JPS59126568A - Developer detector - Google Patents
Developer detectorInfo
- Publication number
- JPS59126568A JPS59126568A JP172983A JP172983A JPS59126568A JP S59126568 A JPS59126568 A JP S59126568A JP 172983 A JP172983 A JP 172983A JP 172983 A JP172983 A JP 172983A JP S59126568 A JPS59126568 A JP S59126568A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- voltage
- developer
- value
- toner
- electrode
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0848—Arrangements for testing or measuring developer properties or quality, e.g. charge, size, flowability
- G03G15/0856—Detection or control means for the developer level
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
技術分野
本発明は、複写機またはファクシミリ装置等の画像形成
装置に好適な現像剤の変化量を検知する現像剤検知装置
に関する。TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a developer detection device for detecting the amount of change in developer suitable for image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and facsimile machines.
従来技術
従来、この種の検知装置としては、一般にフォトカプラ
ーのような光の透過や反射を利用した光学的検知装置や
、マイクロスイッチなどの重量センサを利用した電気的
検知装置などが知られている。しかしながら、前者の光
学的検知装置は現像剤の汚れに影響され易く、後者の電
気的検知装置は機械的振動の影響を受は易く信頼性に欠
けていた。また、いずれの検知装置でも上限あるいは下
限のレベルしか検知できないために、現像剤の連続的な
変化を把握で、きないという欠点があった。Prior Art Conventionally, as this type of detection device, there are generally known optical detection devices such as photocouplers that utilize transmission or reflection of light, and electrical detection devices that utilize weight sensors such as microswitches. There is. However, the former optical detection device is susceptible to developer contamination, and the latter electrical detection device is susceptible to mechanical vibration and lacks reliability. Furthermore, since any of the detection devices can detect only the upper or lower limit level, there is a drawback that continuous changes in the developer cannot be detected.
一方、これらの検知装置とは別の原理によるものとして
、画像形成装置の現像電極に印加される電圧により現像
剤を介して発生する誘導電圧を利川し、この誘導電圧を
別電極を介して検出することにより現像剤の残量を検知
するという検知装置が提供されている。しかし、この検
知装置では、現像電極に印加される゛電圧を濃度調整手
段により変化させる際に別電極に誘起される誘導電圧の
レベル値も変わるので、正確に現像剤の残量の検出がで
きないという問題があった。On the other hand, as a detection device based on a different principle from these detection devices, the induced voltage generated through the developer by the voltage applied to the developing electrode of the image forming device is detected, and this induced voltage is detected via a separate electrode. There is a detection device that detects the remaining amount of developer by doing this. However, with this detection device, when the voltage applied to the developing electrode is changed by the density adjustment means, the level value of the induced voltage induced in the separate electrode also changes, so it is not possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of developer. There was a problem.
目 的
そこで、本発明は、上述の点に鑑みて、濃度調整手段の
調整量に応じて検出値を修正することにより、現像剤の
残湿を正確に検知できるようにしたイ＾頼性の高い現像
剤検知装置を提供することを目的とする。Purpose: In view of the above-mentioned points, the present invention provides a highly reliable method that makes it possible to accurately detect the residual moisture of a developer by correcting the detected value according to the amount of adjustment of the density adjusting means. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a highly efficient developer detection device.
実施例 以下、図面を参照して本発明の詳細な説明する。Example Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
第１図は本発明現像剤検知装置を適用した複写機の現像
装置の構成の一例を示し、ここで、ｌは交流電圧が印加
される現像電極、２は現像剤（以下、トナーと称する）
３を収容して現像電極ｌへトナー３を供給する容器、４
は現像電極ｌの交流電圧によりトナー３を介して発生す
る誘導電圧を取り出す検知電極であり、その誘導電圧は
トナー３の変化量に追従して変化する。５は容器２の蓋
である。FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a developing device of a copying machine to which the developer detecting device of the present invention is applied, where l is a developing electrode to which an alternating current voltage is applied, and 2 is a developer (hereinafter referred to as toner).
a container for storing toner 3 and supplying toner 3 to the developing electrode l;
is a detection electrode that extracts the induced voltage generated through the toner 3 by the alternating current voltage of the developing electrode 1, and the induced voltage changes in accordance with the amount of change in the toner 3. 5 is a lid of the container 2.
