JP2014153453A - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of changing replacement timing of a waste toner recovery container according to a use state.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: a waste toner recovery container that accommodates a recovered toner; full detection means for detecting that the waste toner recovery container is nearly full with the recovered toner; use state storage means for storing use information based on a use state of the image forming apparatus; and recovery toner amount estimation means for estimating the amount of the recovered toner on the basis of the use information. The recovery toner amount estimation means estimates the amount of the recovered toner on the basis of the use information at the time when the full detection means detects the full state, and determines the usable amount of the waste toner recovery container.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program.

There is known a toner full detection device that counts the number of copies after detection of the collected toner fullness and prohibits a copy operation when a predetermined number of copies is counted (Patent Document 1).
The larger the total number of image formations at the time when the collected toner full detection means is detected, the greater the number of images that can be formed after that point until the image formation operation is disabled. A residual toner recovery container full detection control device is also known in which the smaller the number of sheets, the smaller the number of images that can be formed until the image forming operation is disabled after that time (Patent Document 2).

No. 03-022766 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-338979

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a program capable of suppressing overflow of waste toner due to collection of a waste toner collection container.

In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A waste toner collecting container for storing the collected toner;
Toner amount detecting means for detecting a predetermined amount of the stored toner;
Use state storage means for storing use information based on the use state of the image forming apparatus;
A collected toner amount estimating means for estimating a collected amount of the collected toner based on the usage information;
Estimating the collected amount of the collected toner based on the usage information at the time when the toner amount detecting means detects a predetermined amount, and determining the usable amount of the waste toner collecting container;
It is characterized by that.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
The usage information based on the usage state of the image forming apparatus is a cumulative value of the number of pixels on which an image is formed from when the waste toner collecting container is mounted on the image forming apparatus to when the full detection unit detects fullness. Including a cumulative value of the supply time of the supplied toner, a cumulative value of the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum, or a cumulative value of the number of printed sheets.
It is characterized by that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect,
The waste toner collection container includes a first storage unit for storing the recovered toner;
A second storage unit that is disposed at an end portion on one end side of the first storage unit and that stores toner conveyed from the first storage unit;
A conveying member that is disposed inside the first accommodating portion and rotates to convey the toner accommodated in the first accommodating portion toward the second accommodating portion.
It is characterized by that.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a program according to claim 4 is provided:
A function of detecting a predetermined amount of toner stored in a waste toner collecting container;
A function for storing usage information based on the usage state of the image forming apparatus;
A function of estimating the amount of toner collected based on the use information and determining the usable amount of the waste toner collection container;
To execute,
It is characterized by that.

  According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the overflow of waste toner due to excessive collection of the waste toner collection container can be suppressed as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. FIG. 3A is a perspective view with a viewpoint on the upper surface side of the waste toner collection container 70, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a waste toner collecting unit. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the collected toner weight stored in the waste toner collecting container 70 and the image area ratio with respect to the moving area of the photosensitive drum 31 when near-full is detected. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation flow of a waste toner collecting unit of the image forming apparatus 1.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings with reference to embodiments and specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and specific examples.
Also, in the description using the following drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratio of each dimension and the like are different from the actual ones, and are necessary for the description for easy understanding. Illustrations other than the members are omitted as appropriate.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction.

(1) Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
Hereinafter, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control device 10, a paper feeding device 20, a photosensitive unit 30, a developing device 40, a transfer device 50, and a fixing device 60. On the upper surface (Z direction) of the image forming apparatus 1, a discharge tray 1a for discharging and storing a sheet on which an image is recorded is formed.

The control device 10 includes a controller 11 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, an image processing unit 12 that is controlled by the controller 11, a power supply device 13, and the like. The power supply device 13 applies a voltage to a charging roller 32, a developing roller 42, a primary transfer roller 52, a secondary transfer roller 53, and the like which will be described later.
The image processing unit 12 converts print information input from an external information transmission apparatus (for example, a personal computer) into image information for forming a latent image, and outputs a drive signal to the exposure apparatus LH at a preset timing. To do. The exposure apparatus LH of the present embodiment is configured by an LED head in which LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged in a line.

