JP2019148714A - Remaining powder amount detector and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

To detect the remaining amount of powder in a container with high accuracy.SOLUTION: The distribution of powder in an internal space of a powder accommodation unit where the powder is accommodated is changed, a change value indicating a position change of the powder accommodation unit is detected, the remaining amount of the powder accommodated in the powder accommodation unit is detected on the basis of the change value in a state of the powder having been moved to the vicinity of a change value detection unit that detects the change value, and a powder movement unit is driven so that the powder moves to a direction, in which the powder is supplied to the outside of the powder accommodation unit, in accordance with a reduction of the remaining amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder remaining amount detection device and an image forming apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, powder such as toner is supplied to a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member by rotating a container filled with powder. Then, the remaining amount of the powder in the container is detected and the detection result is notified to the user, thereby prompting the user to replace the container with a sufficient amount of powder.

  In order to detect the remaining amount of the powder in the container, there is a technique for detecting the weight of the entire container and calculating the remaining amount of the powder in the container based on the detected weight (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). In Patent Document 1, the amount of displacement of an elastic body such as a spring that supports a container is measured with a variable resistor or a photosensor, and the remaining amount of powder is detected based on the measured amount of displacement.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus, since the container is driven to rotate and the powder is supplied to the developing device, the distribution mode of the powder in the container changes. In such a case, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the relationship between the amount of displacement of the elastic body and the remaining amount of the powder in the container is not constant due to the change in the distribution mode of the powder. The remaining amount of can not be detected accurately.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to accurately detect the remaining amount of powder in a container.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a powder moving unit that changes a distribution of the powder in an internal space of the powder storing unit in which the powder is stored, and the powder moving unit are driven. A change value detection unit that detects a change value indicating a change in position of the powder container, and the change value in a state in which the powder is moved in the vicinity of the change value detection unit. A powder remaining amount detection unit that detects a remaining amount of the powder stored in the powder storage unit, and the driving unit is configured to reduce the remaining amount of the powder in response to the decrease in the remaining amount. The powder moving unit is driven so as to move in a direction supplied to the outside of the body housing unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of powder in the container.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner bottle according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner bottle according to an embodiment of the invention. 1 is a hardware block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a function for detecting the remaining amount of toner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a function for detecting the remaining amount of toner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a toner distribution mode according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a toner distribution mode according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a toner distribution mode according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an error when detecting the remaining amount of toner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a strain sensor output and a toner remaining amount according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a toner movement mode according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a toner movement mode according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a toner movement mode according to the embodiment of the invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for detecting the remaining amount of toner according to the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the detection process execution determination table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the drive time determination table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the distortion | strain threshold value table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for detecting the remaining amount of toner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an error when detecting the remaining amount of toner according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for detecting the remaining amount of toner according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for detecting the remaining amount of toner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the toner bottle according to the embodiment of the invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, in an image forming apparatus that executes image formation output by an electrophotographic method, toner that is a powder developer is supplied to a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor. A powder remaining amount detection method for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle will be described. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is described by taking a monochrome machine as an example. However, in the present invention, toners of each color of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) are used. The present invention can be similarly applied to an image forming apparatus that performs color printing.

  1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed table 105, a print engine 106 that is an image forming unit, a scanner unit 102 that reads a document, and a display panel 104. The paper feed table 105 stores a print medium P such as paper or an OHP film. The print medium P is fed by the calling roller 62 and then conveyed to the print engine 106.

  The print engine 106 includes an image carrier, a photoreceptor 10 as a latent image carrier, a writing device 47, a charging device 11, a developing device 12, a transfer device 13, a cleaning device 14, and a fixing device 22. Function as. The charging device 11 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor 10 that is rotationally driven. The writing device 47 irradiates the photoconductor 10 with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 10.

  The developing device 12 causes the toner to adhere to the surface of the photoconductor 10 by the developing roller 81 and visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 10. The transfer device 13 includes a transfer belt 17, and the transfer belt 17 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the photoconductor 10 at the transfer position B.

  The print medium P that has passed through the registration roller 21 is sent to the transfer position B. The toner image on the photoconductor 10 is transferred to the print medium P sent to the transfer position B by the transfer device 13, and the toner image is carried on the surface of the print medium P. The cleaning device 14 removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 10 after transfer, and removes the residual potential on the photoconductor 10 by the charge eliminating lamp 9.

  The fixing device 22 includes a heating roller 30 and a pressure roller 32 and applies heat and pressure to the print medium P on which the toner image is carried to fix the toner image on the print medium P. Thereafter, the print medium P is discharged onto the discharge tray 107 by the discharge roller 35 and stacked there.

  On the other hand, when images are formed on both sides of the print medium P, the print medium P is conveyed to the reversing path 43 by the discharge branch claw 34. Thereafter, by rotating the transport roller 66 in the reverse direction, the print medium P is transported to the registration roller 21 via the re-transport path 44. Then, as described above, the toner image is also transferred to the surface of the print medium P where the toner image is not carried.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the photoconductor 10, the charging device 11, the developing device 12, and the cleaning device 14 are integrally configured as a process cartridge 80 as shown in FIG. The developing device 12 includes a developing roller 81, a doctor blade 6 for controlling the thickness of a developer layer containing toner, and screws 82 and 83 for stirring and conveying the developer. The cleaning device 14 includes a cleaning blade 8. The neutralizing lamp 9 removes the residual potential on the photoconductor 10 after cleaning the surface of the photoconductor with the cleaning blade 8.

  The process cartridge 80 can be removed from the opening 80 a by sliding the process cartridge 80 toward the front side of the apparatus according to a rail 91 passed in the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a toner bottle 201 filled with toner to be supplied to the process cartridge 80. The toner bottle 201 can be removed from the image forming apparatus 1 by being drawn out from the opening 20a, and can be replaced by inserting a replacement toner bottle filled with toner from the opening 20a.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the configuration of the toner bottle 201 which is a powder container according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the toner bottle 201 includes a protrusion 211 and a supply port 212.

