JP2014106357A - Image forming apparatus and method of detecting amount of developer stored - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus configured to accurately detect the amount of developer stored in a developer storage part, on the basis of vibration generated in the developer storage part, and a method of detecting the amount of developer stored.SOLUTION: The method of detecting the amount of developer stored includes: detecting vibration of a developer storage part when a sheet conveyance part provided in an image forming apparatus is driven (step S3); extracting a frequency component value of vibration of the developer storage part (step S4-S5); and detecting the amount of developer stored in the developer storage part, according to the frequency component value (step S6).

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of detecting an amount of developer accommodated in a developer accommodating portion according to vibration of the developer accommodating portion, and a detection method thereof.

  The magnitude of the vibration generated in the waste toner storage unit mounted on the image forming apparatus changes according to the amount of toner stored in the waste toner storage unit. Specifically, the vibration generated in the waste toner container becomes larger as the amount of toner in the waste toner container is smaller, and becomes smaller as the amount of toner in the waste toner container is larger. Conventionally, a technique for detecting the acceleration of vibration of the waste toner container and detecting the amount of toner in the waste toner container based on the acceleration is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Here, as a method for detecting the amount of toner in the waste toner storage unit based on the acceleration, for example, in the waste toner storage unit according to a peak value of acceleration of vibration of the waste toner storage unit that occurs during operation of the image forming apparatus. It is conceivable to detect the amount of toner.

JP 2009-251329 A

However, if the amount of toner in the waste toner container is detected according to the peak value of the acceleration, the remaining amount of toner may not be accurately detected due to vibration generated during the operation of the image forming apparatus depending on the detection timing. There is.
An object of the present invention is to detect an amount of developer accommodated in a developer accommodating portion with high accuracy based on vibration generated in the developer accommodating portion, and detection of the developer accommodating amount. It is to provide a method.

The present invention is an image forming apparatus including a developer container, a vibration detection unit, and a storage amount detection unit. A developer is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion. The vibration detecting means detects vibration of the developer accommodating portion. The developer is stored in the developer container according to a value of a frequency component of vibration detected by the vibration detector during driving of a driving unit provided in the image forming apparatus. Detect the amount of storage.
In addition, the present invention can be understood as a method for detecting a developer storage amount in an image forming apparatus including a developer storage unit that stores a developer. In the method for detecting the developer accommodating amount, vibration of the developer accommodating portion is detected during driving of a driving unit provided in the image forming apparatus, and according to the value of the frequency component of the vibration of the developer accommodating portion. An amount of the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion is detected.

  According to the present invention, the amount of developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion can be detected with high accuracy based on the vibration generated in the developer accommodating portion.

1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a waste toner storage unit. The flowchart for demonstrating an example of the procedure of the accommodation amount detection process. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a detection result of a frequency component value for each toner amount. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of an average value of frequency component values for each toner amount. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of toner amount correspondence information. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a detection result of a frequency component value for each toner amount.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not.

<Schematic configuration of MFP 10>
First, a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The multifunction machine 10 is merely an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, and the like also correspond to the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunction machine 10 includes an image reading unit 1, an operation display unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feed cassette 4, a control unit 5, and a vibration detection unit 6. . An automatic document feeder (ADF) that automatically conveys a document is mounted on the upper part of the image reading unit 1, but illustration and description thereof are omitted in this embodiment.

The image reading unit 1 is an image reading unit including an optical system such as a lens and a mirror and an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a contact image sensor (CIS). The image reading unit 1 executes image reading processing for reading image data from a document placed on the contact glass 11 or a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder.
The operation display unit 2 displays a variety of information in accordance with a control instruction from the control unit 5 and inputs an operation signal to the control unit 5 in response to a user's touch operation on the display unit. A touch panel including an operation unit and the like.

