JP2012013763A - Image forming apparatus and cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine whether or not a cartridge is new with an inexpensive configuration.SOLUTION: A cartridge 100 stores developer, incorporates a conveying member for conveying the developer to a developer supply section 214, and has a detecting member 213 moved from the initial position to a retreat position in synchronization with the conveying member. The image forming apparatus is disposed right below the developer supply port 214 of the attached cartridge 100 and includes a developer hopper 101 for storing the developer supplied from the cartridge 100, a remaining quantity sensor 201 for detecting a remaining quantity of developer in the developer hopper 101, and driving means for driving the conveying member, with the cartridge 100 attached. With the cartridge 100 attached, the remaining quantity sensor 201 is disposed opposite the detecting member 213 located in the initial position. When the detecting member 213 is located in the initial position, the detecting member 213 outputs a signal different from that output when the detecting member 213 is not located in the initial position, regardless of the remaining quantity of developer.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a cartridge, and more particularly to a technique for determining whether or not a cartridge is new with a cheaper configuration.

  In recent years, a detachable cartridge is often used to supply developer to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In such an image forming apparatus, it is necessary to monitor the remaining amount of the developer in the cartridge and display that the cartridge should be replaced when the remaining amount of the developer is reduced or lost. Further, when an empty cartridge is installed, the developer cannot be replenished, so it is necessary to display that fact.

  Because of this need, an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip is attached to the cartridge, and the image forming apparatus refers to or rewrites the stored contents of the IC chip to determine whether the cartridge is new. Technology has been developed.

JP 2007-72123 A

However, when an IC chip is mounted on the cartridge, the cost of the cartridge is increased. In addition, when an IC chip is mounted, it is difficult to recycle or reuse the cartridge, and it must be discarded after being used once, which increases the environmental load.
In addition, a device for accessing the IC chip, such as providing a contact point on the image forming apparatus main body side, is required, which also increases the cost.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus and a cartridge that determine whether or not a cartridge is new with a cheaper configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a built-in conveying member that houses a developer and conveys the developer to a developer replenishing port, and interlocks with the conveying member from an initial position to a retracted position. An image forming apparatus in which a cartridge including a moving detection member is detachably mounted, and is disposed so as to be directly below a developer supply port of the cartridge in a state where the cartridge is mounted, and is supplied from the cartridge. A developer hopper for storing the developer, a remaining amount sensor for detecting the remaining amount of the developer in the developer hopper, and a driving unit for driving the conveying member in a state where the cartridge is mounted. The sensor is disposed at a position facing the detection member at the initial position when the cartridge is mounted. When the detection member is at the initial position, the detection member is at the initial position. And outputs the case with different signal.

In this way, since an IC chip is not required and the remaining amount sensor of the developer hopper is also used, it can be determined whether or not the cartridge is new with a cheaper configuration.
In this case, the remaining amount sensor is a piezoelectric sensor, and the pressure-sensitive surface is exposed both inside and outside the developer hopper. Inside the developer hopper, the pressure by the developer is detected, and the developer hopper On the outside, the cartridge may be disposed at a position where it is pressed more strongly than the developer by the detection member at the initial position and not pressed by the detection member at the retracted position.

The detection member is made of a material having a higher magnetic permeability than that of the developer, and the remaining amount sensor is a magnetic permeability sensor, and changes in the magnetic permeability due to the developer stored in the developer hopper and the cartridge are mounted. In this state, a change in the magnetic permeability depending on whether or not the detection member is in the initial position may be detected.
Further, the detection member is a reflecting mirror, and the remaining amount sensor is a reflective optical sensor including a light source and a photosensor, and reflects light reflected by the wall surface of the developer hopper that is opposed to the light source and serves as a half mirror. Regardless of whether or not the remaining amount of developer is detected based on the presence or absence, and whether or not the detection member is in the initial position based on the presence or absence of reflected light from the detection member via the wall surface that is a half mirror, any configuration is adopted. However, the same effect can be obtained.

