JP2001305924A - Waste toner recovery device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately detect the presence/absence of waste toner without complicating the structure. SOLUTION: A detecting body 3 is rotatably supported on a stirring shaft 2 rotating in a waste toner recovery part 1. Then, fall time or the change of lowering speed in the case of displacing the detecting body 3 to a lower dead point position after pushing up the detecting body 3 to an upper dead point position around the shaft 2 by a driving means 4 responding to the rotation of the shaft 2 is detected by an electromagnetic transducing element 5 arranged at the outside part of the recovery part 1. Thus, an accurate waste toner detecting function is achieved without complicating the structure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a waste toner collecting device used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or an electrophotographic printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a charging unit, an image exposing unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a peeling unit, and a cleaning unit arranged in this order along the rotation direction of a photosensitive drum. ing.

In a transfer step, a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum is transferred to a transfer sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit. Thereafter, the transfer sheet is separated from the photosensitive drum, fixed by a fixing device, and the fixed transfer sheet is discharged to a sheet discharge unit. The photosensitive drum is cleaned by the cleaning unit and is ready for the next development.

A small amount of untransferred toner including paper dust and the like remains on the photosensitive drum after the transfer, and if left unattended, it may cause an image defect. Therefore, the toner is removed by the cleaning unit.

FIG. 10 shows the structure of the cleaning unit. The cleaning unit 100 has a cleaner blade 102 and a waste toner collecting unit (container) 103.
The waste toner is sent to a waste toner collecting device A including a cleaner screw 104 and the like. In other words, the leading edge portion 102a of the cleaner blade 102 is relatively slid against the photosensitive drum 105, thereby scraping off untransferred toner including adhering matter such as paper dust from the photosensitive drum 105 and removing waste toner. Cleaner screw 1 as T
At 04, the waste toner is conveyed and collected to the waste toner collecting container 103.

[0006] As shown in FIG. 11, a conventional waste toner collecting apparatus A includes a cleaner screw 1 in a transport pipe 106.
04, the waste toner T conveyed by the
07 and is stored in the waste toner collecting container 103.

In the waste toner collecting container 103, as the waste toner T is sequentially carried in, the waste toner T is accumulated in a conical shape.
If such a state continues, the waste toner T may be clogged in the connecting pipe 107 or the transport pipe 106 before the waste toner collecting container 103 is filled with the waste toner T.
Further, if the waste toner T overflows from the waste toner collecting container 103, problems such as failure of the image forming apparatus and soiling of the paper occur. In order to avoid this, the waste toner collecting container 103 must be frequently removed from the image forming apparatus and the waste toner must be discarded, which requires a lot of maintenance. Therefore, a vibration generator such as a cam that contacts the side and bottom surfaces of the waste toner collecting container 103 is arranged to apply a mechanical shock or vibration to the waste toner collecting container 103 to accumulate waste toner T accumulated in a conical shape. There has been known a configuration for reducing the frequency of maintenance by making the height uniform. However, this is due to mechanical vibration and
The impact gives a loud noise, and does not meet the user's requirements under the recent situation where the noise of the printing apparatus is required. Further, it is only necessary to detect the fullness of the waste toner T in order to only level the amount of waste toner accumulated in a cone shape and not to overflow the waste toner T.

From such a viewpoint, conventionally, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-212052, as shown in FIG. 12, the waste toner collecting container 103 is vertically moved by elastic members 108, 108 such as coil springs arranged below the container. In some cases, a sensor for detecting a displacement position of the waste toner collecting container 103, such as a microswitch 109, is disposed below the waste toner collecting container 103 while being supported so as to be displaceable in the direction.

This is because, as the amount of waste toner to be collected increases, the waste toner collecting container 103 is displaced downward against the elastic force, so that the waste toner amount becomes a predetermined amount (full). By turning on the microswitch 109 in 13), the waste toner amount is prevented from being excessively accumulated.

[0010] Separately, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-325670 discloses a waste toner collecting container 10 as shown in FIG.
3, a light projecting element 110 such as a light emitting diode (LED) and a light receiving element 111 such as a phototransistor are provided at a position sandwiching the waste toner inlet or as shown in FIG. Have been proposed in which the waste toner T accumulated near the container entrance is optically detected.