The image forming unit 3 performs an image forming process (printing process) based on image data read by the image reading unit 1 or image data input from an information processing apparatus such as an external personal computer. This is an image forming unit of the type.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum 31, a charging device 32, an exposure device (LSU) 33, a developing device 34, a transfer roller 35, a cleaning device 36, a fixing roller 37, A pressure roller 38 and a waste toner container 39 are provided.
On the other hand, each of the paper feed cassettes 4 stores a plurality of sheets, and the sheets stored in each of the paper feed cassettes 4 are discharged through the image forming unit 3 by a sheet transport unit 41 having a plurality of transport rollers. It is conveyed to the paper tray 43. The paper transport unit 41 includes a drive unit 42 (corresponding to a drive unit) including one or a plurality of drive motors that drive the transport rollers. Each of the transport rollers of the paper transport unit 41 is rotationally driven by a driving force transmitted from the drive unit 42 via a transmission system such as a gear. At this time, in the multifunction machine 10, vibrations occur in the components such as the waste toner container 39 by driving the drive unit 42.

  In the image forming unit 3, an image forming process is executed on the paper supplied from the paper feed cassette 4 according to the following procedure. First, the photosensitive drum 31 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charging device 32. Next, the exposure device 33 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 with light based on image data. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31 is developed (visualized) as a toner image by the developing device 34. The developing device 34 is supplied with toner (developer) from a toner container 34 </ b> A that can be attached to and detached from the image forming unit 3. Subsequently, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred onto a sheet by the transfer roller 35. Thereafter, the toner image transferred to the sheet is heated and fixed by the fixing roller 37 when the sheet passes between the fixing roller 37 and the pressure roller 38.

On the other hand, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 after the image forming process by the image forming unit 3 is removed by the cleaning device 36. The toner removed by the cleaning device 36 is discharged as waste toner and stored in the waste toner container 39 (an example of a waste developer container).
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the waste toner storage unit 39. As shown in FIG. 3, the waste toner storage unit 39 has an upper end 39 </ b> A provided with a toner inlet by one end of a housing 30 that supports each component provided in the image forming unit 3. It is suspended. Thus, the waste toner container 39 is supported by the housing 30 so as to be swingable. Of course, the support structure of the waste toner container 39 is not limited to this.
The vibration detection unit 6 is provided on the upper surface of the waste toner storage unit 39. The vibration detection unit 6 is a vibration detection unit that detects vibration of the waste toner storage unit 39. Specifically, the vibration detection unit 6 includes an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration of vibration generated in the waste toner storage unit 39, and inputs a detection result (voltage level) by the acceleration sensor to the control unit 5. To do. The acceleration sensor is a well-known sensor that detects acceleration by various methods such as a capacitance type or an optical type, and therefore, description thereof is omitted here.

  The control unit 5 includes a control device such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM, and is a computer that controls the operation of the multifunction device 10. Specifically, the control unit 5 executes various control programs stored in advance in the ROM by the CPU, thereby executing a copy process, a scan process, a print process, a facsimile process, and the like in the multifunction machine 10. Let The RAM is a volatile storage unit, and the EEPROM is a non-volatile storage unit, and is used as a temporary storage memory or an image memory for various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 5 may be configured by an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC, DSP).

In particular, the control unit 5 detects a toner amount stored in the waste toner storage unit 39 based on a detection result by the vibration detection unit 6 in accordance with a storage amount detection program stored in advance in the ROM. A detection process (see FIG. 4) is executed. The said control part 5 when performing the said accommodation amount detection process corresponds to an accommodation amount detection means here.
The storage capacity detection program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or flash memory, and may be installed from the recording medium into a storage unit such as the EEPROM of the control unit 5. . Further, the present invention may be regarded as a storage capacity detection program for causing the control unit 5 to execute each processing procedure of the storage capacity detection process, or a computer-readable recording medium on which the storage capacity detection program is recorded. . Furthermore, the present invention may be understood as an invention of a developer accommodation amount detection method for executing each processing procedure of the accommodation amount detection processing in the multifunction machine 10.

