阅读说明：本技术 一种碳粉盒 (Carbon powder box ) 是由 刘卫臣 于 2021-07-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请提供一种碳粉盒,包括：粉仓、废粉仓和设置在粉仓中的显影部件,其中,粉仓与废粉仓之间可活动地连接,粉仓可以从相对于废粉仓的第一位置移动到第二位置；当粉仓处于第一位置时,显影部件与打印机电连接；当粉仓处于第二位置时,显影部件与打印机断开电连接。通过本申请的方案,在粉仓处于第二位置时,打印机已经与显影部件断开电连接,打印机施加的检测信号就不会施加在显影部件上,避免检测信号对显影部件及的显影部件的显影造成影响。(The application provides a cartridge, includes: the developing device comprises a powder bin, a waste powder bin and a developing component arranged in the powder bin, wherein the powder bin is movably connected with the waste powder bin, and the powder bin can move from a first position to a second position relative to the waste powder bin; when the powder bin is at the first position, the developing component is electrically connected with the printer; when the powder bin is in the second position, the developing part is electrically disconnected from the printer. Through the scheme of this application, when the powder storehouse is in the second position, the printer has been connected with development part disconnection, and the detection signal that the printer was applyed just can not be applyed on development part, avoids detection signal to lead to the fact the influence to the development of development part that development part reaches.)

1. A toner cartridge comprising:

the powder bin is movably connected with the waste powder bin, and the powder bin can move from a first position to a second position relative to the waste powder bin;

the developing part is arranged in the powder bin and the photosensitive drum is arranged in the waste powder bin, the developing part comprises a conductive shaft core, and the developing part can rotate around the shaft core; when the powder bin is at the first position, the developing component is relatively close to and in contact with the photosensitive drum, and when the powder bin is at the second position, the developing component is disconnected from the photosensitive drum and is relatively far away;

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

when the powder bin is at the first position, the developing component is electrically connected with the printer and can receive a developing voltage signal sent by the printer,

when the powder bin is at the second position, the developing component is electrically disconnected with the printer, and the developing component cannot receive a developing voltage signal sent by the printer or cannot transmit an electric signal to the printer.

2. The toner cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a first contact electrode disposed in the toner hopper, the first contact electrode configured to receive a development voltage signal sent by the printer to the development component;

when the powder bin is at the first position, the first contact electrode is electrically connected with the shaft core of the developing part;

when the powder bin is at the second position, the first contact electrode is electrically disconnected with the shaft core of the developing part, or the first contact electrode is electrically disconnected with a probe of the printer.

3. The toner cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising a second contact electrode provided in the toner hopper, the second contact electrode receiving a detection signal of the printer detecting the remaining amount of toner.

4. The toner cartridge of claim 3, further comprising a detection member comprising a first end and a second end;

when the powder bin is at the second position, the first contact electrode is electrically connected with the first end, and the second contact electrode is electrically connected with the second end.

5. The toner cartridge of claim 4, wherein the first contact electrode is electrically disconnected from the first end when the powder bin is in the first position.

6. The toner cartridge of claim 4, wherein the second contact electrode is electrically disconnected from the second end when the toner hopper is in the first position.

7. The toner cartridge according to claim 3, wherein a powder feed roller is further provided in the powder hopper, and the second contact electrode is electrically connected to a core of the powder feed roller when the powder hopper is in the first position.

8. The toner cartridge of claim 7, wherein the second contact electrode is electrically disconnected from the axial core of the powder feed roller when the powder hopper is in the second position.

9. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a switch member capable of controlling on and off of the respective electrical connections.

10. The toner cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the switching member includes a first switch capable of controlling on and off of the first contact electrode with the shaft core of the developing member.

11. The toner cartridge according to claim 4, further comprising a switch member that controls on and off of the first contact electrode and the first end of the detection member.

12. The toner cartridge according to claim 4, further comprising a switch member that controls on and off of the second contact electrode and the second end of the detection member.

13. The toner cartridge according to claim 7, further comprising a switch member that controls on and off of the second contact electrode and the axial core of the powder feed roller.

14. The toner cartridge of claim 4, wherein the detection member comprises a conductive member disposed in the toner hopper.