[0011]

However, the former of the known examples has relatively many mechanical components,
If the relationship between the weight of the waste toner T and the amount of displacement of the waste toner collecting container 103 is not strictly set, erroneous detection may occur. In the latter case, the waste toner collecting container 103
In addition, transparent windows 112 and 113 corresponding to the light emitting and receiving elements 110 and 110 must be formed, and if these transparent windows 112 and 113 are stained with the waste toner T, an appropriate optical path cannot be secured. Again, the detection accuracy will be reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a waste toner collecting apparatus capable of accurately detecting the presence or absence of waste toner without complicating the structure. Is to do.

[0013]

The present invention has the following arrangement as means for solving the above-mentioned problems.

(1) A stirring shaft rotating in the waste toner collecting section, a detector rotatably supported by the stirring shaft, and the detector being pushed up to the top dead center around the stirring shaft in response to the rotation of the stirring shaft. A waste toner collecting device having a function of detecting the state of the waste toner from the behavior of the detection body, based on an output signal of a magnetoelectric conversion element disposed outside the toner collecting unit. And a detecting means for detecting a change in a descent time or a descent speed when the detection body pushed up to the top dead center position is displaced to the bottom dead center position. In this configuration, the behavior of the detector disposed in the waste toner collecting unit is magnetically detected based on the output signal of the magnetoelectric conversion element provided outside the waste toner collecting unit. Therefore, the structure can be simplified as compared with the mechanical detection means, and further, unlike the optical detection means, there is no need to provide a transparent window or the like.
Even if the detection body is contaminated with waste toner, the presence or absence of waste toner is accurately detected regardless of the fact.

(2) The magnetoelectric conversion element is a magnetic permeability sensor disposed downstream of the top dead center position in the direction of displacement of the detection body.

In this configuration, when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collecting unit is full, the residence time near the position facing the magnetic permeability sensor becomes relatively long after the detector passes the top dead center position. Meanwhile, when the toner amount is small, the detection body almost instantaneously passes near the position facing the magnetic permeability sensor. The amount of waste toner is determined from the length of time required for the detection body to pass near the position facing the magnetic permeability sensor.

(3) The magnetic permeability sensor is characterized in that it is arranged at a plurality of positions downstream of the top dead center position in the direction of displacement of the detection body and along the direction of displacement.

In this configuration, it is possible to determine and detect whether the amount of waste toner is full or not, and to determine the amount of waste toner accumulated at a plurality of locations downstream of the top dead center position in the direction of displacement of the detection body. It is possible to detect the degree of waste toner accumulation.

(4) The driving means is constituted by a driving piece provided integrally with the stirring shaft and extending toward the upstream side in the displacement direction of the detection body, while the detection body is constituted by a frame. Features.

In this configuration, the mechanism for raising the detection body to the top dead center position is simplified. In addition, since the detection body is a frame, the resistance due to waste toner at the time of pushing up is small, and the rotation load of the stirring shaft is small.

(5) The detector comprises a U-shaped frame having a horizontal side along the stirring shaft and a pair of vertical sides connected to both ends of the horizontal side and supported by the stirring shaft, It is characterized in that only the horizontal side is made of a magnetic material.

In this configuration, since the detecting body has a U-shape, it is less likely to receive the resistance of the toner when it descends from the top dead center position. Can be further reduced in weight.

(6) The detector comprises a U-shaped frame having a horizontal side along the stirring shaft and a pair of vertical sides connected to both ends of the horizontal side and supported by the stirring shaft, The frame body is made of a non-magnetic material, and a thin magnetic portion is provided on the horizontal side.

In this configuration, by forming the main body of the detector from a non-magnetic material, for example, a synthetic resin, the weight of the detector itself is further reduced.

(7) The detector has a leveling function of uniformly dispersing the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner container.

In this configuration, while the number of parts is reduced, the waste toner in the waste toner collecting section is uniformly dispersed, and the corners in the waste toner collecting section are effectively used as a waste toner collecting space.

