the working state of the first temperature and humidity sensor;

[0093] If the working state of the first detection subunit is normal, output the current internal temperature and current internal humidity of the image forming device; or

[0094] If the last detection time difference is not greater than the reference time difference, obtain the working state of the first detection subunit;

[0095] If the working state of the first detection subunit is normal, output the initial internal temperature and initial internal humidity of the image forming device.

[0096] In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0097] If the last detection time difference is greater than the reference time difference, obtain the working state of the first detection subunit;

[0098] If the working state of the first detection subunit is abnormal, obtain the working state of the second detection subunit;

[0099] If the working state of the second detection subunit is normal, output the current external temperature and current external humidity of the image forming device; or

[0100] If the previous detection time difference is not greater than the reference time difference, obtain the working state of the first detection subunit;

[0101] If the working state of the first detection subunit is normal, output the initial external temperature and initial external humidity of the image forming apparatus.

[0102] In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0103] Comparing the initial temperature detection signal value and the initial humidity detection signal value with the heating temperature detection signal value and the heating humidity detection signal value, and determining whether the temperature and humidity sensor is abnormal further includes:

[0104] Calculate the temperature rise value according to the initial temperature detection signal value and the heating temperature detection signal value, and calculate the humidity decrease value according to the initial humidity detection signal value and the heating humidity detection signal value;

[0105] Determine whether the temperature and humidity sensor is abnormal according to the temperature rise value and the humidity decrease value.

[0106] In some embodiments, determining whether the temperature and humidity sensor is abnormal according to the temperature rise value and the humidity decrease value further includes:

[0107] Determine whether the temperature rise value is less than the temperature rise range and whether the humidity decrease value is less than the humidity decrease range;

[0108] If the temperature rise value is less than the temperature rise range and the humidity decrease value is less than the humidity decrease range, determine that the temperature and humidity sensor is abnormal.

[0109] In some embodiments, before determining whether the temperature rise value is less than the temperature rise range and whether the humidity decrease value is less than the humidity decrease range, it further includes:

[0110] Determine whether the initial temperature detection signal value is greater than the ambient base temperature;

[0111] If the initial temperature detection signal value is greater than the ambient base temperature, determine whether the temperature rise value is less than the temperature rise range and whether the humidity decrease value is less than the humidity decrease range;

[0112] If the temperature rise value is less than the temperature rise range and the humidity decrease value is less than the humidity decrease range, determine that the temperature and humidity sensor is abnormal.

[0113] In some embodiments, it further includes:

[0114] If the initial temperature detection signal value is not greater than the ambient temperature base value, determine whether the temperature rise value is greater than the temperature rise range. If it is greater, determine that the temperature and humidity sensor is working properly.

[0115] In some embodiments, the step of prohibiting the image forming apparatus from performing toner supply when the detection unit malfunctions further includes:

[0116] When the detection unit malfunctions, prompt the user whether to prohibit the image forming apparatus from performing toner supply.

[0117] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner supply device installed in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a detection unit for detecting the ambient temperature and humidity of the image forming apparatus, and includes:

[0118] A controller for obtaining an initial temperature detection signal value and an initial humidity detection signal value output by the detection unit when the image forming apparatus is powered on;

[0119] A heating unit for heating the detection unit;

[0120] The controller is further configured to obtain a heating temperature detection signal value and a heating humidity detection signal value output by the detection unit; calculate a temperature rise value based on the heating temperature detection signal value and the initial temperature detection signal value, and calculate a humidity decrease value based on the heating humidity detection signal value and the initial humidity detection signal value; determine whether the temperature rise value is greater than a preset temperature rise value; if the temperature rise value is not greater than the preset temperature rise value, generate a fourth control signal;

[0121] An execution unit for prohibiting the image forming apparatus from performing toner supply according to the fourth control signal.

[0122] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, including:

[0123] At least one processor; and

[0124] A memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein,

[0125] The memory stores a computer program executable by the at least one processor. When the computer program is executed by the at least one processor, the at least one processor is enabled to execute the above-mentioned toner supply method.

[0126] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for causing a processor to execute the above-mentioned toner supply method when executed.

[0127] Compared with the prior art, the toner supply method, device, image forming apparatus and storage medium of the present invention calculate the toner supply amount through an adjustment value and perform toner supply, thereby solving the problem of low image quality caused by untimely toner supply or inappropriate supply amount, and being able to forcibly supply a predetermined toner supply amount to the developing cartridge when the toner supply amount after multiple executions of toner supply fails to reach the minimum toner supply amount, avoiding the occurrence of blurred printed images due to insufficient toner amount in the developing cartridge.

[0128] Through the toner supply method, device, image forming apparatus and storage medium of the present invention, when an abnormal situation occurs in the density sensor, by disabling the use of the density sensor, it is possible to avoid misjudgment by the controller due to the abnormality of the density sensor, and thus not perform the toner supply operation to solve the problem that the toner supply operation based on the detected voltage signal of the density sensor becomes inaccurate.

[0129] Through the toner supply method, device, image forming apparatus and storage medium of the present invention, it is possible to implement self-check of the ambient temperature and humidity of the image forming apparatus. In the case where the ambient temperature and humidity cannot be detected, it is possible to prompt that the detection unit for detecting the ambient temperature and humidity is abnormal, and restrict the image forming apparatus from performing the toner supply operation, avoiding the situation where the print image quality deteriorates due to the inability to obtain the ambient temperature and humidity and thus being unable to adjust the print parameters. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0130] Figure 1 Schematic structural diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0131] Figure 2 Schematic internal structure diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0132] Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of the internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0133] Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0134] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the controller of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0135] Figure 6 Flowchart of the first toner supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0136] Figure 7 Flowchart of the second toner supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0137] Figure 8Flow chart of the third toner supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0138] Figure 9 Flow chart of the fourth toner supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0139] Figure 10 Flow chart of the fifth toner supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0140] Figure 11 Flow chart of the first method for judging the state of the concentration sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0141] Figure 12 Flow chart of the second method for judging the state of the concentration sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0142] Figure 13 Flow chart of the third method for judging the state of the concentration sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0143] Figure 14 Flow chart of the first method for judging the state of the temperature and humidity sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0144] Figure 15 Trend of relevant temperature and humidity changes before and after heating of the temperature and humidity sensor of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0145] Figure 16 Flow chart of the self - inspection of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0146] Figure 17 Schematic structural diagram of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0147] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0148] An embodiment of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus 1, such as Figure 1 shown, the image forming apparatus 1 includes, but is not limited to, printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, and multifunction machines integrating functions such as printing, copying, faxing, scanning, etc., and its function is to print images or texts on an imaging medium.

[0149] As an example of an image forming apparatus 1, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, the image forming apparatus 1 includes drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4, developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4, toner cartridges 4-1 to 4-4, transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4, drivers 6-1 to 6-2, a laser emitting unit 7, and a controller 8. Among them, the controller 8 includes an MCU 81 and a storage module 82.

[0150] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, when the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 are performing an imaging operation in the image forming apparatus 1, after the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 are charged, their surfaces are in a state of uniformly distributed negative potential; after the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 are irradiated by the laser 7-1 to 7-4 from the laser emitting unit 7, the uniformly distributed negative potential state is destroyed, and the surface potential at the destroyed area is reduced; the image formed by connecting the surface potentials at the destroyed areas is called an "electrostatic latent image".