  A cartridge according to the present invention is a cartridge that is mounted on an image forming apparatus and supplies developer to a developer hopper provided in the image forming apparatus, and is driven by the image forming apparatus to convey the developer to a developer supply port. And a detection member that moves from the initial position to the retracted position in conjunction with the conveyance member. When the detection member is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the detection member stores the amount of developer stored in the developer hopper. It is characterized in that it is close to the remaining amount sensor to be detected at the initial position and separated at the retracted position. In this way, it is possible to determine whether or not the cartridge is new without requiring an IC chip.

  In this case, the remaining amount sensor is a piezoelectric sensor in which the pressure-sensitive surface is exposed both inside and outside the developer hopper, and the detection member presses the remaining amount sensor more strongly than the developer at the initial position. May be. In general, the cartridge is fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus using a fixing tool in order to reliably maintain the mounted state. In consideration of such a configuration, the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric sensor can be reliably pressed by the detection member without adding a dedicated member.

  The remaining amount sensor may be a magnetic permeability sensor, and the detection member may be made of a material having a higher magnetic permeability than that of the developer. The remaining amount sensor may be a reflective optical device including a light source and a photosensor. The sensor, the developer hopper wall facing the light source is a half mirror, and the detection member is a reflecting mirror. You may reflect to a photo sensor through a mirror. Even if it does in this way, the same effect can be acquired.

  Also, a first gear disposed outside the rear end surface in the insertion direction when mounted on the image forming apparatus and driven to rotate in conjunction with the conveying member, and a detection member are attached, and the first gear is used. A second gear that is driven to rotate and moves the detection member from the initial position to the retracted position. After the detection member moves to the retracted position, the detection member is moved to the retracted position regardless of the rotation of the first gear. If the second gear lacks teeth that mesh with the first gear in a part of the circumference so as to stay, the detection member can be surely kept in the retracted position after the detection member is retracted from the initial value. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a used cartridge from being erroneously determined as a new cartridge.

  In addition, a pinion that is disposed outside the rear end surface in the insertion direction when mounted on the image forming apparatus and is rotationally driven in conjunction with the conveying member, and a detection member are attached, and the detection member is linearly moved by the pinion. And a rack on the side corresponding to the pinion so that the detection member remains at the retracted position regardless of the rotation of the pinion after the detection member moves to the retracted position. Some of the teeth may lack teeth that mesh with the pinion. Even if it does in this way, a detection member can be made to stay in a retracted position reliably.

1 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where the toner cartridge 100 is mounted on the image forming unit 120. FIG. FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a rear end of the toner cartridge, in which FIG. 9A illustrates a state in which the detection member 213 is in an initial position, and FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating an output of the remaining amount sensor 201 after a new toner cartridge 100 is mounted. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of supplying toner to a toner hopper 101. FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a rear end of a toner cartridge according to a modified example of the invention, in which FIG. 9A illustrates a state in which the detection member 213 is in an initial position, and FIG. . 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a remaining amount sensor 201 using a permeability sensor, where FIG. 3A illustrates an appearance of the permeability sensor, and FIG. The structure for is shown. FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a case where a reflection type optical sensor is used as the remaining amount sensor 201, where FIG. 5A illustrates a case where the remaining amount of toner in the toner hopper 101 is insufficient, and FIG. When the amount is sufficient, and (c) shows the case where the detection member 213 is in the initial position.

Embodiments of an image forming apparatus and a cartridge according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[1] Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 110, an image forming unit 120, and a paper feeding unit 140.

The image reading unit 110 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 111, and conveys and reads the documents placed on the document table 112 one by one to generate image data.
The image forming unit 120 includes imaging units 121Y to 121K and forms toner images of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), respectively. Specifically, the imaging units 121Y to 121K include photoconductive drums 122Y to 122K, charging devices 123Y to 123K, and developing devices 124Y to 124K, respectively. All of the imaging units 121Y to 121K are detachably attached to the image forming unit 120.

