Toshiba e-STUDIO556 Service Manual page 132

3.14.2 Functions
(1) Toner cartridge
The toner cartridge is filled with the toner and the toner is supplied to the developer unit. In this
equipment, the toner cartridge can be replaced without stopping any operation when the toner
cartridge becomes empty during printing.
The remaining amount of the toner can be detected in the following 3 steps.
• Detecting that the toner in the toner cartridge has decreased
The drive count of the new toner transport motor (M6) theoretically can be a detection of
decreased toner amount in the toner cartridge.
• Detecting that the toner cartridge is empty
The toner cartridge empty sensor (S10) detects that the toner cartridge has become empty.
This sensor is installed on the toner cartridge holder, and detects the presence of the toner in
the cartridge by the contact of the toner to the sensor surface.
Even after the cartridge is detected as empty, a small amount of toner still remains in the sub-
hopper. This remaining toner enables to print approx. 2,000 sheets of A4/LT paper so that the
toner cartridge can be replaced during this printing, without stopping the printing operation.
When the front cover (upper) is opened for the cartridge replacement during printing, the
recycle toner transport motor (M8) continues running but the new toner supply motor (M5) is
stopped. While the cover is opened, the equipment exits only a number of sheets specified in
the code 08-6467. When the number of sheets being exited exceeds this specified number,
the printing is interrupted. When the cover is closed, the printing is resumed.
• Detecting lowered toner density in the developer unit (printing is disabled)
The auto-toner sensor (S12) detects that the toner in the developer unit has been consumed
by detecting the toner density in the unit.
Note:
Calculation of the pixel counter is not used for the above detection of the amount of toner
remaining.
(2) Toner cartridge drive unit
The toner cartridge drive unit consists of the toner cartridge holder which rotates the toner
cartridge, and the sub-hopper.
e-STUDIO556/656/756/856/557/657/757/857
OUTLINE OF THE MACHINE
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