  The protrusion 211 is provided in a spiral shape in the longitudinal direction of the toner bottle 201. The protruding direction of the protruding portion 211 is the inner wall surface of the toner bottle 201, that is, the side filled with toner. That is, the protrusion 211 is formed by protruding the inner wall surface of the toner bottle 201 in a spiral shape in the longitudinal direction. The outer wall surface of the toner bottle 201 corresponding to the position where the protrusion 211 is formed is recessed inward in accordance with the shape of the protrusion 211.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a gear 203 is formed on the outer periphery of one end side in the longitudinal direction of the toner bottle 201. When the toner bottle 201 is attached to the toner supply unit 202, the drive motor 250 provided in the toner supply unit 202 and the toner bottle 201 are combined. In this state, when the bottle drive unit 121 is driven, the drive motor 250 rotates, and the toner bottle 201 rotates about the longitudinal axis according to the rotation of the drive motor 250.

  When the toner bottle 201 is rotated, the toner is stirred by the protrusion 211 and moves inside the toner bottle 201 along the protrusion 211. As already described, since the protrusion 211 is formed in a spiral shape in the longitudinal direction of the toner bottle 201, the toner also moves spirally inside the toner bottle 201.

  Therefore, the protruding portion 211 functions as a powder moving portion that moves the toner so that the toner distribution changes in the internal space of the toner bottle 201. The following description will be made assuming that the rotation direction of the toner bottle 201 in which the toner moves toward the supply port 212 is the supply direction and the rotation direction of the toner bottle 201 in which the toner moves away from the supply port 212 is the reverse direction.

  The toner that has moved in the supply direction in the toner bottle 201 is sent to the developing device 12 by a transport screw 225 in a transport nozzle 222 provided so as to pass through the interior of the supply port 212. In this way, toner is supplied from the toner bottle 201 to the developing device 12.

  The strain sensor 204 is provided on a bottle support 205 which is a support portion for supporting the toner bottle 201 at one end in the longitudinal direction of the toner bottle 201 facing the supply port 212. In this embodiment, the weight of the toner bottle 201 is measured based on the output value of the strain sensor 204, and the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 is detected based on the measured weight of the toner bottle 201.

  The strain sensor 204 may be configured by arranging a resistor such as a piezo element in a bridge circuit on a bottle support 205 made of a diaphragm. The strain sensor 204 having such a configuration changes the resistance value by applying a stress to the piezo element due to the change in the position of the bottle support 205, and detects the midpoint potential fluctuation in the bridge circuit to detect the inside of the toner bottle 201. It is possible to detect a change in weight.

  Next, a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 52, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 53, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 54, The I / F 55 is connected via the bus 58. Also, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 56 and an operation unit 57 are connected to the I / F 55.

  The CPU 51 is a calculation unit and controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1. The RAM 52 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 51 processes information. The ROM 53 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The HDD 54 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 55 connects and controls the bus 58 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 56 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 57 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse for the user to input information to the image forming apparatus 1.

  In such a hardware configuration, the software control unit is configured by the CPU 51 performing calculations in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 53 or a program loaded into the RAM 52 from a storage medium such as the HDD 54 or an optical disk. A functional block that realizes the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 100, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 101, a scanner unit 102, a paper discharge tray 103, a display panel 104, a paper feed table 105, and a print engine 106. A paper discharge tray 107 and a network I / F 108.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured as a multifunction machine having a scanner unit 102 and a print engine 106. In FIG. 6, the electrical connection is indicated by solid arrows, and the flow of paper is indicated by broken arrows.

  The display panel 104 is a display unit that visually displays the state of the image forming apparatus 1, and when the user directly operates the image forming apparatus 1 as a touch panel or inputs information to the image forming apparatus 1. It is also the input part. Therefore, the display panel 104 functions as an operation display unit. The display panel 104 is realized by the LCD 56 and the operation unit 57 shown in FIG.

  The network I / F 108 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 1 to communicate with other devices via the network, and uses an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. The network I / F 108 can communicate using the TCP / IP protocol. The network I / F 108 also functions as an interface for executing facsimile transmission when the image forming apparatus 1 functions as a facsimile. For this reason, the network I / F 108 is also connected to a telephone line. The network I / F 108 is realized by the I / F 55 shown in FIG.

  The controller 100 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a program stored in a ROM 53, a nonvolatile memory, and a nonvolatile storage medium such as an HDD 54 or an optical disk is loaded into a volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as a memory) such as a RAM 52, and the CPU 51 executes the program. The controller 100 is configured by a software control unit configured by performing calculations according to the above and hardware such as an integrated circuit.

  The controller 100 includes a main control unit 110, an engine control unit 120, an image processing unit 130, an operation display control unit 140, and an input / output control unit 150, and functions as a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1.

  The main control unit 110 plays a role of controlling each unit included in the controller 100 and gives a command to each unit constituting the controller 100. The engine control unit 120 serves as a driving unit that controls or drives the print engine 106, the scanner unit 102, and the like. The image processing unit 130 generates drawing information based on image information to be printed out under the control of the main control unit 110. The drawing information is information for drawing an image to be formed in the image forming operation by the print engine 106 as an image forming unit.

  The image processing unit 130 processes image data input from the scanner unit 102 to generate image data. The image data is information stored in the storage medium of the image forming apparatus 1 as a result of the scanner operation or transmitted to another information processing terminal or storage medium via the network I / F 108.

  The operation display control unit 140 displays information on the display panel 104 or notifies the main control unit 110 of information input via the display panel 104. The operation display control unit 140 acquires information for displaying soft keys on the display panel 104 from the HDD 54 and notifies the main control unit 110 together with information input via the display panel 104.