[0027]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waste toner collecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A stirring shaft 2 extending along the axis of the cylinder is disposed in a cylindrical waste toner collecting section 1 for collecting the waste toner. Both ends of the stirring shaft 2 are connected via bearings (not shown). It is rotatably supported. To this stirring shaft 2, the rotational force of a rotary drive source such as a motor (not shown) is transmitted at a reduced speed.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a detector for waste toner, which is made of a magnetic material and has a substantially U-shaped frame shape having a horizontal side portion 3a and a pair of vertical side portions 3b, 3b respectively connected to both ends of the horizontal side portion 3a. Ring-shaped shaft insertion holes 3c, 3c are integrally formed at the upper ends of the two vertical sides 3b, 3b, respectively. These shaft fitting holes 3
By inserting c and 3c into the stirring shaft 2, the detector 3 is set to be rotatable around the stirring shaft 2.

Since the detector 3 also serves as a leveling member for leveling waste toner accumulated in the waste toner collecting section 1 when its own weight is lowered, it is necessary to provide a special leveling member. Therefore, it is possible to cope with a reduction in the number of parts.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a driving piece fixed to the stirring shaft 2 and extending radially outward. The driving piece 4 rotates integrally with the stirring shaft 2 to move the horizontal side 3a of the detection body 3 downwardly around the stirring shaft 2. It has a function to push up from the dead center position to the top dead center position.

Although the driving piece is in the form of a plate, the shape and number thereof such as a rod can be arbitrarily changed.

As shown in FIG. 2, a magnetic permeability sensor 5 as an example of a magnetoelectric conversion element is provided outside the waste toner collecting unit 1 at a position downstream of the top dead center position in the direction of displacement of the detection body. Have been. The magnetic permeability sensor 5 collects waste toner when the behavior of the detection body 3, specifically, when the detection body 3 pushed up to the top dead center position around the stirring shaft 2 is displaced to the bottom dead center position. The change in the magnetic permeability in the part 1 is measured.
The magnetic permeability sensor 5 may output either an on / off signal that is turned on when the measured value exceeds a predetermined value or an analog signal corresponding to the level of the measured value as the measurement signal.

The discriminating means 6 receives a measurement signal from the magnetic permeability sensor 5 and detects a descending time or a change in the descending speed of the detector 3 based on the measured signal. The state of the waste toner is detected.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the initial state in which the amount of waste toner in the waste toner recovery unit 1 is at the zero level, the detector 3 descends due to its own weight and stays at the bottom dead center position shown in FIG. At this time, the position of the driving piece 4 on the stirring shaft 2 is arbitrary.

As the stirring shaft 2 rotates, the driving piece 4 hits the horizontal side 3a of the detector 3 and the detector 3
The driving force is transmitted to the detecting member 3, and as shown in FIG. The detecting body 3 that rotates while being pushed up from below by the driving piece 4 reaches the top dead center position as shown in FIG. 2C. Then, the detection body 3 that has passed through the top dead center position is separated from the driving piece 4 and is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), the descent is started by its own weight. In addition, since the stirring shaft 2 has one end connected to the driving device side, the stirring shaft 2 gradually rotates while being restricted by the driving device side.

Incidentally, the resistance acting on the detector 3 after the detector 3 is pushed up to the top dead center position changes depending on the amount of waste toner recovered in the waste toner recovery unit 1, so that the top dead center is changed. The situation of the motion of the detection body 3 from the position to the bottom dead center position is different.

When a relatively large amount of waste toner is collected in the waste toner collecting section 1, the detector 3 after passing through the top dead center position receives the resistance of the waste toner, so that the detector 3 reaches the bottom dead center position. It does not drop at a stretch, but descends in a state where it is substantially together with the driving piece 4, and it takes a relatively long time. Conversely, when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner recovery unit 1 is small, the detector 3 after passing through the top dead center position descends almost instantaneously to the waste toner surface, and falls on the waste toner surface. When the driving piece 4 accompanying the rotation of the stirring shaft 2 is pressed against the detection body 3 in a floating state, the detection body 3 moves down to the bottom dead center position together with the driving piece 4. Displace.

