Abstract: The magnetic pole position of the rotor is estimated with high accuracy at the initial start of a three-phase motor of the sensorless system. Semiconductor device for driving and controlling the three-phase motor of the sensorless system have a detector connected to the three-phase output nodes of the inverter circuit and the virtual neutral point (or neutral point), and detecting a voltage generated in the output node of the non-energized phase of the three-phase. Controller applies the initial drive voltage by the inverter circuit to any two phases of the three-phase motor based on the estimated position of the magnetic pole of the rotor in the stop state. Controller estimates the position of the rotor based on a difference voltage detected by the detector in a driving voltage applying period and a regeneration period immediately after or immediately before the driving voltage applying period.

Abstract: The semiconductor device includes: a current detection circuit configured to detect a current flowing through a three-phase motor by driving of a drive circuit; and a controller configured to control the drive circuit, based on the detected current. The controller is configured to control, when the three-phase motor is stationary, an energization pattern in such a way that a wave detection current sequentially flows from the drive circuit to each phase of the three-phase motor, to obtain, from the wave detection current detected by the current detection circuit, a first, a second and a third interphase current differences, each of which is a difference among wave detection currents flowing in directions opposite to one another, to determine the energization pattern based on a magnitude relationship among the first, the second and the third interphase current differences.

Abstract: The magnetic pole position of the rotor is estimated with high accuracy at the initial start of a three-phase motor of the sensorless system. Semiconductor device for driving and controlling the three-phase motor of the sensorless system have a detector connected to the three-phase output nodes of the inverter circuit and the virtual neutral point (or neutral point), and detecting a voltage generated in the output node of the non-energized phase of the three-phase. Controller applies the initial drive voltage by the inverter circuit to any two phases of the three-phase motor based on the estimated position of the magnetic pole of the rotor in the stop state. Controller estimates the position of the rotor based on a difference voltage detected by the detector in a driving voltage applying period and a regeneration period immediately after or immediately before the driving voltage applying period.

Abstract: The present disclosure starts up a three-phase motor in a stable manner. During a start-up operation of a brushless DC motor, a motor drive system detects the position of a particularly suitable rotor while the rotor is resting, and applies a drive current to two phases in accordance with the detected position of the rotor. A controller changes the time of drive current application in accordance with the magnitude of back electromotive force that is in a non-conducting phase and detected by a detector during drive current application.

Abstract: To surely detect a back electromotive force generated in a non-conduction phase at an extremely low duty ratio, a motor driving system includes a three-phase motor, an inverter circuit, and a semiconductor device. A controller included in the semiconductor device compares a voltage at an output node corresponding to a non-conduction phase of the inverter circuit and a reference voltage with each other, thereby estimating a position of a rotor of the three-phase motor and generating a pulse width modulation signal based on the estimated position of the rotor. The controller detects the voltage at the output node of the non-conduction phase in a regeneration period of the pulse width modulation signal when a duty ratio of the pulse width modulation signal is less than a threshold value, the regeneration period being a period in which current is made to flow to the three-phase motor on a regeneration path.

Abstract: The junction temperature of a field effect transistor is detected with a higher degree of accuracy than in the past. A semiconductor device controls multiple field effect transistors that configure a power conversion device, and includes a differential amplifier and a controller that controls ON/OFF of the multiple field effect transistors. The differential amplifier detects the potential difference between a source and a drain of a field effect transistor that is controlled in the OFF state by the controller and that induces an electric current flowing through the body diode thereof, among the multiple field effect transistors.

Abstract: The present disclosure starts up a three-phase motor in a stable manner. During a start-up operation of a brushless DC motor, a motor drive system detects the position of a particularly suitable rotor while the rotor is resting, and applies a drive current to two phases in accordance with the detected position of the rotor. A controller changes the time of drive current application in accordance with the magnitude of back electromotive force that is in a non-conducting phase and detected by a detector during drive current application.

Abstract: To surely detect a back electromotive force generated in a non-conduction phase at an extremely low duty ratio, a motor driving system includes a three-phase motor, an inverter circuit, and a semiconductor device. A controller included in the semiconductor device compares a voltage at an output node corresponding to a non-conduction phase of the inverter circuit and a reference voltage with each other, thereby estimating a position of a rotor of the three-phase motor and generating a pulse width modulation signal based on the estimated position of the rotor. The controller detects the voltage at the output node of the non-conduction phase in a regeneration period of the pulse width modulation signal when a duty ratio of the pulse width modulation signal is less than a threshold value, the regeneration period being a period in which current is made to flow to the three-phase motor on a regeneration path.

Abstract: The junction temperature of a field effect transistor is detected with a higher degree of accuracy than in the past. A semiconductor device controls multiple field effect transistors that configure a power conversion device, and includes a differential amplifier and a controller that controls ON/OFF of the multiple field effect transistors. The differential amplifier detects the potential difference between a source and a drain of a field effect transistor that is controlled in the OFF state by the controller and that induces an electric current flowing through the body diode thereof, among the multiple field effect transistors.

Abstract: A toner bottle includes: a bottle main part to contain toner therein and having a rotational axis; an outlet at an end of the bottle main part; a spiral raised ridge in an inner wall of the bottle main part and arranged to deliver the toner contained in the bottle main part to the outlet by rotation of the bottle main part around the rotational axis; a plurality of toner guiding portions on a side of the spiral raised ridge adjacent to the outlet and arranged to move the toner to the outlet beyond the spiral raised ridge; and a gear adjacent to the outlet to rotate the bottle main part around the rotational axis. The bottle main part has a diameter larger than a diameter of the outlet, and the gear is formed integrally with the bottle main part between the outlet and the plurality of toner guiding portions.