  The input / output control unit 150 inputs information input via the network I / F 108 to the main control unit 110. The main control unit 110 also controls the input / output control unit 150 to access the network I / F 108 and other devices connected to the network via the network.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a printer, first, the input / output control unit 150 receives a print job via the network I / F 108. The input / output control unit 150 transfers the received print job to the main control unit 110. When the main control unit 110 receives a print job, the main control unit 110 controls the image processing unit 130 to generate drawing information (drawing data) based on document information or image information included in the print job.

  When drawing information is generated by the image processing unit 130, the engine control unit 120 controls the print engine 106 to form an image on the paper conveyed from the paper feed table 105 based on the generated drawing information. Let it run. That is, the image processing unit 130, the engine control unit 120, and the print engine 106 function as an image formation output unit. A document on which image formation has been performed by the print engine 106 is discharged to a discharge tray 107.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a scanner, the operation display control unit 140 or input / output control is performed according to a user operation on the display panel 104 or a scan execution instruction input from another terminal via the network I / F 108. The unit 150 transfers the scan execution signal to the main control unit 110. The main control unit 110 controls the engine control unit 120 based on the received scan execution signal.

  The engine control unit 120 drives the ADF 101 and conveys the document to be imaged set on the ADF 101 to the scanner unit 102. In addition, the engine control unit 120 drives the scanner unit 102 and images a document conveyed from the ADF 101. If no original is set on the ADF 101 and the original is set directly on the scanner unit 102, the scanner unit 102 images the set original according to the control of the engine control unit 120. That is, the scanner unit 102 operates as an imaging unit, and the engine control unit 120 functions as a reading control unit.

  In the image capturing operation, an image sensor such as a contact image sensor (CIS) or a charge-coupled device (CCD) included in the scanner unit 102 optically scans the document, and image information generated based on the optical information is generated. Is done. The engine control unit 120 transfers the imaging information generated by the scanner unit 102 to the image processing unit 130. The image processing unit 130 generates image information based on the imaging information received from the engine control unit 120 according to the control of the main control unit 110.

  Image information generated by the image processing unit 130 is acquired by the main control unit 110, and the main control unit 110 stores the image information in a storage medium attached to the image forming apparatus 1 such as the HDD 54. That is, the scanner unit 102, the engine control unit 120, and the image processing unit 130 work together to function as an image input unit. The image information generated by the image processing unit 130 is stored in the HDD 54 or the like as it is according to a user instruction, or is transmitted to an external device via the input / output control unit 150 and the network I / F 108.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a copying machine, the image processing unit 130 generates drawing information based on the imaging information received by the engine control unit 120 from the scanner unit 102 or the image information generated by the image processing unit 130. To do. Based on the drawing information, the engine control unit 120 drives the print engine 106 as in the case of the printer operation. In addition, when the information formats of drawing information and imaging information are the same, it is also possible to use imaging information as drawing information as it is.

  In such a configuration, the image forming apparatus 1 detects the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 based on the output value of the strain sensor 204. Next, in the present embodiment, a function of detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a function of detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the main control unit 110 and the engine control unit 120 cooperate to detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the main control unit 110 includes a time measurement unit 111, a rotation control unit 112, a toner remaining amount detection unit 113, and a drive time determination information storage unit 114. The engine control unit 120 includes a bottle driving unit 121. The time measuring unit 111 measures an elapsed time from a predetermined timing according to the operation status of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The rotation control unit 112 transmits command information for operating the driving motor 250 to the bottle driving unit 121. The bottle driving unit 121 rotates the toner bottle 201 by driving the driving motor 250.

  The toner remaining amount detecting unit 113 is a powder remaining amount detecting unit that detects the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 based on information regarding the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 input to the main control unit 110. Further, the information indicating the toner remaining amount detected by the toner remaining amount detecting unit 113 may be stored in a storage medium such as the HDD 54 or the RAM 52.

  The drive time determination information storage unit 114 is used to determine the time for rotationally driving the toner bottle 201 in order to move the toner inside the toner bottle 201 toward the supply port 212 after detecting the remaining amount of toner. A drive time determination table 320 and a strain threshold value table 330 are stored. The rotation control unit 112 refers to the drive time determination table 320 or the distortion threshold value table 330 to determine the time for which the toner bottle 201 is rotationally driven after the toner remaining amount is detected.

  Hereinafter, an internal configuration of the toner remaining amount detection unit 113 will be described with reference to FIG. The toner remaining amount detection unit 113 includes a distortion value detection unit 1131, a toner remaining amount prediction unit 1132, a toner remaining amount calculation unit 1133, and a remaining amount detection execution information storage unit 1134.

  When the position of the bottle support 205 that supports the toner bottle 201 changes in the vertical direction according to the weight of the toner bottle 201, that is, in the direction indicated by the arrow V in FIG. The output value (hereinafter referred to as “strain value”) is detected. This change is referred to as a position change of the toner bottle 201. Therefore, the strain value detection unit 1131 functions as a change value detection unit that detects a strain value that is a change value indicating a change in the position of the toner bottle 201.

  The toner remaining amount predicting unit 1132 functions as a powder remaining amount predicting unit that calculates a predicted value of the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 based on the number of pixels of the drawing information output by the image forming apparatus 1. The toner remaining amount calculation unit 1133 has a data table indicating the relationship between the strain value and the remaining amount of toner, or a mathematical expression representing the relationship between the strain value and the remaining amount of toner, and the toner in the toner bottle 201 based on the strain value. Calculate the remaining amount.

  The remaining amount detection execution information storage unit 1134 stores a detection processing execution determination table 310 that is a data table used to determine whether or not to execute processing for detecting the remaining amount of toner. The toner remaining amount calculation unit 1133 determines whether or not to execute processing for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201.

