JP2016114735A - Image formation device, and developer residual quantity display method of developer vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display the quantity of the toner existing in a toner bottle when the toner bottle is replaced, without depending on the toner residual quantity state in a hopper or development apparatus in an image formation device.SOLUTION: The image formation device includes a hopper 3 and development apparatus 7 that receive and hold toner supplied from a toner bottle 6. When an unused toner bottle is mounted to a mounting unit, toner is supplied from the toner bottle in accordance with the toner residual quantity in the hopper and development apparatus. In displaying the toner residual quantity in the toner bottle, the toner residual quantity is displayed while the rate of change of the toner residual quantity is changed in accordance with the supplied toner quantity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile that employs an electrophotographic system or the like, and a developer remaining amount display method for a developer container.

  Conventionally, when a developer of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is used and consumed, a developer replenishing method for newly replenishing the developer has been used. As a developer replenishing method, a method of replenishing the developer by exchanging a developer container such as a toner bottle that is detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is used. Therefore, in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile, or a printer that forms a visible image by forming a charge image and developing the electrostatic charge image with a developer (hereinafter referred to as “toner”). A toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to the developing device is provided.

  Such a toner replenishing device is configured to discharge toner from a discharge opening of the toner bottle by rotating a toner bottle having a spiral protrusion on the inner peripheral surface. The discharged toner is, for example, temporarily received in a hopper provided at the lower portion of the toner replenishing device, and then conveyed to a developing device by a toner conveying screw.

  Specifically, when the amount of toner in the hopper becomes less than the reference amount, the toner bottle is rotated, and the toner contained therein is discharged to the hopper. On the other hand, when the amount of toner in the hopper exceeds the reference amount, the rotation of the toner bottle is stopped, and the toner discharge from the toner bottle to the hopper is stopped.

  In addition, when the toner amount in the developing device becomes smaller than the reference amount, the conveying screw provided in the hopper rotates to supply the toner in the hopper to the developing device. Further, when the toner amount in the developing device becomes equal to or larger than the reference amount, the rotation of the conveying screw in the hopper is stopped and the toner supply to the developing device is stopped.

  In this way, toner is supplied to the hopper and the developing device by rotating the toner bottle and the conveying screw in the hopper as necessary. According to such a toner supply device, the toner weight in the hopper and the toner weight in the developing device can be maintained within a certain range.

  However, the developer and hopper of the image forming apparatus at the time of shipment from the factory are not filled with toner. For this reason, the newly purchased image forming apparatus needs to be loaded with a toner bottle at the start of the first use after the new installation, and to perform initial settings for filling the developer and the hopper with toner. This is because the image forming apparatus can be used in a state where the developer and the hopper are sufficiently filled with toner.

  As described above, the toner in the toner bottle loaded first at the time of new installation is also used for the initial filling of the toner into the developing device and the hopper. In other words, the amount of toner that can be used for actual image formation out of the toner in the toner bottle that is initially loaded after the initial setting of toner filling is reduced by the amount of toner for the initial filling of the developer and the hopper. It becomes. For this reason, a new toner bottle is installed at the time of new installation, and even though no image is formed yet, the toner remaining amount display of the toner bottle does not become “full”, and the user feels uncomfortable. There was a risk of cuddling.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus can be formed by using the toner in the hopper or the developing device even after the toner bottle is empty, and thus the image forming apparatus was replaced after the use. The toner in the toner bottle is also used to fill the hopper and the developing device with toner. For this reason, as in the case where a toner bottle is attached at the time of new installation, there may occur a situation where the toner remaining amount display does not become “full”.

  To deal with such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses whether the amount of toner remaining in the developer container (toner bottle) to be replaced as the developer is consumed is at the time of new installation or later. Regardless, there is described an image forming apparatus that displays the remaining amount of developer as 100% in any case.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a toner bottle that is mounted for the first time after shipment of the image forming apparatus is not necessarily filled with a toner amount that is determined in advance between the apparatus provider and the user (for example, a small amount provided free of charge). In view of the toner bottle), there is described a toner remaining amount display method in which the toner remaining amount is not displayed when the toner bottle is attached for the first time after the apparatus is shipped.

JP 2002-244423 A JP 2012-141553 A

  However, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 reports that the developer amount is 100% even if the developer container is new or in the initial stage of use. For this reason, there is a difference between the remaining display amount and the actual remaining amount when toner is charged into an empty developing device or hopper.

  In addition, the toner remaining amount display method of the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 does not display the remaining amount of the toner bottle that is mounted for the first time after the apparatus is shipped. Cannot be recognized.

  Therefore, the problem that the toner remaining amount display of the toner bottle at the time of filling the toner into the empty developing device or hopper as described above is not displayed as “full” is not solved at all.

  Here, as a method for directly detecting the toner in the toner bottle, an expensive sensor may be attached to the replacement toner bottle, but the price of the replacement toner bottle becomes expensive. Further, in the configuration in which the toner bottle is rotated and the toner is conveyed, when the toner sensor is mounted in the bottle, it is difficult to twist the signal line from the sensor. Furthermore, even when the toner sensor is provided in the bottle mounting portion, the detection accuracy is greatly reduced because the toner in the toner bottle is too far from the toner sensor. For this reason, it is not practical to attach a toner remaining amount detection sensor to the toner bottle or the vicinity thereof.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image in a developer container that does not depend on the developer storage portion of the image forming apparatus or the remaining amount of developer in the developing device when the developer container is replaced. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a developer container remaining amount display method capable of displaying the amount of developer that can be used for forming.

  The present invention also provides a developer remaining amount in the developer container after the developer container and the developer are filled with the developer in the developer container when an unused developer container is mounted. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a developer container remaining amount display method capable of displaying the amount of developer usable for subsequent image formation.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an image in which an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier is developed with a developer by being supplied with the developer from a replaceable developer container filled with the developer. In the forming apparatus, when the developer is supplied from the developer container and holds the developer, and when an unused developer container is attached to the attachment part, the developer holding part When the developer is supplied from the developer container to the developer holding unit according to the remaining amount of developer, and the remaining amount of developer in the developer container is displayed, the rate of change according to the supplied amount of developer is set. And a display control means.