<Capacity detection process>
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of the procedure of the accommodation amount detection process executed by the control unit 5 will be described. A processing procedure (step) of the accommodation amount detection process executed by the control unit 5 is referred to as steps S1, S2,. In this embodiment, the case where the amount of toner in the waste toner storage unit 39 is detected by the storage amount detection process will be described as an example. For example, the amount of toner stored in the toner container 34A is detected. It is also possible. In this case, the vibration detection unit 6 is provided in the toner container 34A.

[Step S1]
First, in step S <b> 1, the control unit 5 determines whether there is a print request in the multifunction machine 10. Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the print request has been made (Yes side of S1), the process proceeds to step S2, and until the print request is made (No side of S1), The process waits at step S1. The accommodation amount detection process may be executed every time the image forming process in the multifunction machine 10 is executed a predetermined number of times. Further, the accommodation amount detection process may be executed every elapse of a predetermined period set during execution of continuous printing of a plurality of sheets.

[Step S2]
In step S2, the control unit 5 waits for the start of driving of the paper transport unit 41 (No side of S2). When the control unit 5 determines that the driving of the paper transport unit 41 is started (Yes side of S2), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S3. For example, after the printing request is made, the control unit 5 conveys the sheet at a timing when the fixing roller 37 reaches a predetermined fixing temperature and the image forming unit 3 can execute an image forming process. The conveyance of the part 41 is started.

[Step S3]
Next, in step S <b> 3, the control unit 5 performs the vibration detection unit for one second (an example of a detection time) at a specific timing set in advance while the driving unit 42 of the paper transport unit 41 is being driven. 6 detects the vibration of the waste toner container 39. That is, the control unit 5 causes the vibration detection unit 6 to move the waste toner storage unit 39 while the drive unit 42 of the paper transport unit 41 is driven and vibration is transmitted to the waste toner storage unit 39. Detect vibration. The vibration detection time of the waste toner container 39 by the vibration detector 6 is not limited to 1 second.
Here, the specific timing is a point in time when a preset start time has elapsed from the start of driving of the drive unit 42 of the paper transport unit 41. The start-up time is a time set in advance in order to detect the vibration of the waste toner container 39 by excluding the sudden vibration that occurs suddenly at the start of the image forming process in the multifunction machine 10. For example, it is a time for removing the drive start timing or drive stop timing of the drive unit 42 of the paper transport unit 41.
It should be noted that not only the driving unit 42 of the paper transport unit 41 but also the detection of the vibration of the waste toner storage unit 39 during the driving of other driving means that generates vibration during driving in the multifunction machine 10 is another implementation. Considered as a form. In another embodiment, the multifunction machine 10 may further include a vibration device that applies vibration to the waste toner container 39.

[Step S4]
In step S <b> 4, the control unit 5 performs frequency analysis on the acceleration detection result (voltage level) of the waste toner storage unit 39 detected by the vibration detection unit 6, whereby the waste toner storage unit 39. Extracts the value of the frequency component of acceleration. Here, an example will be described in which the control unit 5 divides the detection result of one second by the vibration detection unit 6 into eight parts in time and performs frequency analysis on each of the divided detection data. Hereinafter, the result of frequency analysis of each detection data is referred to as analysis data.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the analysis data. FIGS. 5A and 5B show a toner amount of 0%, FIG. 5C shows a toner amount of 50%, and FIG. An example of the analysis data when the toner amount is 100% is shown. FIG. 5A shows the analysis data extracted from the detection result detected by the vibration detection unit 6 while the driving unit 42 of the paper transport unit 41 is stopped. On the other hand, FIGS. 5B to 5D show the analysis data extracted from the detection result detected by the vibration detection unit 6 while the drive unit 42 of the paper transport unit 41 is being driven. .

