Toner Empty Condition Detection; Toner Empty Condition Detection Control; Toner Cartridge Life Control - Konica Minolta A00F011 Service Manual

Theory of operation Ver. 1.0 Nov. 2007
8.3.6

Toner empty condition detection

A. Toner empty condition detection mechanism
• The print unit has a toner empty condition detecting mechanism.
Based on the amount of toner conveyed from the toner cartridge to the print unit, a toner
empty condition is detected.
• A toner level in the print unit is detected by the LED and toner level sensor mounted on
the toner level sensor board provided in the main body.
• Light emitted from the LED travels through the light guiding path and is guided into the
print unit.
• The toner level sensor detects the intensity of the transmitted light guided through the
light guiding path from the inside of the toner cartridge. The toner level is thereby esti-
mated.
• To ensure correct detection of the intensity of transmitted light by the toner level sensor, a
cleaning sheet is provided that cleans the window in the light guiding path periodically.
Light guiding path
Cleaning sheet
Print unit
8.3.7

Toner empty condition detection control

• A sequence is started for detecting a toner empty condition when a toner near-empty
condition is detected. (In starter cartridges shipped with a main body, the toner empty
detection control always functions.)
• The main body determines that there is a toner empty condition when the toner level
sensor output value remains below a predetermined value and if the following event is
detected a predetermined number of consecutive times: the output value of the toner
level sensor remains a predetermined value or lower for more than a predetermined
period of time.
• The consecutive detection count is retained even when power is turned OFF.
• A toner empty condition is reset when a new toner cartridge is detected.
8.3.8

Toner cartridge life control

• Each toner cartridge is provided with a TC detection board that detects state of a toner
cartridge placement, a new TC, a toner near-empty condition, and a toner empty condi-
tion.
LED Sensor
4138to2012c1
8. Toner supply section
Cleaning sheet
4138to2012c2
Print unit
21