  According to the present invention, when an unused developer container is mounted, image formation in the developer container can be performed without depending on the developer storage portion of the image forming apparatus or the remaining amount of developer in the developing device. The amount of developer that can be used can be accurately displayed.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a developing device and a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a side schematic cross-sectional view illustrating configurations of a developing device and a toner supply device. It is an external appearance perspective view of a magnetic bridge sensor. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a toner remaining amount and the analog detection signal of a magnetic bridge sensor. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a toner remaining amount in a toner bottle and a rotation time of a toner conveying screw of a hopper when an initial setting remaining amount display mode is selected. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a toner conveyance screw rotation time (seconds) and a toner bottle remaining amount display value (%) when an initial setting remaining amount display mode is selected. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a remaining amount of toner in a toner bottle and a rotation time of a toner conveying screw of a hopper. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a rotation time (seconds) of a toner conveying screw and a remaining amount display value (%) of a toner bottle. 6 is a display example of a transition state of a remaining amount display on a toner remaining amount display panel. 10 is another display example of the transition state of the remaining amount display on the toner remaining amount display panel. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a relationship between devices of an image forming apparatus related to toner remaining amount display. It is a flowchart of the residual amount display mode for initial setting. 10 is a flowchart of a remaining amount display mode for replacement during toner low. 7 is a flowchart of a replacement remaining amount display mode at a toner end time.

  In the present invention, when an unused developer container is mounted, the developer contained in the developer container is filled in the developer accommodating portion and the developing device in the image forming apparatus, and then remains in the developer container. The amount of developer that can be used for subsequent image formation is displayed as a percentage of the amount of developer. Accordingly, the user can easily determine the replacement timing of the developer container based on the display of the ratio of the remaining amount of the developer according to the subsequent use situation.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  The toner as the developer in this embodiment is a magnetic one-component developer by a pulverization method.

  However, since the present invention is not affected by the characteristics of the toner, the same effect can be obtained with a non-magnetic one component and a non-magnetic two component.

  This image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier that forms an electrostatic latent image made of an organic photosensitive member, a charging unit 2 for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 1 with a charging roller, and the like. Have The image forming apparatus further includes an image exposure device 2A, a developing device 3, a transfer device 4, a fixing device 5, and a collection device 5A.

  The image exposure apparatus 2A emits laser light L from the laser scanner to the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 1 based on image information from an image reading unit (not shown), and passes through a polygon mirror and a reflection mirror. Exposure is performed to form an electrostatic charge image on the photosensitive drum 1.

  The developing device 3 develops the electrostatic charge image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 to form a toner image. The transfer device 4 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 onto a transfer material such as paper that has been transported along the transfer material transport direction P.

  The fixing device 5 is a device that fixes the toner image transferred on the surface of the transfer material, and the recovery device 5A is a device that recovers the residual developer that is not transferred to the transfer material and remains on the photosensitive drum 1. .

(Configuration of developer unit and toner supply device)
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing configurations of the developing device 3 and the toner replenishing device 8.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view showing configurations of the developing device 3 and the toner supply device 8. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of FIG. 2 viewed from the right side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a hopper 7 that temporarily receives toner supplied from a toner bottle 6 as a developer container replaceable with respect to the image forming apparatus is disposed above the developing device 3. . The hopper 7 as the developer receiving portion is provided with a toner conveying screw 13 for supplying toner to the developing device 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the toner replenishing device 8 includes a toner bottle mounting portion 9 that supports the toner bottle 6 so that the toner bottle 6 can be attached and detached and exchanged and rotated with the central axis O of the toner bottle 6 extending in the horizontal direction. And a rotation driving mechanism 10 for rotating the toner bottle 6.

  The toner bottle 6 is formed with a spiral protrusion 6 </ b> A as a toner guide portion projecting inwardly on a cylindrical inner peripheral surface that accommodates toner therein. A discharge opening 6C through which the toner guided by the toner guide portion is discharged is formed on the side surface of the front end portion 6B located on one end side of the toner bottle 6.

  Further, the toner bottle 6 is provided with a slide lid 6D on one end side thereof. The slide lid 6D is a lid that can be moved in the left-right direction in FIG. 3 so as to open and close the discharge opening 6C of the toner bottle 6. When the toner bottle 6 is mounted on the toner bottle mounting portion 9, the slide lid 6D is discharged. The opening 6C is held open.

  A toner bottle mounting portion 9 is disposed above the hopper 7 so that the toner supplied from the toner bottle 6 is received and the discharge opening 6C is located. The hopper 7 is provided with a hopper stirring member 11 for stirring the toner inside and improving the fluidity of the toner.

  Further, the discharge characteristics of the toner from the toner bottle 6 have a strong correlation with the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 6, and a large amount of toner is discharged when the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 6 is nearly full. When the remaining amount of toner is almost empty, a small amount of toner is discharged.

  Here, when the toner replenishment operation is performed directly from the toner bottle 6 to the developing device 3 without the hopper 7, unevenness of the replenishment amount occurs due to the weight of the toner remaining in the toner bottle 6. When unevenness of the toner replenishment amount occurs, the toner weight of the developing device 3 is not stable, and the charge amount and fluidity of the toner in the developing device cannot be kept constant. Changes in the charge amount and fluidity of the toner in the developing unit affect the quality of toner development such as development unevenness of the latent image on the photosensitive drum 1, making it impossible to form a high-quality image.

  In order to prevent the occurrence of such a phenomenon, a hopper 7 is installed on the lower side of the toner bottle 6 in the direction of gravity, and the toner from the toner bottle 6 is temporarily received, whereby the toner bottle is in contact with the developing device 3. Uniform toner replenishment is performed without being affected by the weight of residual toner in the toner 6. In this embodiment, the toner receiving amount of the hopper 7 is 30 g.

  The toner transported to the supply port 12 by the toner stirring by the hopper stirring member 11 and the action of gravity on the toner is transported from the hopper 7 to the developing device 3 by the toner transport screw 13 that is rotationally driven by the rotation driving mechanism 15. Is done.

(Configuration of toner sensor)
The developing device 3 and the hopper 7 are provided with a developer detecting means, such as a magnetic permeability sensor, for detecting the amount of toner in the developing device 3 and the hopper 7, respectively.