That is, the rest time (stay time) of the detector 3 after passing through the top dead center position differs depending on the presence or absence of waste toner in the waste toner recovery unit 1 and the like. In a state where there is no waste toner (a very small amount of waste toner), the stationary time of the detection body 3 after passing through the top dead center position is substantially short only by the weight drop time. Conversely, there is waste toner (a large amount of waste toner)
In the case of, the stationary time of the detector 3 after passing through the top dead center position is
This is a relatively long time from the time when the top dead center position is passed to the time when the driving piece 4 is pressed.

By paying attention to the stationary time of the detector 3 after passing through the top dead center position, the presence or absence (somewhat) of the waste toner amount in the waste toner collecting unit 1 can be known. For this reason, the magnetic permeability sensor 5 is provided outside the waste toner collecting unit 1 downstream of the top dead center position in the displacement direction of the detection body 3, and its detection surface is arranged along the rotation locus of the detection body 3. They are facing closely. That is, the stationary time of the detector 3 after passing through the top dead center position is detected as an on / off signal (FIG. 5) by the magnetic permeability sensor 5, and this is appropriately monitored by the determination unit 6, whereby the waste toner is detected. It is possible to know whether or not the waste toner amount in the collection unit 1 is full.

Although the rotation speed specification of the stirring shaft 2 differs depending on the size of the waste toner collecting unit 1 and the image forming apparatus to be used, if the rotation speed of this type of stirring shaft 2 is small, it is 10 rotations per minute or less. Yes, it is set at most about 10 rotations per minute. That is, since the detector 3 moves at a relatively low speed, it is easy to detect the stationary time of the detector 3 after passing through the top dead center position. For example, assuming that the set number of revolutions of the stirring shaft 2 is 10 revolutions per minute, the detector 3 returns to the position facing the magnetic permeability sensor 6 at a rate of about once every 6 seconds from the time when the top dead center position is passed. It becomes such a movement.

In this case, when the detection body 3 is not opposed to the position where the magnetic permeability sensor 5 is disposed, or when the detection body 3 is moving away, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
Since the state can be regarded as the "i" state, the output signal of the magnetic permeability sensor 5 is turned off and changes to a low-side output tendency. Conversely, when the detector 3 is located at or approaching the position of the permeability sensor, it can be regarded as a waste toner concentration “Lo” state. Is turned on or has a high output tendency. In other words, the detector 3 functions as a magnetic carrier for the waste toner in the waste toner collecting unit 1 and performs the same detection as the developer concentration of the two-component developer.

As described above, the behavior of the detector 3 disposed in the waste toner collecting unit 1 is magnetically detected by the magnetic permeability sensor 5 provided outside the waste toner collecting unit 1. In addition to the fact that no noise is generated, the number of detection mechanism components is not increased, and the structure is not complicated. Further, unlike the optical detection means, there is no need to provide a transparent window or the like, and even if the detection body 3 is contaminated with waste toner, an appropriate detection operation is ensured without being influenced by the waste toner.

By the way, the means for pushing up the detector 3 to the top dead center position can be arbitrarily selected. However, as in this embodiment, the structure is constituted by the driving piece 4 provided integrally with the stirring shaft 2. It becomes simple and the burden of rotation of the stirring shaft 2 is small.

Further, by forming the detection body 3 in a frame shape,
The resistance from the waste toner when pushed up to the top dead center position is small, and the rotational load of the stirring shaft 2 can be reduced correspondingly.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
In this example, a plurality of magnetoelectric conversion elements are provided. In FIG. 6, one of the two magnetic permeability sensors 5, 5 is disposed downstream of the top dead center position, and the other corresponds to a further downstream position, for example, half of the full amount of waste toner. It is located at the height level position.

Also in this case, in the initial state in which the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collecting unit 1 is zero, the detector 3 is stationary at the bottom dead center position shown in FIG. . As the stirring shaft 2 rotates, the driving piece 4 pushes against the horizontal side 3a of the detection body 3, and the driving force is transmitted to the detection body 3, and as shown in FIG. Is started. Eventually, the detector 3 reaches the top dead center position as shown in FIG. Then, the behavior of the detector 3 that has passed through the top dead center position is detected by the one magnetic permeability sensor 5. The detector 3 separates from the driving piece 4 when passing through the top dead center position, and starts descending by its own weight as shown in FIG. And the detection body 3 is as shown in FIG.
The behavior is detected by the other magnetic permeability sensor 5 during its own weight descent shown in FIG.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to detect not only the presence or absence of waste toner, but also the degree of accumulation of waste toner determined by the height level of the position where the other magnetic permeability sensor 5 is disposed.