15. The toner cartridge of claim 4, wherein the detection member comprises any one of a capacitance, a resistance, an inductance, or a combination of at least two thereof.

16. The toner cartridge of claim 14, wherein the conductive member comprises two conductive strips spaced apart in the toner hopper.

17. The toner cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a blocking member positioned between the shaft core of the developing member and the printer probe to block an electrical connection between the shaft core and the printer probe when the toner hopper is in the second position.

18. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a first contact electrode provided in the toner hopper, the first contact electrode receiving a developing voltage sent to the developing part by the printer; when the powder bin is at the first position, the first contact electrode transmits the developing voltage of the printer to the shaft core of the developing component,

when the powder bin is at the second position, the first contact electrode does not transmit the voltage signal of the printer to the shaft core of the developing component or does not transmit the signal of the shaft core to the printer.

Technical Field

The application relates to the field of printing and imaging, in particular to the field of printing and imaging, and particularly relates to a toner cartridge and a toner residue detection system thereof.

Background

In the printing process, printing consumables such as an ink cartridge, a powder cartridge and a toner cartridge are required by a printing device (e.g., an inkjet printer, a laser printer, a multifunction machine, etc.), wherein the ink cartridge contains ink, and the powder cartridge and the toner cartridge contain carbon powder. These consumables have a shorter life than the printing apparatus, and therefore, during use, the life of these consumables needs to be monitored, and the user is also required to purchase and replace the consumables regularly after they are used up.

One of the printing consumables is a toner cartridge (e.g., chinese patent application CN201010142920.9), which includes a toner hopper, a waste toner hopper, a developing unit disposed in the toner hopper, toner accommodated in the toner hopper, and accessories such as a photosensitive drum disposed on the waste toner hopper. Meanwhile, in order to detect the residual amount of the carbon powder in the powder bin, a carbon powder residual amount detection system is arranged in the carbon powder box, and the residual amount of the carbon powder in the powder bin is determined by arranging a detection component in the powder bin and then detecting an electric signal between a developing component and the detection component. In this case, the developing unit operates as a developing unit during development of the toner cartridge, and operates as a part of a toner remaining amount detection system during detection of a remaining amount of toner. When the residual amount of the carbon powder is detected, the printer applies relatively high-voltage alternating current signals to the carbon powder box, and the signals have certain influence on the developing component during developing action, so that the developing quality is reduced.

The application provides a new, can realize detecting the carbon dust surplus simultaneously, reduce the cartridge of the alternating current signal that the printer was applyed to the influence of development part.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems,

the application provides a cartridge, includes:

the powder bin is movably connected with the waste powder bin, and the powder bin can move from a first position to a second position relative to the waste powder bin;

the developing part is arranged in the powder bin and the photosensitive drum is arranged in the waste powder bin, the developing part comprises a conductive shaft core, and the developing part can rotate around the shaft core; when the powder bin is at the first position, the developing component is relatively close to and in contact with the photosensitive drum, and when the powder bin is at the second position, the developing component is disconnected from the photosensitive drum and is relatively far away;

when the powder bin is at the first position, the developing component is electrically connected with the printer and can receive a developing voltage signal sent by the printer,

when the powder bin is at the second position, the developing component is electrically disconnected with the printer, and the developing component cannot receive a developing voltage signal sent by the printer or cannot transmit an electric signal to the printer.

Further, the toner cartridge further comprises a first contact electrode arranged in the toner hopper, and the first contact electrode is used for receiving a developing voltage signal sent to the developing part by the printer;

when the powder bin is at the first position, the first contact electrode is electrically connected with the shaft core of the developing part;

when the powder bin is at the second position, the first contact electrode is electrically disconnected with the shaft core of the developing part, or the first contact electrode is electrically disconnected with a probe of the printer.

Further, the toner cartridge further comprises a second contact electrode arranged in the toner hopper, and the second contact electrode receives a detection signal for detecting the residual amount of the toner in the printer.

Further, the toner cartridge further comprises a detection component, wherein the detection component comprises a first end and a second end, when the toner hopper is at the second position, the first contact electrode is electrically connected with the first end, and the second contact electrode is electrically connected with the second end.