  A paper feeding device 20 is provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet feeding device 20 includes a sheet stacking plate 21, and a plurality of sheets P as recording media are stacked on the upper surface of the sheet stacking plate 21. The paper P loaded on the paper stacking plate 21 and whose position in the width direction is determined by a regulating plate (not shown) is pulled out one by one from the top by the paper pulling unit 22 (−X direction), and then registered. It is conveyed to the nip portion of the pair 23.

  The photoconductor unit 30 includes a photoconductor drum 31 that is provided in parallel above the paper feeding device 20 (in the Z direction) and serves as an image carrier that is rotationally driven. A charging roller 32, an exposure device LH, a developing device 40, a primary transfer roller 52, and a cleaning blade 34 are arranged along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 31. A cleaning roller 33 for cleaning the surface of the charging roller 32 is disposed opposite to and in contact with the charging roller 32.

The developing device 40 includes a developing housing 41 in which a developer is accommodated. In the developing housing 41, a developing roller 42 disposed to face the photosensitive drum 31, and a pair of augers 44 that stir and convey the developer to the developing roller 42 side obliquely below the back side of the developing roller 42, 45 is arranged. A layer regulating member 46 that regulates the layer thickness of the developer is disposed in proximity to the developing roller 42.
Each of the developing devices 40 is configured in substantially the same manner except for the developer contained in the developing housing 41, and each forms a toner image of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). To do.

  The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 31 is charged by the charging roller 32, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by the latent image forming light emitted from the exposure device LH. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is developed as a toner image by the developing roller 42.

  The transfer device 50 includes an intermediate transfer belt 51 to which each color toner image formed on the photoconductive drum 31 of each photoconductor unit 30 is transferred, and each color toner image formed on each photoconductor unit 30 to the intermediate transfer belt. A primary transfer roller 52 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) to 51 is provided. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a secondary transfer roller 53 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) each color toner image superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 onto a sheet P as a recording medium.

Each color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 of each photosensitive unit 30 is sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 by the primary transfer roller 52 to which a predetermined transfer voltage is applied from the power supply device 13 or the like controlled by the controller 11. Electrostatic transfer (primary transfer) is performed to form a superimposed toner image in which toners of respective colors are superimposed.
The superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is conveyed to a region (secondary transfer portion T) where the secondary transfer roller 53 is disposed as the intermediate transfer belt 51 moves. When the superimposed toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit T, the paper P is supplied from the paper feeding device 20 to the secondary transfer unit T in accordance with the timing. A predetermined transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 53 from the power supply device 13 or the like controlled by the controller 11, and the intermediate transfer belt 51 is fed to the sheet P fed from the registration roller pair 23 and guided by the conveyance guide. The upper multiple toner images are collectively transferred.

  Residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is removed by the cleaning blade 34 and collected in the waste developer container. The surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is recharged by the charging roller 32. Residues that cannot be completely removed by the cleaning blade 34 and adhere to the charging roller 32 are captured and accumulated on the surface of the cleaning roller 33 that rotates in contact with the charging roller 32.

The fixing device 60 includes an endless fixing belt 61 that rotates in one direction, and a pressure roller 62 that contacts the peripheral surface of the fixing belt 61 and rotates in one direction. A nip portion N (fixing region) is formed by the pressure contact region.
The sheet P on which the toner image is transferred in the transfer device 50 is conveyed to the fixing device 60 via the conveyance guide in a state where the toner image is not fixed. The toner image is fixed on the sheet P conveyed to the fixing device 60 by a pair of fixing belt 61 and pressure roller 62 by the action of pressure bonding and heating.
The sheet P on which the fixed toner image is formed is guided by the conveyance guides 65 a and 65 b and is discharged from the discharge roller pair 69 to the discharge tray 1 a on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1.