That is, when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collecting unit 1 is less than half the level, after the detector 3 passes through the top dead center, the position where the sensors 5 and 5 face each other is substantially lowered by its own weight. Passes instantly. In contrast, the waste toner collection unit 1
When the amount of waste toner in the inside is close to half the level, it passes almost instantaneously at the position opposite to one of the magnetic permeability sensors 5 downstream of the top dead center position, while the other is located at the half level equivalent position. In the position opposed to the magnetic permeability sensor 5, the detection body 3 slows down due to the resistance of the waste toner, and the staying time becomes longer. Further, when the amount of waste toner is substantially full, the detector 3 moves extremely slowly after passing the top dead center position, and moves substantially simultaneously with the rotation of the stirring shaft 2. Therefore,
When the detector 3 monitors the output changes of the magnetic permeability sensors 5 and 5 when the detection body 3 passes through the opposing positions of the magnetic permeability sensors 5 and 5, the waste toner amount can be detected in at least three stages. Becomes possible.

When the detector 3 has a large mass, the force acting in the direction of its own weight descends more than the resistance from the waste toner. Therefore, even when the amount of waste toner is large, the detection body 3 may sink into the waste toner by its own weight, making it difficult to perform accurate detection. For this reason, it is necessary to make the detector 3 as lightweight as possible. In the case of metal, it is preferable to form the detector 3 with a thin line having a thickness of about 0.5 to 1 mm (FIG. 7).

As shown in FIG. 8, the detector 3 has a horizontal side 3a made of a magnetic material, and the other vertical sides 13b, 13b and shaft insertion holes 13c, 13c. A non-magnetic material, for example, a material formed of a synthetic resin may be used.

In such a configuration, the detection body 3 is lighter in weight as compared with the case where the entirety of the detection body 3 is made of a metal material, and the detection operation is not affected by the amount of waste toner. Can be suppressed from increasing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, all of the horizontal side 13a, the vertical sides 13b, 13b and the shaft fitting holes 13c, 13c of the detector 3 are made of a non-magnetic material, for example, synthetic resin. What provided the thin magnetic part 10 in a part of said horizontal side part 13b may be used. Thin magnetic part 10
May be composed of a magnetic layer or a magnetic piece. In this case, the weight of the detector 3 is further reduced, and the detection operation is performed stably.

[0053]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) A detector is rotatably supported by a stirring shaft rotating in the waste toner collecting section, and the detector is pushed up to a top dead center position around the stirring shaft by a driving means responsive to the rotation of the stirring shaft. Since the change in the descent time or the change in the descent speed when the body is displaced to the bottom dead center position is detected based on the measurement result of the magneto-electric conversion element arranged outside the toner collecting unit, the measurement result of the magneto-electric conversion element is detected. Thus, the presence / absence of waste toner in the waste toner collection unit can be detected. This simplifies the structure as compared with the mechanical detection means, and further eliminates the need to provide a transparent window or the like, unlike the optical detection means. An accurate detection function can be exhibited.

(2) The use of a magnetic permeability sensor disposed downstream of the top dead center position in the direction of displacement of the detection body as the magnetoelectric conversion element enables the waste toner in the waste toner collecting section to be filled up. After the sensing object has passed the top dead center position, the residence time near the position facing the magnetic permeability sensor becomes relatively long,
Conversely, when the amount of toner is small, the detection object passes almost instantaneously near the position where the magnetic permeability sensor is opposed, so that the time required for the detection object to pass near the position opposite the magnetic permeability sensor is shorter or longer. Can be used to determine the amount of waste toner.

(3) By arranging the magnetic permeability sensors at a plurality of locations on the downstream side of the top dead center in the displacement direction of the detection body, it is possible to detect whether the amount of waste toner is full and to detect the top dead center. It is also possible to detect the level of waste toner accumulation at a level corresponding to each of a plurality of locations downstream of the position in the displacement direction of the detection body.

