Tonerkartusche für elektrophotographische Maschine und Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Charakteristika der Kartusche

摘要

Disclosed is a cartridge (30) having an encoder wheel (31) thereon for encoding EP supply cartridge characteristic information for an electrophotographic machine, the cartridge comprising a sump (33) for carrying an initial amount of toner (35). A shaft (32) is mounted for rotation in said sump, and an agitator or paddle (34) is mounted thereon in such a manner that when the shaft (32) rotates, the paddle (34) rotates into, through and out of engagement with toner (35) carried by the sump. A single encoder wheel (31) is mounted on the shaft (32), external of the sump (33), the encoder wheel positioned for proximate mating coaction with a coded wheel reader when the cartridge (30) is mounted in position in the electrophotographic machine. A variable torque flexible coupling connects the drive means of the electrophotographic machine to the shaft (32) to effect rotation thereof. The encoder wheel (31) is configured for indicating, in conjunction with said coded wheel reader, a component of resistance to paddle (34) movement through the portion of said sump (33) having toner (35) therein to give an indication of the amount of toner remaining in said sump. Other portions of the wheel (31), in a portion thereof which confronts the reader during a substantially constant velocity of rotation thereof, carry additional characteristic information of the cartridge (30) to permit proper operation of the machine as well as increased efficiency of operation thereof.