(2) Configuration and Operation of Waste Toner Collection Unit FIG. 2A is a perspective view with a viewpoint on the upper surface side of the waste toner collection container 70 constituting the waste toner collection unit of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the waste toner collecting container 70. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the waste toner collecting unit.
The configuration of the waste toner collection container and the operation of the waste toner collection unit will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the image forming apparatus 1, after the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred to the paper P, the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is removed by the cleaning blade 34, and the removed residual toner is waste toner. As a waste toner collecting container 70 in the image forming apparatus 1.
Further, after the toner image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 51 to the paper P, residual toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 51 is also removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner, and waste toner in the image forming apparatus 1 is removed. It is collected in the collection container 70.

Furthermore, in order to omit the replacement work of the deteriorated developer (used developer) in the developing device 40 using the two-component developer composed of toner and carrier, a new two-component developer is replenished simultaneously with the replenishment of the toner. On the other hand, a developing method (hereinafter referred to as trickle development) in which the deteriorated developer is discharged may be used. When such a trickle developing method is employed, the deteriorated developer discharged from the developing device 40 for each color is also collected in the waste toner collecting container 70.
Therefore, in the following description, the waste toner collected from the photosensitive drum 31 and the intermediate transfer belt 51 and the deteriorated developer discharged from the developing device 40 are referred to as waste toner.

(2.1) Configuration of Waste Toner Collection Container As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the waste toner collection container 70 is engaged with a collection housing 71 that stores discharged waste toner and a collection housing 71. And a recovery cover 72 that defines a storage chamber.

  A transport auger 73 that transports waste toner is rotatably supported by the collection housing 71. As shown in the figure, the transport auger 73 has a rotating shaft, and a coil portion 73a for transporting waste toner in the rotating shaft direction while rotating waste toner is formed in a certain range except for the tip portion.

The recovery cover 72 is formed with an inflow port through which discharged waste toner flows, and a shutter 74 is provided at the inflow port so as to be openable and closable. A detection window 75 made of a hollow transparent protrusion is provided at the tip of the recovery cover 72.
As will be described later, the detection window 75 is disposed on the optical axis of the detection sensor 76 as a full detection means composed of a photosensor having a light emitting portion 76a on one side and a light receiving portion 76b on the other side. Then, the presence or absence of waste toner that has been transported by the transport auger 73 and sequentially stacked on one end of the collection housing 71 and stored is detected.

(2.2) Functional Configuration of Waste Toner Collection Unit As shown in FIG. 3, the waste toner collection unit is provided on the waste toner collection container 70 for storing the waste toner to be discharged and the upper part of the waste toner collection container 70. The detection window 75 is disposed between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and includes a detection sensor 76.
The control device 10 acquires a signal from the detection sensor 76 and determines whether or not the detection window 75 is in a light shielding state, and a usage state storage that stores a usage state of the image forming apparatus 1. Unit 102, a collected toner amount estimation unit 103 for estimating the amount of collected waste toner, and a used amount after detection of a state where the waste toner collection container 70 is approaching a full state (hereinafter referred to as near full) is stored. And a usage counter unit 104.

The controller 11 includes a combination of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, and executes a control program stored in the memory so that the light shielding / transmission determining unit 101 is used. The state storage unit 102, the collected toner amount estimation unit 103, and the usage amount counter unit 104 are controlled.
Then, the remaining usable amount of the waste toner collection container 70 is calculated to display that the waste toner collection container 70 is almost full (hereinafter referred to as near full) or full.

  The light shielding / transmission determining unit 101 acquires an output signal of the detection sensor 76 to determine whether the detection window 75 is shielded from light. When the light receiving unit 76b receives light, the waste toner collection container 70 is full. If the light receiving unit 76b does not receive light, it is determined that waste toner exists in the detection window 75 and the waste toner collection container 70 is full of waste toner.