Further, when the powder bin is at the first position, the first contact electrode is electrically disconnected from the first end.

Further, when the powder bin is at the first position, the second contact electrode is electrically disconnected from the second end.

Furthermore, a powder feeding roller is arranged in the powder bin, and when the powder bin is located at the first position, the second contact electrode is electrically connected with the shaft core of the powder feeding roller.

Further, when the powder bin is at the second position, the second contact electrode is electrically disconnected with the shaft core of the powder feeding roller.

Further, the toner cartridge further comprises a switch component, and the switch component can control the connection and disconnection of the above electric connections.

Further, the switching member includes a first switch capable of controlling the first contact electrode to be turned on and off with the shaft core of the developing member.

Further, the first switch may control the first contact electrode to be turned on and off with the first end of the detection part.

Further, the switch component also comprises a second switch which controls the conduction and the disconnection of the second contact electrode and the second end of the detection component.

Further, the second switch controls the second contact electrode to be connected with or disconnected from the shaft core of the powder feeding roller.

Further, the detection member includes a conductive member provided in the powder hopper.

Further, the detection component includes any one of capacitance, resistance, inductance, or a combination of at least two of them.

Further, the conductive part comprises two conductive sheets which are arranged in the powder bin at intervals.

Further, the toner cartridge further comprises a blocking component, and when the toner hopper is located at the second position, the blocking component is located between the shaft core of the developing component and the printer probe so as to block the electric connection between the shaft core and the printer probe.

The developing device further comprises a first contact electrode arranged in the powder bin, and the first contact electrode receives a developing voltage sent to the developing part by the printer; when the powder bin is at the first position, the first contact electrode transmits the developing voltage of the printer to the shaft core of the developing component,

when the powder bin is at the second position, the first contact electrode does not transmit the voltage signal of the printer to the shaft core of the developing component or does not transmit the signal of the shaft core to the printer.

Through the scheme of this application, when the powder storehouse is in the second position, first contact electrode has been connected with development part disconnection, and the printer is applyed the detection signal that first contact electrode just can not be applyed on development part, avoids detection signal to the development part that development part reaches to cause the influence.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings that are required to be used in the embodiments will be briefly described below, it should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate some embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope, and for those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained from the drawings without inventive effort.

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge provided in an embodiment of the present application in a first condition.

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge provided in an embodiment of the present application in a second condition.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the electrical connection between the probe of the printer and the contact electrode on the powder bin according to the embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 4 is an equivalent electrical connection diagram between the components when the powder bin is in the first position in the embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 5 is an equivalent electrical connection diagram between the components when the powder bin is in the second position in the embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and not all of the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present application, generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, can be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application, presented in the accompanying drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the application. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments of the present application without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

It should be noted that: like reference numbers and letters refer to like items in the following figures, and thus, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

The toner cartridge is a replaceable printing consumable and is detachably installed in a printer, and fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The toner cartridge includes a waste toner hopper 18, a toner hopper 4, and the waste toner hopper 18 and the toner hopper 4 are movably connected (described later).

The waste powder bin 18 includes a photosensitive drum 11, which can rotate in the direction E in the figure, a charging roller 12 and a cleaning plate 17, wherein the charging roller 17 is used for charging the photosensitive drum 11, and the cleaning plate 17 is used for cleaning the carbon powder on the surface 11 of the photosensitive drum and also can be used for eliminating the residual charges on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11.

In some embodiments, at the powder hopper 4, including the developing part 21 and the powder feed roller 22, the toner 3 is contained in the powder hopper 4.

In the first case, described in fig. 1, the developing member 21 is in a position relatively distant from the photosensitive drum 11. The powder hopper 4 is connected to the waste powder hopper 18 by a spring 41, wherein the spring 41 in a compressed state has a restoring force to restore to an uncompressed state.

The powder hopper 4 is rotatable about the virtual shaft 40 by the urging force of the driving member 42 provided on the printer, for example, referring to fig. 1, when the driving member 42 does not start rotating, the width of the driving member 42 in the horizontal direction is largest, the driving member 42 pushes the upper half portion of the powder hopper 4 leftward in the horizontal direction, at this time, the spring 41 is compressed, and at the same time, due to the existence of the virtual shaft 40, the powder hopper 4 rotates counterclockwise, the lower half portion of the powder hopper 4 is in a relatively rightward position, i.e., a second position, and the developing device 21 is not in contact with the photosensitive drum 11, but relatively away from it.