[0151] After the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 rotate, the distance rotated by their outer diameters is defined as the rotation distance, and the MCU 81 of the controller 8 receives the rotation distance information (as Figure 5 shown); the number of the lasers 7-1 to 7-4 emitted by the laser emitting unit 7, and the sum of their numbers is defined as the number of laser points, and the MCU 81 of the controller 8 receives the number of laser points information (as Figure 5 shown);

[0152] As Figures 2 - 4 shown, the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 are configured in a detachable mounting manner, which are installed inside the image forming apparatus 1 and cooperate with the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 one by one; the structures of the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 are the same. Now, the specific structure of the developing cartridge 3-1 will be described, and the structures of the other developing cartridges 3-2 to 3-4 can refer to the developing cartridge 3-1. The developing cartridge 3-1 includes a magnetic roller 3-1-1, a powder feeding screw 3-1-2, a powder mixing screw 3-1-3, a mixing chamber 3-1-4, and a concentration sensor 3-1-5; the mixing chamber 3-1-4 of the developing cartridge 3-1 stores a developer 3-1-6, which is subjected to the thrust generated by the rotation of the powder mixing screw 3-1-3 and the powder feeding screw 3-1-2 and circulates inside the mixing chamber 3-1-4; when the developer 3-1-6 is transported to the magnetic roller 3-1-1, the developer 3-1-6 is adsorbed onto the magnetic roller 3-1-1 by the magnetic force of the magnetic roller 3-1-1, and finally a uniformly distributed layer of the developer 3-1-6 adheres to the surface of the magnetic roller 3-1-1.

[0153] The developer 3-1-6 is composed of a mixture of toner and carrier. During the circulation of the developer 3-1-6 in the stirring chamber 3-1-4, the toner and the carrier rub against each other. The toner carries a negative charge and the carrier carries a positive charge. When the magnetic roller 3-1-1 is charged with a negative potential, there is an electric potential difference between the negative potential of the magnetic roller 3-1-1 and the negative potential of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4. The electric potential difference is manifested as follows: at the closest distance between the magnetic roller 3-1-1 and the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4, the potential of the magnetic roller 3-1-1 is higher than the undamaged surface potential on the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4. At this time, the electric field direction points to the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4. When the potential of the magnetic roller 3-1-1 is lower than the damaged surface potential on the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4, the electric field direction points to the magnetic roller 3-1-1.

[0154] When the developer 3-1-6 is at the closest distance between the magnetic roller 3-1-1 and the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4, the negatively charged toner is moved towards the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 under the action of the electric field force. The toner that reaches the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 is connected to form an image. This phenomenon is called "imaging". The positively charged carrier is moved towards the magnetic roller 3-1-1 under the action of the electric field force, and the carrier does not participate in imaging.

[0155] In the stirring chamber 3-1-4, when the developer 3-1-6 circulates to the concentration sensor 3-1-5, the concentration sensor 3-1-5 generates a level signal. When the ratio of toner to carrier in the developer 3-1-6 becomes higher, the level signal is manifested as decreasing, otherwise vice versa. This level signal is transmitted to the MCU81 of the controller 8 (as Figure 5 shown) and is calculated as the first detection signal value. The concentration sensor 3-1-5 can be a magnetic permeability sensor, and its detected signal output changes in proportion to the carrier concentration in the developer. Thus, the detected output signal of the concentration sensor can decrease as the toner concentration in the developer increases.

[0156] It should be noted that for the one-to-one matching relationship between the developing cartridges 3-2 to 3-4 and the drum assemblies 2-2 to 2-4, reference can be made to the matching relationship between the developing cartridge 3-1 and the drum assembly 2-1, so it will not be elaborated here.

[0157] As Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the toner cartridges 4-1 to 4-4 store toner inside; the transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4 are used to connect the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 and the toner cartridges 4-1 to 4-4. When the transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4 perform the toner supply operation, the transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4 drive the agitator racks of the toner cartridges 4-1 to 4-4 to rotate. The toner stored in the toner cartridges 4-1 to 4-4 drops into the pipes of the transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4. The screws of the transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4 convey the toner to the powder inlet of the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4, and finally the mixing screw 3-1-3 of the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 conveys the toner to the mixing chamber 3-1-4.

[0158] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4 are driven by the drivers 6-1 to 6-2. The drivers 6-1 to 6-2 receive controller signals to perform the toner supply operation. The transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4 and the drivers 6-1 to 6-2 can be regarded as an integral body; among them, the driver 6-1 is used to drive the transfer devices 5-1 to 5-2. When the driver 6-1 rotates forward, it drives the transfer device 5-1. When it rotates backward, it drives the transfer device 5-2. The driver 6-2 is used to drive the transfer devices 5-3 to 5-4. When the driver 6-2 rotates forward, it drives the transfer device 5-3. When it rotates backward, it drives the transfer device 5-4.

[0159] An embodiment of the present invention provides a toner supply method, which is executed on an image forming apparatus 1, as Figure 6 shown. The toner supply method includes:

[0160] S120: Obtain the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit;

[0161] In this embodiment, the controller 8 acquires the cumulative rotation distances of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 or the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 stored in the storage module 82 and the cumulative number of light points emitted by the laser emitting unit 7. When the image forming apparatus performs an imaging operation, the laser emitting unit 7 exposes the charged drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 according to the input image information, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on their surfaces. The controller 8 acquires the rotation distance of the drum assembly and the number of light points emitted by the laser emitting unit 6 during each page of the imaging operation, continuously accumulates them, and stores them in the storage module 82. When the number of printed pages of the imaging operation reaches a preset number of pages, such as 100 pages, the controller 8 acquires the cumulative rotation distances of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 and the cumulative number of light points emitted by the laser emitting unit 6 stored in the storage module 82, where the preset number of pages can be set differently according to requirements; the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 can supply toner to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4. Therefore, the rotation distance of the developing cartridge is the same as the rotation distance of the drum assembly during each page of the imaging operation. When the number of printed pages of the imaging operation reaches the preset number of pages, the calculation can also be performed by means of the cumulative rotation distance of the developing cartridge. When the image forming apparatus cumulatively performs the imaging operation of the preset number of pages, the toner consumption in the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 is also different. Therefore, it is necessary to recalculate the adjustment value in order to accurately control the supply amount of the first toner.

[0162] S130: Determine whether the cumulative rotation distance reaches a preset distance value;

[0163] In this embodiment, the controller 8 compares the cumulative rotation distance obtained based on S120 with a preset distance value (i.e., a preset upper limit value).

[0164] Specifically, the preset distance value can be the number of printed pages of the imaging operation. For example, if the rotation distance required for the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 to rotate during each page of the imaging operation is 100 mm, and the preset number of pages set by the current image forming apparatus is 100 pages, then the preset distance value is 10,000 mm. When the cumulative rotation distance of the drum assembly or the developing cartridge reaches 10,000 mm, it is considered that the number of pages of the imaging operation performed by the current image forming apparatus reaches 100 pages.

[0165] S140: When the cumulative rotation distance reaches the preset distance value, calculate the average coverage rate according to the cumulative number of light points and the cumulative rotation distance;

[0166] In this embodiment, if the controller 8 determines that the result of the cumulative rotation distance of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 or the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 stored in the storage module 82 and the preset distance value is that the cumulative rotation distance reaches the preset distance value, the controller 8 calculates the average coverage rate corresponding to the cumulative number of laser points emitted by the laser emission unit 7 and the cumulative rotation distance of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 or the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4. For example, the average coverage rate can be the ratio of the cumulative number of laser points to the rotation distance of the drum assembly, or the result calculated from the ratio of the cumulative number of laser points to the rotation distance of the drum assembly and a preset coefficient. The average coverage rate is calculated based on the cumulative rotation distance of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 reaching a certain value and the number of laser points emitted by the LSU (i.e., the laser emission unit 7) during the imaging operation. For example, when the OPC rotates 100 mm, it represents one-page imaging operation, 100 laser points represent 1% coverage rate, and every time the OPC movement distance reaches 10,000 mm, the average coverage rate is calculated once. For example, when the cumulative rotation distance of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 or the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 is 10,000 mm and the cumulative number of laser points emitted by the LSU is 800,000 points, then the average coverage rate at this time = 800,000 / 100 / 10,000 * 100 = 8%.