(4) The drive means is constituted by a drive piece provided integrally with the stirring shaft and extending toward the upstream side in the displacement direction of the detection body, while the detection body is constituted by the frame, so that the detection body is constituted by a frame. The mechanism for raising to the highest point is simplified. Further, the resistance of the waste toner to the detector is small, and the rotational load of the stirring shaft can be reduced.

(5) The detector is constituted by a U-shaped frame having a horizontal side along the stirring shaft and a pair of vertical sides connected to both ends of the horizontal side and supported by the stirring shaft, Because only the horizontal side is made of magnetic material,
It is possible to make it harder to receive the resistance of the toner when descending from the top dead center, and to further reduce the weight of the detection body, thereby accurately detecting the amount of waste toner without being affected by the amount of waste toner. it can.

(6) The main body of the detection body composed of a U-shaped frame having a pair of vertical sides supported by the stirring shaft is made of a non-magnetic material, and a thin magnetic part is provided on the horizontal side. Thus, the weight of the detection body can be further reduced.

(7) Since the detector has a leveling function for uniformly dispersing the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner storage unit, the waste toner can be uniformly distributed in the waste toner collection unit while reducing the number of parts. The waste toner can be dispersed, and the entire area in the waste toner collecting section can be effectively used as a waste toner collecting space.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waste toner collecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation state of a detector in the waste toner collecting device.

FIG. 3 is an output characteristic diagram of a magnetic permeability sensor.

FIG. 4 is an output diagram of a magnetic permeability sensor according to the presence or absence of a detection object.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the output of a magnetic permeability sensor and time according to the presence or absence of waste toner.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation state of a detection body in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a detector.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another detector.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another detector.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaner unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional waste toner collecting device.

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional waste toner detecting unit.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the waste toner detecting unit in a detection operation state.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of another conventional waste toner detecting means.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another conventional waste toner detecting unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1—Waste toner recovery unit 2—Agitating shaft 3—Detector 3a, 13a—Horizontal side of detector 3b, 13b—Vertical side of detector 4—Drive means (drive piece) 5-Magnetoelectric conversion element (magnetic permeability Sensor) 10-thin magnetic part 30-detector body

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kubota 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Europe 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside (72) Inventor Eiichi Kido 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Naotaka 22-22, Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Sharp Corporation F Term (reference) 2F014 AB02 AC07 GA10 2H034 BF01 CA04 CA06 CA08

Claims (7)

[Claims] An agitating shaft rotating in a waste toner collecting section, a detector rotatably supported by the agitating shaft, and a drive for raising the detector to a top dead center around the agitating shaft in response to rotation of the agitating shaft. Means for detecting the state of the waste toner from the behavior of the detection body, wherein a top dead center position around the stirring shaft is determined based on an output signal of a magnetoelectric conversion element disposed outside the toner collection unit. A waste toner collecting device provided with a detecting means for detecting a change in a descent time or a descent speed when the detection body pushed up to the bottom dead center is displaced to the bottom dead center position. 2. The waste toner collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetoelectric conversion element is a magnetic permeability sensor disposed downstream of the top dead center position in the direction of displacement of the detection body. 3. The magnetic permeability sensor according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic permeability sensors are arranged at a plurality of positions downstream of the top dead center position in the direction of displacement of the detection body and along the direction of displacement.
2. The waste toner collecting device according to 1. 4. The driving means is constituted by a driving piece provided integrally with the stirring shaft and extending toward the upstream side in the displacement direction of the detection body, while the detection body is constituted by a frame. The waste toner collecting device according to claim 1. 5. The detector comprises a U-shaped frame having a horizontal side along the stirring shaft and a pair of vertical sides connected to both ends of the horizontal side and supported by the stirring shaft,
The waste toner collecting device according to claim 1, wherein only the horizontal side portion is made of a magnetic material. 6. The detector has a U-shaped frame having a horizontal side portion along the stirring shaft and a pair of vertical sides connected to both ends of the horizontal side portion and supported by the stirring shaft,
2. The waste toner collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the frame body is made of a non-magnetic material, and a thin magnetic portion is provided on the horizontal side. 7. The waste toner collecting device according to claim 1, wherein said detecting member has a leveling function for uniformly dispersing the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner container.