When the driving member 42 is rotated in the direction B, the width of the driving member 42 in the horizontal direction gradually decreases, the force receiving portion 43 on the powder hopper 4 is no longer urged by the driving member 42, and the powder hopper 4 is rotated clockwise about the shaft 40 under the urging of the restoring force of the spring 41 in the compressed state, so that the developing unit 21 is moved toward the photosensitive drum 11 until the developing unit 21 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 11 at a position relatively close to the photosensitive drum 11, i.e., the first position, as shown in fig. 2.

In some embodiments, fig. 2 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge in a second instance. When the driving member 42 is rotated in the reverse direction opposite to the direction B, or when the driving member 42 continues to rotate in the direction a as shown in fig. 2, the driving member 42 pushes the force receiving portion 43 on the powder hopper 4 again, so that the powder hopper 4 rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 40, the spring 41 is compressed again, and the powder hopper 4 is restored to the position in fig. 1, that is, the developing part 21 is at a position relatively distant from the photosensitive drum 11.

The powder hopper 4 can contain toner, and is provided with a developing part 21. The waste toner hopper 18 can contain used waste toner, and is provided with the photosensitive drum 11. The relative position between the powder hopper and the waste powder hopper may be changed so that the state of the developing member 21 and the photosensitive drum 11 may be in contact or non-contact, and when the powder hopper 4 is in the first position, the photosensitive drum 11 and the developing member 21 come into close contact, which is closest to the developing member 21, in a relatively close position. When the powder hopper 4 is at the second position, the photosensitive drum 11 is away from the developing part 21, which is farthest from the developing part 21, at a relatively distant position. Further, a powder feeding roller 22 is provided in the powder hopper 4.

The developing member 21 may be, for example, a developing roller, or a magnetic roller, and is generally disposed in the powder hopper. In fig. 1, the developing member 21 includes a conductive shaft core (black diagonal hatched portion in the figure) around which the developing member 21 is rotatable by an external force.

In some embodiments, in the detection diagram shown in fig. 3, a first contact electrode 25 and a second contact electrode 26 are disposed on one side of the powder bin 4, and the printer can apply a detection signal through one of the first contact electrode 25 and the second contact electrode 26 and receive a feedback signal through the other contact electrode to detect the remaining amount of the toner contained in the powder bin 4.

For example, the second contact electrode 26 is used for receiving a detection signal for detecting the residual amount of toner sent by a detection signal source 29 of the printer; the detector 30 of the printer receives a feedback signal for detecting the remaining amount of toner at the first contact electrode 25.

In some embodiments, the first contact electrode 25 may be electrically connected to the developing member 21, and the second contact electrode 26 may be electrically connected to the detecting member, and at this time, the first contact electrode 25 is used to receive a developing voltage signal applied to the developing member by the printer. In fig. 3, a probe 27 and a probe 28 on the printer are used to electrically connect with the first contact electrode 25 and the second contact electrode 26, respectively, to transmit an electrical signal between the powder hopper 4 and the printer.

In some embodiments, the printer applies a force to the powder bin 4 by a mechanical member (e.g., the driving member 42) during the developing action to place the powder bin 4 in a first position, in which the photosensitive drum on the waste powder bin is closest to the position of the developing component on the powder bin, and in a relatively close position, as shown in fig. 2. Since the first contact electrode is electrically connected to the developing member, the printer applies a developing voltage signal to the developing member through the first contact electrode, and then the developing member transfers the toner onto the photosensitive drum 11, forming a toner pattern on the photosensitive drum 11. The photosensitive drum 11 can transfer the toner to a printing medium, such as paper, and then perform a developing operation by heating and fixing.

In some embodiments, when the printer needs to detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge, a mechanical member (e.g., the driving member 42) applies a force to the toner hopper 4 to position the toner hopper 4 at the second position, where the photosensitive drum 11 is farthest away from the developing unit 21 and is located at a relatively far position, as shown in fig. 1, so as to reduce the influence of the photosensitive drum on the detection accuracy of the remaining amount of toner.

