JP2003241500A - Remaining developer quantity detecting device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect a quantity of remaining toner in a toner container until the toner in the toner container is used up even in a mode in which the rotating speed of the stirring member of the image forming apparatus is low. <P>SOLUTION: Toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed while each stirring member 28a, 28b is rotated at 1/4 of its rotating speed from the beginning. When the passage time required for the detection light L of the remaining developer quantity detecting device to pass through the toner container 25 reaches the maximum value (= when it enters an area Z), the rotating speed of each stirring member 28a, 28b is altered to the normal speed from 1/4 of the rotating speed in a post-rotating process which is performed after a multicolor image forming apparatus outputs an image. The rotating speed of stirring member 28a, 28b used up to the present time is switched from a remaining toner quantity detection sequence for 1/4 of the speed to a remaining toner quantity detection sequence for a normal speed, thereby measuring a quantity of toner T remaining in the toner container 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developer remaining amount detecting device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a printer using an electrophotographic process uniformly charges a photosensitive drum, which is an image carrier, and forms a latent image by selectively exposing the photosensitive drum. By exposing the latent image with a fine powder toner as a developer, transferring the toner image to a recording medium, and further applying heat or pressure to the transferred toner image, the toner image is fixed on the recording medium. Record images.

Such an apparatus is accompanied by toner replenishment and maintenance of various process means. However, as a structure for facilitating the toner replenishment work and maintenance, a photosensitive drum,
A cartridge in which a charging device, a developing device, a cleaning device, and the like are integrated into a frame has also been put into practical use.

The toner of the developing device of the process cartridge is stored in a container called a toner container of the process cartridge, and is discharged to the outside of the toner container by a toner conveying portion provided in the toner container, and thereafter, via a developing roller or the like. And sent to the photoconductor drum.

In general, the toner transport unit is a rod-shaped member having a plastic sheet member attached over the entire length thereof, and is rotatably supported over the length of the toner container. There are multiple. When a plurality of toner transport units are provided in one toner container, they are arranged side by side from the side close to the opening in the direction intersecting the length of the toner container. When the toner conveying means rotates, the sheet member of the toner conveying unit scrapes out the toner accumulated on the bottom surface of the toner container to the opening side of the toner container and discharges it to the outside of the toner container. In addition, the short free end of the sheet member is attached to the inner wall of the toner container.
There is also a structure in which the toner carrying property of the toner carrying section is improved by intruding the toner by about 5 to 4 mm.

Further, the image forming apparatus is provided with a toner remaining amount detecting device for measuring the remaining amount of the toner contained in the toner container. There are various types of toner remaining amount detecting devices, but as a cheaper and simpler structure, there is a light transmission type toner remaining amount detecting device. The light transmissive toner remaining amount detection is a system in which detection light is passed through the toner container and the remaining amount of the toner stored in the toner container is detected based on the passage time of the detection light.

Next, the structure of the light transmission type remaining amount detecting device will be described. Detection light emitted from a light emitting member such as a light emitting element passes through a first guide portion formed of the light transmitting member and is provided in the toner container. The light is transmitted to the inside of the container through the first window member having a light transmitting property. Further, the detection light that has entered the container passes through the second window member, which is also provided in the container and has a light-transmitting property, to the outside of the container, and the detection light that has gone out of the toner container is the light-transmitting member. It reaches the light receiving member such as a light receiving element via the second guide portion, and the remaining amount of the developer in the container is detected by the length of time that the light receiving member receives the detection light.

Incidentally, the sheet member of the toner conveying portion penetrates about 0.5 to 4 mm into the first window member and the second window member in a part of the longitudinal region, and the first window member And also has a function of wiping off the toner adhering to the surface of the second window member. With such a configuration, even if the window member is covered with toner, the window member is cleaned by the sheet member, and the detection light can pass through the toner container. When a large amount of toner is contained in the toner container, even if the sheet member cleans the surface of the window member, the toner immediately receives the toner and blocks the window member, so the detection light passes through the toner container. The time to do is short.

However, when the toner in the toner container is consumed and the remaining amount becomes small, the interval until the toner is covered again after the sheet member cleans the window member is dealt with. As a result, the detection light takes a longer time to pass through the toner container. In this way, the light transmission type remaining amount detecting device measures the remaining amount of toner in the toner container by the change in the length of time that the detection light passes through the inside of the toner container.

That is, when a large amount of toner is contained in the toner container, the passage time of the detection light is short, and conversely, when the toner is consumed, the passage time of the detection light is long. If the detection light passage time when the toner in the toner container is exhausted is set as a threshold value in advance, the process is performed when the detection light passage time in the toner container exceeds the threshold value. The user can be notified that the cartridge is out of toner.

Furthermore, if a toner remaining amount detection sequence is created in which the passage time of the detection light passing through the toner container and the remaining amount of toner in the toner container are made to correspond to the passage time of the detection light in the toner container. Thus, it becomes possible to sequentially detect the remaining amount of toner, which notifies the user of the remaining amount of toner in the toner container in real time.

Further, the image forming apparatus needs to change the speed at which the recording medium passes through the fixing device depending on the recording medium to be printed. The fixing device fixes the transferred image of the toner transferred onto the photosensitive drum onto the recording medium by heat. For example, since an OHT film or the like is thicker than ordinary plain paper, A large amount of heat is required to fix the toner on the recording medium. Therefore, the toner is fixed to a thick recording medium by raising the temperature of the fixing device or lengthening the time for which the recording medium passes through the fixing device.

Further, in the case of an image forming apparatus having a structure in which a toner transfer image is directly transferred from a photosensitive drum to a recording medium without using an intermediate transfer member, the speed at which the recording medium passes the fixing device by the recording medium as described above. Change, it becomes necessary to change the speed of feeding the recording medium, and accordingly, it is necessary to change the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum, and thus the speed of the rotary member of the entire process cartridge. Therefore, in an image forming apparatus that does not use an intermediate transfer member, the image forming apparatus main body and the process cartridge that is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body have a plurality of different process speed (image printing speed) modes depending on the type of recording medium.

In the case of the image forming apparatus as described above, the rotation speed of the toner conveying portion naturally changes depending on the type of recording medium. When the rotation speed of the toner transport unit changes, the length of time that the detection light of the light transmission type remaining amount detection device passes through the toner container also changes.Therefore, prepare a toner remaining amount detection sequence according to the process speed. There is.

