JP2000155461A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a void image from being formed because of the insufficiency of developer in a developer replenishing container by judging whether or not the quantity of the developer in the developer replenishing container is equal to or under specified quantity based on the developer quantity detection history of a 1st detection means over a specified time longer than one cycle of the driving of a stirring means. SOLUTION: When toner in a toner supply container 1 is decreased with image forming operation, ripple is caused in the output of a magnetic sensor 2 in one cycle of the driving of a stirring and carrying member 6 provided inside the container 1. When the toner is decreased further, ripple width is extended. When the toner is decreased further, the output of the sensor 2 is gradually lowered while the ripple width is decreased. The output value of the sensor 2 is divided to the sample time of one cycle of the driving of the member 6. When the output maximum value of the sensor 2 is equal to or under the specified value, a control means judges that the toner in the container 1 is depleted, and a message to accelerate the exchange of the container 1 is displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with a developer supply device for supplying a developer to a developing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, toner as a fine powder developer is used. 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus that supplies toner to an image forming apparatus by replacing a toner supply container, which is a developer supply container that is detachable with respect to the forming apparatus, with a new toner supply container is known and is in practical use.

The toner supply container provided in such an image forming apparatus is provided with a stirring and conveying member as a stirring member which is driven by receiving a driving force from driving means of the image forming apparatus main body.
A configuration is widely used in which the toner in the toner supply container is discharged to a toner storage device, which is a developer storage unit in the image forming apparatus, by driving the stirring and conveying member.

Further, in such an image forming apparatus, when toner is consumed and the toner in the toner supply container becomes empty (a predetermined amount or less) during image formation, the user or the like is required to replace the toner supply container. It is common to display a prompting message on a panel or the like. At this time, the detection of the empty state of the toner in the toner supply container is performed by detecting the presence or absence of the toner at a predetermined position in the toner supply container by a sensor or the like as a detection unit provided on the image forming apparatus side, and based on the result. Control means (sequence) for determining the empty state of the toner in the toner supply container is used.

[0005]

However, the toner in the toner supply container is stirred in an unpredictable state by the stirring and conveying member, and the sensor detects the presence or absence of the toner at a predetermined position in the toner supply container. As for the toner, the density of the toner is also varied due to the stirring and conveying member, and the output signal of the sensor varies, so that there is a possibility that the empty detection of the toner supply container cannot be accurately performed. For this reason, the display for urging the replacement of the toner supply container is lit on a panel or the like while the remaining amount of toner is left in the toner supply container, and the replacement display is not lit even though the toner supply container is empty. There is a possibility that white spots may occur.

Accordingly, the present invention accurately determines whether or not the amount of developer in a developer replenishing container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and prevents the occurrence of a blank image due to insufficient developer in the developer replenishing container. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing such operations.

[0007]

According to the present application, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus provided with a developer supply device for supplying a developer to a developing device, wherein the developer supplied to the developing device is provided. And a developer replenishing container which is provided detachably with respect to the image forming apparatus and stores the developer supplied to the developer storing unit. Stirring means for stirring the developer, first detecting means for detecting the amount of developer in the developer replenishing container, display means for displaying a warning that the developer replenishing container needs to be replaced, and first detecting means In the image forming apparatus having control means for displaying the warning on the display means when it is determined that the amount of the developer in the developer replenishment container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount based on the detection result of When the amount of developer in the replenishment container is Whether Luke, is achieved by first invention that is configured to determine on the basis of the developer amount detecting history of the first detecting means over a longer predetermined time than the drive one cycle of agitation means.

According to the present application, the above object is also achieved by the second invention in which the developer is a one-component magnetic toner and the first detecting means is a magnetic sensor in the first invention. .