  In this embodiment, in this embodiment, the toner bottle 201 is rotated to control the toner distribution in the toner bottle 201 and detect the remaining amount of toner. 9 to 11 are diagrams illustrating toner distribution modes in the toner bottle 201 according to the present embodiment. 9 to 11, the toner in the toner bottle 201 is indicated by a shaded area.

  In the toner bottle 201 shown in FIG. 9, the toner is concentrated around the strain sensor 204. In the toner bottle 201 shown in FIG. 10, toner is concentrated around the supply port 212. In the toner bottle 201 shown in FIG. 11, the toner is concentrated and distributed near the center in the longitudinal direction of the toner bottle 201.

  The toner in the toner bottle 201 passes through the supply port 212 and is supplied to the developing device 12. Therefore, in the toner bottle 201 immediately after the toner is supplied from the toner bottle 201 to the process cartridge 80, the toner is concentrated near the supply port 212 as shown in FIG. This is because the toner moves in the supply direction along the protrusion 211 when the toner bottle 201 is driven to rotate.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an error in detecting the remaining amount of toner based on the distortion values in the respective toner distributions shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG. 12, the output characteristic of the strain sensor 204 in the toner distribution of FIG. 9 is indicated by a curve A, and the output characteristic of the strain sensor 204 in the toner distribution of FIG.

  In FIG. 12, the strain value detected by the strain sensor 204 when the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 is small is shown in a region P1. In the toner distribution of FIG. 9, since the distortion value is detected according to the remaining amount of toner regardless of the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201, the curve A is a linear curve.

  On the other hand, in the toner distribution of FIG. 10, when the remaining amount of toner is small, the output value of the strain sensor 204 that is different from the strain value corresponding to the actual remaining toner amount is detected, so the curve B is a linear curve. Must not. As described above, the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 cannot be accurately detected with the toner distribution state shown in FIG.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201, as shown in FIG. 9, the remaining amount of toner is changed after the toner is moved so that the toner is distributed in the vicinity of the strain sensor 204. Detect. By rotating the toner bottle 201 in the reverse direction, the toner concentrated and distributed in the vicinity of the supply port 212 can be moved in the vicinity of the strain sensor 204.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the driving time tn of the toner bottle 201 required until the toner is moved to the vicinity of the strain sensor 204 and the output of the strain sensor 204 is stabilized differs depending on the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201. . In the explanatory diagram shown in FIG. 13, for example, the fluctuation or increase of the value output from the strain sensor 204 is predetermined (for example, 5% increase / decrease) per unit time or per arbitrary number of rotations of the toner bottle 201. It is determined that the output of the strain sensor 204 is stable when it is within the range.

  In FIG. 13, the driving time ta when the remaining amount of toner is 30 g, the driving time tb when the remaining amount of toner is 40 g, the driving time tc when the remaining amount of toner is 50 g, and the driving time when the remaining amount of toner is 60 g. When the toner bottle 201 is driven to rotate over td, the output of the strain sensor 204 is stabilized.

  The drive time of the toner bottle 201 is drive time ta> drive time tb> drive time tc> drive time td, and the drive time until the output of the strain sensor 204 is stabilized becomes longer as the remaining amount of toner is smaller. When the horizontal axis (X-axis) in FIG. 13 is “rotational drive count”, the smaller the remaining amount of toner, the greater the rotational drive count until the output of the strain sensor 204 is stabilized.

  Therefore, the time required to move the toner to the strain sensor 204 is longer when the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 is smaller than when the remaining amount of toner is large. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is determined whether or not to detect the remaining amount of toner according to the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201.

  Specifically, when the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 is large, the remaining amount of toner is detected more frequently than when the remaining amount of toner is small. By doing so, for example, it is possible to prevent the time for the user to wait to use the image forming apparatus 1.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, when the toner is moved to the vicinity of the strain sensor 204 and the remaining amount of toner is detected, the toner remains until the toner is supplied from the toner bottle 201 to the developing device 12. It will be concentrated in the vicinity.

  FIG. 14 shows the toner distribution in the toner bottle 201 after detection of the remaining amount of toner when the remaining amount of toner is 25 g, FIG. 15 shows the remaining amount of toner 35 g, and FIG. is there. D1 in FIG. 14, D2 in FIG. 15, and D3 in FIG. 16 are distances from the toner to the supply port 212, and the length of the distance is “D1 <D2 <D3”. Therefore, as the remaining amount of toner is smaller, the toner distribution in the toner bottle 201 after the remaining amount of toner is detected is farther from the supply port 212.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, after the toner is moved to the vicinity of the strain sensor 204 and the remaining amount of toner is detected, the toner bottle 201 is rotationally driven in the supply direction to move the toner to the vicinity of the supply port 212. Specifically, as the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 after detecting the remaining amount of toner is smaller, the toner bottle 201 is driven to rotate, and the toner is moved to the vicinity of the supply port 212.

  As described above, after detecting the remaining amount of toner, the toner distributed near the strain sensor 204 is moved to the vicinity of the supply port 212, so that the toner is quickly supplied to the developing device 12 after the remaining amount of toner is detected. It becomes possible.

  Next, a flow of processing for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 according to the present embodiment.

  The rotation control unit 112 acquires the toner remaining amount when the previous toner remaining amount stored in the storage medium constituting the image forming apparatus 1 is detected (S1701), and based on the acquired toner remaining amount value. With reference to the detection process execution determination table 310 stored in the amount detection execution information storage unit 1134, it is determined whether or not to execute the process of detecting the remaining amount of toner (S1702).

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration of the detection process execution determination table 310 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the detection processing execution determination table 310 detects the remaining amount of toner according to information indicating the time for which the toner bottle 201 is rotationally driven for each remaining amount of toner and the operation state of the image forming apparatus 1. It is configured to be associated with information that determines whether or not to execute.

