Toner Bottle Identification via RFID for Accurate Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting the remaining toner amount without increasing costs, as previous solutions either inaccurately detect toner levels or incorporate costly mechanisms like shutters for toner supply restriction.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a developer holder and two controllers that use RFID tags to track toner usage and remaining amounts, allowing for accurate detection and updating of toner levels without a toner supply restricting mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a detecting means is incorporated in a toner bottle to detect the amount of toner, then the remaining toner amount can be detected, but the cost of the toner bottle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a non-contact sensor to detect toner amount by sensing the dielectric constant changes in the toner bottle, creating an indirect measurement copy rather than direct physical contact. This allows detection without incorporating expensive detecting means into the toner bottle itself, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and manufacturing cost.
2Productivity
If a shutter mechanism is used to restrict toner supply from toner bottle to process cartridge, then toner supply can be controlled, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the toner supply restriction function from a complex mechanical shutter mechanism and implements it through a simple valve component that opens or closes based on sensor detection. This eliminates the need for complex opening and closing mechanisms while maintaining toner supply control, thus reducing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If a detecting means is incorporated in the process cartridge to detect remaining toner, then toner amount can be monitored, but the cost of the process cartridge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-contact sensor as an intermediary detection mechanism that senses toner amount through the toner bottle wall without requiring direct contact or expensive detecting means in the process cartridge. This mediator approach allows accurate monitoring while keeping the process cartridge cost low.
Data Source
AI summary
A process cartridge includes a toner reservoir. A first controller calculates a consumed amount of toner based on image data. A toner bottle is attached to the process cartridge. The toner bottle includes a toner chamber that holds the toner therein and supplies the toner into the reservoir. The toner bottle includes a first memory holding first information on a first amount of toner in the toner chamber and first identification information on the toner bottle. A second memory holds second information on a second amount of toner in the reservoir and second identification information on the toner bottle. If the first and second identification information do not coincide, it is determined that the toner bottle has been replaced and then the first information and the second information are updated based on the first information, the second information, and a capacity of the toner chamber.