Auxiliary Toner Replenishing; Toner Cartridge Detection; Toner Consumption Rate Detection; Toner Life Detection - Konica Minolta BIZHUB C3100P Service Manual

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[1] Toner level sensor

5.3.4 Auxiliary toner replenishing

• If a short supply of toner is detected during a multi-print cycle, the print cycle is performed while the ordinary toner replenishing sequence is
carried out. If the short supply of toner is not corrected even after a predetermined number of printed pages are produced, the multi-print
cycle is temporarily interrupted and the auxiliary toner replenishing sequence is carried out.
• The auxiliary toner replenishing sequence is carried out for a maximum of about 1 min. for each color of toner.

5.3.5 Toner cartridge detection

• Different toner cartridge detection methods apply according to the type of toner cartridge: the in-box toner cartridge shipped with the main
body and the replacement toner cartridge.
Control also varies when the life is reached. The following describe details.
(1) In-box toner cartridge
• The in-box toner cartridge is not provided with the toner cartridge detection board and thus does not allow the user to determine whether
a toner cartridge is mounted or not.
The main body determines whether the toner cartridge is mounted or not at a toner empty condition. A new print cycle can therefore be
started even when each of the toner cartridges is not mounted.
(2) Replacement toner cartridge
• The main body accesses the toner cartridge detection board when the front door is closed or the power switch is turned ON, thereby
determining whether or not the toner cartridge is mounted.
• After the toner cartridge has been detected, the main body then determines whether the cartridge is new or not.
(3) Combination of alternative (used) toner cartridge
• It is prohibited to use the alternative (used) toner cartridge among the same model.
NOTE
• Whenever a toner cartridge is replaced, it must be replaced with an unused new one. If the toner cartridge is replaced with a
used one, the message may not be cleared or the amount of toner still available for use is not correctly displayed.

5.3.6 Toner consumption rate detection

• The toner consumption rate is calculated based on the toner supply time (the number of times the toner supply clutch is energized).
• The toner level (approximate threshold) can be checked with statistics page, control panel, or PageScope Web Connection.

5.3.7 Toner life detection

• A near life (near-empty) condition of the toner cartridge is detected based on the toner supply time (the number of times the toner supply
clutch is energized) of each color of toner.
• When a near life condition is detected, a corresponding message will appear on the control panel.
• A life (empty) condition of the toner cartridge is detected by the toner level sensor.
• If the toner level sensor detects a life (empty) condition and toner is not replenished after the lapse of a predetermined period of time
thereafter, the main body determines that there is an empty condition, giving a corresponding message on the control panel and stopping to
operate.

5.3.8 Monochrome prints

• The color print is disabled when any of the C, M, and Y toner cartridges is empty. Monochrome print only is, however, enabled if the K toner
cartridge is not empty.
• The monochrome print is also controlled by the ordinary near-empty and empty condition detection methods.
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