Further, according to the present invention, the above object is achieved in the first invention or the second invention, wherein the control means is configured to control the developer of the first detection means for a predetermined time longer than one driving cycle of the stirring means. When the maximum value of the quantity detection history falls below a predetermined value,
The present invention is also achieved by the third invention in which the amount of the developer in the developer supply container is set to be determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

Further, according to the present application, the above object is achieved by any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the control means comprises:
When the minimum value of the developer amount detection history of the first detecting means over a predetermined time longer than one cycle of driving of the stirring means has become equal to or less than a predetermined value, the amount of developer in the developer replenishing container becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount. This is also achieved by the fourth invention in which the setting is made to determine that there is.

Further, according to the present application, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus provided with a developer supply device for supplying a developer to a developing device, the developing device containing a developer supplied to the developing device. A developer storage unit, a developer replenishing container that is provided detachably with respect to the image forming apparatus, and stores a developer supplied to the developer storage unit; a stirring unit that stirs the developer in the developer replenishment container; First detecting means for detecting the amount of developer in the developer replenishing container, display means for displaying a warning that the developer replenishing container needs to be replaced, and developer replenishing based on the detection result of the first detecting means. In an image forming apparatus having control means for displaying the warning on the display means when it is determined that the amount of the detected developer in the container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the position of the stirring means in the developer replenishing container is detected. Two detecting means, and the controlling means comprises: According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, whether or not the amount of the developer in the image agent replenishing container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount is determined based on the detection result of the first detecting unit and the position of the stirring unit. Is also achieved.

Further, according to the present application, the above object is achieved in the fifth aspect of the present invention in that the control means is configured to perform the control based on a detection result of the first detection means when the stirring means is not near the detection surface of the first detection means. Also, the present invention is achieved by the sixth invention in which it is determined whether or not the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

That is, in the first invention according to the present application, the control means performs the developing based on the developer amount detection history of the first detecting means for a predetermined time longer than one driving cycle of the stirring means. When it is determined that the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, a warning that the developer replenishing container needs to be replaced is displayed on the display means.

In the second invention according to the present application, the control means performs the developing based on the developer amount detection history of the first detecting means over a predetermined time longer than one cycle of driving the stirring means. When it is determined that the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, a warning that the developer replenishing container needs to be replaced is displayed on the display means.

Further, in the third invention according to the present application, the control means determines that the maximum value of the developer amount detection history of the first detection means for a predetermined time longer than one cycle of driving the stirring means is predetermined. When the value becomes equal to or less than the value, it is determined that the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is less than the predetermined amount, and a warning that the developer replenishing container needs to be replaced is displayed on the display means.

Further, in the fourth invention according to the present application, the control means determines that the minimum value of the developer amount detection history of the first detection means for a predetermined time longer than one driving cycle of the stirring means is predetermined. When the value becomes equal to or less than the value, it is determined that the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is less than the predetermined amount, and a warning that the developer replenishing container needs to be replaced is displayed on the display means.

Further, in the fifth invention according to the present application, the control means determines the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container based on the detection result of the first detection means and the position of the stirring means. When it is determined that the amount is equal to or less than the fixed amount, a warning indicating that the developer replenishing container needs to be replaced is displayed on the display means.

[0018] In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means may be configured to determine whether the position of the stirring means is not in the vicinity of the detection surface of the first detection means. When it is determined that the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, a warning that the developer replenishing container needs to be replaced is displayed on the display means.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an electrophotographic copying machine main body (hereinafter, referred to as an apparatus main body). Reference numeral 101 denotes a document, which is placed on a platen glass 102 and an optical unit 103.
Are arranged such that development information is imaged on the drum 104 by the plurality of mirrors M and the lenses Ln. 105
Reference numerals 108 denote cassettes.
From among the sheets P stacked on the sheet 08, an optimum sheet is selected from the sheet size information of the cassettes 105 to 108 based on information input by a user from an operation unit (not shown) or the sheet size of the document 101.

The paper feed / separation devices 105A-108
A transports one sheet of paper P transported to the registration roller 110 via the transport unit 109,
And the scanning of the optical unit 103 are synchronized with each other for conveyance. Incidentally, 111 and 112 are transfer and separation chargers.