[0167] S150: Obtain an adjustment value according to the average coverage rate;

[0168] In this embodiment, a correlation relationship table (Appendix 1) between the average coverage rate and the adjustment value is pre-stored in the storage module 82 of the controller 8. The controller 8 substitutes the calculated average coverage rate into Appendix 1 to look up the adjustment value, and stores the obtained adjustment value in the storage module 82 of the controller 8. Appendix 1 is as follows:

[0169]

[0170] S160: Calculate the first toner supply amount according to the adjustment value and perform the first toner supply operation according to the first toner supply amount.

[0171] In this embodiment, the controller 8 calculates the first toner supply amount according to the adjustment value obtained by looking up a table, and controls the drivers 6-1 to 6-2 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the calculated first toner supply amount. The transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4 are driven by the drivers 6-1 to 6-2 so that the toner cartridges 4-1 to 4-4 supply toner to the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4. After the image forming apparatus executes a predetermined number of pages, it is necessary to recalculate the first toner supply amount according to the adjustment value. Among them, during the period from when the image forming apparatus first executes an imaging operation to when the imaging operation reaches a predetermined number of pages (such as 100 pages), the first toner supply amount is calculated according to the default adjustment value pre-stored in the storage module 82; during the imaging operation of the 101st page to the 200th page, the first toner supply amount is calculated according to the adjustment value recalculated after the 100th page is executed, and the first toner supply operation is performed according to the first toner supply amount after each page of the imaging operation is executed.

[0172] In an alternative embodiment, as Figure 7 shown, before S120, it further includes:

[0173] S110: After the image forming apparatus executes one page of the imaging operation, it obtains the current rotation distance of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 or the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 and the current number of light points emitted by the laser emitting unit 6 during the execution of the current page of the imaging operation (that is, obtains the current rotation distance and the current number of light points);

[0174] Specifically, in this embodiment, after the image forming apparatus 1 executes the imaging operation of the current page, the controller 8 receives the current rotation distance of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 or the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 during the execution of the current page of the imaging operation and the current number of light points of the laser emitting unit 7, and adds them to the cumulative rotation distance and the cumulative number of light points stored in the storage module 82, and stores them as the new cumulative rotation distance and the cumulative number of light points in the storage module 82 again.

[0175] S121: Calculate the cumulative rotation distance of the drum assembly and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit;

[0176] In this embodiment, the controller 8 adds and calculates the rotation distance of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 or the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 during the execution of the current page of the imaging operation and the number of light points of the laser emitting unit 7, and the cumulative rotation distance of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 or the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit 7 saved by the controller 8 before executing this page of the operation, to obtain the new cumulative rotation distance of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 or the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit 7, and stores them in the storage module 82.

[0177] S130: Determine whether the cumulative rotation distance has reached a preset distance value;

[0178] In this embodiment, the controller 8 compares the cumulative rotation distance obtained based on S121 with a preset distance value (i.e., a preset upper limit value).

[0179] S140 and S150 are the same as the above content and will not be elaborated here.

[0180] In an alternative embodiment, as Figure 7 shown, before step S160, it further includes:

[0181] S151: Obtain the first detection signal value of the concentration sensor;

[0182] The concentration sensor 3-1-5 is used to detect the toner concentration in the developing cartridge. When the developer 3-1-6 circulates to the concentration sensor 3-1-5, the concentration sensor 3-1-5 generates a level signal. When the ratio of toner to carrier in the developer 3-1-6 becomes higher, the level signal shows a decrease, otherwise vice versa; this level signal is sent to the MCU81 of the controller 8 (as Figure 5 shown) and is calculated as the first detection signal value. The concentration sensor 3-1-5 can be a permeability sensor, and its detection signal output changes proportionally to the carrier concentration in the developer, so that the detection output signal of the concentration sensor can decrease as the toner concentration in the developer increases.

[0183] In this embodiment, the controller 8 obtains the first detection signal value of the concentration sensor 3-1-5, that is, the detection voltage output by the concentration sensor or a value calculated by collecting the voltage signal output by the concentration sensor for a period of time, and stores it in the storage module 82 of the controller 8.

[0184] S152: Determine whether the first detection signal value is greater than a first threshold;

[0185] In this embodiment, the controller 8 compares the first detection signal value with a first threshold, and judges whether it is greater than or lower than the threshold according to the first detection signal value. The first threshold is the optimal output level of the concentration sensor signal under the standard toner and carrier ratio relationship.

[0186] If the first detection signal value is greater than the first threshold, allow the execution of the first toner supply operation or increase the frequency of executing the first toner supply operation.

[0187] In the present embodiment, when the controller 8 determines that the first detection signal value is greater than the first threshold value, it allows the execution of the first toner operation or increases the frequency of executing the first toner supply operation. When the first detection signal value is less than the first threshold value, it prohibits the execution of the first toner supply operation or reduces the frequency of executing the first toner supply operation, so as to maintain the ratio of toner to carrier in the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 as close as possible to the optimal condition.

[0188] In an alternative embodiment, before step S151, it further includes:

[0189] S1510: Adjust the first threshold value according to the adjustment value;

[0190] In the present embodiment, since the ratio of toner to carrier changes during the printing process, it is necessary to readjust it to obtain a relatively accurate toner-to-carrier ratio level.

[0191] In an alternative embodiment, as Figure 8 shown, the toner supply method further includes:

[0192] S210: Determine whether the toner supply amount is greater than the minimum toner supply amount;

[0193] In the present embodiment, affected by mechanical characteristics and fluid characteristics, the toner supply device (transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4) must rotate for a certain time or a certain angle to reach stability, and the toner supply amount during this period is unstable. Therefore, a minimum toner supply amount threshold is set. When the first toner supply amount is not greater than the minimum toner supply amount, the toner supply operation is not allowed to be executed. When the image forming apparatus does not execute the toner supply operation due to the first toner supply amount not being greater than the minimum toner supply amount threshold, a count of not executing the first toner supply operation is performed once. At the same time, the controller 8 determines whether the cumulative number of times of not executing the first toner supply operation is greater than the preset number of times of allowing not to execute the first toner supply operation. If it is greater than the preset number of times, the image forming apparatus forcibly executes the second toner supply operation. The second toner supply operation is a toner supply operation executed according to a toner supply amount pre-stored in the storage module 82 according to the type of the image forming apparatus, thereby avoiding the situation that the toner content in the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 is low due to the repeated non-execution of the first toner supply operation, which affects the image quality.

[0194] In this embodiment, the controller 8 accurately controls the toner supply amount by controlling the driving time of the toner supply motor. The toner transfer rate (the rotation speed of the toner supply motor) and the minimum toner supply amount are pre-stored in the storage module 82 of the controller 8. The controller 8 can calculate the minimum time required for the toner supply motor to drive when the minimum toner supply amount is satisfied based on the toner transfer rate and the minimum toner supply amount. Before this, if the driving time of the toner supply motor is less than the minimum time, the toner supply operation is not allowed to occur, that is, the toner in the toner cartridge is not supplied to the transfer and developing cartridge.

[0195] S220: If the first toner supply amount is not greater than the minimum toner supply amount, the first toner supply operation is not performed.

[0196] In this embodiment, when the controller 8 determines that the toner supply amount is not greater than the minimum toner supply amount, it indicates that the toner supply amount per unit time cannot be stably supplied at this time. At this time, it is necessary to limit the drivers 6-1 to 6-2 to drive the transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4 and the toner cartridges 4-1 to 4-4 to supply toner to the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4.

[0197] S230: If the first toner supply amount is greater than the minimum toner supply amount, the first toner supply operation is allowed to be performed.

[0198] In this embodiment, when the controller 8 determines that the toner supply amount is greater than the minimum toner supply amount, it indicates that the toner supply amount per unit time has become stable at this time, and then controls the drivers 6-1 to 6-2 to drive the transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4 and the toner cartridges 4-1 to 4-4 to supply toner to the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4.