  Here, the “driving time” shown in FIG. 18 is the driving time tn of the toner bottle 201 necessary for moving the toner to the vicinity of the strain sensor 204 and stabilizing the output of the strain sensor 204 described in FIG. That is. Therefore, the length of the drive time tn is also drive time ta> drive time tb> drive time tc> drive time td in FIG.

  Further, d1 to d6 indicate the operation states of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively. The operation states of the image forming apparatus 1 are “d1: after completion of toner supply”, “d2: the number of pixels of image-formed drawing information exceeds a predetermined value”, and “d3: the image forming apparatus 1 consumes less power, respectively. “Transition to power state”, “d4: No print job and no human sensor response”, “d5: No print job”, “d6: When using functions other than image formation”.

  For example, when the remaining amount of toner acquired in S1701 is “41 to 50 g”, the rotation control unit 112 indicates that the image forming apparatus 1 is indicated by “T” among the operation states from d1 to d6. If it is in the operating state, it is determined that the process for detecting the remaining amount of toner is executed (S1702 / Yes).

  Accordingly, the rotation control unit 112 detects the remaining amount of toner when the remaining amount of toner is “41 to 50 g” when the image forming apparatus 1 is performing a function other than image formation, such as scanning or FAX. However, if the remaining amount of toner is “51-60 g”, it is determined that the processing for detecting the remaining amount of toner is to be performed.

  Depending on the operating state and installation environment of the image forming apparatus 1, for example, when the humidity is higher than a certain value, the process of detecting the remaining amount of toner is performed under the condition that the remaining amount of toner is smaller, that is, the remaining toner amount. When the amount is “51 to 60 g”, the execution of the process for detecting the remaining amount of toner may be determined using the operation states d1 to d6 of the image forming apparatus 1 whose remaining amount of toner is “41 to 50 g”. This is because the toner absorbs moisture and the toner becomes difficult to move. On the other hand, when the humidity is lower than a certain value, the execution timing may be set to a condition where the one-step toner remaining amount is large. This is because the toner is dried and the toner is easily moved.

  When the rotation control unit 112 does not execute the process of detecting the remaining amount of toner, the operation state of the image forming apparatus 1 is changed to the operation state indicated by “T” among the operation states from d1 to d6. Wait (S1702 / No).

  If it is determined that the process for detecting the remaining amount of toner is to be executed, the rotation control unit 112 transmits command information for driving the driving motor 250 to reversely rotate the toner bottle 201 to the bottle driving unit 121 to drive the bottle. The unit 121 drives the drive motor 250 according to the command information (S1703). Therefore, the rotation control unit 112 functions as a drive determination control unit that determines whether to start processing for detecting the remaining amount of toner based on the remaining amount of toner and controls the driving state of the toner bottle 201.

  The time measuring unit 111 starts measuring the time elapsed from the timing when the driving of the drive motor 250 is started (S1704). The time measuring unit 111 measures the time for which the toner bottle 201 is rotationally driven by driving the drive motor 250 and the toner moves.

  Subsequently, the rotation control unit 112 transmits command information for stopping the drive of the drive motor 250 to the bottle drive unit 121 when the measurement time by the time measurement unit 111 passes the predetermined time t1 (Yes in S1705). To do. The bottle drive unit 121 stops the drive motor 250 according to the command information from the rotation control unit 112 (S1706).

  The time t1 is the driving time tn of the toner bottle 201 required until the toner is moved to the vicinity of the strain sensor 204 and the output of the strain sensor 204 is stabilized. Is a predetermined time.

  In step S <b> 1705, the time measurement unit 111 refers to the detection process execution determination table 310 and based on the drive time tn determined by the toner remaining amount detection unit 113, a predetermined time corresponding to the time during which the toner moves in the toner bottle 201. Time t1 is determined and time measurement is performed.

  When the drive motor 250 stops, the strain value detection unit 1131 acquires the strain value S detected by the strain sensor 204 (S1707). The toner remaining amount calculation unit 1133 calculates the toner remaining amount in the toner bottle 201 based on the distortion value S acquired in S1305 (S1708).

  The toner remaining amount calculation unit 1133 has a data table indicating the relationship between the strain value and the toner remaining amount. Therefore, in the processing of S1708, the toner remaining amount calculation unit 1133 extracts the toner remaining amount corresponding to the distortion value S acquired in S1707 from the data table.

  When the remaining toner amount is calculated by the remaining toner calculating unit 1133, the time measuring unit 111 ends the time measurement (S1709). Note that the main control unit 110 displays a screen for notifying the user via the display panel 104 when the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 calculated in S1708 is smaller than a predetermined amount. May be executed.

  When the time measurement is completed, the rotation control unit 112 refers to the drive time determination table 320 (S1710). FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a configuration of the drive time determination table 320 according to the present embodiment.

  In the driving time determination table 320, for each remaining amount of toner, a movement target value that is a distance from the toner position in the toner bottle 201 to the supply port 212, a toner movement amount per one toner movement operation, and a movement target. The number of driving times of the toner bottle 201 calculated based on the value and the toner movement amount is associated.

  The toner movement amount is the distance that the toner moves within the toner bottle 201 per toner movement operation, and is not the amount of toner discharged from the toner bottle 201. In the drive time determination table 320, a value experimentally calculated for each remaining amount of toner is used as the toner movement amount.

  Further, since the movement target value changes according to the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201, the drive time determination table 320 uses a value experimentally calculated for each remaining amount of toner as the toner movement amount. ing. The movement target value indicates a distance to move the toner to a position where the toner is not discharged from the supply port 212 with respect to the remaining amount of toner.

  Further, one toner movement operation does not only indicate an operation in which the drive motor 250 makes one rotation, and depending on the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, there is a configuration in which the motor is rotated a plurality of times. It depends on the configuration.

