JP3616305B2 - Waste toner recovery device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a waste toner collecting device used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying apparatus or an electrophotographic printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As is well known, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a charging unit, an image exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a peeling unit, and a cleaning unit in this order along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum.
[0003]
The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the transfer paper supplied from the paper supply unit in the transfer process. Thereafter, the transfer sheet is separated from the photosensitive drum and fixed by the fixing device, and the fixed transfer sheet is discharged to a discharge unit. The photosensitive drum is cleaned by a cleaning unit and prepared for the next development.
[0004]
A small amount of untransferred toner including paper dust remains on the photosensitive drum after the transfer, and if left untreated, an image defect may be caused. Therefore, the toner is removed by the cleaning unit.
[0005]
FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the cleaning unit. The cleaning unit 100 includes a cleaner blade 102 and sends waste toner to a waste toner collecting apparatus A including a waste toner collecting unit (container) 103 and a cleaner screw 104. In other words, the front edge portion 102a of the cleaner blade 102 is brought into sliding contact with the photosensitive drum 105 to scrape off the untransferred toner containing paper dust and the like from the photosensitive drum 105, and waste toner. T is transported and collected to the waste toner collecting container 103 by the cleaner screw 104.
[0006]
As shown in FIG. 11, the conventional waste toner collecting apparatus A stores the waste toner T transported by the cleaner screw 104 in the transport pipe 106 in a waste toner recovery container 103 via a connecting pipe 107. It is.
[0007]
In the waste toner collecting container 103, the waste toner T accumulates in a conical shape as it is sequentially carried. If such a state continues, the waste toner T may be clogged in the connection pipe 107 or the transport pipe 106 before the waste toner collection container 103 is filled with the waste toner T. In addition, if the waste toner T overflows from the waste toner collection container 103, problems such as a failure of the image forming apparatus or contamination of the paper occur. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to frequently take out the waste toner collecting container 103 from the image forming apparatus and discard the waste toner, which requires time and labor. Therefore, a vibration generating body such as a cam that contacts the side surface or the bottom surface of the waste toner collecting container 103 is arranged to give a mechanical shock or vibration to the waste toner collecting container 103 so that the accumulated amount of the waste toner T accumulated in a cone shape is increased. A configuration is known in which the thickness is uniform and the frequency of maintenance is reduced. However, in this situation, mechanical vibration / impact on the waste toner collecting container 103 is a big noise, and it does not meet the user's request under the current situation where the quietness of the printing apparatus is required. Further, it is only necessary to equalize the amount of waste toner accumulated in a conical shape, and it is necessary to detect the fullness of the waste toner T in order to prevent the waste toner T from overflowing.
[0008]
From this point of view, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-212052, as shown in FIG. 12, the waste toner collection container 103 is displaced in the vertical direction by elastic bodies 108, 108 such as coil springs disposed below the waste toner collection container 103. On the other hand, a sensor for detecting a downward displacement position of the waste toner collection container 103, for example, a micro switch 109, is disposed below the waste toner collection container 103.
[0009]
This is because the waste toner collection container 103 is displaced downward against the elastic force as the amount of waste toner collected increases and the waste toner amount reaches a predetermined amount (full) at a downward displacement position (FIG. 13). By turning on the micro switch 109, it is possible to prevent the waste toner amount from being excessively accumulated.
[0010]
Separately, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-325670 discloses a position where the waste toner inlet portion of the waste toner collection container 103 is sandwiched as shown in FIG. 14, or the waste toner collection container 103 as shown in FIG. In the upper position, a light projecting element 110 such as a light emitting diode (LED) and a light receiving element 111 such as a phototransistor are arranged to face each other, and the waste toner T accumulated up to the vicinity of the container inlet is optically detected. Technology has been proposed.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the former example in the known example, there are a relatively large number of mechanical components, and there is a risk of erroneous detection unless the relationship between the weight of the waste toner T and the amount of downward displacement of the waste toner collection container 103 is set strictly. is there. In the latter case, transparent windows 112 and 113 corresponding to the light projecting and light receiving elements 110 and 110 must be formed in the waste toner collecting container 103, and the transparent windows 112 and 113 are disposed in the waste toner T. If it becomes dirty, an appropriate optical path will not be secured, and the detection accuracy will decrease.
[0012]
An object of the present invention is to provide a waste toner collecting apparatus capable of accurately detecting the presence or absence of waste toner without incurring a complicated structure and the like. is there.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the above problems.