  The imaging units 121Y to 121K form the toner images by performing the following processing while rotating the photosensitive drums 122Y to 122K under the control of the control unit 125, respectively. That is, first, the outer peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums 122Y to 122K are uniformly charged using the charging devices 123Y to 123K. The exposure device 126 also exposes the outer peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums 122Y to 122K to form an electrostatic latent image under the control of the control unit 125.

  The developing devices 124Y to 124K form toner images by supplying toner to the electrostatic latent images formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums 122Y to 122K, respectively. The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 122Y to 122K are electrostatically transferred (primary transfer) onto the endless intermediate transfer belt 127. The intermediate transfer belt 127 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A by the driving roller 128, and the YMCK toner images are sequentially primary-transferred so as to overlap each other. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed.

The paper feed unit 140 includes a plurality of paper cartridges 141 and stores recording sheets S, respectively. The recording sheets S are conveyed one by one by a pickup roller (not shown), and are guided between the intermediate transfer belt 127 and the secondary transfer roller pair 130 by a timing roller 129 at an appropriate timing.
A potential difference is provided between the pair of secondary transfer rollers, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 127 is electrostatically transferred (secondary transfer) onto the recording sheet S. The recording sheet S carrying the toner image is heated and pressed by the fixing device 131 to fuse the toner image, and then is discharged onto a paper discharge tray.

Now, the developing devices 124Y to 124K provided in the imaging units 121Y to 121K respectively store YMCK toners. In the present embodiment, a developing device that is larger than the developing devices 124Y to 124C that store other YMC color toners is used as the developing device 124K that stores K toner that is frequently used.
In addition, the bottomed cylindrical and long toner cartridges 100Y to 100K are detachably attached to the image forming unit 120, and YMCK color toners are respectively supplied to the developing units 124Y to 124K via the toner hoppers 101Y to 101K. Replenish. If any of the toner cartridges 100Y to 100K becomes empty as a result of repeated toner replenishment, the empty toner cartridge is removed, and a toner cartridge containing the same color toner is newly installed.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the toner cartridge 100 is mounted on the image forming unit 120. As shown in FIG. 2, the toner cartridge 100 is attached to the image forming unit 120 by being pushed in the arrow B direction with the toner supply port 214 facing downward. The toner cartridge 100 includes a spiral conveyance member 210 for conveying toner contained therein, and the conveyance member 210 is rotationally driven by a drive source 200 provided in the image forming unit 120. As a result, the toner in the toner cartridge 100 is conveyed to the toner replenishing port 214 and dropped into the toner hopper 101 and replenished.

  At the rear end of the toner cartridge 100 in the arrow B direction, a gear 211 having the same rotation axis as that of the conveying member 210 is disposed. A gear 212 that meshes with the gear 211 and has a rotation shaft at the rear end is also disposed at the rear end, and a detection member 213 is attached to the gear 212. Therefore, the detection member 213 moves according to the rotation of the gears 211 and 212 and the transport member 210. The toner cartridge 100 shown in FIG. 2 is new (unused), and the detection member 213 is in the initial position.

  The toner hopper 101 includes a remaining amount sensor 201 for detecting the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner hopper 101. The remaining amount sensor 201 uses a piezoelectric element. When a sufficient amount of toner is stored in the toner hopper 101, the toner presses the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element, and a sufficient amount of toner is stored. When the toner is not stored, the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element is not pressed, and the remaining amount of toner can be detected by comparing the signal output from the piezoelectric element with the reference signal.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the remaining amount sensor 201 not only exposes the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element to the inside of the toner hopper 101 but also exposes the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element to the outside of the toner hopper 101. Yes. When the toner cartridge 100 is new, the detection member 213 comes to a position facing the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element (hereinafter referred to as “initial position”). In this state, when the toner cartridge 100 is pushed in the direction of arrow B by a fastener (not shown) and fixed to the image forming unit 120, the detection member 213 presses the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element.