In the present application, when the powder hopper 4 is in the second position, the first contact electrode is electrically disconnected from the developing device 21. When the printer detects the residual amount of the carbon powder in the carbon powder box, detection voltage is applied to the first contact electrode, and then the printer detects a feedback signal on the second contact electrode. Since the first contact electrode is electrically disconnected from the developing device, the detection signal applied to the first contact electrode by the printer is not applied to the developing device 21, so that the detection signal is ensured not to affect the developing device 21 and not to affect the development of the developing device 21. Of course, the printer may also apply the detection signal via the second contact electrode and detect the feedback signal on the first contact electrode, in which case the developing member is not affected as such because the first contact electrode is electrically disconnected from the developing member.

In some embodiments, in order to cooperate with the printer to detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge, a detection component is further disposed in the toner cartridge, and the detection component includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end can be used as a signal input end and the second end can be used as a signal output end, or the second end can be used as a signal input end and the first end can be used as a signal output end.

In some embodiments, when the powder bin is in the second position, the first end is electrically connected to the first contact electrode and the second end is electrically connected to the second contact electrode. When the printer is in the second position, the detection signal applied to the first contact electrode can be applied to the first end through the first contact electrode, and the feedback signal of the detection part on the second end can be transmitted to the printer through the second contact electrode. Like this, through increasing the detection part, just can satisfy the printer to the detection of cartridge carbon powder surplus.

When the detection component is arranged in the carbon powder box, the detection component does not influence the normal developing action during developing. When the powder bin is at the first position, the first end is electrically disconnected from the first contact electrode. Therefore, the developing voltage applied to the first contact electrode by the printer is not transmitted to the detection component, and the influence on the normal development of the developing component caused by the existence of the detection component is avoided.

In some embodiments, to further reduce the effect of the detection member on the toner cartridge development, the second end of the detection member may also be disconnected from the second contact electrode when the toner hopper is in the first position, so that the detection member is completely disconnected from the printer when the toner hopper is in the first position, avoiding any possibility of interfering with the development, as will be equivalently described later with respect to the description of fig. 4.

In some embodiments, to ensure that the printer can accurately detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge, the detecting component may be a sensor disposed inside the toner hopper, for example, two conducting strips spaced apart by a certain distance, one end of the first conducting strip is a first end, and one end of the second conducting strip is a second end, and when the toner hopper is in the second position, the first end is electrically connected to the first contact electrode, and the second end is electrically connected to the second contact electrode. The two conducting strips are arranged in the powder bin, so that carbon powder can flow in the conducting strips. When the carbon powder in the powder bin is sufficient, the carbon powder is filled between the two conducting strips, the capacitance value formed by the two conducting strips is larger, and when the carbon powder is insufficient, the carbon powder between the two conducting strips is less, so that the formed capacitance value is small. Therefore, the printer can detect the capacitance formed by the two conductive sheets through the first contact electrode and the second contact electrode, so as to detect the residual quantity of the carbon powder and determine whether the residual quantity of the carbon powder is in a sufficient state or in an insufficient state.

In some embodiments, for simplicity and to reduce the cost of the toner cartridge, the detection component may also be one or a combination of two or more of capacitors, inductors, resistors, and the like. The two ends of the electric devices are respectively defined as the first end and the second end, when the powder bin is in the second position, the first end is electrically connected with the first contact electrode, and the second end is electrically connected with the second contact electrode. Like this, the cartridge need not set up the actual structure that can detect the carbon powder surplus, also can let the printer detect the feedback signal who implements carbon powder surplus to detect through first contact electrode and second contact electrode to guarantee that the printer can normally carry out the surplus and detect the function. It can be understood that in this implementation, the printer is provided with false toner remaining amount information through the detection component, and the false toner remaining amount information is used for ensuring that the printer can normally execute a remaining amount detection function, so that the situation that the printer is blocked due to the fact that the function cannot be executed is avoided.