[0014]
(1) A stirring shaft that rotates in the waste toner collecting section, a detection body that is rotatably supported by the stirring shaft, and a driving means that pushes the detection body to the top dead center around the stirring shaft in response to the rotation of the stirring shaft. In a waste toner collecting apparatus that detects the waste toner state from the behavior of the detection body,
A magnetoelectric conversion element is arranged in the position downstream of the top dead center in the displacement direction of the detection body and in the vicinity of the rotation trajectory of the detection body outside the waste toner collecting portion, and the top dead center is based on the output signal of the magnetoelectric conversion element. Detection means is provided for detecting the staying time of the detection body at the position facing the magnetic permeability sensor after passing through the point position as the behavior of the detection body .
In this configuration, the behavior of the detector disposed in the waste toner collection unit is magnetically detected based on the output signal of the magnetoelectric conversion element provided outside the waste toner collection unit. Therefore, the structure can be simplified compared to the mechanical detection means, and it is not necessary to provide a transparent window or the like unlike the optical detection means. The presence or absence of waste toner is accurately detected.
[0015]
(2) The magnetoelectric conversion element is a magnetic permeability sensor disposed downstream of the top dead center position in the detection body displacement direction.
[0016]
In this configuration, when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collection unit is full, the staying time near the magnetic permeability sensor facing position becomes relatively long after the detection body passes the top dead center position. When the amount is small, the detector passes almost instantaneously near the position where the magnetic permeability sensor faces. The amount of waste toner is determined from the length of time required for the detector to pass near the position where the magnetic permeability sensor faces.
[0017]
(3) The magnetic permeability sensor is disposed at a plurality of locations along the displacement direction downstream of the top dead center position in the direction of displacement of the detection body.
[0018]
In this configuration, whether or not the amount of waste toner is full can be determined and detected, and the amount of waste toner accumulation corresponding to a plurality of locations downstream of the top dead center position in the detection body displacement direction is detected. It is also possible to detect the degree of waste toner accumulation.
[0019]
(4) The drive means is formed of a drive piece provided integrally with the stirring shaft and extending toward the upstream side in the displacement direction of the detection body, while the detection body is formed of a frame. .
[0020]
In this configuration, a mechanism for raising the detection body to the top dead center position is simplified. Further, since the detection body is a frame body, the resistance due to the waste toner at the time of pushing up is small, and the rotational load of the stirring shaft is small.
[0021]
(5) The detector comprises a U-shaped frame body having a horizontal side along the stirring shaft and a pair of vertical sides supported by the stirring shaft at both ends of the horizontal side. Only the portion is made of a magnetic material.
[0022]
In this configuration, since the detection body is U-shaped, it is difficult to receive the resistance force of the toner when descending from the top dead center position. Weight can be reduced.
[0023]
(6) The detection body is composed of a U-shaped frame having a horizontal side along the stirring shaft and a pair of vertical sides supported by the stirring shaft at both ends of the horizontal side. Is made of a non-magnetic material, and a thin magnetic part is provided on the horizontal side part.
[0024]
In this configuration, the detection body itself is further reduced in weight by configuring the detection body main body with a non-magnetic material such as a synthetic resin.
[0025]
(7) The detection body has a leveling function of uniformly dispersing the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner container.
[0026]
In this configuration, while the number of parts is reduced, the waste toner in the waste toner collection unit is uniformly dispersed, and every corner in the waste toner collection unit is effectively used as a waste toner collection space.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waste toner collecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. An agitating shaft 2 extending along the cylinder axis direction is disposed in a cylindrical waste toner collecting portion 1 for collecting the waste toner, and both ends of the agitating shaft 2 are connected via bearings (not shown). It is rotatably supported. The stirring shaft 2 is configured to transmit the rotational force of a rotational drive source such as a motor (not shown) at a reduced speed.
[0028]
Reference numeral 3 denotes a detection body for waste toner, which is made of a magnetic material and is formed into a substantially U-shaped frame having a pair of vertical side portions 3b and 3b that are coupled to both ends of the horizontal side portion 3a and the horizontal side portion 3a. In addition, ring-shaped shaft insertion holes 3c and 3c are integrally formed at upper ends of both vertical sides 3b and 3b, respectively. By inserting these shaft fitting holes 3 c and 3 c into the stirring shaft 2, the detection body 3 is set to be rotatable around the stirring shaft 2.
[0029]
The detector 3 also serves as a leveling member for leveling the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner collecting unit 1 when the dead weight is lowered, so there is no need to install a special leveling member. It is possible to cope with a reduction in the number of points.