  The size of the detection member 213 is designed so that the force with which the detection member 213 in the initial position presses the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element is greater than the force with which the toner presses the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element. By referring to the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 (piezoelectric element), it is possible to detect not only the remaining amount of toner but also whether or not the detection member 213 is in the initial position. When the toner in the toner cartridge 100 is transported to the toner supply port by the transport member 210, the detection member 213 moves from the initial position to another position (hereinafter referred to as “retracted position”) as the gear 212 rotates. .

  3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the rear end of the toner cartridge, in which FIG. 3A illustrates a state where the detection member 213 is in the initial position, and FIG. 3B illustrates a state where the detection member 213 is in the retracted position. As shown in FIG. 3A, when the detection member 213 is in the initial position, the gears 211 and 212 are engaged with each other, and when the gear 211 rotates in the arrow C direction, the gear 212 is driven in the arrow D direction. It is in a rotating state.

  On the other hand, when the gear 212 rotates and the detection member 213 moves to the retracted position, a part of the gear 212 is notched and does not mesh with the gear 211. For this reason, after the detection member 213 has moved to the retracted position, even if the gear 211 rotates in the direction of arrow C in conjunction with the rotation of the conveying member 210, the gear 212 does not rotate and the detection member 213 is in the retracted position. Continue to stay. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 100 is new, the detection member 213 presses the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element of the remaining amount sensor 201, so that it can be detected that the toner cartridge 100 is new.

  On the other hand, after the toner is replenished from the toner cartridge 100 to the toner hopper 101, the detection member 213 leaves the initial position and does not press the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element, so that it can be detected that the toner cartridge 100 is not new. . Further, after the detection member 213 reaches the retracted position, the gear 212 is not driven to rotate, so that the detection member 213 remains at the retracted position. Accordingly, once the detection member 213 leaves the initial position, the detection member 213 never returns to the initial position, so that there is no possibility that the toner cartridge 100 that is not new is erroneously detected as new.

[2] Operation of Control Unit 125 Next, the operation of the control unit 125 will be described.
The control unit 125 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1, and as part of that, monitors the remaining amount of toner in the toner hopper 101 and determines whether the toner cartridge 100 is new. FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 after the new toner cartridge 100 is mounted. As shown in FIG. 4, when the toner cartridge 100 is mounted, the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element is pressed against the detection member 213, so that the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 is the highest A level.

  As a result, as soon as it is detected that a new toner cartridge 100 has been installed, toner is replenished from the toner cartridge 100 to the toner hopper 101, the detection member 213 leaves the initial position, and the toner hopper 101 remains in the toner hopper 101. Since the toner amount increases and the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element is pressed, the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 transitions to the B level.

  Thereafter, by executing image formation, the toner in the toner hopper 101 is consumed, and when the remaining amount of toner decreases, the toner does not press the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element, so the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 transitions to the C level. . Note that FIG. 4 is merely an example, and the output voltage of the remaining amount sensor 201 at the A to C levels can be changed by design. Therefore, it is not always necessary to have an equal interval, and a potential difference that can clearly distinguish the three levels. If there is.

  When the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 transitions to the C level, it is detected that the remaining amount of toner is low, so the conveying member 210 of the toner cartridge 100 is immediately driven to rotate, and the toner in the toner cartridge 100 is replenished with toner. It is conveyed to the opening 214 and dropped into the toner hopper 101 and replenished. As a result, when the remaining amount of toner in the toner hopper 101 increases and the toner again presses the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element, the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 returns to the B level.

Thereafter, the same operation is repeated until a new toner cartridge 100 is mounted next time.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of supplying toner to the toner hopper 101. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 125 refers to the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 (S501), and replenishes toner from the toner cartridge 100 if the output is A level (S503). As a result, the conveying member 210 of the toner cartridge 100 is driven to rotate, so that the detection member 213 is expected to leave the initial position.