第２図は第１図示の本発明現像剤検知装置の制御回路の
構成の一例を示し、ここで、１１は現像電極１へ印加す
る交流電圧を発生する交流電源、１２は現像電極ｌへ印
加すべき交流電圧の電圧値を変化させる可変抵抗器のご
とき調整器であり、交流電源１１の出力電圧値を変える
ことにより画像濃度を調整する。１３は調整器１２で調
整されて現像電極ｌへ印加される電圧値と、あらかじめ
設定された所定の基準電圧値ｖｌとを加算する加算器、
１４は検出電極４から供給された誘導交流電圧を直流電
圧に変換するＡｃ−Ｄｃ変換器である。１５は基準値と
しての加算器１３の出力値とＡｃ−Ｄｃ変換器１４の出
力値とを比較して、その結果を２値的にＨ（ハイ）レベ
ルあるいはＬ（ロー）レベル信号として送出する比較器
、１８は比較器１５からの２値的な出力信号に基づいて
トナー３の有無を知らせる表示器である。FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the control circuit of the developer detection device of the present invention shown in FIG. This is a regulator such as a variable resistor that changes the voltage value of the AC voltage to be applied, and adjusts the image density by changing the output voltage value of the AC power supply 11. 13 is an adder that adds the voltage value adjusted by the regulator 12 and applied to the developing electrode l and a predetermined reference voltage value vl set in advance;
14 is an Ac-Dc converter that converts the induced AC voltage supplied from the detection electrode 4 into DC voltage. 15 compares the output value of the adder 13 as a reference value with the output value of the Ac-DC converter 14, and sends out the result as a binary H (high) level or L (low) level signal. A comparator 18 is an indicator that indicates the presence or absence of toner 3 based on the binary output signal from the comparator 15.
次に、第３図の動作波形を参照して第１図および第２図
示の装置の動作例を説明する。Next, an example of the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to the operation waveforms shown in FIG.
調整器１２により交流電源１１の発生電圧を任意の電圧
値に設定すると、その設定電圧値の交流電圧が加算器１
３と現像電極ｌとに供給され、トナー３を媒介として検
知電極４に誘導電圧が発生する。When the voltage generated by the AC power source 11 is set to an arbitrary voltage value by the regulator 12, the AC voltage of the set voltage value is applied to the adder 1.
3 and the developing electrode 1, and an induced voltage is generated at the detection electrode 4 through the toner 3.
次いで、この誘導電圧がＡｃ−Ｄｃ変換器１４により直
流電圧に変換され、さらにこの直流電圧が比較器１５の
一方の入力端子Ａに入力される。一方、Ａ検器１２で設
定された電圧と任意に設定された基準電圧ｖｌ とが加
算器１３により加算されて、この加算値が比較器１５の
基準電圧として比較器１５の他方の入力端子Ｂに供給さ
れる。Next, this induced voltage is converted into a DC voltage by the Ac-Dc converter 14, and this DC voltage is further input to one input terminal A of the comparator 15. On the other hand, the voltage set by the A detector 12 and the arbitrarily set reference voltage vl are added by the adder 13, and this added value is used as the reference voltage of the comparator 15 at the other input terminal B of the comparator 15. supplied to
その際、トナー３が容器２内に充分にあって、あらかじ
め定めた下限レベルｂ（第１図参照）以上であると、検
知電極４の誘導電圧は高く、第３図（ａ）の実線に示す
ようになるので、比較器１５はたとえばＨレベルの信号
を送出して、表示器１６に「トナー有り」の旨を表示す
る。ところが、トナーの使用により容器２内のトナー３
が減少して下限レベルｂ以下になると、検知電極４の誘
導電圧も減少して第３図（ｂ）に示すようになるので、
比較器１５の出力が反転してたとえばＬレベルの信号を
送出し、表示器１８に「トナーなし」の旨を表示する。At this time, if there is enough toner 3 in the container 2 and the level is higher than the predetermined lower limit level b (see Figure 1), the induced voltage of the sensing electrode 4 will be high and the solid line in Figure 3(a) Therefore, the comparator 15 sends out, for example, an H level signal and displays on the display 16 that "toner is present". However, due to the use of toner, toner 3 in container 2
When the voltage decreases to below the lower limit level b, the induced voltage of the sensing electrode 4 also decreases as shown in FIG. 3(b).
The output of the comparator 15 is inverted to send out, for example, an L level signal, and the display 18 displays "no toner".
このように、比較器１５から送出される信号を用いて容
器２内のトナー３の塙無を容易に知ることかできる。In this way, the amount of toner 3 in the container 2 can be easily determined using the signal sent from the comparator 15.