The use state storage unit 102 stores a use history of the image forming apparatus 1 that starts measurement from when the waste toner collecting container 70 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and is reset when the waste toner collecting container 70 is replaced. 11 RAM.
Specifically, the cumulative value of the number of pixels on which an image is formed for each color, the cumulative value of the supply time of toner supplied to the developing device 40 for each color, and the photosensitive drum 31 for each color. The accumulated value of the rotation number and the accumulated value of the number of printed sheets for each color are stored in the RAM as a use history.

The collected toner amount estimation unit 103 refers to a preset estimated collected toner weight based on the use history stored in the use state storage unit 102 when the light shielding / transmission determination unit 101 detects near fullness. The amount of collected toner is estimated.
As will be described later, the collected toner weight stored in the waste toner collecting container 70 when near-full is detected differs depending on the use history of the image forming apparatus 1 and is stored in the use state storage unit 102. The recovered toner amount is estimated based on the history.

  The usage counter unit 104 starts measuring the number of printed sheets from the time when the light shielding / transmission determining unit 101 detects near fullness, and is reset when the waste toner collection container 70 is replaced.

(2.3) Estimation of Collected Toner Amount FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the collected toner weight stored in the waste toner collecting container 70 at the time when near full is detected and the image area ratio with respect to the moving area of the photosensitive drum 31. FIG.

  The collected toner weight stored in the waste toner collecting container 70 when near-full is detected has a relationship shown in FIG. 4 with the image area ratio with respect to the moving area of the photosensitive drum 31. That is, in a region where the image area ratio is low (for example, in the range of 1.00% to 4.00% in the figure), the collected toner weight increases in proportion to the image area ratio.

In the waste toner collecting container 70, a transport auger 73 for transporting waste toner is rotatably supported by a recovery housing 71. The transport auger 73 rotates at a constant speed and collects waste toner at the tip of the collection housing 71 with a coil portion 73a. It is stored while being loaded to the side.
Since the amount of waste toner discharged into the collection housing 71 differs depending on the usage history of the image forming apparatus 1, the accumulated state of the waste toner conveyed and loaded in the collection housing 71 differs, and the detection window The amount of waste toner that enters into 75 changes.
That is, when the amount of waste toner discharged into the collection housing 71 is small, the discharged waste toner is easily transported by the coil portion 73a of the transport auger 73 and is stacked on the detection window 75 and shielded from light. It is presumed that space remains on the waste toner intrusion side of the collection housing 71 (the coil portion 73a side of the transport auger 73).

The image area ratio with respect to the moving area of the photosensitive drum 31 is calculated by multiplying the rotational distance of the photosensitive drum 31 by the axial length to calculate the moving area of the photosensitive drum 31, and the accumulated image pixels printed during that time are photosensitive. The average image area ratio is obtained by dividing by the moving area of the body drum 31.
Therefore, unlike the image area ratio on the print, it is a concept including a moving area due to the idling of the photosensitive drum 31 in the use state.

  The waste toner collection container 70 is filled with the collected waste toner, and the collected waste toner overflows from the waste toner collection container 70, or the rotational driving torque of the transport auger 73 increases to drive motor (not shown). ) Is stepped out or the recovered toner weight is determined by the capacity of the waste toner recovery container 70 and is the same.

  Therefore, the weight of the collected toner stored in the waste toner collecting container 70 at the time when the near full is detected differs depending on the usage history of the image forming apparatus 1, for example, the image area ratio with respect to the moving area of the photosensitive drum 31, and the near full After the detection, the number of prints that can be continuously used before the waste toner collecting container 70 is replaced is different.