In some embodiments, when the electric device is used as the detection component, the electric device can be matched with a consumable chip arranged on the toner cartridge, the electric characteristics (such as the size of a capacitance value, the size of a resistance value and the size of an inductance value) of the electric device are controlled through the consumable chip, the consumable chip comprises a memory and a control circuit, when the amount of the carbon powder recorded in the memory is different, the control circuit sends out a control signal to enable the electric device to show different electric characteristics, and therefore the printer can also detect the change of the residual amount of the carbon powder through the first contact electrode and the second contact electrode. This way, the printer can be ensured to work normally.

In some embodiments, in contact developing imaging schemes, a powder feed roller, such as powder feed roller 22 shown in FIG. 1, will typically be disposed within the powder hopper. The powder feed roller 22 functions to transfer the toner 3 to the developing unit 21, and therefore, the powder feed roller also needs the printer to supply power, and as shown in fig. 1, the powder feed roller also includes a conductive core (black hatched portion in the figure).

Generally, in order to reduce the number of electrodes on the toner cartridge, the second contact electrode is used to supply power to the toner feeding roller, and the second contact electrode is used to detect the remaining amount of toner. When the powder bin is at the first position and imaging operation is needed, the second contact electrode is electrically connected with the powder feeding roller. When the powder hopper is in the second position, the second contact electrode is electrically disconnected from the powder feeding roller 22 in order to ensure that the powder feeding roller is not affected when the remaining amount of the carbon powder is detected. Therefore, when the powder bin is at the second position and the residual amount of the carbon powder is detected, a detection signal sent by the printer is not transmitted to the powder feeding roller, so that the influence on the powder feeding roller is avoided, and the embodiment is equivalently described later with reference to the description of fig. 4 and 5.

In some embodiments, the first contact electrode is electrically connected to the axial core of the developing member when the powder hopper is in the first position, and the first contact electrode is electrically disconnected from the axial core of the developing member when the powder hopper is in the second position.

In some embodiments, the switching component may be used to push the switching component to move when the powder bin moves from the first position to the second position, so as to realize the connection and disconnection between the first contact electrode and the shaft core. This switching means may be an electronic switch, a mechanical switch, etc. Of course, the switch structure can be set according to the requirement without using the existing switch.

For example, the first contact electrode may be provided as an elongate member movable with the waste bin, the elongate member having a first portion which is electrically conductive and a second portion which is electrically insulating, the elongate member being disposed between the first electrode and the core, the first portion being of a material such as electrically conductive steel sheet and the second portion being of an electrically insulating plastic. When the powder bin is in the first position, the first portion of the elongated member is positioned between the first electrode and the shaft core, and the first contact electrode may be connected to the shaft core through the first portion of the elongated member. When the powder bin moves from the first position to the second position, the elongate member moves therewith. When the powder bin reaches the second position, the second part of the strip member is positioned between the first contact electrode and the shaft core, and the first contact electrode is electrically disconnected from the shaft core because the second part of the strip member is made of an insulating material.

If the toner cartridge is further provided with a detection component, the strip component can be arranged such that when the toner cartridge is in the first position, the first portion is located between the first contact electrode and the shaft core of the developing component, the second portion is located between the first contact electrode and the first end of the detection component, and at this time, the first contact electrode is conducted with the shaft core of the developing component, and the first contact electrode is not conducted with the first end of the detection component. When the powder bin is at the second position, the second part is positioned between the first contact electrode and the shaft core of the developing part, the first part is positioned between the first contact electrode and the first end of the detection part, at the moment, the first contact electrode is electrically disconnected with the shaft core of the developing part, and the first contact electrode is electrically connected with the first end of the detection part.

The first portion of the elongate member is primarily for conducting electricity, which may be further simplified. For example, a first portion of the elongate member includes an aperture that allows contact between the members on either side of the elongate member, such as when the powder hopper is in the first position, the first contact electrode is electrically connected to the shaft of the developer member through the aperture. When the powder bin is at the second position, the first contact electrode is electrically connected with the first end of the detection part through the hole.

The above-described switch member structure may also be used to control the electrical connection between the second contact electrode and the second end of the detection member, or the electrical connection between the second contact electrode and the powder feeding roller. The above-described switch unit is merely an example, and in actual use, there are various structures that can implement the function of the switch unit. The switch control of the switch component can automatically follow the action along with the movement of the powder bin from the first position to the second position, and can also be carried out by human intervention.