For example, when the process speed of the image forming apparatus is "normal speed" when the recording medium is plain paper, 1/2 of the process speed of plain paper is used for thick paper,
1/3 for gloss paper, 1 / for OHT film
4 is set, a toner remaining amount detection sequence corresponding to each process speed is prepared, and when the process speed is switched depending on the recording medium used for printing, the toner remaining amount detection sequence corresponding to the process speed is used. The configuration is such that the remaining amount of toner in the toner container is detected.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the toner container 25, the first agitating member 28a, the second agitating member 28b for conveying the toner T contained in the toner container 25, and the toner container 25 are contained. A light transmission window 26a, through which the detection light L for measuring the remaining amount of the toner T to be made incident, and a light transmission window 26b, which is similarly emitted, are provided.
The toner T in the toner container 25 is sent from the carrying area of the second agitating member 28b to the carrying area of the first agitating member 28a by the second agitating member 28b, and further, the first agitating member 28.
The opening 41 provided in the toner container 25 by a.
Emitted from.

First stirring member 28a and second stirring member 28b
Is a sheet member 28a2, 28b2 having flexibility attached over the length of each of the rod-shaped members 28a1, 28b1, and the free ends of the sheet members 28a2, 28b2 in the lateral direction are attached to the inner wall of the toner container 25. To 0.5
The first stirring member 28 is made to penetrate by about 4 mm.
The conveyance force of the toner T of each of the a and the second stirring member 28b is increased. Sheet member 28a2 of the first stirring member 28a
Is a light transmitting window 26 disposed substantially in the middle of the first stirring member 28a and the second stirring member 28b in a part of the longitudinal region.
It also has a function of wiping off the toner adhering to the surfaces of a and the light transmitting window 26b.

The detection light L emitted from a light emitting element (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus receives the light transmitting window 26a.
Enters the toner container 25 from the outside, and is emitted to the outside of the toner container 25 through the light transmitting window 26b. The detection light L emitted from the toner container 25 is measured by the light receiving element (not shown) also provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus for the time when the detection light L has passed through the toner container 25.

The image forming apparatus main body incorporates a toner remaining amount detection sequence that correlates the time when the detection light L has passed through the toner container 25 and the toner remaining amount in the toner container 25. In the main body of the image forming apparatus, the remaining toner amount in the toner container 25 is sequentially detected by the passage time of the detection light L measured by the light receiving element in the toner container 25, and the current toner remaining amount in the toner container 25 is detected. Has a function to notify the user.

The main body of the image forming apparatus has a plurality of modes in which the process speed (image printing speed) changes depending on the type of recording medium. When the process speed changes, the stirring members 28a and 28b also change to the process speed. Since the rotation speed changes to the corresponding rotation speed, the time during which the above-described detection light L passes through the toner container 25 slightly changes.

This is because the fluidity of the toner T in the toner container 25 that is agitated changes depending on the rotation speed of the agitating members 28a and 28b. If the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b is high, a large amount of the toner T is agitated, and as a result, a large amount of air is mixed in the toner T and the toner T is agitated.
Liquidity is increased. On the contrary, when the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b is slow, less air is sent into the toner T, and as a result, the fluidity of the toner T becomes lower than when the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b is high.

Even if the same amount of toner T is present in the toner container 25, if the fluidity of the toner T is high, the stirring member 2
Even if the sheet member 28a2 of 8a wipes off the toner covering the surfaces of the light transmitting windows 26a and 26b, the toner T has a high fluidity, so that the toner T immediately receives the light transmitting windows 26a and 26b.
26b is covered, so that the detection light L is emitted from the toner container 25.
The time to pass through is short.

On the other hand, if the fluidity of the toner T is low, the sheet member 28a2 of the stirring member 28a will cause the light transmitting windows 26a and 26a.
The time from wiping off the toner covering the surface of b to the time when the toner T covers the light transmitting windows 26a and 26b again becomes relatively slower than when the toner T has high fluidity. It takes longer for the detection light L to pass through the toner container 25.

That is, even if the same amount of toner T remains in the toner container 25, if the rotation speeds of the stirring members 28a and 28b are different (= the fluidity of the toner T is different), the detection light L becomes the toner container. The time to pass through 25 changes.
Therefore, the developer remaining amount detecting device has a toner remaining amount detecting sequence corresponding to a plurality of process speeds.

In the remaining toner amount detection sequence, the passage time for the detection light L to pass through the toner container 25 when the toner T in the toner container 25 is completely exhausted is set as a threshold value. When the passage time of the detection light L passing through the toner container 25 exceeds a threshold value, the user is informed that the toner in the toner container 25 has run out.

[0026]

However, when the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b is slow, the detection light L passes through the toner container 25 for a long time, and as a result, the toner T in the toner container 25 is lost. Before the detection light L disappears, the passage time for the detection light L to pass through the toner container 25 exceeds the threshold value.

FIG. 6 shows the toner consumption amount in the toner container,
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship with the passage time of the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detection device having passed through the toner container. When the toner consumption amount on the horizontal axis is 0%, it is the initial state in which the toner T is packed in the toner container 25 by a predetermined amount, and is 100%.
At the time of, it means that the toner T in the toner container 25 is completely consumed and disappears. The passage time of the detection light L on the vertical axis indicates the passage time of the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detecting device passing through the toner container 25, and when the toner T in the toner container 25 is in a large amount, the detection light L is detected. Although the time for L to pass through the toner container 25 is short (= short), the toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed and the toner container 25
As the amount of the toner T decreases, the detection light L passes through the toner container 25 for a longer time (= longer).
The toner remaining amount detection sequence is basically set based on this graph. Further, the graph A is a graph when the toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed at the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b when the recording medium of the image forming apparatus is plain paper, and the stirring member 28a at this time is shown. , 28b are set to "normal speed".

On the other hand, graph B shows stirring members 28a, 28a.
The toner consumption amount in the toner container 25 and the developer when the toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed by rotating the rotation speed of b at about 1/4 of the normal speed (hereinafter referred to as 1/4 speed) The relationship between the detection time L of the remaining amount detection device and the passage time when the detection light L has passed through the toner container 25 is shown. Where graph A
When comparing the graph B with the graph B, the graph A shows that the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detecting device is the toner container 2 from the time when the toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed by about 75% from the initial amount.
The toner T completely disappears after passing through the inside of 100
A straight line that rises up to the area of% is shown.