  The rotation control unit 112 refers to the drive time determination table 320 and determines a time for which the toner bottle 201 is rotationally driven after the remaining amount of toner is detected. For example, when the remaining amount of toner is 25 g, the rotation control unit 112 refers to the drive time determination table 320 to determine the toner movement amount a and the movement target value A in one toner movement operation.

  That is, the rotation control unit 112 determines the number of driving times (A / a) of the toner bottle 201 based on the toner movement amount a and the movement target value A. Then, the bottle driving unit 121 drives the toner bottle 201 to rotate in the supply direction for the number of driving times determined by the rotation control unit 112 (S1711). When the drive of the drive motor 250 by the bottle drive unit 121 stops, the main control unit 110 ends this process.

  The drive time determination table 320 is the same regardless of the toner color (YMCK), but varies depending on the shape of the toner bottle 201 and the toner component. Further, since the degree of solidification of the toner varies depending on the temperature and humidity, a plurality of driving time determination tables 320 exist for each temperature and humidity.

  Further, the rotation control unit 112 may rotate the toner bottle 201 after detecting the remaining amount of toner with reference to the strain threshold value table 330. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 when the toner bottle 201 is rotationally driven with reference to the strain threshold table 330.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 21, processing steps that perform the same processing as in the flowchart of FIG. 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 21 executes the same processing as the flowchart of FIG. 17 from S1701 to S1709.

  When the time measurement is completed, the rotation control unit 112 refers to the strain threshold value table 330 and moves the toner to the position where the toner is not discharged from the supply port 212 with respect to the remaining amount of toner. A threshold value is determined (S2101). FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a configuration of the strain threshold value table 330 according to the present embodiment.

  The distortion threshold value table 330 is associated with the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 and the output value of the distortion sensor 204 when the toner is moved to the position closest to the supply port 210 as threshold values. Composed. As the threshold value of the strain sensor 204, a value experimentally calculated for each remaining amount of toner is used.

  For example, when the toner remaining amount is 25 g, the rotation control unit 112 refers to the strain threshold value table 330, and the strain sensor threshold when the toner remaining amount is 25 g, that is, the strain sensor The toner moving operation is executed until the value becomes α.

  When the toner position is near the supply port 212, the output value of the strain sensor 204 changes because the toner absorbs moisture and solidifies. Therefore, there are a plurality of strain threshold tables 330 for every 10% humidity.

  Then, the bottle drive unit 121 drives the drive motor 250 to rotate the toner bottle 201 in the supply direction (S2102). The rotation control unit 112 causes the bottle driving unit 121 to drive the drive motor 250 based on the strain value determined in S2101 (S2103 / Yes).

  Specifically, the rotation control unit 112 acquires a strain value while the drive motor 250 is being driven, and determines that the strain value has reached the threshold value determined in S2101, the bottle drive unit 121. The command information for stopping the drive of the drive motor 250 is transmitted to. Therefore, the rotation control unit 112 functions as a change value determination unit.

  When the drive of the drive motor 250 by the bottle drive unit 121 is stopped (S2104), the rotation control unit 112 ends the process. As described above, in the present embodiment, in order to accurately detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201, the strain value is acquired after the toner is moved to the vicinity of the strain sensor 204, and the remaining amount of toner is calculated. .

  In this embodiment, the process for determining whether or not to detect the remaining amount of toner according to the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 and the direction in which the toner bottle 201 is supplied after detecting the remaining amount of toner are detected. , And a process of moving the toner to the vicinity of the supply port 212 is executed.

  Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time during which the user cannot use the function installed in the image forming apparatus 1 due to the detection of the remaining amount of toner, so-called downtime, and to accurately detect the remaining amount of toner.

  In this embodiment, the toner remaining in the toner bottle 201 is detected by detecting the strain value after the toner in the toner bottle 201 is concentrated and distributed in the vicinity of the strain sensor 204. However, as shown in FIG. 22, an error may occur in the strain value detected by the strain sensor 204 depending on the operation state of the image forming apparatus 1.

  Other image forming apparatuses calculate the remaining amount of toner based on the number of pixels of the drawing information. In FIG. 22, the graph indicated by the symbol D is the remaining amount of toner of the image forming apparatus 1 predicted based on the number of pixels of the drawing information, and the graph indicated by the symbol E is predicted based on the number of pixels of the drawing information. The minimum value of the remaining amount of toner in the image forming apparatus 1 and a graph indicated by symbol F are the maximum value of the remaining amount of toner in the image forming apparatus 1 predicted based on the number of pixels of the drawing information, and each time passes. Show the trend of change.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, depending on the printing density and the number of printed sheets, the toner consumption varies even when printing is performed using the same drawing information. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the remaining amount of toner calculated based on the distortion value ranges from the maximum value to the minimum value of the remaining amount of toner predicted based on the number of pixels of the drawing information printed in the image forming apparatus 1. It is determined whether it is within a range (hereinafter referred to as “predicted range”). In this way, it is determined whether or not the strain value detected by the strain sensor 204 is an abnormal value, and the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 is detected with higher accuracy.

  Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 23, the remaining amount of toner calculated based on the distortion value and the predicted range G of the remaining amount of toner determined based on the number of pixels of the drawing information printed in the image forming apparatus 1 are obtained. The flow of processing for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 201 will be described in comparison.

  In FIG. 23, portions that perform the same processing as in FIG. 17 are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. That is, the processes from S1701 to S1706 and S1710 to S1711 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 are the same as those already described using the same reference numerals.

  That is, after the toner bottle 201 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction until it corresponds to a predetermined time t1, the drive motor 250 is stopped by the bottle driving unit 121 (S1701 to S1706). Subsequently, the strain value detector 1131 acquires the strain value S2 by the strain sensor 204 (S2301).