  The developing device 3 is provided with a toner sensor 16, and the hopper 7 is provided with a toner sensor 14 as respective developer detection means. Then, based on a detection signal from the toner sensor 14 that detects the amount of toner in the hopper 7, a toner supply command signal and a supply stop signal from the toner bottle 6 to the hopper 7 are issued.

  Next, the magnetic bridge sensor 20 used for the toner sensors 14 and 16 which are magnetic permeability sensors will be described.

  FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the magnetic bridge sensor 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic bridge sensor 20 has a shape in which a detection head 20b is mounted in a cylindrical shape on a main body portion 20a, and both are integrally formed. The input / output signal line 20c drawn from the main body 20a is used for signal exchange between the magnetic bridge sensor 20 and the image forming apparatus main body.

  A detection transformer is embedded in the detection head 20b. This detection transformer is composed of a total of three windings, one primary winding and two secondary windings. The two secondary windings are a detection winding and a reference winding. The detection winding is arranged on the top side of the detection head 20b, and the reference winding is arranged on the back side of the detection head 20b with the primary winding interposed therebetween.

  When a current having a signal having a constant waveform is input to the primary winding from the transmitter provided in the main body 20a of the sensor 20, the reference winding and the detection winding which are secondary windings are also electromagnetically induced. A current having a signal with a certain waveform flows. Detection is performed by determining a signal having a constant waveform from the transmitter at this time and a signal having a certain waveform of the current flowing from the detection winding by electromagnetic induction by a comparison circuit provided in the sensor body 20a. It is possible to detect how much magnetic material is present on the top surface side of the head 20b. Thus, different outputs are obtained depending on whether or not the magnetic body is present in front of the detection head 20b.

  The magnetic bridge sensor 20 is provided with a ferrite screw core movably provided at the center of the detection transformer in order to cope with differences in magnetic density and the like of the magnetic material to be detected, and adjusts the position of the screw core. Therefore, proper detection is possible.

(Configuration to notify toner bottle replacement)
Next, a configuration for detecting the amount of toner remaining in the toner bottle 6 will be described.

  If the magnetic bridge sensor 20 as described above is directly attached so that the toner capacity in each of the replacement toner bottles 6 can be detected, the price of the replacement toner bottle 6 becomes expensive. Further, the toner bottle 6 conveys toner by rotating the bottle itself by using spiral ribs formed on the inner peripheral surface of the bottle. Therefore, when the toner sensor is mounted in a rotating bottle, it becomes difficult to twist the signal line from the sensor. Furthermore, when the toner sensor is provided in the bottle mounting portion, the toner in the toner bottle 6 and the toner sensor are too far apart, so that the detection accuracy is greatly reduced. Therefore, the amount of toner remaining in the toner bottle is detected by the toner sensor 14 provided in the hopper 7 and the toner sensor 16 provided in the developing device 3.

  The magnetic body density range that can be detected by the detection head 20b of the magnetic bridge sensor 20 constituting the toner sensors 14 and 16 is sufficient to detect the magnetic body density of the detected body from the time when the toner is fully charged until it becomes empty. It is adjusted so that the sensitivity that can be obtained is obtained.

  FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the toner remaining amount and the analog detection signal of the magnetic bridge sensor 20.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the magnetic bridge sensor 20 shows the highest output voltage when the toner remaining amount in the hopper 7 is full (when full) and most when the toner remaining amount is empty (when empty). Indicates low output voltage. The value of the output voltage is determined in a one-to-one relationship with the value of the remaining amount of toner between when the toner is fully charged and when the toner is empty. An output voltage can be obtained.

  Here, when the obtained output voltage value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, “toner present” is set, and when the output voltage value is smaller than the predetermined value, “no toner” is set.

  In the present embodiment, the toner receiving amount of the hopper 7 is 30 g. The toner sensor 14 outputs the output voltage of the toner sensor 14 such that “toner present” when the toner amount in the hopper 7 is 30 g and “no toner” when the toner amount is reduced to 15 g as the first predetermined amount. The relationship between the value and the detection of “toner present” and “toner absent” is adjusted.

  The toner capacity of the toner bottle 6 is provided with a plurality of lineups according to the user's request or according to the performance specifications of the image forming apparatus. The toner filling amount of the toner bottle 6 attached to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is 1000 g.

  In the present embodiment, the toner receiving amount of the developing device 3 is 200 g. The toner sensor 16 outputs “toner present” when the toner amount in the developing device 3 is 200 g, and “no toner” when the toner amount decreases to 170 g as the second predetermined amount. The relationship between the voltage value and the detection of “with toner” and “without toner” is adjusted.

  Therefore, when the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 detects “with toner”, the supply of toner from the toner bottle 6 to the hopper 7 is stopped. When the toner sensor 14 detects “no toner”, the toner supply from the toner bottle 6 to the hopper 7 is started.

  Similarly, when the toner sensor 16 of the developing device 3 detects “toner present”, the toner supply from the hopper 7 to the developing device 3 is stopped. When the toner sensor 16 detects “no toner”, the toner supply from the hopper 7 to the developing device 3 is started.

  In the image forming apparatus configured as described above, when the normal copy operation is performed, the toner of the developing device 3 is consumed, and the toner sensor 16 of the developing device 3 eventually detects “no toner”. At this time, if the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 detects “with toner”, the hopper stirring member 11 and the toner conveying screw 13 of the hopper 7 are rotationally driven to supply the toner from the hopper 7 to the developing device 3. Transport.

  Here, even if the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 detects “no toner” by supplying toner to the developing device 3, if the toner sensor 16 of the developing device 3 detects “toner present”, It is determined that the normal image forming operation is not affected, and the image forming operation is not stopped.

  However, when the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 detects “no toner”, the image forming operation is stopped as a result of the toner sensor 16 of the developing unit 3 detecting “no toner” as a result of continuing the image formation. .

  The toner replenishing device 8 is provided with a rotation drive mechanism 10 that rotates the toner bottle 6, and the toner bottle 6 is rotated by driving the rotation drive mechanism 10, whereby the toner is transferred from the toner bottle 6 to the hopper 7. Can be supplied.

