Service manual

Chapter 2
2-19
2.3.5 Toner Cartridge
2.3.5.1 Outline
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The toner cartridge has a function of forming a visible image on the drum with toner.
There are four toner cartridges in Y, M, C, and Bk, which are the same in structure.
The following indicates the configuration of the cartridges and loads.
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This toner cartridge is structured with a developing cylinder, and stirrer. The toner cartridge motor rotates these parts.
The memory tag is installed in each cartridge. The engaging motor rotates as required to operate the memory tag contact cam. This allows the memory tag contact
on the printer side and that on the cartridge side to contact each other, and enables the DC controller to communicate with each toner cartridge.
Toner level detection is performed with an LED (light emitter) and a photodiode (light receiver) on the developing rotary/toner level detection circuit.
The functions and controls that the cartridge have are described next.
2.3.5.2 Memory Tag
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The memory tag is a non-volatile memory built into the toner cartridge. It stores cartridge usage condition data. The DCNT Board reads and writes memory data
constantly to detect the usage conditions of each toner cartridge.
The DCNT Board reads and writes to the memory tag through the memory tag contacts.
The memory tag contacts are disengaged from the memory tag normally. However, when the DCNT Board reads and writes to the memory tags in each toner car-
tridge, it performs memory tag contact engaging control. The DCNT Board starts memory data communication as the toner cartridge contacts with the memory tag
contact. After receiving memory data, the DCNT Board updates the information with specified timing and writes it to the memory tags for each cartridge.
The DCNT Board instructs the memory tag to read or write under the following conditions:
<Read>
- Power is turned on.
- Top cover is closed.
<Write>
- After 50 papers printing.
- When a Change Has Occurred to the Data on the Lives of Parts.
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2.3.5.3 Memory Tag Contact Engaging Control
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This control is utilized to contact memory tag contacts on the printer side with that on the toner cartridge side in order to enable communication between the memory
tags in each toner cartridge and the printer.
The DCNT Board moves the memory tag contact to either of two positions, engaging position or disengaging position, by switching the rotational direction of the
engaging motor (PM704).
At the time of memory tag contact engaging (travelling from a disengaging position to an engaging position), the DCNT Board rotates the engaging motor coun-
terclockwise for a specified period. This allows the memory tag contact engaging cam to rotate. Then the contact is pressed out and engaged to the memory tag.
At the time of memory tag contact disengaging (travelling from a engaging position to a disengaging position), the DCNT Board rotates the engaging motor coun-
terclockwise and instructs the reverse operation of the contact engaging. This allows the contact to be disengaged from the memory tag.
PM
704
DCM
705
Engaging
motor
EP-87 Toner cartridge
motor
Photosensitive
drum
DCNT Board
TONER CARTRIDGE
MOTOR DRIVE signal
ENGAGING MOTOR
DRIVE signal
PS712
Rotary
engaging sensor
Toner cartridge data
Engaging
cam
Memory tag
contact
Y
M
C
Bk
Toner level sensor
(light emitter)
Toner level sensor
(light receiver)
Stirrer
Developing cylinder
Memory tag
Developing rotary/
toner level detection circuit
DCNT Board
Memory data
EP-87 toner cartridge
Memory tag contact
Memory tag