[0199] In an alternative embodiment, as Figure 9 shown, before the toner supply is not performed, it further includes:

[0200] S211: Obtain the number of times the first toner supply operation is not performed, and determine whether the number of times the first toner supply operation is not performed is greater than the preset number of times allowing the first toner supply operation not to be performed;

[0201] In this embodiment, the controller 8 calculates the cumulative number of consecutive pages without performing the first toner supply operation. Specifically, each time the first toner supply operation is triggered, the cumulative number is cleared; each time the first toner supply operation is not triggered, the number of times the first toner supply operation is not performed is incremented by one. For example, when printing 20 pages of images and the first toner supply action is only performed during the imaging process of the 5th page, the cumulative number is 4 times at the 5th page and 15 times at the 20th page. Among them, the cumulative number of consecutive pages without toner supply action can be stored in the storage module 82 of the controller 8, and the preset number of times allowing the first toner supply operation not to be performed is stored in the storage module 82 of the controller 8. If the toner in the stirring chamber is in a stirred state and there is no toner replenishment for a long time, the physical properties of the toner will deteriorate. Therefore, a preset number of times allowing the first toner supply operation not to be performed is set in advance. After the cumulative number of consecutive pages without the first toner supply operation reaches the preset number, toner is forcibly replenished, thereby avoiding the situation where the toner in the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 deteriorates physically due to being in a stirred state for a long time without toner replenishment.

[0202] S212: If the cumulative number of times of not performing the first toner supply operation is greater than the number of times allowing the first toner supply operation not to be performed, perform the second toner supply operation.

[0203] In this embodiment, when the controller 8 determines that the cumulative number of consecutive pages without performing the first toner supply operation is greater than the preset number of times allowing the first toner supply operation not to be performed, the controller 8 clears the cumulative number of consecutive pages without performing the first toner supply operation, and controls the drivers 6-1 to 6-2 to drive the transmission devices 5-1 to 5-4 and the toner cartridges 4-1 to 4-4 to forcibly supply toner to the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4. The amount of toner supplied is pre-stored in the storage module 82, which can be a specific toner supply amount, or in the case of a certain toner supply rate, it can also be the toner supply time or the number of toner supply times. On the contrary, when the cumulative number of consecutive pages without performing the first toner supply operation is not greater than the preset number of times allowing the first toner supply operation not to be performed, the number of times of not performing the toner supply is continuously incremented without performing the second toner supply operation (step S213).

[0204] In an alternative embodiment, as Figure 10 shown, the toner supply method includes:

[0205] S410: Obtain the first detection signal value of the concentration sensor and the cumulative number of light points emitted by the laser emission unit;

[0206] In this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus performs an imaging operation, the controller 8 of the image forming apparatus acquires the first detection signal value input by the density sensor, and the controller 8 also accumulates the first detection signal value and its number (step S411), and at the same time acquires the cumulative number of light points input by the laser emission unit when performing the imaging operation.

[0207] In this embodiment, the controller 8 can calculate the cumulative number of light points of the laser emission unit according to the current number of light points acquired by the image forming apparatus when performing each page of the imaging operation and the cumulative number of light points before performing the imaging operation of the current page. The calculation process can refer to the above toner supply method.

[0208] S420: Determine whether the density sensor is disabled;

[0209] In this embodiment, since the detection signal of the density sensor is inaccurate, it is necessary to first determine whether the density sensor is prohibited from being used before performing the toner supply operation.

[0210] If the controller 8 determines that the density sensor is not disabled, calculate the first toner supply amount according to the adjustment value and perform the first toner supply operation according to the first toner supply amount. The specific process can refer to the above toner supply method.

[0211] S430: Determine that the density sensor is disabled, and calculate the first toner consumption according to the cumulative number of light points;

[0212] In this embodiment, if the density sensor is prohibited from being used due to detection abnormality or other failures, calculate the first toner consumption according to the cumulative number of light points emitted by the laser emission unit 7.

[0213] S440: Calculate the second toner supply amount according to the first toner consumption, and perform the third toner supply operation according to the second toner supply amount;

[0214] In this embodiment, the controller 8 calculates the second toner supply amount according to the calculated first toner consumption. Specifically, the second toner supply amount can be the same as the value of the first toner consumption, or a fixed ratio of the first toner consumption. For example, the fixed ratio can be 80% of the first toner consumption, to avoid affecting the ratio of toner and carrier in the developing cartridge due to excessive toner supply.

[0215] A possible implementation manner, such as Figure 11 shown, the toner supply method further includes:

[0216] S421: Acquire a predetermined number of first detection signal values;

[0217] In this embodiment, a first detected voltage value output by one or more concentration sensors is obtained. Considering detection accuracy, it is preferable to obtain multiple first detection signal values. Each time the image forming apparatus executes an imaging job for one page, the concentration sensor performs a detection, and the first detection signal value can be obtained after the imaging job is executed.

[0218] S422: The controller calculates the average concentration detection value and calculates a detection signal stability judgment value based on the average concentration detection value;

[0219] In this embodiment, the controller 8 calculates the average value of multiple first detection signal values, the average concentration detection value, and calculates a detection signal stability judgment value based on the average value. The detection signal stability judgment value represents the stability of multiple first detection signals; the calculation method of the detection signal stability judgment value is preferably the standard deviation calculation method. The image forming device obtains 10 first detection signal values, which are 1100, 1200, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1100, 1300, 1400, 1500, and 900 respectively. After calculating the average value based on these 10 first detection signal values, it is confirmed that the standard deviation of these 10 first detection signals = 172. The larger the standard deviation, the more unstable the detection result of the concentration sensor. Note that the standard deviation calculation model is only a preferred data model in this embodiment and does not limit the protection scope of this application. Without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, several deformations and improvements can be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0220] S423: Determine whether the detection signal stability judgment value is within a preset range;

[0221] In this embodiment, the controller determines whether the concentration sensor detection is abnormal according to the detection signal stability range pre-stored in the storage module 82. If the detection signal stability judgment value is not within the preset range, the controller 8 controls to discard the first detection signal value; if the detection signal stability judgment value is within the preset range, it proceeds to S424.

[0222] S424: Determine whether the cumulative number of laser emission points of the laser emission unit is less than the cumulative number of laser emission points threshold:

[0223] In this embodiment, the controller compares the obtained cumulative number of laser emission points of the laser emission unit with the cumulative number of laser emission points threshold pre-stored in the storage module 82, where the cumulative number of laser emission points threshold is the lower limit value of the cumulative number of laser emission points for a preset number of pages. When the cumulative number of laser emission points of the laser emission unit is less than the cumulative number of laser emission points threshold, it proceeds to S425; when the cumulative number of laser emission points of the laser emission unit is greater than or equal to the cumulative number of laser emission points threshold, the first detection signal value is discarded.

[0224] S425: Prohibit the use of the concentration sensor;

[0225] In this embodiment, the controller determines that the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit is less than the cumulative light point threshold value, confirms that the concentration sensor is abnormal, prohibits the continued use of the concentration sensor, and issues an alarm for the abnormal concentration sensor.

[0226] A possible implementation is as Figure 12 shown. After prohibiting the use of the concentration sensor, the toner supply method further includes:

[0227] S424: Determine whether the detection signal stability judgment value is within a preset range;

[0228] In this embodiment, the controller determines whether the detection signal stability judgment value is within the preset range. If the detection signal stability judgment value is within the preset range, the normal state of the concentration sensor is accumulated once; if the detection signal stability is not within the preset range, then proceed to S428.

