Theory of Operation Ver. 8.0 Jun. 2008
13. Toner supply section
6
3
1
Composition/Operation
13.3 Operation
13.3.1
Toner replenishing mechanism/control
A. Overview
• Toner replenishing mechanism consists of two toner supply steps. One replenishment
step is from the toner cartridge to the sub hopper and the other is from the sub hopper to
the developing unit.
B. Mechanism of toner replenishing to the sub hopper
• In the toner replenishing step from the toner cartridge to the sub hopper, a single toner
supply motor is turned either forward or backward to supply toner of two different colors.
(A toner cartridge motor for K/C and a toner cartridge motor for Y/M)
• The toner empty sensor located in the sub hopper detects the remaining toner amount
and controls toner replenishment from the toner cartridge to the sub hopper.
C. Operation of toner replenishment to the sub hopper
1.
Drive of the toner cartridge motor is transmitted through a gear train to the drive
gears of the toner cartridges of two colors. A one-way clutch is used for each of
these drive gears, meaning that the drive gears turn in one direction only. Either
one of these two drive gears is turned according to whether the toner cartridge
motor turns forward or backward.
2.
As the drive gear turns, the conveyance screw installed inside the toner cartridge
rotates to transfer the toner to the toner cartridge replenishing port. Then the toner
goes through the carrier pipe of the main body and drops into the sub hopper port
to replenish toner to the sub hopper.
Toner cartridge
motor C/K
K toner
C toner
Toner cartridge
motor Y/M
Y toner
M toner
Turned forward
Energized
Deener-
gized
Turned forward
Energized
Deener-
gized
Turned backward
Deenergized
Energized
Turned backward
Deener-
gized
Energized
A00JT2C032DA
Toner cartridge
motor C/K (M14)
Toner cartridge
motor Y/M (M13)
One-way clutch
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Y107522-3 Theory of Operation