  When the toner sensors 14 and 16 both detect “no toner”, the toner bottle 6 is rotated for a certain period of time, and toner is supplied from the toner bottle 6 to the hopper 7. If the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 does not become “toner present” but detects “no toner”, it notifies the user of “toner low” and warns that there is no remaining toner in the toner bottle 6. .

  However, “toner low” in this embodiment has a toner amount of 0 g in the toner bottle 6 and a toner amount in the hopper 7 of 15 g, but 200 g of toner still remains in the developing device 3. Therefore, the image forming operation can be continued.

  Thereafter, when the toner sensor 16 of the developing device 3 detects “no toner” in the developing device 3, the toner conveying screw 13 of the hopper 7 is rotated to transfer the toner 15 g remaining in the hopper 7 to the developing device 3. Perform the feeding operation. If the toner sensor 16 of the developing device 3 does not become “toner present” even if the toner feeding screw 13 is rotated for a certain time and the toner supply operation from the hopper 7 is performed, “Toner End” is notified to the user, prompting the user to replace the toner bottle 6, and prohibiting the image forming operation. In the present embodiment, in the case of “toner End”, the toner amount in the toner bottle 6 and the toner amount in the hopper 7 are each 0 g, and the toner amount in the developing device 3 is 170 g.

(Remaining amount display type considering the amount of toner filled in the developer holder)
As described above, the image forming apparatus includes a developer holding unit that holds toner before being used for image formation, such as the hopper 7 and the developing device 3. The developer holding unit of this embodiment can hold a total of 230 g of toner, 30 g in the hopper 7 and 200 g in the developing device 3.

  When a new image forming apparatus is installed, various settings for making the apparatus usable are executed. This setting is performed by taking out the image forming apparatus from the package, attaching the drum unit and the toner bottle, and pressing a predetermined button on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, and initial setting of various devices mounted on the image forming apparatus is performed. Is done.

  When the toner is charged into the developer holding portion, which is one of the initial settings, the toner bottle 6 is rotated by the rotation driving mechanism 10 and the toner conveying screw 13 is rotated by the rotation driving mechanism 15. As a result, toner is supplied from the toner bottle 6 to the hopper 7 and from the hopper 7 to the developing device 3. Then, a series of toner supply operations are performed until each of the toner sensors 14 and 16 detects “toner present” indicating full toner filling.

  The toner filling into the toner bottle 6 that is first mounted after the factory shipment is filling the toner into the hopper 7 and the developing device 3 where the toner is empty. By this filling, the toner in the toner bottle 6 is used for filling 30 g of toner into the hopper 7 and filling up 200 g of toner into the developing device 3, and then the remaining toner is used for image formation. become.

  As described above, 1000 g of toner in the toner bottle 6 that is mounted for the first time when the image forming apparatus is newly installed after shipment from the factory, except for 230 g required to fill the developer holding portion of the image forming apparatus, Only 770 g remains before image formation. Therefore, if the remaining amount is accurately displayed as it is, it becomes “77%” after the replacement of the toner bottle 6 even though image formation has not yet been executed.

  Further, the second and subsequent toner bottles 6 attached to the image forming apparatus may be exchanged and attached when “Toner Low” is displayed, or may be exchanged and attached when “Toner End” is displayed.

  First, when the toner is replaced and installed when “toner low” is displayed, 15 g of toner remaining in the hopper 7 is filled up to 30 g. Therefore, when the remaining amount of the 1000 g toner bottle 6 replaced at this time before the image formation is accurately displayed, “98.5%” is obtained.

  Next, when the “toner End” is displayed, it is necessary to have 30 g for filling the empty hopper 7 and 30 g for filling the developing device 3 having a remaining amount of 170 g up to 200 g when it is mounted with replacement. Become. That is, 60 g of toner is required as the developer holding unit. Accordingly, when the remaining amount of the 1000 g toner bottle 6 replaced at this time before image formation is accurately displayed, it becomes “94%”.

  As described above, for example, by attaching the magnetic bridge sensor 20 to the toner bottle 6 and displaying the toner remaining amount in the toner bottle 6 as it is, the mechanism of filling the toner into the developer holding portion of the image forming apparatus is well known. May mislead users who have not.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment changes the rate of change for displaying the remaining amount according to the amount of toner supplied from the toner bottle 6 to the developer holding unit when displaying the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 6. Are displayed. That is, in any of the three replacement modes described above, the remaining amount of the toner bottle 6 after the toner is filled in the developer holding unit and before the image formation is displayed as “100%”. The amount of toner that can be used for subsequent image formation is displayed as a percentage of the remaining toner amount. As a result, the user can easily determine the replacement time of the toner bottle 6 based on the display of the remaining amount of toner according to the subsequent usage status.

  After the new installation of the image forming apparatus, after the first toner bottle is mounted, after the “toner low” display and after the “toner end” display, toner filling into the developer holding portion is completed. The toner conveying screw 13 is driven to supply toner from the toner bottle 6 to the developing device 3 via the hopper 7. The amount of toner in the toner bottle 6 at that time can be grasped by the driving time of the toner conveying screw 13.

  Since the rotation speed of the toner conveying screw 13 of this embodiment is 60 rpm, it is one rotation per second. Since the toner conveyance amount per rotation is 1 g, in order to convey all 1000 g of toner in the toner bottle 6 to the developing device 3, it is necessary to rotate the toner conveyance screw 13 of the hopper 7 1000 times. . That is, in the toner conveying screw 13 of this embodiment, 1000 seconds are required to rotate 1000 times.

  In this way, by measuring and grasping in advance the amount of toner that the toner conveying screw 13 of the image forming apparatus conveys standard toner used in the image forming apparatus per unit time, the toner conveying screw 13 is rotationally driven. The remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 6 can be estimated from the measured time (rotation time). In the present embodiment, the toner supply amount from the toner bottle 6 is detected by the rotation time of the conveying screw 13, and an integration timer of this rotation time is the toner supply amount detection means.

  In the present embodiment, since the toner conveying screw 13 conveys 1 g of toner by rotating for one second, the toner reduction amount from the toner bottle 6 is obtained by measuring the driving time (second) of the toner conveying screw 13.