However, in the case of the graph B in which the rotation speeds of the stirring members 28a and 28b are rotated at 1/4 speed, the graph is shifted to the left side of the graph A as a whole, and the developer residual amount detecting device is shown. The detection light L of the above-mentioned detection light L starts to pass through the toner container 25 earlier than the graph A, and further, the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detecting device passes through the inside of the toner container 25 before the consumption amount of the toner T reaches 100%. The passing time reaches the maximum value.

That is, when the toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed by rotating the rotating speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b at 1/4 speed, the toner container 2 in the area Z on the graph.
The remaining amount of the toner T in 5 cannot be detected.

This means that the user is informed that the toner T is exhausted, even though the toner T is still sufficiently left in the toner container 25. The accuracy is very problematic, and the user cannot know when to replace the process cartridge.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to keep the toner in the toner container until the toner in the toner container is completely used even in a mode in which the rotation speed of the stirring member in the image forming apparatus is slow. An object of the present invention is to provide a developer remaining amount detecting device, a process cartridge, and an image forming device capable of detecting the remaining amount of toner in a container.

[0033]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a developer remaining amount detecting device in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a process cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main body thereof.
Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, laser beam printer, LED printer, etc.) facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like.

The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a charging device, a developing device or a cleaning device and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, at least one of the charging device, the developing device, and the cleaning device and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally made into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, it means that at least the developing device and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally made into a cartridge so as to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body.

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a developer container for containing a developer for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member. And a residual developer having a stirring means for varying the drive for stirring the developer in the developer accommodating portion and a sensor means for detecting the remaining amount of the developer in the developer accommodating portion. In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method having a plurality of modes in which the printing speed varies depending on the type of a recording medium to be printed, the residual developer amount detecting device is a residual developer amount set in advance. The remaining amount of the developer is detected based on the amount detection threshold value and the detection value of the sensor means, and the developer remaining amount detection threshold value corresponds to each of the plurality of modes of the image forming apparatus. A plurality of the remaining developer A developer remaining amount detecting device in an image forming apparatus having a detection threshold value, wherein the developer remaining amount detecting device does not measure the developer remaining amount in the developer accommodating portion in any one of the plurality of modes. When the possible area is entered, the image forming apparatus is switched to another mode in which the remaining amount of developer in the developer accommodating portion can be measured, and the remaining developer amount detecting device is in the switched measurable mode. It is characterized in that the remaining amount of the developer in the developer accommodating portion is measured by the corresponding threshold value for detecting the remaining amount of the developer.

The invention described in claim 2 is the same as claim 1
In the invention described in (1), the developer remaining amount detecting device is an optical device that detects the remaining amount of the developer based on the time that the detection light emitted from the developer remaining amount detecting device passes through the inside of the developer accommodating portion. It is characterized in that the image forming apparatus measures the remaining amount of the developer in the developer accommodating portion during printing by using a transmission method.

The invention described in claim 3 is the same as claim 1
Alternatively, in the invention described in 2, the timing at which the image forming apparatus switches to another mode in which the remaining amount of the developer in the developer accommodating portion can be measured is after a plurality of output images of the image forming apparatus are output. It is characterized in that it is performed in the post-rotation step.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the first, second or third aspect, the developer remaining amount detection threshold value is a detection light emitted from the developer remaining amount detecting device. Is the light transmission time for passing through the inside of the developer accommodating container.

A fifth aspect of the present invention comprises at least the developer remaining amount detecting device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus. It is a cartridge.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including at least the developer remaining amount detecting device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

The invention according to claim 7 has a stirring means for stirring the developer in the developer accommodating portion, and a residual amount detecting means for detecting the residual amount of the developer in the developer accommodating portion. However, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image while stirring by the stirring means at least at a first stirring speed, a stirring control means for controlling the stirring speed of the stirring means and a remaining amount detecting operation by the remaining amount detecting means are provided. A remaining amount detecting control unit for controlling, and a remaining amount detecting unit for performing the remaining amount detecting operation by the remaining amount detecting unit in a state in which the stirring unit is stirred at the first stirring speed during execution of image formation. An amount detection mode, and a remaining amount detection operation by the remaining amount detection unit in a state where the stirring unit is caused to stir at a second stirring speed different from the first stirring speed during non-execution of image formation. 2 Must have a remaining amount detection mode And it features.

The invention described in claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7.
In the invention described in (1), the first printing speed corresponding to the first stirring speed or the second printing speed corresponding to the type of the recording medium is used.
An image can be formed at a second printing speed corresponding to the stirring speed of.

The invention described in claim 9 is the same as in claim 8
In the invention described in (3), when the image forming apparatus is performing image formation at a first printing speed, the remaining amount detecting means determines the remaining amount of the developer in the developer accommodating portion in the first remaining amount detecting mode. When entering a non-measurable area, the remaining amount detecting operation is performed in the second remaining amount detecting mode in the post-rotation step after a plurality of output images of the image forming apparatus are output.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the seventh, eighth or ninth aspect, the remaining amount detecting means includes a light emitting element provided in the developer accommodating portion and the light emitting element. A light receiving element for receiving the detection light emitted, and the light receiving element emits light emitted from the light emitting element in a stirring state by the stirring means and passing without being blocked by the developer in the developer accommodating portion. The residual amount of the developer is detected and the residual amount of the developer in the developer accommodating portion is measured based on the detection output of the light receiving element.

In other words, the structure according to the present invention has the stirring member 2
If the toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed by rotating the rotation speeds of 8a and 28b at 1/4 speed, only in the area Z where the remaining amount of the toner T in the toner container 25 cannot be detected. That is, the rotational speeds of the stirring members 28a and 28b are returned from the 1/4 speed to the normal speed, and the remaining amount of the toner T in the toner container 25 is read in the normal speed toner remaining amount detection sequence.

[0046]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Overall Configuration of Multicolor Image Forming Apparatus] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a multicolor image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a full-color laser beam printer which is one mode of the multicolor image forming apparatus. It is a figure. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a multicolor image forming apparatus. The multicolor image forming apparatus 100 includes four photosensitive drums 1 (1a, 1b, 1) arranged in a vertical direction.
c, 1d).

The photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven counterclockwise in the figure by a drive unit (not shown). Around the photosensitive drum 1, the charging rollers 2 (2a, 2a, 2a, 2a, 2a, 2a, 2a, 2a, 2a) for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 in order according to the rotation direction thereof.
b, 2c, 2d), a scanner unit 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) that irradiates a laser beam based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 1, toner on the electrostatic latent image. Developing device 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) for adhering toner to develop a toner image, electrostatic transfer device 5 for transferring the toner image on photoconductor drum 1 to transfer material S, photoconductor drum 1 after transfer. A cleaning device 6 (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for removing the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface is provided.

Here, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging device 2, the developing device 4, and the cleaning device 6 are integrally made into a cartridge to form a process cartridge 7. Hereinafter, the description will be made in order from the photosensitive drum. Photoconductor drum 1
Is formed by applying an organic photoconductor layer (OPC photoconductor) to the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 30 mm, for example. The photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably supported at its both ends by support members, and is driven to rotate counterclockwise by transmitting a driving force from a drive motor (not shown) to one end. It

The charging roller 2 may be of the contact charging type. The charging member is a conductive roller formed in the shape of a roller. The roller is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and a charging bias voltage is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Like that.

The scanner unit 3 is arranged in a substantially horizontal direction of the photosensitive drum 1, and a polygon mirror 9 in which image light corresponding to an image signal is rotated at a high speed by a scanner motor (not shown) by a laser diode (not shown).
(9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) is irradiated. The image light reflected by the polygon mirror 9 forms the image forming lens 10 (10a,
10b, 10c, 10d), the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1 is selectively exposed to form an electrostatic latent image.

Developing device 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d)
Is composed of a developing device in which toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are stored. An electrostatic transfer belt 11 is disposed so as to face all the photoconductor drums 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) and circulate so as to come into contact therewith. The electrostatic transfer belt 11 is 10 ¹¹ to 10 ¹⁴ Ω · c
It is composed of a film-like member having a thickness specific resistance of about 150 μm.

This electrostatic transfer belt 11 has a vertical direction of 4
The transfer material S is electrostatically adsorbed on the outer peripheral surface on the left side in the drawing by a roller supported by a shaft, and is circulated to bring the transfer material S into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 described above. As a result, the transfer material S is conveyed to the transfer position by the electrostatic transfer belt 11, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred.

Abutting on the inside of the electrostatic transfer belt 11,
The transfer roller 12 (12a, 12b, 12) is provided at a position facing the four photoconductor drums 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d).
c, 12d) are juxtaposed. A positive charge is applied to the transfer material S from the transfer roller 12 via the electrostatic transfer belt 11, and the electric field generated by the charge causes the photosensitive drum 1 to move.
The negative toner image on the photoconductor drum 1 is transferred to the sheet in contact with the sheet.

The electrostatic transfer belt 11 has a circumference of about 700 m.
and a driving roller 13,
The driven rollers 14a and 14b and the tension roller 15
It is stretched by a book roller and rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure. As a result, the above-mentioned electrostatic transfer belt 11 circulates and the transfer material S moves from the driven roller 14a side to the drive roller 1 side.
The toner image is transferred while being conveyed to the 3 side.

The paper feed section 16 feeds and conveys the transfer material S to the image forming section, and a plurality of transfer materials S are stored in the paper feed cassette 17. Paper feed roller 1 during image formation
8 (half-moon roller), the pair of registration rollers 19 are driven to rotate in accordance with the image forming operation, and the transfer material S in the paper feed cassette 17 is transferred.
While the sheet is separated and fed one by one, the leading end of the transfer material S abuts against the registration roller pair 19 and temporarily stops, and after forming a loop, the rotation of the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and the image writing position are synchronized, and the registration roller pair is synchronized. Paper is fed to the electrostatic transfer belt 11 by 19.

The fixing section 20 is for fixing the toner images of a plurality of colors transferred onto the transfer material S, and includes a rotating heating roller 21a and a pressurizing member for pressing the transfer material S with heat and pressure. And a roller 21b.

That is, the transfer material S onto which the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred is conveyed by the fixing roller pair 21 when passing through the fixing section 20, and is given heat and pressure by the fixing roller pair 21. . As a result, the toner images of a plurality of colors are fixed on the surface of the transfer material S.

In the image forming operation, the process cartridges 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) are sequentially driven at the print timing, and the photosensitive drums 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) are driven in response to the driving. ) Is rotated counterclockwise. Then, the scanner unit 3 corresponding to each process cartridge 7 is sequentially driven.
By this driving, the charging roller 2 applies a uniform charge to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the scanner unit 3 exposes the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 according to an image signal to expose the photosensitive drum 1 to light. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface. The developing roller in the developing device 4 transfers the toner to the low potential portion of the electrostatic latent image to form (develop) a toner image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

At the timing when the front end of the toner image on the peripheral surface of the most upstream photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally conveyed to the point where it opposes the electrostatic transfer belt 11, the print start position of the transfer material S is set at that point. The registration roller pair 19 starts rotating to feed the transfer material S to the electrostatic transfer belt 11 so that they coincide with each other.

The transfer material S is pressed against the outer circumference of the electrostatic transfer belt 11 so as to be sandwiched between the electrostatic transfer roller 22 and the electrostatic transfer belt 11, and the transfer material S is held between the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and the electrostatic transfer roller 22. By applying voltage between
Electric charges are induced in the transfer material S, which is a dielectric, and the dielectric layer of the electrostatic transfer belt 11, and the transfer material is electrostatically attracted to the outer periphery of the electrostatic transfer belt 11. As a result, the transfer material S is stably adsorbed by the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and conveyed to the most downstream transfer unit.

While being conveyed in this manner, the transfer material S sequentially transfers the toner images on the respective photosensitive drums 1 by the electric field formed between the respective photosensitive drums 1 and the transfer roller 12. The transfer material S to which the toner images of four colors have been transferred is curvature-separated from the electrostatic transfer belt 11 by the curvature of the belt driving roller 13, and is carried into the fixing unit 20. The transfer material S is heat-fixed with the toner image by the fixing unit 20, and then is discharged from the main body by the paper discharging roller pair 23 from the paper discharging unit 24 with the image surface facing down.