Abstract: An insertion passage 104Y for inserting a suction nozzle 73Y fixed to an image forming apparatus is provided on a holder 102Y, and a connecting passage 114Y that connects the insertion passage 104Y and a toner storage section 106Y of the holder 102Y is provided. After the toner sent from bottle 101Y to the holder 102Y falls towards the connecting passage 104Y, the toner flows into the suction nozzle 73Y through the connecting passage 114Y and is then discharged out of the holder 102Y. An airtightness between the insertion passage 114Y and the suction nozzle 73Y inserted into the insertion passage 114 Y is superior than an airtightness between the bottle 101Y and the holder 102Y engaged with the bottle 101Y.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for use with a toner container which dispenses toner to the image forming apparatus, depending on an angular position of a rotatable cap of the toner container. The rotatable cap has a handle attached thereto. There is a toner container holder to support the toner container which permits the cap of the toner container to rotate. The image forming apparatus has a cover to selectively cover and uncover the toner container. There is also a device which moves with movement of the cover which interacts with the handle of the toner container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motor drive apparatus which improves a trade-off relation between a stable position detection and noise at its driving. A sensorless drive operation circuit calculates by operation a zero cross point (point p) of a voltage of a position detection phase at the next interval, using time information measured based on an output signal from a comparison circuit at the previous interval and the present interval. After the point p has been calculated, points a and b are detected by interrupting a predetermined time drive current.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for use with a toner container which dispenses toner to the image forming apparatus, depending on an angular position of a rotatable cap of the toner container. The rotatable cap has a handle attached thereto. There is a toner container holder to support the toner container which permits the cap of the toner container to rotate. The image forming apparatus has a cover to selectively cover and uncover the toner container. There is also a device which moves with movement of the cover which interacts with the handle of the toner container.

Abstract: An insertion passage 104Y for inserting a suction nozzle 73Y fixed to an image forming apparatus is provided on a holder 102Y, and a connecting passage 114Y that connects the insertion passage 104Y and a toner storage section 106Y of the holder 102Y is provided After the toner sent from bottle 101Y to the holder 102Y falls towards the connecting passage 104Y, the toner flows into the suction nozzle 73Y through the connecting passage 114Y and is then discharged out of the holder 102Y An airtightness between the insertion passage 114Y and the suction nozzle 73Y inserted into the insertion passage 114 Y is superior than an airtightness between the bottle 101Y and the holder 102Y engaged with the bottle 101Y.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a motor driving device capable of outputting an accurate rotation signal while preventing a false detection of B-EMF in a position detecting comparator. The motor driving device includes an output circuit, filter circuit, comparison circuit, current zero ampere detecting circuit, position detecting circuit, sensorless drive arithmetic operation circuit, noise reduction current waveform generating circuit, signal synthesizing circuit, and output transistor control circuit, the comparison circuit including a comparator, polarity switching portion connected to a + terminal and ? terminal of the comparator and signal switching portion, the comparator being structured to be able to set and release an offset having a predetermined voltage value set preliminarily.

Abstract: A developer container has a main part accommodating a developer therein and is detachably attached to a main part of an image forming apparatus. The developer container comprises an outlet provided at a side of the developer container to discharge the developer from the developer container. An input unit is provided adjacent to the outlet and has a small-diameter portion an inside diameter of which is smaller than a diameter of the container main part wherein, when the developer container is attached to the image forming apparatus, the input unit is engaged with a drive motor of the image forming apparatus to receive a rotating force of the drive motor. A developer guiding unit causes the developer inside the developer container to be moved to the outlet beyond the small-diameter portion of the input unit by rotation of the developer container.

Abstract: An insertion passage 104Y for inserting a suction nozzle 73Y fixed to an image forming apparatus is provided on a holder 102Y, and a connecting passage 114Y that connects the insertion passage 104Y and a toner storage section 106Y of the holder 102Y is provided. After the toner sent from bottle 101Y to the holder 102Y falls towards the connecting passage 104Y, the toner flows into the suction nozzle 73Y through the connecting passage 114Y and is then discharged out of the holder 102Y. An airtightness between the insertion passage 114Y and the suction nozzle 73Y inserted into the insertion passage 114 Y is superior than an airtightness between the bottle 101Y and the holder 102Y engaged with the bottle 101Y.

Abstract: A method of installing a toner container and a container. The container includes a body for storing toner, a handle attached to an end of the container, an opening for discharging the toner to an image forming device, and a shutter which selectively opens and closes the opening due to rotation of the handle. There is a gear which protrudes through the end of the container, and rotation of the gear causes toner in the body to be moved from the body of the container into the end of the container and subsequently out through the opening of the end of the container.

Abstract: A developer container has a main part accommodating a developer therein and is detachably attached to a main part of an image forming apparatus. The developer container comprises an outlet provided at a side of the developer container to discharge the developer from the developer container. An input unit is provided adjacent to the outlet and has a small-diameter portion an inside diameter of which is smaller than a diameter of the container main part wherein, when the developer container is attached to the image forming apparatus, the input unit is engaged with a drive motor of the image forming apparatus to receive a rotating force of the drive motor. A developer guiding unit causes the developer inside the developer container to be moved to the outlet beyond the small-diameter portion of the input unit by rotation of the developer container.