IP Library Granted Patent US 8,630,553
Granted Patent B2
US 8,630,553 · App. 13/117,552 · Granted Jan 14, 2014

Image forming apparatus

Inventor: Daisuke Eto (Osaka, JP)
Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,630,553
App. No.
13/117,552
Granted
Jan 14, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention provides a detection unit that detects, regarding a toner supply device loaded into an installation space of an apparatus main body, a type of the toner supply device or detects improper loading of the toner supply device and a notification unit that notifies loading of the toner supply device of a wrong type or improper loading of the toner supply device based on a result of detection by the detection unit.

Claims (18)

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

at least one image forming unit that is disposed in an apparatus main body and forms a toner image;

at least one toner supply device that is loadable and unloadable with respect to an installation space in the apparatus main body and supplies a toner to the image forming unit, in which the toner supply device includes a toner supply opening that is communicatively connected to the image forming unit and an open/close member that opens and closes the toner supply opening;

a detection unit that detects, regarding the toner supply device loaded into the installation space, a type of the toner supply device or detects improper loading of the toner supply device; and

a notification unit that notifies loading of the toner supply device of a wrong type or improper loading of the toner supply device based on a result of detection by the detection unit,

wherein the toner supply device comprises an open/close joint that operates the open/close member to open and close;

the open/close joint has different shapes according to the type of the toner supply device;

the apparatus main body comprises a driving joint that has a shape that can or cannot be connected to the open/close joint according to a shape of the open/close joint after loading the toner supply device to the installation space, the driving joint switching the open/close member of the toner supply device to an opened state by driving the open/close joint when connected; and

the detection unit detects the type of the toner supply device based on an opened or closed state of the toner supply opening of the toner supply device.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the driving joint is not connected to the open/close joint in a case in which the toner supply device of a correct type is improperly loaded into the installation space, and

the detection unit detects improper loading of the toner supply device based on a closed state of the toner supply opening.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the driving joint comprises a rotator that has a shape that can or cannot be connected to the open/close joint according to the shape of the open/close joint after loading the toner supply device to the installation space, the rotator rotating upon connection with the open/close joint, and

the detection unit detects the type of the toner supply device based on a position of the rotator.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the rotator is not connected to the open/close joint in a case in which the toner supply device of a correct type is improperly loaded into the installation space, and

the detection unit detects improper loading of the toner supply device based on a position of the rotator.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus main body comprises a cover door body that opens and closes an opening of the installation space,

the cover door body opening and closing the opening of the installation space in a state in which the toner supply device is loaded into the installation space.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 18, 2012
From: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
To: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 028230/0345 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2011
From: ETO, DAISUKE
To: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026354/0237 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2010-125352 · May 31, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110293294A1 · Dec 1, 2011