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the driving unit 42 of the paper transport unit 41 is stopped and the amount of toner in the waste toner storage unit 39 is 0% (the waste toner storage unit 39 is empty). ), The vibration of the waste toner container 39 is small and the fluctuation of the amplitude due to the frequency band is also small.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the drive unit 42 is being driven and the amount of toner in the waste toner storage unit 39 is 0%, the vibration of the waste toner storage unit 39 causes the paper to vibrate. This is larger than when the conveyance unit 41 is stopped (FIG. 5A). In particular, the value of the frequency component in the specific range R1 (range of 50 Hz or more and 600 Hz or less) included in the vibration of the waste toner storage unit 39 is larger than that when the paper transport unit 41 is stopped (FIG. 5A). . The specific range R1 varies depending on the model of the multifunction machine 10 and the like.
As shown in FIG. 5C, when the drive unit 42 is being driven and the amount of toner in the waste toner storage unit 39 is 50%, the amplitude of the frequency band of the specific range R1 is This is smaller than when the toner amount is 0% (FIG. 5B).
Further, as shown in FIG. 5D, when the drive unit 42 is being driven and the amount of toner in the waste toner container 39 is 100%, the amplitude of the frequency band of the specific range R1 is Compared to the case where the toner amount is 50% (FIG. 5C), it becomes smaller.

[Step S5]
Subsequently, in step S5, the control unit 5 calculates an average value of the frequency components in the specific range R1 included in the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit 6 for one second. Specifically, the control unit 5 divides the detection result of one second by the vibration detection unit 6 into eight pieces of analysis data, and calculates an average value of frequency components in the specific range R1 for each of the analysis data. Furthermore, the control unit 5 calculates a combined average value of the average values calculated for each of the analysis data. In the present embodiment, the specific range R1 is set in advance in a range where the frequency of vibration is 50 Hz or more and 600 Hz or less (see FIG. 5).
FIG. 6 shows an example of the average value and the combined average value of the analysis data calculated for each toner amount in the waste toner storage unit 39. As shown in FIG. 6, the average value of each analysis data calculated for each toner amount in the waste toner container 39 varies depending on the detection timing corresponding to each analysis data. Therefore, in the multifunction device 10, the control unit 5 eliminates the variation due to the detection timing by calculating the combined average value.
On the other hand, in the multifunction device 10, toner amount correspondence information indicating the relationship between the total average value and the toner amount in the waste toner storage unit 39 is stored in advance in the storage unit such as the ROM or the EEPROM of the control unit 5. It is remembered. FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of the toner amount correspondence information. As shown in FIG. 7, in the toner amount correspondence information, the larger the summed average value, the smaller the toner amount in the waste toner containing portion 39, and the smaller the summed average value, the toner in the waste toner containing portion 39. A large amount of relationship is defined.
In the present embodiment, the combined average value obtained by averaging the average values of the analysis data is used. However, according to the total value of the frequency components of the specific range R1 in the analysis data, The amount of toner in the toner container 39 may be detected.

[Step S6]
In step S6, the control unit 5 determines the toner stored in the waste toner storage unit 39 according to the total average value calculated in step S5 and the toner amount correspondence information (see FIG. 7). Detect the amount of storage. In the present embodiment, the case where the amount of toner contained in the waste toner container 39 is detected as a percentage (%) of the amount that can be stored in the waste toner container 39 has been described as an example. The amount of toner stored in the toner storage unit 39 may be detected by mass.
The control unit 5 stores the amount of toner stored in the waste toner storage unit 39 detected by the storage amount detection process in the EEPROM of the control unit 5. Then, for example, when the storage amount reaches a preset saturation amount, the control unit 5 displays a message to that effect on the operation display unit 2 to remove the toner in the waste toner storage unit 39. Prompt. Further, when the toner amount detected in the accommodation amount detection process is the toner amount contained in the toner container 34A, the control unit 5 has reached the preset lower limit amount. In such a case, the fact is displayed on the operation display unit 2 to prompt the user to replace the toner container 34A or supply the toner.

  As described above, in the multifunction machine 10, the control unit 5 has the frequency component of the specific range R <b> 1 included in the vibration of the waste toner container 39 detected by the vibration detection unit 6 for one second. The amount of toner is detected in accordance with the total average value. Therefore, according to the MFP 10, the accuracy of detecting the toner amount in the waste toner container 39 caused by the sudden change of the vibration is utilized while utilizing the vibration generated while the paper transport unit 41 is driven. Is suppressed.