  Then, the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 is referred again (S504). If the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 is still at the A level (S505: YES), some troubles such as a failure of the drive source 200 and the remaining amount sensor 201 that rotationally drive the conveying member 210, damage to the toner cartridge 100, and the like have occurred. Therefore, the controller 125 passes an error using the operation panel or the like (S509).

  When the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 is not at the A level as a result of replenishing toner, the remaining amount counter is cleared (S506). The remaining amount counter is a counter for measuring the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 100, and is cleared to the initial value when a new toner cartridge 100 is mounted. Also, the toner cartridge empty is canceled (S507). The toner cartridge empty is a flag for notifying the user of the image forming apparatus 1 that the toner cartridge 100 is empty and needs to be replaced, and is released when a new toner cartridge 100 is installed.

  Then, the toner is replenished from the toner cartridge 100 into the toner hopper 101 by rotating the conveying member 100 of the toner cartridge 100 in order to release the detection member 213 from the initial position, so the remaining amount counter is updated. (S508). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S501, and the monitoring of the remaining amount of toner in the toner hopper 101 is continued. Even when the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 is not at the A level (S502: NO) and is at the B level (S510: YES), the process proceeds to step S501 and the monitoring of the remaining amount of toner in the toner hopper 101 is continued.

  When the output of the remaining amount sensor 201 is not B level (S510: NO), it is C level and the toner seating amount in the toner hopper 101 is considered insufficient. (S511), the remaining amount counter is updated accordingly (S512). As a result of updating the remaining amount counter, if the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 100 falls below the threshold T (S513: YES), the toner cartridge empty is set (S514), and the user of the image forming apparatus 1 is notified. It is notified that the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 100 is no longer sufficient and it is time to replace the toner cartridge 100 with a new one.

When the remaining amount counter is equal to or greater than the threshold T (S513: NO), after setting the toner cartridge empty, the process proceeds to step S501 and the monitoring of the remaining amount of toner in the toner hopper 101 is continued.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element of the remaining amount sensor 201 provided in the toner hopper 101 is pressed at the initial position and the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 100, the toner cartridge 100 is detached from the initial position. Since the detection member 213 that stops pressing the pressure-sensitive surface of the piezoelectric element and stops moving after reaching the retracted position is provided in the toner cartridge 100, data is read from and written to the IC chip and the IC chip. It is possible to detect whether or not the toner cartridge 100 is new by using the remaining amount sensor 201 of the toner hopper 101 without using a circuit for performing the above operation.

[3] Modifications As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following modifications can be implemented. .
(1) In the above embodiment, the case where the detection member 213 is attached to the gear 212 having the notch to indicate whether or not the toner cartridge 100 is new is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, other configurations may be used instead.

6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the rear end of the toner cartridge according to the present modification. FIG. 6A illustrates a state where the detection member 213 is in the initial position, and FIG. 6B illustrates a state where the detection member 213 is in the retracted position. Indicates. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are given when there are members in common with FIG. 3. The description of the common members is simplified to avoid redundant description.
As shown in FIG. 6, a gear 211 that rotates in the direction of arrow C in conjunction with the transport member 210 is attached to the rear end of the cartridge 100 according to this modification. The gear 211 meshes with the rack 601, and when the gear 211 rotates in the direction of arrow C, it is guided to the guide members 602 and 603 and moves in the direction of arrow E along the rear end surface of the cartridge 100.

  Further, the tooth portion of the rack 601 provided so as to mesh with the gear 211 is provided only on the front end side in the arrow E direction of the rack 601. For this reason, when the rack 601 moves in the direction of arrow E, the rack 601 and the gear 211 do not mesh with each other, and the rack 601 no longer moves in the direction of arrow E. By such a mechanism, the detection member 213 is pressed against the remaining amount sensor 201 of the toner hopper 101 at the initial position, and after the detection member 213 reaches the retracted position, the detection member 213 can remain at the retracted position. it can.