Thereafter, the sheet P conveyed by the conveying unit 113 is heated and pressed by a fixing unit 114 to fix the toner as a developer on the sheet. , And is discharged to a discharge tray 117 by a discharge roller 116. In the case of double-sided copying, the sheet is conveyed to the registration rollers 110 via the re-feeding conveyance paths 119 and 120 under the control of the flapper 118 of the sheet discharge reversing unit 115, and then the same path as in the case of single-sided copying. And is discharged to the discharge tray 117.

In the case of multiplex copying, the paper P passes through the paper discharge reversing unit 115, and is partially discharged outside the apparatus by the paper discharge rollers 116 once. Thereafter, the trailing end of the sheet P passes through the flapper 118, and the flapper 118 is controlled at the timing when the sheet P is still nipped by the sheet discharging roller 116, and the sheet discharging roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction, so that the sheet P is conveyed again into the apparatus. Is done. After that, the re-feeding conveyance unit 11
After being conveyed to the registration rollers 110 via the transfer rollers 9 and 120, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 117 by following the same route as in the case of single-sided copying.

In the apparatus main body 100 having the above-described structure, a developing device 201 serving as a developer storage unit (and a developing device), a cleaner unit 202, a primary charger 203, and the like are arranged around the drum 104. Here, the developing device 201
The information of the original 101 is transferred to the drum 10 by the optical unit 103.
The toner supply container 1 serving as a developer replenishing container for replenishing the developing device 201 with toner is used for adsorbing toner on the drum 104 in order to make the information formed as an electrostatic latent image on the drum 4 visible. It is provided detachably on the apparatus main body 100.

Next, such an image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the developing device 201 and the vicinity of the toner supply container 1 set in the apparatus main body 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the remaining amount of toner in the toner supply container and the magnetic sensor 2 shown in FIG. 6 is a graph showing a relationship with the graph.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 6 denotes an agitating / conveying member which is an agitating means in the toner supply container, which is made of an elastic sheet member such as a PET sheet. Can be When the stirring and conveying member 6 is driven, the toner in the toner supply container is conveyed to the developing device 201 through the opening 12 of the toner supply container 1 and the connecting portion 11 between the toner supply container 1 and the developing device 201. You.

Reference numeral 7 denotes an agitating / conveying member in the developing device 201, to which a driving force is transmitted from a driving motor 5 in the apparatus main body 100 via a driving transmitting section 9. When the stirring and conveying member 7 is driven, the toner in the developing device 201 is made uniform in the longitudinal direction and is conveyed toward the sleeve 13 in the developing device 201.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a piezo sensor provided in the developing device 201. The piezo sensor 3 detects the presence or absence of toner in contact with the detection surface of the piezo sensor 3, thereby detecting the presence or absence of the toner.
The presence or absence of a predetermined amount or more of the developer is detected. The drive motors 4 and 5 are driven or stopped based on the output signal of the piezo sensor 3, are driven when the piezo sensor 3 detects the absence of toner, and stopped when the piezo sensor 3 detects the presence of toner. It has become.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a magnetic sensor as first detecting means provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a receiving surface 2a serving as a detecting surface thereof is circumscribed to the toner supply container 1 installed on the main body. The presence or absence of a predetermined amount or more of toner in the toner supply container 1 is detected based on the magnetic flux density of the one-component magnetic toner in the toner supply container 1.

Next, a method for detecting empty (toner of a predetermined amount or more) of the toner supply container 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a graph experimentally obtained by the inventors and others. The horizontal axis represents the cumulative driving time of the drive motor 4, and the vertical axis represents the output value of the magnetic sensor 2 and the remaining amount of toner in the toner supply container 1. Is shown.