The toner bottle remaining amount display (%) is F (X), the capacity of the toner bottle 6 is B (g), the toner filling supply amount to the developer holding unit (the hopper 7 and the developing device 3) is C (g), and the measurement is performed. X (g) is the amount of toner used from the toner bottle 6 calculated from the rotation drive time (seconds) of the toner conveying screw 13
F (X) = 100 × [1- {X / (BC)}] (1)
It becomes.

(Initial setting remaining amount display mode)
In the initial setting remaining amount display mode, the remaining amount is displayed for an unused toner bottle that is first mounted when the new installation mode of the image forming apparatus is performed.

  After 30 g of toner in the hopper 7 as a developer holding unit and 200 g of toner in the developing device 3 are filled, the actual remaining amount of the toner bottle 6 is 770 g, but the remaining amount display is “100%” for the user. The remaining amount of toner that can be used for image formation until the remaining amount of the toner bottle 6 runs out is displayed as a percentage for the convenience of the user.

  FIG. 6 illustrates the relationship between the toner amount (weight) in the toner bottle 6 and the rotation time of the toner conveying screw 13 of the hopper 7 when the initial setting remaining amount display mode is selected. It can be seen that there is a strong correlation between the two.

  Here, the toner conveying screw 13 of the hopper 7 is switched between start and stop of its rotational drive by an output voltage signal from the toner sensor 16 disposed in the developing device 3.

  Next, a method for obtaining the remaining amount display value for notifying the user of the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 6 obtained by the above estimation of the remaining amount of toner will be described.

  After a predetermined amount of toner is charged into the developer holding unit, the rotation driving time T seconds of the toner conveying screw 13 measured as the image is formed, and the remaining toner display (%) F (X) Is obtained from the equation (1).

Since the toner conveying screw 13 conveys 1 g of toner by rotating for 1 second, T = X, B = 1000, and C = 30 + 200 = 230. If you calculate by rounding off the first decimal place,
When T = 0 (seconds), X = 0 (g),
F (0) = 100 (%),
When T = 100 (seconds), X = 100 (g),
F (100) = 100 × [1- {100 / (1000-230)}] = 87 (%),
When T = 300 (seconds), X = 300 (g),
F (300) = 100 × [1- {300 / (1000-230)}] = 61 (%),
When T = 500 (seconds), X = 500 (g),
F (500) = 100 × [1- {500 / (1000-230)}] = 35 (%),
When T = 700 (seconds), X = 700 (g),
F (700) = 100 × [1- {700 / (1000-230)}] = 9 (%),
When T = 770 (seconds), X = 770 (g),
F (770) = 100 × [1- {770 / (1000-230)}] = 0 (%),
It becomes.

  FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the rotation time (seconds) of the toner conveying screw 13 and the remaining amount display value (%) of the toner bottle 6 when the expression (1) is selected in the initial setting remaining amount display mode. FIG.

  As can be seen from this figure, after the initial setting of toner filling, the remaining amount display is proportional to “0%” from “100%” in accordance with the change in the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 6 at the start of image formation. It has changed. Thereby, a remaining amount display can be changed so that a user may not feel uncomfortable.

(Replacement remaining amount display mode when toner is low)
Here, the remaining amount display mode for replacement when toner is low applies to the toner bottle that is attached when the above-mentioned “toner low” is notified.

  “Toner Low” is notified when the remaining amount of toner in the hopper 7 having a capacity of 30 g is 15 g, and the toner sensor 14 detects “no toner”. However, the developing device 3 is still in a state where 200 g of toner remains. Therefore, the toner in the toner bottle 6 mounted for replacement can be substantially used for image formation except for 15 g used for filling the hopper 7.

  FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship between the toner amount (weight) in the toner bottle 6 and the rotation time of the toner conveying screw 13 of the hopper 7. It can be seen that there is a strong correlation between the two.

  In a state where the “toner low” warning is displayed, the toner in the developing device 3 is kept at a full level while the toner in the hopper 7 is reduced by 15 g.

  Accordingly, when the toner bottle remaining amount display (%) in the replacement amount display mode at the time of toner low is obtained, since the amount of toner charged in the developer holding portion is only 15 g, C in equation (1) becomes 15. .

If you calculate by rounding off the first decimal place,
When T = 0 (seconds), X = 0 (g),
F (0) = 100 (%),
When T = 100 (seconds), X = 100 (g),
F (100) = 100 × [1- {100 / (1000-15)}] = 90 (%),
When T = 300 (seconds), X = 300 (g),
F (300) = 100 × [1- {300 / (1000-15)}] = 70 (%),
When T = 500 (seconds), X = 500 (g),
F (500) = 100 × [1- {500 / (1000-15)}] = 49 (%),
When T = 700 (seconds), X = 700 (g),
F (700) = 100 × [1- {700 / (1000-15)}] = 29 (%),
When T = 985 (seconds), X = 985 (g),
F (985) = 100 × [1- {985 / (1000-15)}] = 0 (%),
It becomes.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the rotation time (seconds) of the toner conveying screw 13 and the remaining amount display value (%) of the toner bottle 6 when the toner low-time remaining amount display mode is selected. is there.

  From now on, according to the change in the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 6 accompanying the start of image formation after the initial setting of toner filling, the user will not feel discomfort from changing the remaining amount display from “100%” to “0%”. It turns out that it is changing.

(Replacement remaining amount display mode at toner end)
Here, the remaining amount display mode for replacement at the time of toner end is intended for the toner bottle that is attached when the above-mentioned “toner end” is notified.

  “Toner End” is notified because the remaining amount of toner in the hopper 7 having a capacity of 30 g is 0 g, and the toner sensor 14 has a remaining amount of 15 g or less, so that “no toner” is naturally detected. Further, the remaining amount of toner in the developing device 3 is 170 g. Therefore, the toner in the toner bottle 6 mounted for replacement is substantially used for image formation except for a total of 60 g of 30 g used for filling the hopper 7 and 30 g for filling the developing device 3. It can be used.

  Even when this mode is selected, the same relationship as in FIGS. 8 and 9 can be obtained.