[0030]
Reference numeral 4 denotes a drive piece fixed to the stirring shaft 2 and extending radially outward, and rotates integrally with the stirring shaft 2 so that the horizontal side 3a of the detection body 3 is positioned at the bottom dead center around the stirring shaft 2. Has a function to push up to the top dead center position.
[0031]
The drive piece is plate-shaped, but the shape and number of rods can be arbitrarily changed.
[0032]
Outside the waste toner recovery unit 1, Remind as in FIG. 2, than the top dead center position located on the sensing member displacement direction downstream side, magnetic permeability sensor 5 as an example of a magneto-electric transducer is deployed Yes. The magnetic permeability sensor 5 collects waste toner when the detection body 3 pushed up to the top dead center position around the stirring shaft 2 is displaced to the bottom dead center position. The change of the magnetic permeability in the part 1 is measured. As the magnetic permeability sensor 5, either an on / off signal that is turned on when a measured value exceeds a predetermined value or an analog signal corresponding to the level of the measured value may be output as the measured signal.
[0033]
The discriminating means 6 receives the measurement signal input from the magnetic permeability sensor 5 and detects the behavior of the detection body 3 when it is lowered based on this measurement signal. To detect.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. First, in an initial state in which the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collecting unit 1 is zero, the detection body 3 is lowered by its own weight and is stationary at the bottom dead center position shown in FIG. At this time, the position of the drive piece 4 on the stirring shaft 2 is arbitrary.
[0035]
As the agitation shaft 2 rotates, the drive piece 4 presses against the horizontal side 3a of the detection body 3, and the driving force is transmitted to the detection body 3. As shown in FIG. The ascent begins. The detection body 3 that rotates while being pushed up from the lower side by the drive piece 4 eventually reaches the top dead center position as shown in FIG. And the detection body 3 which passed the top dead center position leaves | separates from the drive piece 4, and as shown to FIG. In addition, since the one end part is connected with the drive device side, the stirring shaft 2 continues rotating gradually in the state restrained by the drive device side.
[0036]
By the way, the resistance acting on the detection body 3 after the detection body 3 is pushed up to the top dead center position changes depending on the amount of waste toner collected in the waste toner collection section 1. The state of motion of the detection body 3 until it descends to the dead center position is different.
[0037]
When a relatively large amount of waste toner is collected in the waste toner collecting unit 1, the detection body 3 after passing through the top dead center position receives the resistance of the waste toner, so it is lowered to the bottom dead center position all at once. Instead, it descends in a state of being almost together with the drive piece 4 and requires a relatively long time. On the contrary, when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collecting unit 1 is small, the detection body 3 after passing through the top dead center position descends almost instantaneously to the waste toner surface, and on the waste toner surface. When the drive piece 4 is temporarily stopped in a floating state and eventually the drive piece 4 accompanying the rotation of the stirring shaft 2 presses against the detection body 3, the detection body 3 is lowered together with the drive piece 4 to the bottom dead center position. Displace.
[0038]
That is, the waste by waste presence of toner and some toner collection unit 1, between the time Visitor of the detection member 3 at a position facing the magnetic permeability sensor 5 after top dead center passes become different. When there is no waste toner in the waste toner collecting unit 1 (very small amount of waste toner), the stay time of the detection body 3 at the position facing the magnetic permeability sensor 5 after passing through the top dead center position is substantially reduced by its own weight. Quite short in time alone. Conversely, when the waste toner collector state waste toner in one exists (waste toner a large amount), the residence time of the detection member 3 at a position facing the magnetic permeability sensor 5 after passing the top dead center position, the upper It takes a relatively long time from the time when the dead center position is passed to the time when the drive piece 4 is pressed.
[0039]
By paying attention to the staying time of the detection body 3 at the position facing the magnetic permeability sensor 5 after passing through the top dead center position, it is possible to know the presence or absence (some) of the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collection unit 1. For this reason, a magnetic permeability sensor 5 is disposed outside the waste toner collecting unit 1 on the downstream side in the displacement direction of the detection body 3 with respect to the top dead center position, and the detection surface thereof is used as a rotation locus of the detection body 3. They are approaching and facing each other. That is, the permeability sensor 5 detects the stay time of the detection body 3 at the position facing the magnetic permeability sensor 5 after passing through the top dead center position as the ON time (FIG. 5) of the output signal of the magnetic permeability sensor 5 , By appropriately monitoring this with the discrimination means 6, it is possible to know whether or not the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collecting unit 1 is full.