<Other embodiments>
By the way, it is conceivable that the specific range R <b> 1 whose amplitude greatly varies according to the amount of toner in the waste toner container 39 is a common range regardless of the configuration of the multifunction machine 10. However, since the appropriate range of the specific range R1 varies depending on the configuration of the multifunction device 10, the specific range R1 is preferably a range set in advance for each model of the multifunction device 10.
Further, it is conceivable that the specific range R <b> 1 changes depending on the usage environment of the multifunction machine 10 or the age-related use of the multifunction machine 10. Therefore, it is conceivable as another embodiment that the control unit 5 automatically sets the specific range R1 appropriate for the multifunction machine 10.
For example, the control unit 5 causes the vibration detection unit 6 to use the waste toner while the drive unit 42 of the paper transport unit 41 is being driven in a state where the amount of toner in the waste toner storage unit 39 is 0% or close thereto. The vibration of the accommodating part 39 is detected. The control unit 5 may set the frequency component range in which the amplitude of the frequency component in the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit 6 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value as the specific range R1. For example, the control unit 5 sums up the frequency components of the vibration for each calculation range of 50 Hz, and sets a range including each of the calculation ranges whose total value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value set as the specific range R1. To do. The specific range R1 does not have to be a continuous range, and may include a plurality of intermittent frequency bands.
In addition, the control unit 5 may detect the vibration detection unit while the drive unit 42 of the paper transport unit 41 is stopped and driven while the amount of toner in the waste toner storage unit 39 is 0% or close thereto. It is also conceivable to detect the vibration of the waste toner container 39 at 6. In this case, the control unit 5 causes the amplitude of the frequency component in the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit 6 to fluctuate by a predetermined value or more between the stop and the drive of the drive unit 42. It is conceivable to set the range of frequency components to be performed as the specific range R1. For example, the control unit 5 sums up the frequency components of the vibration for each calculation range of 50 Hz, and sets the range including each of the calculation ranges in which the total value fluctuates by a predetermined value or more as the specific range R1. To do.

As another example of the accommodation amount detection process (see FIG. 4) executed by the control unit 5, the waste toner according to a peak value in a specific frequency band included in the vibration of the waste toner storage unit 39. It is conceivable to detect the amount of toner in the container 39.
For example, when the drive motor of the drive unit 42 rotates at a constant speed, the value of a specific frequency band included in the vibration of the waste toner storage unit 39 during the drive of the drive unit 42 is set in the waste toner storage unit 39. It fluctuates greatly according to the amount of toner.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the amount of toner in the waste toner container 39 and the value of the specific frequency band. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the fluctuation of the peak value of 300 Hz to 400 Hz (specific frequency band) is large due to the difference in the amount of toner in the waste toner container 39. In this case, by setting a correspondence relationship between the peak value of the frequency component of 300 Hz to 400 Hz and the toner amount in the waste toner storage unit 39 in advance, the control unit 5 responds to the correspondence relationship and the peak value. Thus, the amount of toner in the waste toner container 39 can be detected.
Specifically, the control unit 5 extracts a peak value of the specific frequency band in the step S5 of the accommodation amount detection process, and in the step S6, the control unit 5 extracts the peak value of the specific frequency band according to the peak value of the specific frequency band. The amount of toner contained in the waste toner container 39 is detected. As a result, even when vibration with sudden fluctuation occurs in the value of the frequency component different from the specific frequency band during the operation of the multi-function device 10, the multi-function device 10 responds to the peak value of the specific frequency band. Thus, the amount of toner in the waste toner container 39 can be detected with high accuracy.
The specific frequency band in which the peak value of the amplitude greatly varies depending on the amount of toner in the waste toner container 39 is the configuration of the multifunction device 10, the usage environment of the multifunction device 10, or the multifunction device 10. It is conceivable that it will change depending on the use over time. Therefore, it is conceivable as another embodiment that the control unit 5 automatically sets the specific frequency band appropriate for the multifunction machine 10.
For example, the control unit 5 detects vibrations in the vibration detection unit 6 while the paper conveying unit 41 is stopped and driven while the amount of toner in the waste toner storage unit 39 is at or near 0%. . Then, the control unit 5 selects the frequency component (frequency band) that fluctuates the most between the stop and the driving of the paper transport unit 41 among the frequency components in the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit 6. Setting as a specific frequency band can be considered.