  The toner remaining amount calculation unit 1133 calculates the remaining amount of toner based on the strain value S2 (S2302). The toner remaining amount detection unit 113 is a toner remaining amount prediction unit 1132, and the remaining amount of toner is predicted based on information such as the number of pixels, the number of printed sheets, and the printing density of the drawing information that has been printed by the image forming apparatus 1. It is determined whether or not the value of the remaining amount of toner calculated in S2302 is applicable (S2303).

  When the value of the remaining amount of toner calculated in S2302 is within the prediction range G of the remaining amount of toner determined based on the number of pixels of the drawing information printed up to S2301, (S2303 / Yes), the remaining toner amount detection unit 113 replaces the toner remaining amount determined in the toner remaining amount predicting unit 1132 with the value of the toner remaining amount calculated in S2302 (S2311), and detects the replaced value as the toner remaining amount. In this way, the remaining toner amount predicting unit 1132 can predict the remaining toner amount with high accuracy.

  When the value of the remaining amount of toner calculated in S2302 is not within the prediction range G of the remaining amount of toner determined based on the number of pixels of the drawing information printed up to S2301, (S2303 / No), the distortion value detection unit 1131. Detects the strain value S3 by the strain sensor 204 (S2304), and the toner remaining amount calculation unit 1133 calculates the toner remaining amount based on the strain value S3 (S2305).

  When the value of the remaining amount of toner calculated in S2305 is within the prediction range G of the remaining amount of toner determined based on the number of pixels of the drawing information printed and output up to S2301 (S2306 / Yes), the remaining toner amount detection unit 113 replaces the toner remaining amount determined by the toner remaining amount predicting unit 1132 with the value of the toner remaining amount calculated in S2305 (S2311), and detects the replaced value as the toner remaining amount.

  When the value of the remaining amount of toner calculated in S2305 is not within the predicted range G of the remaining amount of toner determined based on the number of pixels of the drawing information printed up to S2301, (S2306 / No), the rotation control unit 112 Then, control is performed to reversely rotate the toner bottle 201.

  Specifically, the rotation control unit 112 transmits command information for rotating the toner bottle 201 in reverse for a predetermined time t2 to the bottle driving unit 121, and the bottle driving unit 121 reverses the toner bottle 201 for a predetermined time t5. The drive motor 250 is driven to rotate (S2307).

  For the predetermined time t2, the time for the toner to move in the toner bottle 201 based on the value of the remaining amount of toner calculated in S2305 and the prediction range G of the remaining amount of toner determined based on the number of pixels of the drawing information. A time corresponding to may be used as the time t2.

  When the toner bottle 201 is reversely rotated for a predetermined time t2 and the drive motor 250 is stopped, the strain value detection unit 1131 acquires the strain value S4 by the strain sensor 204 (S2308).

  The toner remaining amount calculation unit 1133 calculates the remaining amount of toner based on the strain value S4 (S2309). When the value of the remaining amount of toner calculated in S2309 is within the prediction range G of the remaining amount of toner determined based on the number of pixels of the drawing information printed and output up to S2301 (S2310 / Yes), the remaining toner amount detection unit A correction 113 replaces the toner remaining amount determined by the toner remaining amount prediction unit 1132 with the value of the toner remaining amount calculated in S2309 (S2311), and detects the toner remaining amount.

  In the processing of S2311, the toner remaining amount detection unit 113 replaces the toner remaining amount value calculated in S2309 with the toner remaining amount value determined in the toner remaining amount prediction unit 1132, and the toner remaining amount correction value. You may save as. Moreover, the structure which performs only abnormality detection of the strain sensor 204, without performing the process of S2311 may be sufficient.

  When the value of the remaining amount of toner calculated in S2309 is not within the prediction range G of the remaining amount of toner determined based on the number of pixels of the drawing information printed up to S2301 (S2310 / No), the main control unit 110 Then, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the strain sensor 204, and an error notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred is performed (S2312). At this time, the main control unit 110 functions as an abnormality detection unit. Further, the main control unit 110 may perform error notification by displaying a notification screen on the display panel 104.

  When the process of S2311 or S2312 is executed, the time measurement unit 111 ends the time measurement (S2313). Then, the rotation control unit 112 executes the processing from S1710.

  When the rotation control unit 112 rotates the toner bottle 201 after detecting the remaining amount of toner with reference to the strain threshold value table 330, as shown in FIG. 24, in the process of S2313, the time measurement unit After the time measurement is completed by 111, the rotation control unit 112 executes the processing from S2101.

  When the toner remaining amount predicting unit 1132 has a data table for setting an arbitrary range according to the toner remaining amount, the toner remaining amount predicting range G is set to an arbitrary value depending on the previous toner remaining amount value. The range may be set.

  Further, the remaining toner amount detection unit 113 may use an intermediate value in the prediction range G predicted by the remaining toner amount prediction unit 1132 as the remaining toner amount when the remaining toner amount becomes smaller than a predetermined value. Further, the main control unit 110 may use the value determined by the remaining toner amount prediction unit 1132 as the remaining toner amount after notifying the error in S2312.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is equipped with the powder remaining amount detection device that detects the remaining amount of toner by controlling the distribution of the toner in the toner bottle to be a constant state. Detect the amount. In this way, the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle can be accurately detected, and it is also possible to detect whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the sensor for detecting the remaining amount of toner. It is.

  The toner bottle 201 according to the present embodiment has been described by taking a toner bottle having a protruding portion 211 on the inner wall surface as an example. However, as shown in FIG. 25, a screw mechanism 213 is provided inside instead of the protruding portion 211. The present invention can also be applied to the toner bottle 201 having the same.