As shown in the graph of FIG. 3, when the toner supply container 1 is new, the output of the magnetic sensor 2 is constant at a high value because there is still a lot of toner in the toner supply container 1 (51). When the amount of toner in the toner supply container 1 decreases with the image forming operation, the toner supply container 1
The output of the magnetic sensor 2 generates a ripple (vibration) in one cycle of driving of the stirring and conveying member 6 built in (52). Furthermore, when the toner decreases, the ripple width increases (5).
3) When the toner further decreases, the output of the magnetic sensor 2 gradually decreases while the ripple width decreases (54).

The output value of the magnetic sensor 2 is divided into a sample time (predetermined time) for one cycle of driving the stirring and conveying member 6, and
When the maximum value and the minimum value are plotted, Max and Min are obtained.

In the present embodiment, when the maximum value of the output value of the magnetic sensor in one sample period of one cycle of driving the stirring and conveying member 6 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value M ₀ , control means (not shown)
Determines that the toner in the toner supply container 1 is empty, and drives the drive motors 4 and 5 for a time (T ₀ −T ₁ ) that is experimentally determined.
Is displayed on a panel or the like (not shown) serving as a display means.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the output value of the magnetic sensor 2 having a ripple due to the influence of the stirring and conveying member 6 is used to determine the maximum value of the driving stirring and conveying member 6 in the sample period of one driving cycle. By determining whether the toner supply container 1 is empty, the empty toner supply container 1 can be detected at an accurate timing without the influence of ripple. In addition, this makes it possible to realize an image forming apparatus in which the amount of remaining toner in the toner supply container 1 is small and the image is not whitened. Here, the sampling time of the magnetic sensor 2 is set to one cycle of the stirring and conveying member 6, but the same result can be obtained even if the cycle is longer than one cycle.

Further, in the present embodiment, the empty detection of the toner supply container 1 is performed based on the maximum value of the magnetic sensor 2 within the sample time. The empty toner supply container 1 can be detected at an accurate timing. However, in this case, the stirring and conveying member 6
Output value minimum value of the magnetic sensor 2 at sample time of driving one period of time has reached a predetermined value M ₀ or less, it is determined that the toner in the toner supply container 1 is emptied state, determined experimentally ( After driving the drive motors 4 and 5 for the time T ₀ -T ₂ ), a message prompting the user or the like to replace the toner supply container is displayed on a panel or the like.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the control means determines the maximum value (or minimum value) of the toner amount detection history of the magnetic sensor 2 over a predetermined time (sample time) longer than one driving cycle of the stirring and conveying member 6. ) Falls below a certain value,
It is determined that the amount of toner in the toner supply container 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and a warning that the toner supply container 1 needs to be replaced is displayed on a panel or the like. 1 is accurately determined whether or not the amount of toner in the toner supply container 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount without being affected by the ripple of the detection result of the magnetic sensor 2 caused by stirring the toner in the toner supply container 1. The occurrence of a blank image due to the shortage of toner can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment) Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the developing device 201 and the vicinity of the toner supply container 1 set in the main body. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the remaining amount of toner in the toner supply container and the output of the magnetic sensor 2 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a graph showing a relationship with the value, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state when the stirring and conveying member 6 is driven.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 15 denotes a detecting means, which is a second detecting means for detecting the position of the stirring and conveying member 6, and performs such detection by using a sensor such as a rotary encoder, a photointerrupter, and a microswitch.

Next, a method for detecting the empty state of the toner supply container 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a graph experimentally obtained by the present inventors. The horizontal axis represents the cumulative driving time of the drive motor 4, and the vertical axis represents the output value of the magnetic sensor 2 and the remaining amount of toner in the toner supply container 1. Are shown.

As shown in the graph of FIG. 5, when the toner supply container 1 is new, the output of the magnetic sensor 2 is constant at a high value because there is still a lot of toner in the toner supply container 1 (71). When the amount of toner in the toner supply container 1 decreases along with the image forming operation, the output of the magnetic sensor 2 generates a ripple (vibration) in one cycle of driving of the agitation and conveyance member 6 incorporated therein (72). Further, the toner supply container 1
When the amount of toner in the inside decreases, the ripple width increases (7).
3) When the toner further decreases, the output of the magnetic sensor 2 gradually decreases while the ripple width decreases (74).