[0229] S426: Determine whether the number of accumulated normal states has reached a predetermined number;

[0230] In this embodiment, the controller determines whether the number of accumulated normal states has reached the predetermined normal number. If it has reached, it indicates that the detection signal values of the concentration sensor for a continuous predetermined number of times are all normal, and proceed to S427; if not, it proves that the accuracy of the detection signal value of the concentration sensor at this time cannot meet the requirements, and the first detection signal value needs to be discarded.

[0231] S427: Enable the concentration sensor;

[0232] In this embodiment, the controller determines that the detection signal values for a continuous predetermined number of times are all normal, proving that the detection result of the concentration sensor at this time is relatively reliable, and the concentration sensor is re-enabled.

[0233] S428: Clear the accumulated number of normal states;

[0234] In this embodiment, if the detection signal stability judgment value is not within the preset range when accumulating the normal number, it proves that the detection signal value of the concentration sensor during the accumulation process is not stable enough, and the accumulated number of normal states needs to be cleared and the number of normal states needs to be re-accumulated.

[0235] In an alternative implementation, as Figure 13 shown, it further includes:

[0236] S510: Determine whether the first detection signal value is within the normal range of the first detection signal;

[0237] In this embodiment, the controller 8 acquires the first detection signal output by the concentration sensor and compares the value of the first detection signal with the pre-stored normal range of the first detection signal. The normal range of the first detection signal can be pre-stored in the storage module 82 of the controller 8, and it includes an upper limit value and a lower limit value. Among them, the lower limit value of the normal range of the first detection signal represents the lower limit value of the output voltage allowed by the concentration sensor. If the output voltage of the concentration sensor is lower than the lower limit, it means that the concentration sensor detects a failure and its value cannot be used for control; the upper limit value of the normal range of the first detection signal represents the upper limit value of the output voltage allowed by the concentration sensor. If the output voltage of the concentration sensor is higher than the upper limit, it means that the concentration sensor detects a failure and its value cannot be used for control.

[0238] S511: Store the current gain voltage of the concentration sensor;

[0239] In this embodiment, when the controller determines that the acquired first detection signal is not within the normal range, it first stores the current gain voltage of the concentration sensor and then enters S520 to confirm whether there is a failure in the concentration sensor.

[0240] S520: If the value of the first detection signal is within the normal range of the first detection signal, adjust the gain voltage of the concentration sensor;

[0241] In this embodiment, the gain voltage signal represents the amplified signal output by the concentration sensor. The larger the gain voltage, the larger the amplification coefficient, and vice versa; the gain voltage is output from the controller to the concentration sensor and is realized through the internal circuit of the concentration sensor.

[0242] Step S520 includes:

[0243] S521: Determine whether the value of the first detection signal is less than the upper limit value of the normal range of the first detection signal;

[0244] S522: If the value of the first detection signal is less than the upper limit value of the normal range of the first detection signal, adjust the gain voltage upward;

[0245] S523: If the value of the first detection signal is not less than the upper limit value of the normal range of the first detection signal, adjust the gain voltage downward.

[0246] S530: Determine whether the value of the first detection signal after adjusting the gain voltage is within the upper limit value of the normal range of the first detection signal;

[0247] In this embodiment, after adjusting the gain voltage, the controller 8 re-acquires the value of the first detection signal and then determines again whether the recalculated value of the first detection signal is between the sixth threshold and the seventh threshold.

[0248] S540: If the first detection signal value is not within the upper limit of the normal range of the first detection signal, a fault reminder is issued.

[0249] In this embodiment, the controller 8 determines that the first detection signal value is not within the upper limit of the normal range of the first detection signal, indicating that the detection result of the concentration sensor is unreliable at this time, and a fault reminder needs to be issued for the abnormal situation of the concentration sensor.

[0250] S550: If the first detection signal value is within the upper limit of the normal range of the first detection signal, the stored gain voltage is restored.

[0251] In this embodiment, when the controller 8 determines that the first detection signal value is within the upper limit of the normal range of the first detection signal, the gain voltage stored in step S511 is called.

[0252] In an alternative embodiment, the toner supply method further includes:

[0253] In this embodiment, the controller 8 calculates the toner supply time according to the toner supply rate stored in the storage module 82 in advance, based on the toner supply amount and the toner supply rate. Specifically, the first toner supply time can be calculated according to the first toner supply amount and the toner supply rate, or the second toner supply time can be calculated according to the preset toner supply amount and the toner supply rate, or the third toner supply time can be calculated according to the second toner supply amount and the toner supply rate. The image forming apparatus drives the transfer devices 5-1 to 5-4 to perform the toner supply operation by controlling the drivers 6-1 to 6-2, and can adjust the toner supply rate through the controller. Therefore, the toner supply time can be calculated after determining the toner supply amount and the toner supply rate. The controller 8 controls the drivers 6-1 to 6-2 to work to complete the toner supply operation according to the calculated toner supply time. After determining the toner supply rate, the controller 8 accurately controls the toner supply amount by controlling the toner supply time.

[0254] An embodiment of the present invention provides a toner supply device installed in the image forming apparatus 1, including:

[0255] A controller is configured to perform a first toner supply operation based on a first toner supply amount calculated according to an adjustment value when an imaging job executed by an image forming apparatus reaches a predetermined number of pages. The adjustment value changes according to the cumulative rotation distance of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 or the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emission unit 7, and includes: obtaining the cumulative rotation distance of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 or the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emission unit 7. When the cumulative distance reaches the upper limit value, calculating an average coverage rate according to the cumulative rotation distance of the drum assemblies 2-1 to 2-4 or the developing cartridges 3-1 to 3-4 and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emission unit 7, and obtaining an adjustment value according to the average coverage rate; or when the cumulative rotation distance does not reach the upper limit value, calculating the first toner supply amount according to a default adjustment value or the previously obtained adjustment value, and outputting a first control signal according to the first toner supply amount.

[0256] An execution unit is configured to perform the first toner supply operation according to the first control signal. The calculation method of the first toner amount is the same as the above-mentioned toner supply method, and will not be described repeatedly here.

[0257] In an alternative embodiment, the toner supply device further includes:

[0258] The controller determines that the first toner supply amount is not greater than the minimum toner supply amount, and does not output the first control signal for performing the first toner supply operation.

[0259] The controller determines that the number of times of not performing the first toner supply operation is greater than a preset number of times allowed for not performing the first toner supply operation. The controller calculates a second toner supply amount according to a preset toner supply amount and outputs a second control signal for performing the second toner supply operation.

[0260] An execution unit is configured to perform the second toner supply operation according to the second control signal.

[0261] In an alternative embodiment, the toner supply device further includes:

[0262] The controller determines that the concentration sensor is prohibited from being used, calculates a first toner consumption amount according to the cumulative number of light points, calculates a third toner supply amount according to the first toner consumption amount, and outputs a third control signal for performing the third toner supply operation according to the third toner supply amount.

[0263] An execution unit is configured to perform the third toner supply operation according to the third control signal.

[0264] It should be noted that the execution unit may be the internal circuit of the concentration sensor, that is, the concentration sensor is disabled by turning off the internal circuit of the concentration sensor. The specific control process of the controller 8 has been described in detail in the above-mentioned toner supply method, so it will not be repeated here.

[0265] An embodiment of the present invention provides a toner supply method, which is executed on an image forming apparatus 1, as Figure 14 shown. The toner supply method includes:

[0266] S710: When the image forming apparatus is powered on, obtain an initial temperature detection signal value and an initial humidity detection signal value output by a temperature and humidity sensor;

[0267] In this embodiment, the number of temperature and humidity sensors (temperature and humidity sensor X) is multiple, and they are respectively arranged inside (denoted as temperature and humidity sensor Inner) and outside (denoted as temperature and humidity sensor Outer) the image forming apparatus 1. When the image forming apparatus is powered on, the controller 8 obtains an initial temperature detection signal value (Temp_Cold_X) and an initial humidity detection signal value (Hum_Cold_X) output by the temperature and humidity sensor. The initial temperature detection signal value (Temp_Cold_X) includes the initial temperature inside the image forming apparatus 1 (Temp_Cold_Inner, corresponding to the temperature and humidity sensor Inner) and the initial temperature outside (Temp_Cold_Outer, corresponding to the temperature and humidity sensor Outer) when powered on. The initial humidity detection signal value (Hum_Cold_X) includes the initial humidity inside the image forming apparatus 1 (Hum_Cold_Inner, corresponding to the temperature and humidity sensor Outer) and the initial humidity outside (Hum_Cold_Outer, corresponding to the temperature and humidity sensor Outer) when powered on.