The first contact electrode can be turned on or off with respect to the axial core of the developing member without using a switching member, and for example, the position of the first contact electrode is movable in accordance with the position of the powder hopper. When the powder bin is at the first position, the first contact electrode is positioned between the probe of the printer and the shaft core of the developing component, and the first contact electrode can transmit the voltage provided by the printer to the shaft core of the developing component. When the powder bin is at the second position, the first contact electrode moves to a position where the first contact electrode is separated from being in contact with the shaft core of the developing component or moves to a position where the first contact electrode is separated from being electrically connected with a printer probe, and at the moment, the first contact electrode cannot transmit an electric signal to the shaft core of the developing component or transmit the signal of the shaft core of the developing component to a printer.

In some embodiments, fig. 4 and 5 are illustratively described with respect to the equivalent effects of the various switches above. In fig. 4, shown is an equivalent description of the electrical connection relationship among the developing part 21, the detecting part (taking the capacitance C as an example), the powder feed roller 22, the first contact electrode 25, and the second contact electrode 26 when the powder hopper is at the first position. In fig. 5, shown is an equivalent description of the electrical connection relationship among the developing part 21, the detecting part (taking the capacitance C as an example), the powder feed roller 22, the first contact electrode 25, and the second contact electrode 26 when the powder hopper is in the second position. The first and second ends of the detection means (capacitance C) are connected to the first contact electrode 25 and the second contact electrode 26, respectively, through switches.

In fig. 4, when the powder hopper is in the first position, the first contact electrode 25 is electrically connected to the developing part 21 (equivalently, the switch K1 is closed and on), and disconnected from the detecting part (capacitor C) (equivalently, the switch K2 is open and off); the second contact electrode 26 is disconnected from the detection means (capacitor C) (equivalently, the switch K3 is off) and is electrically connected to the powder feed roller 22 (equivalently, the switch K4 is on).

Alternatively, for the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the switches K2, K3 may be off only one, or alternatively. Both switches are open.

In fig. 5, when the powder hopper is in the second position, the first contact electrode 25 is disconnected from the developing part 21 (equivalently, the switch K1 is off), and is conductively connected to the detecting part (capacitor C) (equivalently, the switch K2 is on); the second contact electrode 26 is electrically connected to the detection element (capacitor C) (equivalently, the switch K3 is closed and on), and is disconnected from the powder feed roller 22 (equivalently, the switch K4 is open and off).

Alternatively, for the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the switch K4 may or may not be open.

In some embodiments, the toner cartridge may not be provided with the first contact electrode, and the shaft core of the developing component may be directly contacted with the probe of the printer, so as to receive the developing voltage sent by the printer. In this case, in order to control the conduction and disconnection between the shaft core of the developing unit and the printer probe, a blocking member made of an insulating material (e.g., rubber, plastic, glass, ceramic, etc.) may be provided between the printer probe and the shaft core, and the blocking member may move along with the movement of the powder hopper. When the powder storehouse is in the first position, block the part and be located outside the axle core of printer probe and development part, do not influence the contact of printer probe and axle core, when the powder storehouse is in the second position, block the part and be located between the axle core of printer probe and development part, can block the contact of printer probe and axle core to make the axle core of development part can't receive the signal of telecommunication that the printer sent, perhaps transmit the signal of telecommunication for the printer.

In the above embodiments, the Memory may be, but is not limited to, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), an electrically Erasable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Flash Memory (Flash Memory), and the like.

The control circuit may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities. The control circuit may be a general-purpose Processor including a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Network Processor (NP), and the like. But may also be a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware components. The various methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented or performed. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the consumable chip of the present application comprises a memory for storing program instruction codes and a processor (CPU) for executing the program instruction codes to implement the data processing method applied to the consumable chip in the above embodiments. Embodiments of the present application may be provided as a method, apparatus, or computer program product. Accordingly, embodiments of the present application may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, embodiments of the present application may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

Embodiments of the present application are described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the application. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application, and various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement and the like made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.