[0040]
Although the rotational speed specification of the agitation shaft 2 differs depending on the size of the waste toner collecting unit 1 and the image forming apparatus used, this kind of agitation shaft 2 is less than 10 revolutions per minute if the revolution number is small. Even it is set to about 10 or so revolutions per minute. That is, since the detection body 3 moves at a relatively low speed, it is easy to detect the stationary time of the detection body 3 after passing through the top dead center position. For example, assuming that the set rotation speed of the stirring shaft 2 is 10 rotations per minute, the detection body 3 returns to the position facing the magnetic permeability sensor 6 at a rate of about once every 6 seconds from the time when the top dead center position is passed. It becomes such an exercise.
[0041]
In this case, when the detection body 3 does not face the position where the magnetic permeability sensor 5 is disposed or is moving away, it can be regarded as a waste toner concentration “Hi” state as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As a result, the output signal of the magnetic permeability sensor 5 is turned off and the output tendency tends to be low. On the other hand, when the detection body 3 is present or approaching the position where the magnetic permeability sensor is disposed, it can be regarded as a waste toner concentration “Lo” state. Becomes on or high side output tendency. That is, the detector 3 serves as a magnetic carrier for the waste toner in the waste toner collecting section 1 and performs the same detection as the developer concentration of the two-component developer.
[0042]
As described above, since the behavior of the detection body 3 disposed in the waste toner collecting unit 1 is magnetically detected by the magnetic permeability sensor 5 provided outside the waste toner collecting unit 1, noise is generated. Not to do this, the number of detection mechanism parts increases and the structure is not complicated. Furthermore, unlike the optical detection means, it is not necessary to provide a transparent window or the like, and even if the detection body 3 is contaminated with waste toner, an appropriate detection operation is ensured without being influenced by it.
[0043]
By the way, the means for pushing up the detection body 3 to the top dead center position can be arbitrarily selected. However, as in this embodiment, when the driving piece 4 is provided integrally with the stirring shaft 2, the structure becomes simple. The burden of rotation of the stirring shaft 2 is also small.
[0044]
Further, since the detection body 3 has a frame shape, the resistance from the waste toner when pushed up to the top dead center position is small, and the rotation load of the stirring shaft 2 can be reduced accordingly.
[0045]
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which a plurality of magnetoelectric transducers are provided. In FIG. 6, one of the two magnetic permeability sensors 5 and 5 is arranged on the downstream side of the top dead center position, and the other corresponds to a further downstream position, for example, half of the waste toner full amount. Arranged at the height level position.
[0046]
Also in this case, in the initial state where the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collecting unit 1 is zero level, the detection body 3 is stationary at the position of the bottom dead center position shown in FIG. As the agitation shaft 2 rotates, the driving piece 4 hits the horizontal side 3a of the detection body 3, and the driving force is transmitted to the detection body 3. As shown in FIG. Is started. Eventually, the detection body 3 reaches the top dead center position as shown in FIG. The behavior of the detection body 3 that has passed the top dead center position is detected by one magnetic permeability sensor 5. The detection body 3 leaves the drive piece 4 at the time when it passes the top dead center position, and starts to descend due to its own weight, as shown in FIG. Then, the behavior of the detection body 3 is detected by the other magnetic permeability sensor 5 in the middle of its own weight drop shown in FIG.
[0047]
According to such a configuration, it is possible to detect not only the presence or absence of waste toner, but also the degree of waste toner accumulation determined by the height level of the position where the other magnetic permeability sensor 5 is disposed.
[0048]
That is, in a state where the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collecting unit 1 is less than half level, after the detection body 3 passes the top dead center, the opposing positions of both the sensors 5 and 5 are substantially instantaneously lowered by their own weight. pass. On the other hand, in a state where the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collecting unit 1 is close to a half level, it passes almost immediately through the facing position of one of the magnetic permeability sensors 5 on the downstream side from the top dead center position. At the position opposite to the other magnetic permeability sensor 5 arranged at the level-corresponding position, the detection body 3 becomes sluggish due to the resistance of the waste toner, and the staying time becomes longer. Further, when the amount of waste toner is substantially full, the detection body 3 moves very slowly with the rotation of the agitation shaft 2 with a very slow movement after passing through the top dead center position. Therefore, if the output change of each magnetic permeability sensor 5, 5 is monitored by the discriminating means 6 when the detection body 3 passes through each facing position of these magnetic permeability sensors 5, 5, at least three levels of waste toner amount Can be detected.