  Accordingly, when the toner bottle remaining amount display (%) in the replacement remaining amount display mode at the time of toner end is obtained, the toner filling amount in the developer holding portion is 60 g as described above. 60.

If you calculate by rounding off the first decimal place,
When T = 0 (seconds), X = 0 (g),
F (0) = 100 (%),
When T = 100 (seconds), X = 100 (g),
F (100) = 100 × [1- {100 / (1000-60)}] = 89 (%),
When T = 300 (seconds), X = 300 (g),
F (300) = 100 × [1- {300 / (1000-60)}] = 68 (%),
When T = 500 (seconds), X = 500 (g),
F (500) = 100 × [1- {500 / (1000-60)}] = 47 (%),
When T = 700 (seconds), X = 700 (g),
F (700) = 100 × [1- {700 / (1000-60)}] = 26 (%),
When T = 940 (seconds), X = 940 (g),
F (940) = 100 × [1- {940 / (1000-60)}] = 0 (%),
It becomes.

(Set each numerical value used in the remaining amount calculation formula)
In the present embodiment, the toner transport amount per rotation of the toner transport screw 13, the toner holding amount of the hopper 7, the toner holding amount of the developing device 3, and “toner low” notification are used in the three remaining amount display modes. And the amount of toner filled in the hopper 7 and the developing device 3 at the time of notification of “toner end” are values determined for each image forming apparatus. Therefore, the expression for calculating the remaining amount of toner according to the present embodiment can be applied to any image forming apparatus by inputting in advance at the time of factory shipment or by a service person when unpacking and installing the image forming apparatus.

  However, the capacity of the toner bottle 6 is not always the same because a lineup of a plurality of toner capacities is provided in accordance with the performance specifications of the image forming apparatus according to the user's request.

  Therefore, when the user replaces the unused toner bottle 6 in response to the notification of “toner low” or “toner end”, the capacity of the toner bottle 6 related to the replacement is the value of “B” in the remaining amount calculation formula. It can be input as. Thus, even when the toner bottle 6 is replaced with a different capacity, the toner remaining amount calculation formula of the present embodiment can be applied.

(Configuration of toner remaining amount display)
The image forming apparatus is provided with a display panel 31 (see FIG. 12) as a toner remaining amount display means for displaying the toner in the toner bottle 6 so as to send a display signal at a predetermined timing. As the display means, a display panel 31 installed at a predetermined site that is usually easily visible to the user of the image forming apparatus is used. In addition, for example, a display unit (display display) of an external connection device (such as a personal computer) connected to the image forming apparatus may be used.

  FIG. 10 is a display example of the transition state of the remaining amount display on the toner remaining amount display panel 31.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the remaining amount of toner is 100% (full amount) in order from the top in accordance with the toner remaining rate obtained by the calculation formula for the initial setting remaining amount display or the normal replacement remaining amount display. ) → Toner remaining amount 90% → Toner remaining amount 80% → Toner remaining amount 10% → Toner remaining amount 0% (empty state) The bar graph level meter is sequentially lowered, so that the toner in the toner bottle 6 is displayed to the user. Visually inform the remaining amount.

  The display amount of the remaining toner amount is arbitrary, and may be displayed more finely (for example, every 1%) or more roughly (for example, 100% → 50% → 20% → 0%). May be displayed.

  FIG. 11 is another display example of the transition state of the remaining amount display on the toner remaining amount display panel 31.

  The display form of the toner remaining amount display panel 31 is not limited to the bar graph shape of FIG. 10, but may be a pie chart level meter as shown in FIG. Any expression format can be used as long as it can visually notify the user.

(Flow of initial setting remaining amount display mode)
Next, the flow of displaying the remaining amount of toner in this embodiment will be described from the flow of the remaining amount display mode for initial setting.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a control unit that controls driving of each device of the image forming apparatus related to the toner remaining amount display.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the initial setting remaining amount display mode, and the configuration of the remaining amount display in this mode will be described along this flowchart.

  When the main body of the image forming apparatus is turned on (S1), a new installation mode is set in the CPU 30 as a control means including a storage unit that stores the remaining amount of toner in the hopper 7 and the developing device 3 incorporated in the image forming apparatus. It is confirmed whether or not it is stored that the execution flag is set (S2). When this new installation mode execution flag is set, the initial setting for filling the developer and the hopper with the toner has been already performed after the toner bottle is loaded when the new image forming apparatus is shipped from the factory. It shows that there is. In the case of a new and unused image forming apparatus, the initial setting of toner filling at the time of new installation is not performed, so the execution flag is not set.

  If the flag for executing the new installation mode is not set in S2 (No in S2), the initial setting remaining amount display mode is selected as the remaining amount display mode of the toner bottle 6 attached to the image forming apparatus, and the CPU 30 is informed. Store (S3).

  Thereafter, the image forming apparatus performs initial setting of toner filling, which is one of various initial settings when the new installation mode is executed, and fills toner into the hopper 7 and the developing device 3 (S4). The toner bottle 6 is rotated by the rotation driving mechanism 10 and the hopper stirring member 11 and the toner conveying screw 13 provided in the hopper 7 are rotated by the initial setting of the toner filling. As a result, the toner is supplied from the toner bottle 6 to the hopper 7 and the developing device 3, respectively. Here, the toner is supplied until the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 and the toner sensor 16 of the developing device 3 detect “toner present”.

  When the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 and the toner sensor 16 of the developing unit 3 detect “toner present”, the CPU 30 recognizes that the initial setting of the toner filling has been completed and sets a new installation mode execution flag in the CPU 30 (S5).

  Next, “100%” is displayed on the toner remaining amount display panel 31 (S6), and a normal image forming operation is performed (S7).

  In order to inform the user of information regarding the toner usage state of the toner bottle 6, the remaining amount of toner is displayed on the remaining amount display panel 31 by a change in a bar graph. The remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 6 at this time is sequentially stored in the CPU 30 (S8).

  When the image forming operation is continued, the toner remaining amount in the toner bottle 6 becomes empty. However, since the toner held in the hopper 7 and the developing device 3 still remains, the image forming operation can be continued.

  When the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 detects that the remaining amount of toner in the hopper 7 has reached 15 g, “toner low” is displayed on the display panel 31 (S9), and a new toner bottle 6 is prepared and replaced for the user. Prompt.