[Image Printing Speed of Image Forming Apparatus] In the multicolor image forming apparatus 100, the speed at which the transfer material S passes through the fixing device is changed depending on the transfer material S to be printed. The fixing unit 20 thermally fixes the toner image of the toner transferred onto the photosensitive drum 1 onto the recording medium. However, when the transfer material S is an OHT film or the like, the transfer material S is usually This is because the thickness of the plain paper is larger than that of plain paper, and a larger amount of heat is required to fix the toner image on the transfer material S. Therefore, the fixing unit 20
The toner image is thermally fixed to the thick transfer material S by increasing the temperature of the transfer material S or increasing the time for the transfer material S to pass through the fixing unit 20.

Furthermore, the multicolor image forming apparatus 100 is
The image forming apparatus is configured to directly transfer the toner image from the photosensitive drum 1 to the transfer material S without using an intermediate transfer body such as B (intermediate transfer belt) or ITD (intermediate transfer drum). In the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, when the transfer material S as described above changes the speed at which the transfer material S passes through the fixing section 20, the speed at which the transfer material S is fed must be changed accordingly. Along with this, it is necessary to change the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 1, and thus the speed of all the rotating members provided in the process cartridge 7.

Therefore, depending on the type of the transfer material S, the multicolor image forming apparatus 100 and the process cartridge 7 are provided with a plurality of modes of different process speeds (image printing speeds), and when the transfer material S is plain paper. Set the process speed to normal speed (hereinafter referred to as normal speed),
When the types of the transfer material S are different, the process speed corresponding to the fixing property of the transfer material S is set. Transfer material S
If the paper is thick paper, reduce the process speed of the multicolor image forming apparatus to 1/2 of the normal speed (hereinafter referred to as 1/2 speed),
Furthermore, when the transfer material S is glossy paper, it is 1/3 of the normal speed.
(Hereinafter referred to as 1/3 speed), in the case of OHT film,
It is set to 1/4 of the normal speed (hereinafter referred to as 1/4 speed).

[Frame Structure of Process Cartridge] FIG. 2
3 and FIG. 3 are configuration diagrams of the frame body of the process cartridge. As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 7 has a frame structure in which a cleaning unit 32 and a developing unit 33, which are separate bodies, are integrated. The cleaning unit 32 mainly comprises a C container 34, which is a frame body that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 1. The C container 34 includes, in addition to the photosensitive drum 1, the C container 34 with respect to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. C roller 35 for uniformly charging by
A cleaning blade 36 for collecting the waste toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after development is provided.

On the other hand, the frame structure of the developing unit 33 is composed of a toner container 25 for accommodating toner as a developer,
A developing container 38, which is a frame member that rotatably supports a developing roller 37 for developing the toner in the toner container 25 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, is coupled by ultrasonic welding or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning unit 33 and the developing unit 34 are connected by inserting parallel pins (not shown) at both ends, and the developing unit 33 is centered on this connecting portion 39. The cleaning unit 32 is swingably supported. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the developing unit 33 is biased by a pressure spring 40, so that the developing roller 37 is abutted against the photosensitive drum 1.

[Construction of Toner Container] FIGS. 4 and 5 are construction diagrams of the toner container. As shown in FIG. 4, the toner container 25 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an opening 41 for sending out the toner T stored in the toner container 25 to the outside of the toner container 25 is provided in the longitudinal front surface of the toner container 25. Has been. Further, a filling port 42 for filling the toner in the toner container 25 is provided on the longitudinal side surface of the toner container 25, and the toner T is filled from here.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the toner container 2
5, in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the toner container 25,
The first stirring member 28 a and the second stirring member 28 b are rotatably supported by the toner container 25 in order from the side closer to the opening 41.

Next, the structure of the agitating member 28 will be described. The first agitating member 28a and the second agitating member 28b are the bar members 28a1 and 28b1 which are flexible sheet members 2.
8a2 and 28b2 are attached, and by rotating the first stirring member 28a and the second stirring member 28b in the toner container 25, the sheet members 28a2 of the first stirring member 28a and the second stirring member 28b, 28b2 scrapes out the toner T accumulated on the bottom surface of the toner container 25. Then, the toner T is sent out of the toner container 25 through the opening 41, and then developed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 via the toner supply roller 29 and the developing roller 37.

[Light-transmissive Toner Remaining Amount Detecting Device] Next, a light-transmitting toner remaining amount detecting method will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the toner container 25 of the process cartridge 7 that stores the toner T is provided with a light transmission window 26a and a light transmission window 26b. Further, in the image forming apparatus main body 100, the light emitting element 30a and the light receiving element 3 are provided.
0b is arranged. As shown in FIG. 4, the detection light L emitted from the light emitting element 30a passes through the light guide 31a arranged along the length of the toner container 25 and enters the inside of the toner container 25 through the light transmission window 26a. .

The detection light L incident on the inside of the toner container 25 passes through the light transmission window 26b to the outside of the toner container 25. Detection light L that has passed to the outside of the toner container 25
Reaches the light receiving element 30b via a light guide 31b which is also arranged over the length of the toner container 25, and is stored in the toner container 25 depending on how long the detection light L is received by the light receiving element 30b. Toner T
It is configured to detect the remaining amount of.

The sheet member 2 of the first stirring member 28a
8a2 is a part of the longitudinal region of the light transmission window 26a,
It penetrates into the 26b by about 0.5 to 4 mm and also has a function of wiping off the toner adhering to the surfaces of the light transmitting windows 26a and 26b. With such a configuration, even if the toner covers the light transmission windows 26a and 26b, the surface of the light transmission windows 26a and 26b is cleaned by the sheet member 28a2, and the detection light L passes through the toner container 25. It becomes possible to do. When a large amount of the toner T is contained in the toner container 25, the sheet member 28a2 is covered by the light transmission window 26.
Even if the surfaces of a and 26b are cleaned, the toner is immediately covered,
Since the light transmission windows 26a and 26b are blocked, the detection light L passes through the toner container 25 for a short time.