[0268] S720: Heat the temperature and humidity sensor;

[0269] In this embodiment, the controller 8 sends a heating signal to the heating unit. The heating unit can be arranged inside the temperature and humidity sensor or outside the temperature and humidity sensor. By heating the ambient environment of the temperature and humidity sensor, the temperature and humidity of the ambient environment of the temperature and humidity sensor change. Among them, the heating time is set to T_Heat, and then the heating is turned off.

[0270] S730: Obtain a heating temperature detection signal value and a heating humidity detection signal value output by the temperature and humidity sensor;

[0271] In this embodiment, after the heating unit heats the ambient environment around the temperature and humidity sensor, the controller 8 acquires again the heated temperature detection signal value (Temp_X) and the heated humidity detection signal value (Hum_X) output by the temperature and humidity sensor. The heated temperature detection signal value (Temp_X) includes the current internal temperature (Temp_Inner) and the current external temperature (Temp_Outer) of the image forming apparatus 1 after heating. The heated humidity detection signal value (Hum_X) includes the current internal humidity (Hum_Inner) and the current external humidity (Hum_Outer) of the image forming apparatus 1 after heating.

[0272] S740: Calculate the temperature rise value based on the heated temperature detection signal value and the initial temperature detection signal value, and calculate the humidity drop value based on the heated humidity detection signal value and the initial humidity detection signal value;

[0273] In this embodiment, the controller 8 subtracts the initial temperature detection signal value (Temp_Cold_X) from the heated temperature detection signal value (Temp_X) to obtain the temperature rise value (Temp_Rise_X), that is, Temp_Rise_X = Temp_X - Temp_Cold_X. When the current internal temperature Temp_Inner and the initial internal temperature detection signal value (Temp_Cold_Inner) are substituted, the obtained Temp_Rise_X is denoted as Temp_Rise_Inner (i.e., the temperature rise value inside the image forming apparatus 1). When the current external temperature detection signal value Temp_Outer and the initial external temperature detection signal value Temp_Cold_Outer are substituted, the obtained Temp_Rise_X is denoted as Temp_Rise_Outer (i.e., the temperature rise value outside the image forming apparatus 1). The controller 8 subtracts the heated humidity detection signal value (Hum_X) from the initial humidity detection signal value (Hum_Cold_X) to obtain the humidity drop value (Hum_Drop_X), that is, Hum_Drop_X = Hum_Cold_X - Hum_X. When the initial internal humidity Hum_Cold_Inner and the current internal humidity Hum_Inner are substituted, the obtained Hum_Drop_X is denoted as Hum_Drop_Inner (i.e., the humidity drop value inside the image forming apparatus 1). When the initial external humidity detection signal value Hum_Cold_Outer and the current external humidity Hum_Outer are substituted, the obtained Hum_Rise_X is denoted as Hum_Rise_Outer (i.e., the humidity rise value outside the image forming apparatus 1).

[0274] S750: Determine whether the temperature rise value is greater than the preset temperature rise value;

[0275] In this embodiment, the controller 8 determines whether the temperature rise value (Temp_Rise_X) is greater than the preset temperature rise value (Temp_Ref).

[0276] S760: If the temperature rise value is not greater than the preset temperature rise value, it is prompted that the temperature and humidity sensor is abnormal.

[0277] In this embodiment, the controller 8 determines that the temperature rise value (Temp_Rise_X) is not greater than the preset temperature rise value (Temp_Ref), determines that the temperature and humidity sensor is abnormal, and at this time, it is prompted that the temperature and humidity sensor is abnormal (that is, the temperature and humidity sensor X abnormal warning). At this time, it is possible to select to prohibit the toner supply. Of course, it is also possible not to select to prohibit the toner supply. This is because although the temperature and humidity sensor is abnormal, the image forming apparatus 1 itself can still perform normal printing operations. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 can continue to complete the current printing operation. If the controller 8 determines that the temperature rise value (Temp_Rise_X) is greater than the preset temperature rise value (Temp_Ref), it is prompted that the temperature and humidity sensor is normal (that is, step S770, the temperature and humidity sensor X status OK).

[0278] In an alternative embodiment, as Figure 14 shown, step S780 can be added before step S750: Determine whether the initial temperature detection signal value (Temp_Cold_X) is greater than the base temperature (Temp_basic); when the controller 8 determines that the initial temperature detection signal value (Temp_Cold_X) is not greater than the base temperature (Temp_basic), it enters step S750. If the initial temperature detection signal value (Temp_Cold_X) is greater than the base temperature (Temp_basic), it enters step S790: Determine whether the temperature rise value is greater than the preset temperature rise value, and / or determine whether the humidity drop value is greater than the preset humidity drop value. If the temperature rise value is not greater than the preset temperature rise value, and / or the humidity drop value is not greater than the preset humidity drop value, it enters step S760, that is, it is prompted that the temperature and humidity sensor is abnormal, otherwise it enters step S770.

[0279] It should be noted that corresponding to Figure 14 the trends of the temperature and humidity changes of the image forming apparatus in the shown process are as Figure 15 shown, Figure 15The area A in it represents the normal temperature and humidity under normal circumstances. The area B represents the change of temperature and humidity during the heating process of the internal circuit of the temperature and humidity sensor. The temperature begins to rise and the humidity begins to drop. The area C represents the change of temperature and humidity after the internal circuit of the temperature and humidity sensor stops heating. The temperature begins to drop and the humidity begins to rise. Ta represents the temperature obtained by the temperature and humidity sensor before heating, Ha represents the humidity obtained by the temperature and humidity sensor before heating, Tc represents the temperature obtained by the temperature and humidity sensor when heating stops, and Hc represents the humidity obtained by the temperature and humidity sensor when heating stops.

[0280] In an alternative embodiment, as Figure 16 shown, it is the power-on self-check process of the image forming apparatus 1. This process includes:

[0281] S810: Obtain temperature and humidity data;

[0282] In this embodiment, the controller 8 obtains the temperature and humidity values inside and outside the image forming apparatus 1 through the temperature and humidity sensor X. Reference can be made to step S710.

[0283] S820: Determine whether to enter the power-on self-check;

[0284] In this embodiment, the controller 8 determines whether to enter the power-on self-check according to the request.

[0285] S830: If it is determined to enter the power-on self-check, the time difference (T_TH) from the previous self-check to the current time is reset to zero and starts timing, and enters Figure 17 the control flow (A) shown;

[0286] In this embodiment, the controller 8 resets T_TH to zero and starts timing, and then enters Figure 14 the control flow (A) shown.

[0287] S840: Determine whether the status of the temperature and humidity sensor X is normal;

[0288] In this embodiment, the controller 8 determines whether the statuses of the temperature and humidity sensor Inner and the temperature and humidity sensor Outer are normal.

[0289] S850: If it is determined that the status of the temperature and humidity sensor X is normal, output the temperature and humidity related to the environment detected by the temperature and humidity sensor X;

[0290] In this embodiment, when the controller 8 determines that the status of the temperature and humidity sensor Inner is normal, it outputs the internal initial temperature detection value Temp_Cold_Inner and the internal initial humidity detection value Hum_Cold_Inner. When it determines that the status of the temperature and humidity sensor Outer is normal, it outputs the external initial temperature detection value Temp_Cold_Outer and the external initial humidity detection value Hum_Cold_Outer.