また、このような動作中に、濃度調整のために調整器１
２により現像電極１に印加する電圧値を変化させると、
検知電極４の誘導電圧もその変化に追従して変化する。Also, during such operation, adjuster 1 is used to adjust the concentration.
When the voltage value applied to the developing electrode 1 is changed by 2,
The induced voltage of the sensing electrode 4 also changes following the change.
たとえば、トナー３が下限レベル５以上に存在する場合
において、調整器１２の設定電圧を上昇させれば、検知
電極４に誘導される誘導電圧は第３図（ａ）の実線から
破線に示すように増加する。しかし、これに伴って、Ａ
ｃ−Ｄｃ変換器１４を介して比較器１５の一方の入力端
子Ａに入力される電圧も変動（上昇）するが、比較器１
５の他方の入力端子Ｂに供給する調整器１２によって設
定された設定電圧と基準電圧ｖｌ とを加算した加算値
も、その設定電圧の変動（上昇）に比例して変動（上昇
）するので、比較器１５を介して容器２内のトナー３の
有無を正確に検出することができる。第４図は、本発明
現像剤検知装置の他の構成例を示し、第１図および第２
図と同様の部分についてはその詳細な説明を省略する。For example, when the toner 3 is present at the lower limit level 5 or higher, if the set voltage of the regulator 12 is increased, the induced voltage induced in the detection electrode 4 will change from the solid line to the broken line in FIG. 3(a). increases to However, along with this, A
The voltage input to one input terminal A of the comparator 15 via the c-Dc converter 14 also fluctuates (increases);
Since the sum of the set voltage set by the regulator 12 supplied to the other input terminal B of 5 and the reference voltage vl also fluctuates (increases) in proportion to the fluctuation (increase) of the set voltage, The presence or absence of toner 3 in container 2 can be accurately detected via comparator 15. FIG. 4 shows another configuration example of the developer detection device of the present invention, and FIG.
Detailed explanations of parts similar to those in the figures will be omitted.
第４図において、１７は減算器であり、Ａｃ−Ｄｃ変換
器１４の出力値から加算器１３の出力値を減算するか、
または、この逆の減算をして、その結果を表示器１６に
送出する。表示器１６は減算器１７の出力値に基づき、
トナーの残量をアナログまたはデジタルで連続的に表示
する。In FIG. 4, 17 is a subtracter, which subtracts the output value of the adder 13 from the output value of the Ac-DC converter 14, or
Alternatively, the inverse subtraction is performed and the result is sent to the display 16. The display 16 is based on the output value of the subtractor 17,
Continuously displays the remaining amount of toner in analog or digital format.
すなわち、減算器１７により検知電極４の誘導電圧値か
ら調整器１２で設定した設定電圧値を減算し、この減算
値を表示器１Ｂに送出するが、その減算値は設定電圧値
の変化に応じて連続的に変化するから容器２内のトナー
３の現在量を正確に表示器１６によりデジタルまたはア
ナログで表示することができる。このように、本例では
減算器１７を用いているので、調整器１２による調整量
には影響されずにトナー３の現在量を正確に連続的に検
知することができる。That is, the subtracter 17 subtracts the set voltage value set by the regulator 12 from the induced voltage value of the sensing electrode 4, and this subtracted value is sent to the display 1B, but the subtracted value changes depending on the change in the set voltage value. Since the current amount of toner 3 in the container 2 changes continuously, the current amount of toner 3 in the container 2 can be accurately displayed on the display 16 in digital or analog form. In this way, since the subtracter 17 is used in this example, the current amount of toner 3 can be accurately and continuously detected without being affected by the adjustment amount by the adjuster 12.
なお、本例では調整器１２としては電圧値を変化させＪ
ものを用いたが、交流電源１１の周波数を変化するよう
なものでもよい。この場合には、周波数により両電極１
および４間のインピーダンスが変化するので、検知電極
４の誘導電圧が変化し、たとえば周波数が高くなればそ
の誘導電圧が大きくなるから、本例の場合と同様に動作
し、交流電源１１の周波数を変化させても容器２内のト
ナー３の変化を正確に検出することができる。In addition, in this example, the regulator 12 changes the voltage value and
However, a device that changes the frequency of the AC power source 11 may also be used. In this case, depending on the frequency, both electrodes 1
Since the impedance between the detection electrode 4 and the detection electrode 4 changes, the induced voltage of the detection electrode 4 changes. For example, as the frequency increases, the induced voltage increases. Even if the toner 3 is changed, the change in the toner 3 in the container 2 can be accurately detected.
