Any of the foregoing errors will be identified in response to a change in the output of a specific sensor (PS3 through PS6) of a specific developing assembly.

Reference:

If all is normal, the toner supply motor (M8 through M11) rotates clockwise (CW). If something goes wrong and the motor rotates counterclockwise (CCW), how-

ever, the toner supply feedscrew will rotate to cause a change in the output of PS3 through (with the machine assuming malfunction of the toner supply motor).

E021-0000: Y/M development motor error

E021-0001: C/Bk development motor error

Any of the foregoing errors will be identified if a motor ready state fails to occur 3 sec or more after the start of the development motor.

E021-0100: Y/M development motor error

E021-0101: C/Bk development motor error

Any of the foregoing errors will be identified if a motor ready state remains for 3 sec or more while the development motor is at rest.

3. Toner recovery control

In the case that piezo sensor detects the toner absence, it executes toner recovery control when; installing machine, activating machine power (in the case of detecting

toner absence), the front door (of the machine) is opened, and during image formation (in the case of detecting toner absence).

Toner recovery control makes the stirring plate (inside TCRG) rotate (drive) for a specified time, and also makes the toner (inside TCRG) transfer inside of the

hopper. Thanks to this control, the toner density (inside the hopper) is stabilized, and the toner inside TCRG can be efficiently used up

7.6.3 Detecting the Level of Toner

iR C3380i / iR C3380 / iR C2880i / iR C2880 / iR C3580 / iR C3580i / iR C3080 / iR C3080i

To detect the toner residual level of the hopper assembly for each color, this machine uses the following two kinds of detecting methods.

- Detection by the piezosensor

- Detection by toner refill quantity detection sensor

[1] Hopper assembly

[2] Toner detection signal

[3] Toner refill quantity detection signal

[4] drum unit

[5] toner container

TS1 through TS4: toner sensor (piezoelectric sensor)

PS3 to PS6: Toner feed level sensor

1. Detection by piezosensor

This is the detection for the presence or absence of the toner on the hopper assembly by the piezoelectric-vibrating piezosensor (TS1~4) mounted on the lower area

of the hopper assembly. It is executed at power ON, after the hopper assembly feeding and during the toner recovery control (hopper assembly forced feeding).

Piezosensor executes one set (sixteen times of reading) and judges the toner presence/absence based on the toner ratio at that time.

Toner absence: When the read value is judged as toner absence twelve times or more out of sixteen times

Toner presence: When judged as toner absence eight times or less out of sixteen times

The result of this detection is sent to DC control roller.

If the toner residual level is less than the specified value, DC controller notices two kinds of messages (toner absence notice, toner absence) to video controller.

The following is the relationship between the display message and the toner residual level.

7-36

[3]

[2]

TS1 TS4

PS3 PS6

M-CON

D-CON

[4]

[1]

[5]

F-7-45