Canon kabushiki kaisha (20240319655). IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS simplified abstract
Contents
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Kensuke Umeda of Kanagawa (JP)
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240319655 titled 'IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
The patent application describes an image forming apparatus with a cartridge that can restrict or allow toner replenishment based on the remaining toner amount.
- The apparatus body houses the components, including the cartridge.
- The replenishment restriction portion controls toner replenishment through a port.
- The toner remainder amount detection portion monitors the toner levels.
- The controller maintains the restriction when the cartridge is attached based on printable sheet numbers.
Potential Applications: - Office printers - Commercial printing machines - Photocopiers
Problems Solved: - Preventing toner wastage - Ensuring consistent print quality - Optimizing toner usage
Benefits: - Cost-effective toner management - Reduced maintenance needs - Improved printing efficiency
Commercial Applications: Title: "Smart Toner Replenishment System for Image Forming Apparatus" This technology can revolutionize the printing industry by streamlining toner replenishment processes and reducing operational costs.
Questions about the technology: 1. How does the controller determine when to restrict toner replenishment? The controller uses the difference between the first and second printable sheet numbers to make this decision. 2. What happens if the toner remainder amount is not accurately detected? Inaccurate detection could lead to inefficient toner management and potential print quality issues.
Original Abstract Submitted
an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a cartridge attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body, a replenishment restriction portion configured to switch between a restricting state in which toner replenishment through a replenishment port is restricted and an allowing state in which toner replenishment through the replenishment port is allowed, a toner remainder amount detection portion, and a controller configured to, when the replenishment container is attached to the replenishment port, maintain the replenishment restriction portion in the restricting state in a case where a second printable sheet number is larger than a first printable sheet number, the first printable sheet number being obtained from a lifetime of the cartridge, the second printable sheet number being obtained from a sum of the amount of toner accommodated in the developer container and an amount of toner accommodated in the replenishment container.