効 果
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、現像電極に印加
する交Ｅｆ、電圧の電圧値または周波数値を変化させて
も、容器内のトナーの有無またはトナー量を正確に検知
することができる。Effects As explained above, according to the present invention, even if the alternating current Ef applied to the developing electrode, the voltage value or the frequency value of the voltage is changed, the presence or absence of toner in the container or the amount of toner can be accurately detected. I can do it.
第１図は本発明現像剤検知装置を適用した複写機の現像
装置の構成の一例を示す断面図、第２図は第１図の本発
明検知装置の制御回路の構成の一例を示すブロック線図
、第３図（ａ）および（ｂ）は第２図の検知電極の誘導
電圧の特性を示す波形図、第４図は本発明検知装置の他
の構成例を示すブロック線図である。
ｌ・・・現像電極、
２・・・容器、
３・・・現像剤（トナー）、
４・・・検知電極、
５・・・蓋、
１１・・・交がＣ電源、
１２・・・調整器、
１３・・・加算器、
１４−・・Ａｃ−Ｄａ変換器、
１５・・・比較器、
１６・・・表示器、
１７・・・減算器、
Ａ、Ｂ・・・入力端子。
第１図
第２図
＼ｌ＃
第３図
第４図
１FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a developing device of a copying machine to which the developer detection device of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control circuit of the detection device of the present invention shown in FIG. 3(a) and 3(b) are waveform diagrams showing the characteristics of the induced voltage of the sensing electrode in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the sensing device of the present invention. 1...Development electrode, 2...Container, 3...Developer (toner), 4...Detection electrode, 5...Lid, 11...AC power supply, 12...Adjustment 13... Adder, 14-... Ac-Da converter, 15... Comparator, 16... Display, 17... Subtractor, A, B... Input terminal. Figure 1 Figure 2 ＼l# Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 1
Claims (1)
変数を変化させて画像濃度を調整する調整手段と、前記
第１の電極からの前記交流電圧により現像剤の変化量に
追従して発生する誘導電圧を取り出す第２の電極と、前
記基準電圧と前記誘導電圧とを演算してｎ１１記現像剤
の残留を検出する演算手段とを具備したことを特徴とす
る現像剤検知装置。 ２、特許請求の範囲第１項記載の装置において、前起演
算手段が比較手段または減算手段のいずれが一方である
ことを特徴とする現像剤検知装置。 ３）特許請求の範囲第１項または第２項記載の装置にお
いて、前記交流電圧の媒介変数が電圧値または周波数値
のいずれが一方であることを特徴とする現像剤検知装置
。[Scope of Claims] [E] Adjustment means for adjusting image density by changing a parameter of a reference voltage and an alternating current voltage applied to a first electrode; The present invention is characterized by comprising: a second electrode that extracts the induced voltage generated in accordance with the amount of change; and a calculating means that calculates the reference voltage and the induced voltage to detect residual n11 developer. Developer detection device. 2. The developer detection device according to claim 1, wherein the pre-start calculation means is either a comparison means or a subtraction means. 3) The developer detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the parameter variable of the alternating current voltage is either a voltage value or a frequency value.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP172983A JPS59126568A (en) | 1983-01-11 | 1983-01-11 | Developer detector |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP172983A JPS59126568A (en) | 1983-01-11 | 1983-01-11 | Developer detector |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS59126568A true JPS59126568A (en) | 1984-07-21 |
Family
ID=11509645
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP172983A Pending JPS59126568A (en) | 1983-01-11 | 1983-01-11 | Developer detector |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS59126568A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS63210870A (en) * | 1987-02-27 | 1988-09-01 | Canon Inc | Device for detecting residual amount of developer |
| US5220379A (en) * | 1990-07-26 | 1993-06-15 | Konica Corporation | Color image forming apparatus |
| KR100374269B1 (en) * | 2000-04-07 | 2003-03-03 | 캐논 가부시끼가이샤 | Developer container, developer amount detecting system, process cartridge, developing device, and image forming apparatus |
-
1983
- 1983-01-11 JP JP172983A patent/JPS59126568A/en active Pending
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS63210870A (en) * | 1987-02-27 | 1988-09-01 | Canon Inc | Device for detecting residual amount of developer |
| US5220379A (en) * | 1990-07-26 | 1993-06-15 | Konica Corporation | Color image forming apparatus |
| KR100374269B1 (en) * | 2000-04-07 | 2003-03-03 | 캐논 가부시끼가이샤 | Developer container, developer amount detecting system, process cartridge, developing device, and image forming apparatus |
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