(2) In the above embodiment, the case where a piezoelectric element is used for the remaining amount sensor 201 of the toner hopper 101 has been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto. Also good.
For example, a permeability sensor may be used for the remaining amount sensor 201 and the detection member 213 may be a magnetic body. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the remaining amount sensor 201 using the magnetic permeability sensor. FIG. 7A shows the appearance of the magnetic permeability sensor, and FIG. 7B shows the presence / absence of the detection member 213 and the remaining amount of toner. The structure for determining the number is shown. As shown in FIG. 7A, the magnetic permeability sensor 701 is provided on the wall surface facing the detection member 213 of the toner hopper 101, and is composed of a coil wound along the wall surface. 703 is generated. For the detection member 213, it is desirable to use a magnetic material having a magnetic permeability different from that of the developer, such as ferrite, permalloy, or electromagnetic soft iron.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, when a rectangular wave signal having a predetermined period is input from the pulse generator 711, the magnetic permeability sensor 701 outputs a rectangular wave signal having a period corresponding to the surrounding magnetic permeability. . In this modification, the permeability of the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 100 is different from that of the detection member 213. Therefore, when the detection member 213 is in the initial position, the detection member 213 is detached from the initial position, and the toner The rectangular wave signal output from the magnetic permeability sensor 701 depends on three cases: the remaining amount is sufficient, and the detection member 213 is detached from the initial position and the remaining amount of toner is insufficient. The period changes.

  The pulse counter 712 counts the rising edges of the rectangular wave signal output from the magnetic permeability sensor 701 and inputs the count result to the comparator 713. That is, since the number of rising edges of the rectangular wave signal per unit time varies depending on the period of the rectangular wave signal, the peripheral condition of the magnetic permeability sensor 701 can be estimated by counting the number of rising edges. The comparator 713 compares the count result of the pulse counter 712 with a predetermined value, and outputs a result of determining whether or not the detection member 213 is at the initial position and the amount of remaining toner.

  Further, an optical sensor may be used as the remaining amount sensor 201. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a case where a reflective optical sensor is used as the remaining amount sensor 201. FIG. 8A illustrates a case where the remaining amount of toner in the toner hopper 101 is insufficient, and FIG. (C) shows a case where the detection member 213 is in the initial position.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the remaining amount sensor 201 according to this modification includes a light source 801, a photo sensor 802, and a half mirror 803. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the remaining amount of toner in the toner hopper 101 is insufficient, the light emitted from the light source 801 enters the half mirror 803 without being blocked. Part of the incident light to the half mirror 803 is transmitted through the half mirror 803, and the rest is reflected and enters the photosensor 802. The photosensor 802 photoelectrically converts incident light and generates a voltage corresponding to the amount of incident light.

On the other hand, when the remaining amount of toner in the toner hopper 101 is sufficient, the light emitted from the light source 801 is blocked by the toner 804 as shown in FIG. Can not.
Further, in this modification, when the detection member 213 is a mirror and the detection member 213 is at an initial position facing the half mirror 803, as shown in FIG. Of the emitted light, light that has passed through the half mirror 803 is also reflected by the detection member 213, passes through the half mirror 803, and enters the photosensor 802. Therefore, when the detection member 213 is in the initial position, the amount of light incident on the photosensor 802 increases, so the output voltage of the photosensor 802 increases.

  In this way, the output voltage of the photosensor 802 differs depending on whether the detection member 213 is in the initial position and whether the remaining amount of toner in the toner hopper 101 is sufficient, so that the toner cartridge 100 is new. It can be determined at low cost.

  The image forming apparatus and the cartridge according to the present invention are useful as an apparatus for determining whether or not a cartridge is new with a cheaper configuration.