However, when the toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed and the remaining amount becomes small, the sheet member 28a
2 has a longer interval until the toner T is covered again after cleaning the light transmission windows 26a and 26b, and accordingly, the detection light L passes through the toner container 25 for a longer time. In this way, the light transmission type remaining amount detecting device measures the remaining amount of the toner T in the toner container 25 by the change in the length of time that the detection light L passes through the toner container 25.

That is, when a large amount of toner T is contained in the toner container 25, the passage time of the detection light L is short,
On the contrary, when the toner T is consumed, the passage time of the detection light L becomes long. If the passage time of the detection light L when the toner T in the toner container 25 is exhausted is set as the threshold value Y in advance, the passage time of the detection light L passing through the toner container 25 is the threshold value. When Y is exceeded, the user can be notified that the toner T of the process cartridge 7 has run out.

Further, if a toner remaining amount detection sequence is made by relating the passage time of the detection light L passing through the toner container 25 and the remaining amount of the toner T in the toner container 25, the toner container of the detection light L is formed. Corresponding to the passage time in 25, the remaining amount of toner T in the toner container 25 can be sequentially detected to notify the user in real time, and the remaining amount of toner can be sequentially detected.

Further, as described above, the process speed of the multicolor image forming apparatus 100 and the process cartridge 7 is changed depending on the type of the transfer material S. Therefore, if the type of the transfer material S changes, naturally, the stirring members 28a, 28
The rotation speed of b will also change. Stirring members 28a, 2
When the rotation speed of 8b changes, the length of time that the detection light L of the light transmission type remaining amount detection device passes through the inside of the toner container 25 slightly changes.

This is because the fluidity of the toner T in the toner container 25 that is agitated changes depending on the rotation speed of the agitating members 28a and 28b. If the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b is high, a large amount of the toner T is agitated, and as a result, a large amount of air is mixed in the toner T and the toner T is agitated.
Liquidity is increased. On the contrary, when the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b is slow, less air is sent into the toner T, and as a result, the fluidity of the toner T becomes lower than when the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b is high.

Even if the same amount of toner T is present in the toner container 25, if the fluidity of the toner T is high, the stirring member 2
Even if the sheet member 28a2 of 8a wipes off the toner covering the surfaces of the light transmitting windows 26a and 26b, the toner T has a high fluidity, so that the toner T immediately receives the light transmitting windows 26a and 26b.
26b is covered, so that the detection light L is emitted from the toner container 25.
The time to pass through is short.

On the other hand, if the fluidity of the toner T is low, the sheet member 28a2 of the stirring member 28a will cause the light transmitting windows 26a and 26a.
The time from wiping off the toner covering the surface of b to the time when the toner T covers the light transmitting windows 26a and 26b again becomes relatively slower than when the toner T has high fluidity. It takes longer for the detection light L to pass through the toner container 25.

That is, even if the same amount of toner T remains in the toner container 25, if the rotation speeds of the stirring members 28a and 28b are different (= the fluidity of the toner T is different), the detection light L becomes the toner container. The time to pass through 25 changes.
Therefore, the light transmission type remaining amount detecting device is provided with a toner remaining amount detecting sequence corresponding to each process speed depending on the type of the transfer material S.

With such a configuration, the light receiving element 3
It is possible to sequentially detect the remaining amount of the toner T stored in the toner container 25 by changing the length of time that 0b receives the detection light L, and the process of the multicolor image forming apparatus 100. The remaining amount of the toner T in the toner container 25 can be notified to the user in real time according to the speed.

[Embodiment 1] FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining a toner remaining amount detecting sequence which is a characteristic part of the present invention. As described above, the developer remaining amount detecting device uses the process speeds (normal speed, 1/2 speed, 1/3 speed) of the multicolor image forming apparatus 100 and the process cartridge 7 which change depending on the type of the transfer material S. , 1/4 speed)
The remaining amount of the toner T in the toner container 25 is measured based on the remaining toner amount detection sequence corresponding to each of the above.

However, when the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b is slow, the detection light L passes through the toner container 25 for a long time, and as a result, the toner container 25
Before the toner T in the inside is exhausted, the detection light L is supplied to the toner container 2
The passage time for passing through the inside of 5 exceeds the threshold value.

FIG. 6 shows the toner consumption amount in the toner container,
6 is a graph showing the relationship with the passage time of the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detection device having passed through the toner container. When the toner consumption amount on the horizontal axis is 0%, the toner T is stored in the toner container 25.
Indicates an initial state in which a predetermined amount is filled, and 100% indicates that the toner T in the toner container 25 is completely consumed and disappears.

The passage time of the detection light L on the vertical axis shows the passage time of the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detecting device passing through the inside of the toner container 25, and in the state where a large amount of the toner T inside the toner container 25 exists. The detection light L passes through the toner container 25 for a short time (= short), but as the toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed and the toner T in the toner container 25 decreases, the detection light L becomes toner. The passage time for passing through the container 25 becomes long (= long).

The toner remaining amount detection sequence is basically set based on this graph. Graph A is a graph when the rotation speeds of the stirring members 28a and 28b are normal speed, while graph B is a graph when the rotation speeds of the stirring members 28a and 28b are 1/4 speed. 6 shows the relationship between the amount of toner consumed in the toner container 25 when T is consumed and the passage time of the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detection device passing through the toner container 25.

Here, comparing Graph A and Graph B, Graph A shows that the amount of toner T in the toner container 25 is about 75% from the initial amount, and the amount of toner remaining in the developer remaining amount detecting device is The detection light L starts to pass through the inside of the toner container 25, and a straight line rising to the right is shown up to a 100% area where the toner T is completely lost.

However, in the case of the graph B in which the rotation speeds of the stirring members 28a and 28b are rotated at 1/4 speed, the graph is shifted to the left side of the graph A as a whole, and the developer remaining amount detecting device is shown. The detection light L of the above-mentioned detection light L starts to pass through the toner container 25 earlier than the graph A, and further, the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detecting device passes through the inside of the toner container 25 before the consumption amount of the toner T reaches 100%. The passing time reaches the maximum value.

That is, when the toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed by rotating the rotating speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b at the 1/4 speed, the toner container 2 in the area Z on the graph.
The remaining amount of the toner T in 5 cannot be detected.