[0291] S860: If it is determined that the status of the temperature and humidity sensor X is abnormal, display an error in obtaining temperature and humidity data;

[0292] In this embodiment, when the controller 8 determines that the status of the temperature and humidity sensor Inner and / or the temperature and humidity sensor Outer is abnormal, an error in obtaining temperature and humidity data is displayed.

[0293] S870: If it is determined not to enter the power-on self-check, determine whether T_TH (the time difference from the last execution of the temperature and humidity sensor detection) is greater than T_TH_REF (the preset timing reference time); if T_TH is not greater than T_TH_REF, go to step S840;

[0294] In this embodiment, the controller 8 determines whether T_TH is greater than T_TH_REF, and when T_TH is not greater than T_TH_REF, it goes to step S840.

[0295] S880: If T_TH is greater than T_TH_REF, determine whether the status of the temperature and humidity sensor Inner is normal;

[0296] In this embodiment, when the controller 8 determines that T_TH is greater than T_TH_REF, it determines whether the status of the temperature and humidity sensor Inner is normal.

[0297] S890: If the status of the temperature and humidity sensor Inner is normal, output the environment-related temperature Temp_Inner and humidity Hum_Inner output by the temperature and humidity sensor Inner;

[0298] In this embodiment, when the status of the temperature and humidity sensor Inner is normal, the controller 8 outputs the environment-related temperature Temp_Inner and humidity Hum_Inner output by the temperature and humidity sensor Inner.

[0299] S891: If the status of the temperature and humidity sensor Inner is abnormal, output the environment-related temperature Temp_Outer and humidity Hum_Outer output by the temperature and humidity sensor Outer;

[0300] In this embodiment, when the inner state of the temperature and humidity sensor is abnormal, the controller 8 outputs the ambient-related temperature Temp_Outer and humidity Hum_Outer output by the temperature and humidity sensor Outer.

[0301] An embodiment of the present invention provides a toner supply device installed in an image forming apparatus 1, including:

[0302] A controller 8 for obtaining an initial temperature detection signal value and an initial humidity detection signal value output by the temperature and humidity sensor when the image forming apparatus is powered on;

[0303] A heating unit for heating the temperature and humidity sensor;

[0304] The controller 8 is further configured to obtain a heating temperature detection signal value and a heating humidity detection signal value output by the temperature and humidity sensor; calculate a temperature rise value based on the heating temperature detection signal value and the initial temperature detection signal value, and a humidity drop value based on the heating humidity detection signal value and the initial humidity detection signal value; determine whether the temperature rise value is greater than a preset temperature rise value; if the temperature rise value is not greater than the preset temperature rise value, generate a third control signal;

[0305] An execution unit for prompting that the temperature and humidity sensor is abnormal according to the third control signal.

[0306] It should be noted that the heating unit is a heating circuit inside the temperature and humidity sensor, and the execution unit can be a display screen or a voice module; the specific control process of the controller 8 has been described in detail in the above toner supply method, so it will not be repeated here.

[0307] An embodiment of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, as Figure 17 shown, Figure 17 The image forming apparatus shown is only an example and should not impose any limitations on the functions and usage scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0308] As Figure 17 shown, the image forming apparatus is presented in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of the image forming apparatus may include, but are not limited to: one or more processors 910, a memory 930, and a communication bus 940 connecting different system components (including the memory 930 and the processor 910).

[0309] The communication bus 940 represents one or more of several types of bus architectures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, a processor, or a local bus using any of the various bus architectures. By way of example, these architectures include, but are not limited to, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MAC) bus, Enhanced ISA bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnection (PCI) bus.

[0310] An image forming apparatus typically includes a variety of computer system readable media. These media can be any available media that can be accessed by the image forming apparatus, including volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media.

[0311] The memory 930 may include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) and / or cache memory. The image forming apparatus may further include other removable / non-removable, volatile / nonvolatile computer system storage media. Although Figure 17 not shown in the figure, a disk drive for reading and writing to a removable nonvolatile magnetic disk (e.g., a "floppy disk"), and an optical disk drive for reading and writing to a removable nonvolatile optical disk (e.g., a Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), a Digital Video Disc Read Only Memory (DVD-ROM), or other optical media) may be provided. In these cases, each drive may be connected to the communication bus 940 through one or more data media interfaces. The memory 930 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to perform the functions of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0312] A program / util utility having a set (at least one) of program modules can be stored in the memory 930. Such program modules include, but are not limited to, an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each or some combination of these examples may include the implementation of a network environment. The program modules generally execute the functions and / or methods in the embodiments described in the present invention.

[0313] The image forming apparatus can also communicate with one or more external devices, and can also communicate with one or more devices that enable a user to interact with the image forming apparatus, or communicate with any device (such as a network card, a modem, etc.) that enables the image forming apparatus to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can be carried out through the communication interface 920. And, the image forming apparatus can also communicate with one or more networks (such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), and / or a public network, such as the Internet) through a network adapter ( Figure 17 not shown in the figure). The above network adapter can communicate with other modules of the image forming apparatus through the communication bus 940. It should be understood that although Figure 17 not shown in the figure, other hardware and / or software modules can be used in combination with the image forming apparatus, including but not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, Redundant Arrays of Independent Drives (RAID) systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems, etc.

[0314] The processor 910 executes various functional applications and data processing by running the programs stored in the memory 930, such as implementing the toner supply method provided by the embodiments of the present invention.

[0315] The embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer-readable storage medium. The above computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and the above computer instructions cause the above computer to execute the toner supply method provided by the embodiments of the present invention.

[0316] The above computer-readable storage medium may adopt any combination of one or more computer-readable media. The computer-readable media may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may, for example, be an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination of the foregoing, but is not limited thereto. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable storage medium include: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or a flash memory, an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In this document, the computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program that can be used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0317] The computer-readable signal medium may include a data signal propagated in a baseband or as part of a carrier wave, which carries the computer-readable program code. Such a propagated data signal may take many forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The computer-readable signal medium may also be any computer-readable medium other than the computer-readable storage medium, which can send, propagate, or transmit a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0318] The program code contained on the computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wire, optical fiber, radio frequency (RF), etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0319] The above are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, several modifications and improvements can be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A toner supply method is executed in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a drum unit, a developing cartridge for transporting developer onto the drum unit, a laser emitting unit for forming a latent image on the drum unit, a toner supply assembly, a toner container, and a concentration sensor for detecting the toner concentration in the developing cartridge. The toner supply assembly is used to supply the toner in the toner container to the developing cartridge, and is characterized in that The method includes: When the image forming device executes an imaging job to reach a predetermined number of pages, perform a first toner supply operation according to the first toner supply amount calculated based on an adjustment value; Wherein, the adjustment value changes according to the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit, including: Obtain the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit; When the cumulative rotation distance reaches an upper limit value, calculate an average coverage rate according to the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit; Obtain the adjustment value according to the average coverage rate; When the cumulative rotation distance does not reach the upper limit value, calculate the first toner supply amount according to a default adjustment value or the last obtained adjustment value.

2. The toner supply method according to claim 1, wherein The method includes: After the image forming device executes each page of the imaging job, obtain the current rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge during the execution of the imaging job and the current number of light points emitted by the laser emitting unit during the execution of the imaging job; Calculate the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit according to the current rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the current number of light points of the laser emitting unit obtained for each page of the imaging job.

3. The toner supply method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Obtain a first detection signal value of the density sensor; Judge whether the first detection signal value is greater than a first threshold value; When the first detection signal value is greater than the first threshold value, allow the execution of the first toner supply operation or increase the execution frequency of the first toner supply operation.

4. The toner supply method according to claim 3, wherein Before judging whether the first detection signal value is greater than the first threshold value, it further includes: Adjust the first threshold value according to the adjustment value.