1 ……………… Image forming apparatus 100 ………… Toner cartridge 101 ………… Toner hopper 120 ……………… Image forming section 121 ………… Imaging unit 122 ………… Photosensitive drum 124... Development device 125... Control unit 200... Drive source 201. ............ Detection member 214 ............ Toner replenishment port 601 ............ Racks 602 and 603... Guide member 701. ......... Counter 713 ......... Comparator 801 ......... Light source 802 ... …… Photo sensor 803 ......... Half mirror

Claims (10)

An image forming unit that detachably mounts a cartridge having a detection member that houses a developer and that conveys the developer to a developer supply port and moves from the initial position to the retracted position in conjunction with the conveyance member. A device,
A developer hopper that is disposed immediately below the developer replenishing port of the cartridge in a state where the cartridge is mounted, and stores the developer replenished from the cartridge;
A remaining amount sensor for detecting the remaining amount of developer in the developer hopper;
Drive means for driving the conveying member in a state where the cartridge is mounted,
The remaining amount sensor is
With the cartridge mounted, it is disposed at a position facing the detection member at the initial position,
An image forming apparatus that outputs a signal different from that when the detection member is not in the initial position when the detection member is in the initial position. The remaining amount sensor is a piezoelectric sensor,
The pressure sensitive surface is exposed both inside and outside the developer hopper,
Inside the developer hopper, the pressing by the developer is detected,
Outside the developer hopper, the cartridge is mounted at a position that is pressed stronger than the developer by the detection member at the initial position and is not pressed by the detection member at the retracted position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The detection member is made of a material with higher permeability than the developer,
The remaining amount sensor is a magnetic permeability sensor,
Change in permeability due to developer stored in developer hopper,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a change in magnetic permeability depending on whether or not the detection member is in an initial position is detected in a state where the cartridge is mounted. The detection member is a reflector,
The remaining amount sensor is a reflective optical sensor including a light source and a photosensor,
The remaining amount of developer is detected by the presence or absence of reflected light from the wall of the developer hopper that is opposed to the light source and is a half mirror,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the detection member is in an initial position is detected based on presence or absence of reflected light from the detection member via a wall surface serving as a half mirror. A cartridge that is mounted on an image forming apparatus and supplies developer to a developer hopper provided in the image forming apparatus,
A conveying member driven by the image forming apparatus to convey the developer to the developer supply port;
A detection member that moves from the initial position to the retracted position in conjunction with the conveying member, and
In a state where the image forming apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the detection member detects the amount of developer stored in the developer hopper with respect to the remaining amount sensor.
A cartridge that is close to the initial position and spaced apart at the retracted position. The remaining amount sensor is a piezoelectric sensor in which the pressure sensitive surface is exposed both inside and outside the developer hopper,
The cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the detection member presses the remaining amount sensor stronger than the developer when in the initial position. The remaining amount sensor is a magnetic permeability sensor,
The cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the detection member is made of a material having a magnetic permeability higher than that of the developer. The remaining amount sensor is a reflective optical sensor including a light source and a photosensor,
The developer hopper wall facing the light source is a half mirror,
The detection member is a reflecting mirror,
6. The cartridge according to claim 5, wherein in the initial position, the light emitted from the light source of the remaining amount sensor is reflected to the photosensor through a half mirror. A first gear disposed outside the rear end surface in the insertion direction when mounted on the image forming apparatus and driven to rotate in conjunction with the conveying member;
A detection member is attached, is driven to rotate by a first gear, and includes a second gear that moves the detection member from the initial position to the retracted position,
After the detection member moves to the retracted position, the second gear lacks teeth that mesh with the first gear in a part of the circumference so that the detection member remains in the retracted position regardless of the rotation of the first gear. The cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the cartridge is a cartridge. A pinion disposed outside the rear end surface in the insertion direction when mounted on the image forming apparatus and driven to rotate in conjunction with the conveying member;
A detection member attached, a rack that moves linearly by a pinion and moves the detection member from an initial position to a retracted position, and
After the detection member moves to the retracted position, the rack lacks teeth that mesh with the pinion at a part on the side corresponding to the pinion so that the detection member remains in the retracted position regardless of the rotation of the pinion. The cartridge according to claim 5.

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