(2.4) Operation of Waste Toner Collection Unit The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment calculates an average image area ratio when near-full is detected, and based on the calculated average image area ratio, The number of prints that can be used continuously before the waste toner collecting container 70 is replaced is determined.
Hereinafter, the operation flow of the waste toner collecting unit of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The light shielding / transmission determining unit 101 acquires a signal from the detection sensor 76 and determines whether or not the detection window 75 is in a light shielding state (S101). As a result, when it is determined that the near full state is determined (S101: Yes), the controller 11 displays a near full state on the display unit of the image forming apparatus 1 (S102).

Next, the controller 11 acquires the use history of the image forming apparatus 1 stored in the RAM by the use state storage unit 102 (S103).
As the usage history, for example, the cumulative value of the number of pixels on which each color is formed, the cumulative value of the supply time of the toner supplied to the developing device 40 for each color, and the photosensitive drum for each color For example, a cumulative value of the number of rotations 31 and a cumulative value of the number of printed sheets for each color are included.

Then, the recovered toner amount estimation unit 103 estimates the recovered toner amount from a predicted recovered toner weight table set in advance corresponding to the usage history, and calculates a usable remaining amount (S104).
A predicted recovery toner weight table set in advance corresponding to the use history is stored in the ROM of the controller 11.
Specifically, as the reference conditions for the image forming process, for example, conditions such as an on-print image area ratio of 5%, the number of printed sheets per print job, and full color are stored in the ROM. Then, when the near full is detected, the usable number of sheets is 5000, or when the number of pixels corresponding to 250 sheets is printed with an A4 horizontal feed / image area ratio of 100%, it is determined to be full. The reference prediction remaining amount at this time is 140 g.
On the other hand, the predicted remaining amount is calculated from the average image area rate when near-full is detected, and the usable remaining amount is calculated from the ratio between the reference predicted remaining amount and the calculated predicted remaining amount.

Thereafter, whether or not the waste toner collection container 70 is full is determined based on whether or not the usage amount measured by the usage amount counter unit 104 has reached the calculated remaining usable amount (S105).
As a result, when it is determined that the waste toner collecting container 70 is full (S105: Yes), the image forming operation is stopped after the completion of the image forming operation being processed (S106), and the image forming apparatus 1 Is displayed on the display unit (S107).

  When the waste toner collection container 70 is replaced and a new waste toner collection container 70 is installed, the usage amount of the usage amount counter unit 104 is reset (S108).

(3) Action / Effect The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment calculates an average image area ratio when near-full is detected, and a waste toner collection container 70 based on the calculated average image area ratio. The number of prints that can be used continuously before the replacement is determined.
The average image area ratio when near-full is detected is the use history of the image forming apparatus 1 stored in the RAM by the use state storage unit 102, for example, the cumulative value of the number of pixels formed for each color. Based on the cumulative value of the supply time of the toner supplied to the developing device 40 for each color, the cumulative value of the rotation number of the photosensitive drum 31 for each color, the cumulative value of the number of printed sheets for each color, and the like Is calculated.

Then, even if there is a variation in the weight of the collected toner in the waste toner collection container 70 when the near full detection is detected, the waste toner collection container is based on the average image area ratio at the near full detection. In order to determine the number of prints that can be used before 70 is replaced, the waste toner collecting container 70 can be used up effectively.
In particular, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 and the intermediate transfer belt 51 and the waste developer discharged from the developing device 40 by the trickle development method are raised while being pushed in the horizontal direction by the transport auger 73 and enter the detection window 75. When the near full state is detected, the used collection space can be used up effectively while preventing waste toner overflow due to excessive collection and the step-out of the drive motor.

