Apparatus for detecting an abnormal circumstance at a connection between the apparatus and an attached detachable unit

摘要

The apparatus includes first and second terminals, an electrical conductor placed around at least the second terminal, a first current applying unit, an abnormal circumstances determining unit, a second current applying unit, and an informing unit. The first current applying unit applies current between the first terminal and the second terminal. The abnormal circumstances determining unit determines whether there is an abnormal circumstance at the connection between the apparatus and the unit side circuit, under the condition that the current is applied by the first current applying unit. The second current applying unit applies current between the first terminal and the second terminal, in case that the abnormal circumstances determining unit determined that there is not an abnormal circumstance of the connection. The informing unit informs the abnormal circumstance of the connection, in case that the abnormal circumstances determining unit determined that there is the abnormal circumstance of the connection.

主权项

1. An apparatus attaching a detachable unit equipped with a unit side circuit including a fuse, comprising:
first and second terminals; an electrical conductor placed around at least the second terminal; a hardware processor configured to: apply a first electrical current, which is insufficient to melt and blow the fuse, between the first terminal and the second terminal via the unit side circuit so that the first electrical current flows in the fuse; detect whether there is an abnormal circumstance at the connection between the apparatus and the unit side circuit, based on the electrical potential or electrical current at the second terminal when the first electrical current is applied; apply a second electrical current, which is sufficient to melt and blow the fuse, between the first terminal and the second terminal via the unit side circuit so that the second electrical current flows in the fuse when an abnormal circumstance of the connection is not detected; and provide information about the detected abnormal circumstance of the connection.