  When the screw mechanism 213 is attached to the toner supply unit 202, the screw mechanism 213 engages with the drive motor 250 and rotates according to the drive of the drive motor 250. Then, the toner distribution in the toner in the internal space of the toner bottle 201 changes due to the rotational drive of the screw mechanism 213. Therefore, the screw mechanism 213 functions as a powder moving unit that changes the distribution state by moving the toner in the toner bottle 201 without rotating the toner bottle 201.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming device 6 Doctor blade 8 Cleaning blade 9 Static elimination lamp 10 Photoconductor 11 Charging device 12 Developing device 13 Transfer device 14 Cleaning device 17 Transfer belt 20a Opening portion 21 Registration roller 22 Fixing device 30 Heating roller 32 Pressure roller 34 Discharge branch Claw 35 Paper discharge roller 43 Reverse path 44 Re-transport path 47 Writing device 51 CPU
52 RAM
53 ROM
54 HDD
55 I / F
56 LCD
57 Operation section 58 Bus 62 Calling roller 66 Conveying roller 80 Process cartridge 80a Opening 81 Developing roller 82, 83 Screw 91 Rail 100 Controller 102 Scanner unit 103 Paper discharge tray 104 Display panel 105 Paper feed table 106 Print engine 107 Paper discharge tray 108 Network I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Main control part 111 Time measurement part 112 Rotation control part 113 Toner remaining amount detection part 114 Drive time determination information storage part 120 Engine control part 121 Bottle drive part 130 Image processing part 140 Operation display control part 150 Input / output control part 201 Toner bottle 202 Toner supply unit 203 Gear 204 Strain sensor 205 Bottle support 211 Projection unit 212 Supply port 213 Screw mechanism 250 Drive motor 1131 Strain value detection unit 1132 Toner remaining amount prediction unit 1133 Toner remaining amount calculation execution unit 1134 Remaining amount detection execution information storage unit

JP 2004-286793 A

Claims (9)

A powder moving part for changing the distribution of the powder in the internal space of the powder containing part containing the powder;
A drive unit for driving the powder moving unit;
A change value detector for detecting a change value indicating a change in position of the powder container;
A powder remaining amount detection unit that detects a remaining amount of the powder stored in the powder storage unit based on the change value in a state where the powder is moved to the vicinity of the change value detection unit;
Including
The drive unit is
The powder remaining amount detection, wherein the powder moving unit is driven so that the powder moves in a direction in which the powder is supplied to the outside of the powder containing unit in response to a decrease in the remaining amount. apparatus. The drive unit is
The powder residual amount detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a driving time of the powder moving unit is increased in accordance with a decrease in the remaining amount. The drive unit is
2. The powder remaining amount detection device according to claim 1, wherein the number of times the powder moving unit is driven is increased in accordance with a decrease in the remaining amount. A powder moving part for changing the distribution of the powder in the internal space of the powder containing part containing the powder;
A drive unit for driving the powder moving unit;
A change value detector for detecting a change value indicating a change in position of the powder container;
A powder remaining amount detection unit that detects a remaining amount of the powder stored in the powder storage unit based on the change value in a state where the powder is moved to the vicinity of the change value detection unit;
A change value determination unit that determines that the powder has moved to a supply port supplied to the outside of the powder when the change value reaches a predetermined threshold;
Including
The drive unit is
Driving the powder moving part so that the powder moves in the supply direction supplied to the outside of the powder container,
The change value determination unit
The powder remaining amount detecting device, wherein the threshold value is changed according to the remaining amount to determine that the powder has moved to the supply port. An image forming apparatus that performs development with a developer that is powder based on drawing information that is output for image formation and executes image formation output,
A powder moving part for changing the distribution of the powder in the internal space of the powder containing part containing the powder;
A drive unit for driving the powder moving unit;
A change value detector for detecting a change value indicating a change in position of the powder container;
A powder remaining amount detection unit that detects a remaining amount of the powder stored in the powder storage unit based on the change value in a state where the powder is moved to the vicinity of the change value detection unit;
Including
The drive unit is
The image forming apparatus, wherein the powder moving unit is driven so that the powder moves in a direction in which the powder is supplied to the outside of the powder container as the remaining amount decreases. An image forming apparatus that performs development with a developer that is powder based on drawing information that is output for image formation and executes image formation output,
A powder moving part for changing the distribution of the powder in the internal space of the powder containing part containing the powder;
A drive unit for driving the powder moving unit;
A change value detector for detecting a change value indicating a change in position of the powder container;
A powder remaining amount detection unit that detects a remaining amount of the powder stored in the powder storage unit based on the change value in a state where the powder is moved to the vicinity of the change value detection unit;
A change value determination unit that determines that the powder has moved to a supply port supplied to the outside of the powder when the change value reaches a predetermined threshold;
Including
The drive unit is
Driving the powder moving part so that the powder moves in the supply direction supplied to the outside of the powder container,
The change value determination unit
An image forming apparatus, wherein the threshold value is changed according to the remaining amount to determine that the powder has moved to the supply port. An image forming apparatus that performs development with a developer that is powder based on drawing information that is output for image formation and executes image formation output,
A powder moving part for changing the distribution of the powder in the internal space of the powder containing part containing the powder;
A drive unit for driving the powder moving unit;
A change value detector for detecting a change value indicating a change in position of the powder container;
A powder remaining amount detection unit that detects a remaining amount of the powder stored in the powder storage unit based on the change value in a state where the powder is moved to the vicinity of the change value detection unit;
A drive determination control unit that determines whether to drive the powder moving unit so as to move the powder to the vicinity of the change value detection unit based on the remaining amount and the operation state of the image forming apparatus; ,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The drive determination control unit
8. The powder moving unit is driven when the image forming output is not performed when the powder stored in the powder storing unit is larger than a predetermined amount. The image forming apparatus described. The powder remaining amount detection unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the remaining amount is detected after the powder is supplied to the outside of the powder container.