This means that the user is informed that the toner T has run out even though the toner T is still in the toner container 25 sufficiently. The accuracy is very problematic, and the user cannot know when to replace the process cartridge.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, if the toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed by rotating the stirring members 28a and 28b at the 1/4 speed,
Only in the area Z in which the remaining amount of the toner T cannot be detected, the rotation speeds of the stirring members 28a and 28b are returned from the 1/4 speed to the normal speed, and the toner container 25
The remaining amount of toner T therein is read in the normal speed toner remaining amount detection sequence.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow for switching the remaining toner amount detection sequence. First, when the toner remaining amount detection is started, it is determined whether the process speed is the 1/4 speed mode (S1), and if it is not the 1/4 speed mode, the toner remaining amount is detected in other modes (S2). 1 in S1
If it is in / 4 speed mode, next, area Z (measuring impossible area)
It is determined whether or not it is in (S3). If it is not in the area Z, the remaining toner amount detection is continued in the 1/4 speed mode (S4). If it is in the area Z, the process speed is switched from the 1/4 speed mode to the normal speed mode after image output. (S5). Next, the remaining toner amount is detected in the normal speed mode (S6). Next, the remaining toner amount obtained in the normal speed mode is displayed (S7). Finally, the mode is returned to the 1/4 speed mode and the image output is continued. 1 / each step of S5-S8
Repeat when 10 sheets have passed in 4-speed mode.

That is, the stirring members 28a, 28b from the beginning
The toner T in the toner container 25 is continuously consumed by rotating the rotation speed of 1 to 1/4, and the passage time for the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detecting device to pass through the toner container 25 reaches the maximum value. At this time (= when entering the area Z), the multicolor image forming apparatus 10
In the post-rotation process after 0 outputs an image, the stirring member 28
The rotation speeds of a and 28b are changed from 1/4 speed to normal speed, and at that time, the stirring member 2 that has been adapted so far.
The remaining amount of the toner T in the toner container 25 is measured by switching from the toner remaining amount detection sequence for the 1/4 speed rotation speed of 8a and 28b to the normal speed toner remaining amount detection sequence.

The operation of switching the process speed from the 1/4 speed to the normal speed is performed every 10 sheets when the image printing at the process speed of 1/4 speed continues.

Since the image output is impossible at the timing of changing the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b from the 1/4 speed to the normal speed, it is performed in the post-rotation step after the image forming apparatus main body outputs the image. Is desirable. Further, it takes some time to change the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b from the 1/4 speed to the normal speed. Therefore, the stirring member 28a,
The operation of changing the rotation speed of 28b from the 1/4 speed to the normal speed is not performed each time when the images are output at the 1/4 speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b of the image forming apparatus. When the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b of the forming apparatus is 1/4 speed and the operation of outputting an image continues for a long time, it may be set to perform every plural sheets (for example, every ten sheets). desirable.

By adapting such a sequence,
Even in the mode in which the rotation speed of the stirring member in the image forming apparatus is slow, the remaining toner amount in the toner container can be detected until the toner in the toner container is completely used up.

[Embodiment 2] Next, referring to FIG.
It will be described based on. As described above, the developer remaining amount detecting device uses the process speeds (normal speed, 1/2 speed, 1/3 speed) of the multicolor image forming apparatus 100 and the process cartridge 7 which change depending on the type of the transfer material S. , 1/4
The remaining amount of the toner T in the toner container 25 is measured based on the remaining toner amount detection sequence corresponding to each speed.

However, if the rotation speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b is slow, the detection light L passes through the toner container 25 for a long time, and as a result, before the toner T in the toner container 25 runs out, The passage time for the detection light L to pass through the toner container 25 exceeds the threshold value.

FIG. 6 shows the toner consumption amount in the toner container,
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship with the passage time of the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detection device having passed through the toner container. When the toner consumption amount on the horizontal axis is 0%, it is the initial state in which the toner T is packed in the toner container 25 by a predetermined amount, and is 100%.
At the time of, it means that the toner T in the toner container 25 is completely consumed and disappears.

The passage time of the detection light L on the vertical axis indicates the passage time of the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detecting device in the toner container 25, and in the state where a large amount of the toner T in the toner container 25 exists. The detection light L passes through the toner container 25 for a short time (= short), but as the toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed and the toner T in the toner container 25 decreases, the detection light L becomes toner. The passage time for passing through the container 25 becomes long (= long).

The toner remaining amount detection sequence is basically set based on this graph. Graph A is a graph when the rotation speeds of the stirring members 28a and 28b are normal speed, while graph B is a graph when the rotation speeds of the stirring members 28a and 28b are 1/4 speed. 6 shows the relationship between the amount of toner consumed in the toner container 25 when T is consumed and the passage time of the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detection device passing through the toner container 25.

Here, comparing Graph A and Graph B, Graph A shows that the amount of toner T in the toner container 25 is about 75% from the initial amount and the amount of the developer remaining amount detecting device is The detection light L starts to pass through the inside of the toner container 25, and a straight line rising to the right is shown up to a 100% area where the toner T is completely lost.

However, in the case of the graph B in which the rotation speeds of the stirring members 28a and 28b are rotated at 1/4 speed, the graph is shifted to the left side of the graph A as a whole, and the developer remaining amount detecting device is shown. The detection light L of the above-mentioned detection light L starts to pass through the toner container 25 earlier than the graph A, and further, the detection light L of the developer remaining amount detecting device passes through the inside of the toner container 25 before the consumption amount of the toner T reaches 100%. The passing time reaches the maximum value.

That is, when the toner T in the toner container 25 is consumed by rotating the rotating speed of the stirring members 28a and 28b at ¼ speed, the toner container 2 in the area Z on the graph.
The remaining amount of the toner T in 5 cannot be detected.

This means that the user is informed that the toner T has run out even though the toner T is still in the toner container 25 sufficiently. The accuracy is very problematic, and the user cannot know when to replace the process cartridge.

In order to solve this problem, therefore, the developer remaining amount detecting device does not have the toner remaining amount detecting sequence for the 1/4 speed process speed, and the stirring member 28 is used.
The toner container 2 is rotated by rotating the rotation speeds of a and 28b at 1/4 speed.
When the toner T in 5 is consumed, the stirring members 28a, 2
The rotation speed of 8b is returned from the 1/4 speed to the normal speed, and the remaining amount of the toner T in the toner container 25 is read in the normal speed toner remaining amount detection sequence.