  When a new toner bottle 6 is replaced and mounted when “Toner Low” is displayed in S9 (Yes in S10), the rotation driving mechanism 10 opens and closes the toner bottle 6 in response to opening and closing of the toner bottle cover of the image forming apparatus main body. And the toner is supplied from the toner bottle 6 to the hopper 7. When the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 detects “toner present” due to this toner supply, it is determined that the toner bottle 6 has been replaced with a new one, and “100%” is displayed on the toner remaining amount display panel 31 (S11). Thereafter, the remaining amount display mode for replacement at toner low is selected (S12), and the process proceeds to S24.

  When image formation is continuously executed without replacing the toner bottle in a state where “toner low” is displayed (No in S10), the toner in the developing device 3 has been reduced to 170 g. Is detected. Therefore, “toner End” is displayed on the display panel 31, and the fact that “toner End” is reached is stored in the CPU 30 (S13).

  Here, when the user replaces and attaches a new toner bottle 6 (Yes in S14), the hopper 7 and the developing device 3 are filled with toner. When the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 and the toner sensor 16 of the developing device 3 detect “toner present” due to this toner supply, it is determined that the toner bottle 6 has been replaced with a new one, and the remaining toner amount display panel 31 displays “100%”. Is displayed (S15). Thereafter, the remaining amount display mode for replacement at the toner end is selected (S16), and the process proceeds to S24.

  If image formation is continuously executed without replacing the toner bottle in a state where “toner End” is displayed (No in S14), the toner remaining in the toner bottle 6 and the hopper 7 is exhausted, and the toner remaining in the developing device 3 remains. The amount is 170 g. Since further reduction of the remaining amount of toner in the developing device 3 is not preferable, the subsequent image forming operation is prohibited (S17), and the process ends (S18).

  When the flag for executing the new installation mode is set in S2 (Yes in S2), the image forming apparatus has already been used. Therefore, it is confirmed whether or not the remaining amount displayed appropriately during use is stored in the CPU 30 (S19). If it is stored (Yes in S19), the remaining amount used when the power was turned off last time. The display mode and the remaining amount are taken over and used (S20).

  If No in S19, it is determined whether or not “Toner End” was displayed when the power was turned off last time (S21).

  If Yes in S21, the remaining amount display mode for replacement at the toner end is selected (S22), and the process goes to S34.

  In the case of No in S21, the replacement remaining amount display mode at the time of toner low is selected (S23), and the process proceeds to S24.

(Replacement remaining amount display mode flow when toner is low)
Next, the flow of the normal replacement remaining amount display mode in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the toner low replacement remaining amount display mode, and the configuration of the remaining amount display in this mode will be described with reference to this flowchart.

  When it is S12 or S23 in FIG. 13, the process proceeds to the flow of the remaining amount display mode for replacement when toner is low, and the hopper 7 is filled with toner.

  Thereafter, “100%” is displayed on the toner remaining amount display panel 31 (S24), and the fact that the remaining amount display mode for replacement at toner low is selected is stored in the CPU 30 (S25).

  Next, a normal image forming operation is performed (S26), the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 6 that decreases as the image forming operation is performed is appropriately displayed on the display panel 31, and the remaining amount that changes is stored in the CPU 30 (S27). ).

  When the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 detects “no toner”, “toner low” is displayed on the display panel 31 and stored in the CPU 30 (S28). This display prompts the user to prepare and replace a new toner bottle 6.

  When a new toner bottle 6 is replaced and mounted when “Toner Low” is displayed in S28 (Yes in S29), the rotation drive mechanism 10 causes the toner bottle 6 to open and close according to the opening and closing of the toner bottle cover of the main body of the image forming apparatus. And the toner is supplied from the toner bottle 6 to the hopper 7. When the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 detects “toner present” by this toner supply, it is determined that the toner bottle 6 has been replaced with a new one, and the process returns to S24 to display “100%” on the remaining toner amount display panel 31 ( S24). Thereafter, the fact that the normal replacement remaining amount display mode is selected is stored in the CPU 30 (S25), and the flow of the same mode is executed.

  When image formation is continuously executed without replacing the toner bottle in a state where “toner low” is displayed (No in S29), the toner sensor 16 eventually becomes “toner” when the toner in the developing device 3 reaches 170 g. "None" is detected. The toner sensor 14 has already detected “no toner” at S28, and no toner is present in the hopper 7 due to the subsequent image formation.

  Therefore, “toner End” is displayed on the display panel 31, and the fact that “toner End” is reached is stored in the CPU 30 (S30).

  Here, when the user replaces and attaches a new toner bottle 6 (Yes in S31), the process proceeds to S34 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the user continues image formation without replacing the toner bottle 6, the image forming apparatus prohibits the image forming operation to avoid the toner in the developing device 3 being consumed (S32), and ends (S33).

(Flow of remaining amount display mode for replacement at toner end)
Next, the flow of the normal replacement remaining amount display mode in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the remaining amount display mode for replacement at the toner end, and the configuration of the remaining amount display in this mode will be described along this flowchart.

  When the process is S16 or S22 in FIG. 13, the process proceeds to the flow of the replacement remaining amount display mode at the toner end, and the hopper 7 and the developer 3 are charged with toner.

  Thereafter, “100%” is displayed on the toner remaining amount display panel 31 (S34), and the fact that the replacement remaining amount display mode at the toner end is selected is stored in the CPU 30 (S35).

  Next, a normal image forming operation is performed (S36), the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 6 that decreases as the image forming operation is performed is appropriately displayed on the display panel 31, and the remaining amount that changes is stored in the CPU 30 (S37). ).

  When the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 detects “no toner”, “toner low” is displayed on the display panel 31 and stored in the CPU 30 (S38). This display prompts the user to prepare and replace a new toner bottle 6.

  When a new toner bottle 6 is replaced and mounted when “Toner Low” is displayed in S <b> 38 (Yes in S <b> 39), the rotation driving mechanism 10 opens the toner bottle 6 in response to opening / closing of the toner bottle cover of the main body of the image forming apparatus. And the toner is supplied from the toner bottle 6 to the hopper 7. When the toner sensor 14 of the hopper 7 detects “toner present” due to this toner supply, it is determined that the toner bottle 6 has been replaced with a new one, and the process returns to S24 in FIG. Displayed (S24). Thereafter, the fact that the normal replacement remaining amount display mode is selected is stored in the CPU 30 (S25), and the flow of the same mode is executed.