Further, the control unit 5 may detect the amount of toner in the waste toner storage unit 39 according to the average value or total value of the frequency components in the specific range R1 and the peak value of the specific frequency band. It can be considered as an embodiment.
For example, the control unit 5 individually uses the average value or the total value of the frequency components in the specific range R1 and the peak value of the specific frequency component included in the vibration, and individually uses the toner in the waste toner storage unit 39. Detect the amount. Then, the control unit 5 compares the detection result of the toner amount in the waste toner storage unit 39, and if the difference is equal to or less than a preset allowable amount, the control unit 5 sets the detection result set in advance. Either one of the values is determined as a normal detection result. On the other hand, if the difference exceeds the allowable value, the detection result of the toner amount may be incorrect. Therefore, the control unit 5 discards the detection result and informs the operation display unit 2 accordingly. To inform. As a result, the detection error is detected as compared with the case where the toner amount in the waste toner container 39 is detected by either the average value or the total value of the frequency components in the specific range R1 and the peak value of the specific frequency component. Can be suppressed.
In addition, the control unit 5 usually detects the amount of toner in the waste toner storage unit 39 according to the peak value of the specific frequency component, and the peak value of the specific frequency component becomes the previous detection value. In comparison, it may be determined that a detection error has occurred when the value fluctuates by a predetermined value or more.

1: Image reading unit 2: Operation display unit 3: Image forming unit 31: Photosensitive drum 32: Charging device 33: Exposure device 34: Development device 35: Transfer roller 36: Cleaning device 37: Fixing roller 38: Pressure roller 39 : Waste toner storage unit 4: Paper feed cassette 41: Paper transport unit 42: Drive unit 43: Paper discharge tray 5: Control unit 6: Vibration detection unit (an example of vibration detection means)
10: MFP (an example of an image forming apparatus)
S1, S2, ...: Processing procedure (step) number

Claims (8)

A developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer;
Vibration detecting means for detecting vibration of the developer containing portion;
The developer contained in the developer container according to the value of the frequency component of the vibration of the developer container detected by the vibration detector during driving of the drive unit provided in the image forming apparatus. A capacity detection means for detecting the capacity;
An image forming apparatus.   The development amount is detected according to an average value or a total value of frequency components in a specific range included in the vibration of the developer storage unit detected by the vibration detection unit during a preset detection time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage amount of the agent is detected.   The said accommodation amount detection means detects the accommodation amount of the said developer according to the peak value of the specific frequency band contained in the vibration of the said developer accommodation part detected by the said vibration detection means. Image forming apparatus.   An average value or total value of frequency components in a specific range included in the vibration of the developer container detected by the vibration detector during the preset detection time and the vibration detector 4. The developer storage amount can be detected in accordance with a peak value in a specific frequency band included in the vibration of the developer storage portion detected by the operation of claim 1. Image forming apparatus.   The image according to claim 1, wherein the developer accommodating portion is a waste developer accommodating portion that accommodates a waste developer discharged from an image forming unit that forms an image using the developer. Forming equipment.   The amount of developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion according to the vibration detected by the vibration detecting means at a specific timing set in advance while the drive means is driven by the accommodation amount detecting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus detects an image. The driving means drives a paper conveying member for conveying paper;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the specific timing is a timing after elapse of a preset start time from the start of driving of the sheet conveying unit. A method for detecting a developer storage amount in an image forming apparatus provided with a developer storage portion in which a developer is stored,
While the driving unit provided in the image forming apparatus is driven, vibration of the developer accommodating portion is detected, and is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion according to the value of the frequency component of the vibration of the developer accommodating portion. A method for detecting a developer capacity, wherein the developer capacity is detected.

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