In the post-rotation step after the multicolor image forming apparatus 100 outputs an image, the rotation speeds of the stirring members 28a and 28b are changed from 1/4 speed to normal speed. The remaining amount of the toner T in the toner container 25 is measured in the amount detection sequence.

The operation of switching the process speed from the 1/4 speed to the normal speed is performed every 10 sheets when the image printing at the process speed of 1/4 speed continues.

[0110]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if the rotation speed of the stirring member of the toner container changes due to the change in the process speed of the image forming apparatus, the remaining toner amount in the toner container can be detected accurately. It is possible to perform the operation well and until the toner in the toner container is used up.

Further, although a laser beam printer is illustrated as an image forming apparatus in the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine or a word processor. Of course, it is not necessary to limit to the process cartridge illustrated in the embodiment, and it is naturally possible to use it in an image forming apparatus of a conventional type that does not use the process cartridge system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a multicolor image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of a process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view showing a configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a light transmission type toner remaining amount detection.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the toner container.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a relationship between a toner consumption amount and a detection light passage time.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) Photosensitive drum 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) charging roller 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) Scanner unit 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) developing device 5 Electrostatic transfer device 6 (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) Cleaning device 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) process cartridge 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) polygon mirror 10 (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) Imaging lens 11 Electrostatic transfer unit 12 (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) Transfer roller 13 Drive roller 14a, 14b driven roller 15 Tension roller 16 paper feeder 17 Paper feed cassette 18 Paper feed roller 19 Registration roller pair 20 fixing unit 21 Fixing rotor pair 21a heating roller 21b Pressure roller 22 Electrostatic attraction roller 23 Paper ejection roller pair 24 Paper output section 25 toner container 26a, 26b Light transmission window 28a, 28b Stirring member 28a1, 28b1 bar members 28a2, 28b2 sheet member 28a3 slit 28a4 extension 29 Toner supply roller 30a light emitting element 30b light receiving element 31a, 31b Light guide 32 cleaning unit 33 Development unit 34 C container 35 C roller 36 cleaning blade 37 developing roller 38 developer container 39 joint 40 pressure spring 41 opening 42 Filling port, 100 multicolor image forming apparatus 101 rib 101a Auxiliary rib 102 Integrated light guide 102a light guide section 102b Light transmission window

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Jun Miyamoto             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation F-term (reference) 2H027 DA45 DD02 DE02 DE07 DE09                       EF09 FA37                 2H077 AB03 AD06 BA10 DA15 DA22                       DA42 DA64 DA93 DB10 DB14                       GA13

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member, and a drive for agitating the developer in the developer accommodating portion is variable. A plurality of modes in which the printing speed varies depending on the type of the recording medium to be printed, and a stirring means and a developer remaining amount detecting device having a sensor means for detecting the remaining amount of the developer in the developer containing portion. In the image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic method, the residual developer amount detecting device is configured to detect the residual amount of the developer based on a preset residual developer amount detecting threshold value and a detection value of the sensor means. The amount of the developer remaining in the image forming apparatus is detected, and the developer remaining amount detection threshold value has a plurality of developer remaining amount detection threshold values corresponding to the plurality of modes of the image forming apparatus. Quantity detection device In any one of the plurality of modes, when the developer remaining amount detection device enters a region in the developer accommodating portion where the developer remaining amount cannot be measured, the image forming device causes the developer accommodating The mode is switched to another mode in which the remaining amount of developer in the unit can be measured, and the remaining developer amount detection device stores the amount of developer in the developer accommodating unit at the developer remaining amount detection threshold value corresponding to the changed measurable mode. A developer remaining amount detecting device characterized by measuring the developer remaining amount. 2. The light amount transmitting device for detecting the remaining amount of the developer based on the time for which the detection light emitted from the remaining developer amount device passes through the inside of the developer container. 2. The developer remaining amount detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the image forming device measures the remaining amount of the developer in the developer containing portion during printing by using a method. 3. The timing at which the image forming apparatus switches to another mode in which the remaining amount of developer in the developer accommodating portion can be measured is the post-rotation after a plurality of output images of the image forming apparatus are output. The residual developer amount detecting device according to claim 1 or 2, which is performed in a process. 4. The developer remaining amount detection threshold value is a light transmission time during which detection light emitted from the developer remaining amount detection device passes through the inside of the developer accommodating container. 1. The residual developer amount detecting device according to 1, 2, or 3. 5. A process cartridge comprising at least the developer remaining amount detecting device according to claim 1, and being attachable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus. 6. An image forming apparatus comprising at least the residual developer amount detecting device according to claim 1. 7. An agitating means for agitating the developer in the developer accommodating portion, and a residual amount detecting means for detecting the residual amount of the developer in the developer accommodating portion, and at least the first agitating means by the agitating means. In an image forming apparatus that forms an image while stirring at a stirring speed of, a stirring control unit that controls a stirring speed of the stirring unit and a remaining amount detection control unit that controls a remaining amount detection operation by the remaining amount detection unit. A first remaining amount detection mode that causes the remaining amount detection unit to perform a remaining amount detection operation while the stirring unit is stirring at the first stirring speed during execution of image formation; A second speed different from the first stirring speed to the stirring means during execution.
And a second remaining amount detecting mode in which the remaining amount detecting unit performs the remaining amount detecting operation in a state of stirring at the stirring speed of. 8. An image can be formed at a first printing speed corresponding to the first stirring speed or a second printing speed corresponding to the second stirring speed depending on the type of recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: 9. When the image forming apparatus is performing image formation at a first printing speed, the remaining amount detecting means measures the remaining amount of developer in the developer containing portion in a first remaining amount detecting mode. 9. The remaining amount detecting operation is performed in a second remaining amount detecting mode in a post-rotation step after a plurality of output images of the image forming apparatus are output when the image enters the impossible area. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 10. The remaining amount detecting means includes a light emitting element provided in the developer accommodating portion and a light receiving element for receiving detection light emitted from the light emitting element. The light emitted from the light emitting element and passing through the developer in the developer accommodating portion without being blocked by the developer is detected by the light receiving element, and the remaining amount of the developer in the developer accommodating portion is detected based on the detection output of the light receiving element. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the image forming apparatus measures.