In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the estimated remaining amount is estimated under the following conditions, and the criterion for determining that the image is full is changed to continue the image forming process.
(Condition 1): 10% image area ratio on print, 10 prints per print job, full color (Condition 2): 3.7% image area ratio on print, 3 print sheets per print job, full color

"Example"
The estimated remaining amount 1 when printing under condition 1 was estimated to be 60 g. Then, the ratio between the predicted remaining amount 1 and the reference predicted remaining amount is determined as the remaining usable amount, and when the number of pixels corresponding to 105 sheets is reached with 2100 images or A4 horizontal feed and image area ratio 100%, it is determined that the image is full. The standard was changed to do. When printing was continued as it was, it was judged full without causing problems such as overflow of waste toner and step-out of the drive motor.
The predicted remaining amount 2 when printing was performed under condition 2 was estimated to be 200 g. Then, the ratio between the predicted remaining amount 2 and the reference predicted remaining amount is determined as the remaining usable amount, and when the number of pixels corresponding to 355 images is reached with 7100 images or A4 horizontal feed and image area ratio 100%, it is determined that the image is full. The standard was changed to do. When printing was continued as it was, no operational problems occurred, and the difference between the recovered toner amount and the estimated replacement time amount was 108 g.

"Comparative example"
In the comparative example, the same waste toner collecting container 70 as in the embodiment is used, and when near full is detected, the remaining usable amount determined from the reference predicted remaining amount is not changed and it is determined to be full. The image forming process was continued.
Under condition 1, waste toner overflow did not occur before fullness determination, but a drive motor step-out sound occurred. Note that the amount of toner collected at the time of full determination was approximately 30 g higher than the expected replacement time.
Under condition 2, full determination was reached without occurrence of abnormality, but the difference between the recovered toner amount and the estimated replacement time amount was about 135 g.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment concerning this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is made within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible.

For example, in the present embodiment, the predicted remaining amount is calculated from the average image area rate when near-full is detected, and the available remaining amount is determined from the ratio between the reference predicted remaining amount and the calculated predicted remaining amount. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the usable remaining amount may be corrected using the use state information of the user from the point in time when near full is detected.
In the present specification, the program has been described as an embodiment in which the program is installed in advance. However, the program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and a network such as a telecommunication line. You may download to the memory | storage part in an image forming apparatus from the server apparatus etc. which are connected to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 10 ... Control apparatus 11 ... Controller 101 ... Shading / transmission determination part 102 ... Usage state memory | storage part 103 ... Collected toner amount estimation part 104 ... Usage amount Counter unit 20... Paper feeding device 30... Photoreceptor unit 40 .. developing device 50... Transfer device 60 .. fixing device 70 .. waste toner collecting container 71. ..Recovery cover 72a ... Inlet (waste toner)
73 ... Conveyor auger 74 ... Shutter 75 ... Detection window 76 ... Detection sensor 76a ... Light emitting part 76b ... Light receiving part

Claims (4)

A waste toner collecting container for storing the collected toner;
Toner amount detecting means for detecting a predetermined amount of the stored toner;
Use state storage means for storing use information based on the use state of the image forming apparatus;
A collected toner amount estimating means for estimating a collected amount of the collected toner based on the usage information;
Estimating the collected amount of the collected toner based on the usage information at the time when the toner amount detecting means detects a predetermined amount, and determining the usable amount of the waste toner collecting container;
An image forming apparatus. The usage information based on the usage state of the image forming apparatus is a cumulative value of the number of pixels on which an image is formed from when the waste toner collecting container is mounted on the image forming apparatus to when the full detection unit detects fullness. Including a cumulative value of the supply time of the supplied toner, a cumulative value of the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum, or a cumulative value of the number of printed sheets.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The waste toner collection container includes a first storage unit for storing the recovered toner;
A second storage unit that is disposed at an end portion on one end side of the first storage unit and that stores toner conveyed from the first storage unit;
A conveying member that is disposed inside the first accommodating portion and rotates to convey the toner accommodated in the first accommodating portion toward the second accommodating portion.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A function of detecting a predetermined amount of toner stored in a waste toner collecting container;
A function for storing usage information based on the usage state of the image forming apparatus;
A function of estimating the amount of toner collected based on the use information and determining the usable amount of the waste toner collection container;
A program for running

Images