  If image formation is continuously executed without replacing the toner bottle in a state where “toner low” is displayed (No in S39), the toner sensor 16 will eventually display “toner” when the toner in the developing device 3 reaches 170 g. "None" is detected. The toner sensor 14 has already detected “no toner” at S38, and the hopper 7 has no toner by the subsequent image formation.

  Therefore, “toner End” is displayed on the display panel 31, and the fact that “toner End” is reached is stored in the CPU 30 (S40).

  Here, when the user replaces and attaches a new toner bottle 6 (Yes in S41), the process goes to S34.

  On the other hand, if the user continues the image formation without replacing the toner bottle 6, the image forming apparatus prohibits the image forming operation (S42) and terminates (S43) in order to avoid the toner in the developing device 3 being consumed.

[Second Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, the configuration is the same except that the expression (2) described below is used instead of the expression (1) used in the first embodiment.

  In the initial setting remaining amount display mode, the value of the toner filling and supplying amount to the developer holding portion (the hopper 7 and the developing device 3) is used for C in the expression (1).

  However, the amount of toner filling and supplying to the hopper 7 and the developing device 3 is much smaller at the second and subsequent replacements than at the initial setting when the apparatus is installed. Therefore, when the value of C is smaller than the value of B by a predetermined ratio or more in the equation (1), the value of C can be ignored. That is, in the formula (1), C = 0 may be used to formula (2).

G (X) = 100 × {1- (X / B)} (2)
As described above, even when the formula (2) is used, it is possible to notify the user of the ratio display of the remaining amount of toner according to the usage state after replacement of the toner bottle 6. Thereby, the control in the case of the toner Low and the toner End becomes the same, and the user can easily determine the replacement time of the toner bottle 6 and the control becomes easy.

  In this case, the initial setting remaining amount display mode for displaying the remaining amount for the unused toner bottle that is first mounted when the new installation mode of the image forming apparatus is performed, and the second and subsequent toner bottles are displayed. Control can be performed with two types of setting remaining amount display modes for the second and subsequent settings for displaying the remaining amount. That is, the toner bottle mounting history can be stored by the control means, and the change rate of the developer supply amount of the toner bottle can be changed and displayed according to the mounting history.

  There is an image forming apparatus in which a developing device as a developer holding unit can be replaced. Thus, when the developing device is replaced in the apparatus, the control unit clears the mounting history, and the remaining amount display of the mounted toner bottle is displayed as the initial setting remaining amount as in the execution of the new installation mode. Run from display mode.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photosensitive drum 2 ... Charging part 2A ... Image exposure part 3 ... Developing device 4 ... Transfer part 5 ... Fixing device 5A ... Collection | recovery device 6 ... Toner bottle 7 ... Hopper 8 ... Toner replenishing device 9 ... Toner bottle mounting part 10 ... Rotary drive mechanism 11 ... Hopper stirring member 12 ... Supply port 13 ... Toner transport screw 14 ... Toner sensor 15 ... Rotation drive mechanism 16 ... Toner sensor 20 ... Magnetic bridge sensor 30 ... CPU
31 ... Remaining toner display panel

Claims (11)

In an image forming apparatus in which a developer is supplied from an exchangeable developer container filled with a developer and an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier is developed with the developer.
A developer holding section for receiving the developer supplied from the developer container and holding the developer;
When an unused developer container is installed, the developer is supplied from the developer container to the developer holding part according to the amount of developer remaining in the developer holding part, and the developer remaining in the developer container is left. In displaying the amount, a control means for changing and displaying the change rate according to the supplied developer amount;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The display of the remaining amount of developer in the developer container is
The volume of the developer filled in the developer container is B (g),
C (g) is a developer filling supply amount to the developer holding unit when the developer container is mounted.
When the amount of developer supplied from the developer container to the developer holding portion side is X (g),
Display of remaining amount of developer in developer container (%) = 100 × [1- {X / (B−C)}]
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display is performed based on the change rate. A storage unit for storing the remaining amount of developer in the developer holding unit;
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein different values of C are used depending on whether or not there is information on supplying the developer to the developer holding unit in the storage unit. 4.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein C = 0 when the value of C is smaller than a predetermined ratio with respect to the value of B. 5.   The developer holding unit receives and holds the developer supplied from the developer container mounted on the mounting unit, and receives and holds the developer stored in the storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier.   The storage unit has a detection unit that detects the amount of developer in each of the storage unit and the developing unit, and the storage unit that stores the remaining amount of developer in the developer holding unit is a detection signal from the detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the remaining amount of the developer in each of the storage unit and the developing device is stored based on the image forming apparatus.   7. The display according to claim 6, wherein the detection unit detects that the developer in the storage portion has decreased to a first predetermined amount, and thereby displays a display prompting replacement of the developer container. Image forming apparatus.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the detection unit detects that the developer in the developing device has decreased to a second predetermined amount, so that image formation is not performed. 9. In an image forming apparatus in which a developer is supplied from an exchangeable developer container filled with a developer and an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier is developed with the developer.
A developer holding section for receiving the developer supplied from the developer container and containing the developer;
When displaying the remaining amount of developer in the mounted developer container, a control means is provided for changing and displaying the change rate of the developer supply amount of the developer container according to the mounting history of the developer container. An image forming apparatus. The developer holding unit is a developing device for supplying a developer to the image carrier,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit clears the mounting history of the developer container when the developing device is replaced. In the developer remaining amount display method of the developer container in the image forming apparatus, comprising: a mounting portion for mounting the developer container; and a developer holding portion that receives and holds the developer supplied from the developer container.
When an unused developer container is attached to the attachment part, the developer container is supplied from the developer container to the developer holding part according to the amount of developer remaining in the developer holding part, and the developer container When the remaining amount of developer is displayed, the remaining amount of developer in the developer container is displayed by changing the change rate according to the supplied amount of developer.

Images