The agitation transport braze 6 in the present embodiment when in the position of, in FIG. 6, in the graph of FIG. 5 becomes the output value of the magnetic sensor is a predetermined value M ₀ or less when represented by a At this time, the control means (not shown) determines that the toner in the toner supply container 1 is empty, and drives the drive motor 5 for a time (T ₀ −T ₁ ) experimentally obtained. A message urging the user or the like to replace the toner supply container 1 is displayed on a panel or the like (not shown) as display means.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sample time (see FIG. 4) can be obtained from the output value of the magnetic sensor 2 having a ripple due to the influence of the stirring and conveying member 6 when the driving and stirring and conveying 6 is not in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 2. 5), the empty toner supply container 1 can be detected at an accurate timing without the influence of ripple. This also makes it possible to realize an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the occurrence of a blank image due to a decrease in the remaining amount of the toner supply container.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the control means controls the inside of the toner supply container 1 based on the detection result of the magnetic sensor 2 when the position of the stirring and conveying member 6 is not near the detection surface of the magnetic sensor 2. When it is determined that the toner amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, a warning that the toner supply container 1 needs to be replaced is displayed on a panel or the like. Is accurately determined whether or not the amount of toner in the toner supply container 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount without being affected by the ripple of the detection result of the magnetic sensor 2 caused by stirring the toner. The generation of a blank image can be prevented.

[0050]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control means controls the amount of the developer of the first detecting means for a predetermined time longer than one cycle of driving the stirring means. Based on the detection history, when it is determined that the amount of developer in the developer replenishment container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, a warning that the developer replenishment container needs to be replaced is displayed on the display means. Whether or not the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, without being affected by the ripple of the detection result of the first detecting unit by the agitating unit agitating the developer in the developer replenishing container. Can be accurately determined, and the occurrence of a blank image due to a shortage of the developer in the developer replenishing container can be prevented.

According to the second invention of the present application,
When the control unit determines that the amount of the developer in the developer replenishment container is equal to or less than the predetermined amount based on the developer amount detection history of the first detection unit over a predetermined time longer than one driving cycle of the stirring unit. In addition, the warning that the replacement of the developer replenishing container is required is displayed on the display means, so that the stirring means agitates the developer in the developer replenishing container to detect the detection result of the first detecting means. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount without being affected by the ripple, and to prevent the occurrence of a blank image due to a shortage of the developer in the developer replenishing container.

Further, according to the third invention of the present application, the control means sets the maximum value of the developer amount detection history of the first detection means for a predetermined time longer than one cycle of driving the stirring means to the predetermined value. When it becomes the following, it is determined that the amount of the developer in the developer replenishment container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and a warning that the developer replenishment container needs to be replaced is displayed on the display means. Without being affected by the ripple of the detection result of the first detecting means by the stirring means stirring the developer in the developer replenishing container, it is determined whether the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. By making an accurate determination, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a blank image due to the lack of the developer in the developer replenishing container.

According to the fourth invention of the present application,
When the control unit determines that the minimum value of the developer amount detection history of the first detection unit for a predetermined time longer than one driving cycle of the stirring unit has become equal to or less than a predetermined value, the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is reduced. It is determined that the amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, and a warning that the developer replenishing container needs to be replaced is displayed on the display means, so that the stirring means agitates the developer in the developer replenishing container. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount without being affected by the ripple of the detection result of the detecting means, and to obtain a blank image due to insufficient developer in the developer replenishing container. Can be prevented.