5. The toner supply method according to claim 1, wherein It further includes: Judge whether the first toner supply amount is greater than a minimum toner supply amount; If the first toner supply amount is not greater than the minimum toner supply amount, do not perform the first toner supply operation.

6. The toner supply method according to claim 5, wherein The method further includes: Obtain the number of times the first toner supply operation is not performed; If the number of times the first toner supply operation is not performed is greater than a preset number of times allowing the first toner supply operation not to be performed, perform a second toner supply operation according to a preset toner supply amount.

7. The toner supply method according to claim 6, wherein The method further includes: If the number of times is not greater than the preset number of times allowing the first toner supply operation not to be performed, do not perform the second toner supply operation.

8. The toner supply method according to claim 1, wherein, The method includes: Obtain a first detection signal value of the density sensor and the cumulative number of light points emitted by the laser emitting unit; Calculate a first toner consumption amount according to the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit; Judge whether the density sensor is prohibited from being used; If the density sensor is prohibited from being used, calculate a second toner supply amount according to the first toner consumption amount, and perform a third toner supply operation according to the second toner supply amount; If the density sensor is not prohibited from being used, perform the first toner supply operation according to the first toner supply amount calculated based on the adjustment value.

9. The toner supply method according to claim 8, wherein The judgment of whether the density sensor is prohibited from being used includes: Determine whether the first detection signal value is within a preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal; If the first detection signal value is not within the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal, determine whether the cumulative number of light points is greater than the cumulative number of light points threshold; If the cumulative number of light points is not greater than the cumulative number of light points threshold, the concentration sensor is prohibited from being used.

10. The toner supply method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the concentration sensor is disabled, determine whether the first detection signal value is within a preset detection signal value range; If so, accumulate the normal operation of the concentration sensor once. When the number of normal operations of the concentration sensor reaches a preset number of normal operations, enable the concentration sensor, and perform the first toner supply operation according to the first toner supply amount calculated based on the adjustment value; If not, discard the first detection signal value.

11. The toner supply method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The "If the cumulative number of light points is not greater than the cumulative number of light points threshold, the concentration sensor is prohibited from being used" further includes: Perform a concentration sensor failure reminder.

12. The toner supply method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Obtain the first detection signal value of the concentration sensor; Determine whether the first detection signal value is within a preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal; If the first detection signal value is not within the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal, adjust the gain voltage of the concentration sensor; Obtain the first detection signal value output by the concentration sensor after adjusting the gain voltage again; If the first detection signal value is not within the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal, perform a concentration sensor failure reminder.

13. The toner supply method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The adjusting the gain voltage of the concentration sensor includes: Determine whether the first detection signal value is less than the upper limit value of the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal; If the first detection signal value is less than the upper limit value of the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal, increase the gain voltage; or If the first detection signal value is not less than the upper limit value of the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal, decrease the gain voltage.

14. The toner supply method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The "If the first detection signal value is not within the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal, perform a concentration sensor failure reminder" further includes: If the first detection signal value is not within the preset normal threshold range of the first detection signal and the first detection signal value is less than the lower limit value of the normal output range of the concentration sensor, perform a concentration sensor failure reminder.

15. The toner supply method according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that It further includes: Obtain the toner supply rate of the image forming apparatus; Calculate the first toner supply time for performing the first toner supply operation according to the first toner supply amount and the toner supply rate, Control the execution of the first toner supply operation according to the first toner supply time.

16. The toner supply method according to any one of claims 6-7, characterized in that, It further includes: Obtain the toner supply rate of the image forming apparatus; Calculate the second toner supply time for performing the second toner supply operation according to the preset toner supply amount and the toner supply rate, Control the execution of the second toner supply operation according to the second toner supply time.

17. The toner supply method according to any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that It further includes: Obtain the toner supply rate of the image forming apparatus; Calculate the third toner supply time for performing the third toner supply operation according to the second toner supply amount and the toner supply rate, Control the execution of the third toner supply operation according to the third toner supply time.

18. A toner supply device is installed in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a drum unit, a developing cartridge for conveying developer onto the drum unit, a laser emitting unit for forming a latent image on the drum unit, a toner supply assembly, a toner container, and a concentration sensor for detecting the toner concentration in the developing cartridge. The toner supply assembly is configured to supply the toner in the toner container to the developing cartridge, and is characterized in that Comprising: A controller for, when the image forming apparatus executes an imaging job to reach a predetermined number of pages, performing a first toner supply operation according to a first toner supply amount calculated based on an adjustment value; Wherein the adjustment value changes according to the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit, including: obtaining the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit, when the cumulative distance reaches an upper limit value, calculating an average coverage rate according to the cumulative rotation distance of the drum unit or the developing cartridge and the cumulative number of light points of the laser emitting unit, and obtaining the adjustment value according to the average coverage rate; or when the cumulative rotation distance does not reach the upper limit value, calculating the first toner supply amount according to a default adjustment value or the previously obtained adjustment value, and outputting a first control signal according to the first toner supply amount; An execution unit for performing the first toner supply operation according to the first control signal.

19. The toner supply device according to claim 18, characterized in that, Further comprising: The controller determines that the first toner supply amount is not greater than the minimum toner supply amount, and does not output a first control signal for performing the first toner supply operation; The controller determines that the number of times of not performing the first toner supply operation is greater than a preset number of times allowed not to perform the first toner supply operation, and outputs a second control signal for performing a second toner supply operation; The execution unit performs the second toner supply operation according to the second control signal.

20. The toner supply device according to claim 19, wherein, The output of the second control signal for performing the second toner supply operation further includes: The controller calculates a second toner supply amount according to a preset toner supply amount and outputs the second control signal.

21. The toner supply device according to claim 18, wherein The toner supply device further comprises: The controller determines that the concentration sensor is prohibited from being used, calculates a first toner consumption amount according to the cumulative number of light points, calculates a third toner supply amount according to the first toner consumption amount, and outputs a third control signal for performing a third toner supply operation according to the third toner supply amount; The execution unit performs the third toner supply operation according to the third control signal.

22. A toner supply method, which is executed in an image forming apparatus including a detection unit for detecting the environmental temperature and humidity of the image forming apparatus, characterized in that, The method includes: Obtaining an initial temperature detection signal value and an initial humidity detection signal value output by the detection unit; Heating the detection unit; Obtaining a heating temperature detection signal value and a heating humidity detection signal value output by the detection unit; Comparing the initial temperature detection signal value and the initial humidity detection signal value with the heating temperature detection signal value and the heating humidity detection signal value, and determining whether the detection unit is abnormal; If the detection unit is abnormal, prohibit the image forming apparatus from performing toner supply.

23. A toner supply device is installed in an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect the ambient temperature and humidity of the image forming apparatus, characterized in that, Comprising: A controller for, when the image forming apparatus is powered on, obtaining an initial temperature detection signal value and an initial humidity detection signal value output by the detection unit; A heating unit for heating the detection unit; The controller is further configured to obtain the heating temperature detection signal value and the heating humidity detection signal value output by the detection unit; calculate a temperature rise value based on the heating temperature detection signal value and the initial temperature detection signal value, and calculate a humidity drop value based on the heating humidity detection signal value and the initial humidity detection signal value; determine whether the temperature rise value is greater than a preset temperature rise value; if the temperature rise value is not greater than the preset temperature rise value, generate a fourth control signal; The execution unit is configured to prohibit the image forming apparatus from performing toner supply according to the fourth control signal.

24. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that, Comprising: At least one processor; And A memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein, The memory stores a computer program executable by the at least one processor, and when the computer program is executed by the at least one processor, the at least one processor is enabled to execute the toner supply method according to any one of claims 1-17 and claim 22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions for causing a processor to implement the toner supply method according to any one of claims 1-17 and claim 22 when executed.

Images