Waste Toner Detection Using Single Sensor and Switch Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in determining whether a waste toner container is mounted and detecting the amount of waste toner, which can lead to operational issues such as failed print jobs due to lack of toner or full containers, requiring complex and costly solutions to manage these conditions.
Innovation Solution
A detection circuit and sensor system that applies driving power to a toner amount detection sensor to output voltage values, allowing the processor to determine if the waste toner container is mounted and its toner level, changing operational states to error or warning modes based on threshold values, and notifying users or managers for replacement, thus enabling single-sensor detection and reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex detection system with multiple sensors is used to determine waste toner container status and toner levels, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a single sensor that performs multiple detection functions: it detects both the presence/mounting status of the waste toner container and the toner level within the container. This multi-functional sensor eliminates the need for separate sensors for each detection task, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection reliability through a unified detection mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the mounting status detection function and the toner level detection function into a single integrated sensor system. By merging these two detection functions into one sensor, the system reduces the number of components, simplifies the detection circuitry, and lowers manufacturing costs while ensuring reliable detection of both container presence and toner status
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and detection circuits are implemented to monitor waste toner container status, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single sensor is designed to provide precise measurement of toner level while also determining container mounting status. This multi-functional approach achieves accurate toner level detection without requiring multiple specialized sensors, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement precision through a well-designed universal detection mechanism
3Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to detect both container mounting status and toner level, then device complexity is reduced, but detection reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is designed with multi-functional capability to reliably detect both container mounting status and toner level simultaneously. The universal sensor incorporates detection circuits that can distinguish between different detection targets (container presence vs. toner level) and provide reliable signals for each function, ensuring detection reliability is maintained despite the reduction in system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for efficient identification of waste toner container status and toner levels, reducing manufacturing and operational costs by simplifying the detection process and enabling timely replacement, ensuring uninterrupted printing operations.
Implementation Method 1
A detection circuit and sensor system that applies driving power to a toner amount detection sensor to output voltage values
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a print engine, a detection circuit, a switch, and a processor. The print engine is located within the main body to form an image by using a toner. The print engine generates waste toner. A waste toner container is detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus and collects the waste toner. The detection circuit includes a toner amount detection sensor to output a voltage value associated with an amount of waste toner in the waste toner container and a switch to selectively output the voltage value depending on whether the waste toner container is mounted or detached. The processor determines whether printing is available based on the voltage value outputted from the detection circuit.