Further, according to the fifth invention of the present application, the control means adjusts the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container to a predetermined amount based on the detection result of the first detection means and the position of the stirring means. When it is determined that the following conditions are satisfied, a warning that the developer replenishment container needs to be replaced is displayed on the display means, so that the stirring means agitates the developer in the developer replenishment container. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount without being affected by the ripple of the detection result of the detecting means, and to obtain a blank image due to insufficient developer in the developer replenishing container. Can be prevented.

According to the sixth invention of the present application,
The control unit determines that the amount of the developer in the developer replenishment container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount based on the detection result of the first detection unit when the position of the stirring unit is not near the detection surface of the first detection unit. At this time, a warning that the developer replenishment container needs to be replaced is displayed on the display means, so that the detection result of the first detection means by the stirring means stirring the developer in the developer replenishment container is displayed. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount without being affected by the ripple, thereby preventing occurrence of a blank image due to insufficient developer in the developer replenishing container.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a developer supply device provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

3 is a graph showing a relationship between an output value of a magnetic sensor in the developer supply device of FIG. 2, a remaining amount of toner in a toner supply container, and an accumulated drive time of a drive motor.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a developer supply device provided in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a graph showing a relationship between an output value of a magnetic sensor in the developer supply device of FIG. 4, a remaining amount of toner in a toner supply container, and an accumulated drive time of a drive motor.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state when a stirring unit in the developer supply device of FIG. 4 is driven.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toner supply container (developer replenishing container) 2 Magnetic sensor (1st detection means) 2a Receiving surface (detection surface) 6 Stirring conveying member (stirring means) 11 Connecting part (connection part) 15 Second detection means 201 Developing device ( Developing device, developer storage section)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising a developer supply device for supplying a developer to a developing device, comprising: a developer storage unit for storing the developer supplied to the developing device; A developer replenishing container that is detachably provided and stores the developer supplied to the developer storage unit; a stirring unit that is periodically driven to stir the developer in the developer replenishing container;
First detecting means for detecting the amount of developer in the developer replenishing container, display means for displaying a warning that the developer replenishing container needs to be replaced, and developer based on a detection result of the first detecting means. In an image forming apparatus having control means for displaying the above warning on the display means when it is determined that the amount of developer in the replenishment container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the control means may determine that the amount of developer in the replenishment container is An image forming apparatus configured to determine whether or not the amount is equal to or less than a fixed amount based on a developer amount detection history of the first detection unit over a predetermined time longer than one driving cycle of the stirring unit. . 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer is a one-component magnetic toner, and the first detecting unit is a magnetic sensor. 3. The developer replenishing container according to claim 1, wherein when the maximum value of the developer amount detection history of the first detecting means for a predetermined time longer than one cycle of driving of the stirring means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the developer is set to be equal to or less than a predetermined amount. 4. The developer replenishing container according to claim 1, wherein when the minimum value of the developer amount detection history of the first detecting means for a predetermined time longer than one cycle of driving the stirring means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer amount is set to be less than or equal to a predetermined amount. 5. 5. An image forming apparatus comprising a developer supply device for supplying a developer to a developing device, wherein the developer storage unit stores the developer supplied to the developing device. A developer replenishing container that is detachably provided and stores the developer supplied to the developer storage unit, a stirring unit that stirs the developer in the developer replenishing container, and detects the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container. First detecting means, a display means capable of displaying a warning that the developer replenishing container needs to be replaced, and a detected amount of developer in the developer replenishing container based on a detection result of the first detecting means. In an image forming apparatus having a control unit for displaying the above warning on the display unit when it is determined that the following is satisfied, the image forming apparatus has a second detection unit for detecting the position of the stirring unit in the developer replenishing container, and the control unit The developer amount in the developer replenishment container is An image forming apparatus characterized in that it is set to judge whether or not the following is based on the detection result of the first detecting means and the position of the stirring means. 6. The control means, based on a detection result of the first detection means when the stirring means is not in the vicinity of the detection surface of the first detection means, the amount of the developer in the developer replenishing container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether or not the image formation is performed.