[0049]
By the way, when the mass of the detection body 3 is large, the force acting in the direction of descending its own weight exceeds the resistance force from the waste toner. For this reason, even when the amount of waste toner is large, there is a possibility that the detection body 3 sinks into the waste toner by its own weight and it is difficult to perform accurate detection. For this reason, it is necessary to configure the detection body 3 as lightly as possible, and when it is made of metal, it is preferable to form the detection body 3 with a thin wire having a thickness of about 0.5 to 1 mm (FIG. 7).
[0050]
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the horizontal side 3 a is formed of a magnetic material as the detection body 3, and the vertical sides 13 b and 13 b and the shaft insertion holes 13 c and 13 c which are other parts are formed of a non-magnetic material. For example, you may use what was formed with the synthetic resin.
[0051]
In such a configuration, the entire detection body 3 is lighter than that formed of a metal material, and the detection operation is not affected by the amount of waste toner, and the rotational load of the stirring shaft 2 is avoided. Can be suppressed.
[0052]
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the horizontal side portion 13 a, the vertical side portions 13 b and 13 b and the shaft fitting insertion holes 13 c and 13 c are all made of a nonmagnetic material, for example, a synthetic resin, as the detection body 3, and the horizontal side You may use what provided the thin magnetic part 10 in a part of part 13b. The thin magnetic part 10 may be composed of a magnetic layer or a magnetic piece. In this case, further weight reduction of the detection body 3 is achieved, and the detection operation is stably performed.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
[0054]
(1) A detection body is rotatably supported by a stirring shaft that rotates in the waste toner collecting section, and the detection body is pushed up to a top dead center position around the stirring shaft by a driving means that responds to the rotation of the stirring shaft. Since the descent time or the descent speed change at the time of displacement to the dead center position is detected based on the measurement result of the magnetoelectric conversion element arranged outside the toner recovery unit, the waste toner is determined from the measurement result of the magnetoelectric conversion element. The presence / absence of waste toner in the collection unit can be detected. As a result, the structure becomes simpler than that of the mechanical detection means. Further, unlike the optical detection means, it is not necessary to provide a transparent window. An accurate detection function can be exhibited.
[0055]
(2) By using a magnetic permeability sensor arranged downstream of the top dead center position as the magneto-electric conversion element, the detecting body is used when the waste toner in the waste toner collecting section is full. After passing through the top dead center position, the stay time near the position where the magnetic permeability sensor is facing becomes relatively long. Conversely, when the amount of toner is small, the detection body is almost instantaneously near the position where the magnetic permeability sensor faces. Therefore, the amount of waste toner can be determined from the length of time required for the detection body to pass near the position where the magnetic permeability sensor faces.
[0056]
(3) Since the magnetic permeability sensors are arranged at a plurality of positions downstream of the top dead center in the direction of displacement of the detection body, it is possible to detect whether the amount of waste toner is full or not from the top dead center position. It is also possible to detect the level of waste toner accumulation at a level corresponding to a plurality of locations downstream in the detector displacement direction.
[0057]
(4) The drive means is formed of a drive piece provided integrally with the stirring shaft and extending toward the upstream side in the displacement direction of the detection body. On the other hand, the detection body is formed of a frame, so that the detection body is moved to the uppermost point. The mechanism for raising is simplified. Furthermore, the resistance of the waste toner to the detection body is small, and the rotational load on the stirring shaft can be reduced.
[0058]
(5) The detection body is constituted by a U-shaped frame body having a horizontal side portion along the stirring shaft and a pair of vertical side portions that are coupled to both ends of the horizontal side portion and supported by the stirring shaft. Since only the part is made of magnetic material, it can be made resistant to the resistance of toner when descending from top dead center, and the detector is further reduced in weight and is not affected by the amount of waste toner. The amount of waste toner can be detected accurately.
[0059]
(6) By configuring the main body of the detection body composed of a U-shaped frame having a pair of vertical sides supported by the stirring shaft with a non-magnetic material, and providing a thin magnetic part on the horizontal side, The detector can be made lighter.
[0060]
(7) Since the detector has a leveling function to uniformly disperse waste toner accumulated in the waste toner container, the waste toner can be uniformly dispersed in the waste toner collection unit while reducing the number of parts. Thus, the entire area in the waste toner collecting section can be effectively used as a waste toner collecting space.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waste toner collecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation state of a detection body in the waste toner collecting apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an output characteristic diagram of a magnetic permeability sensor.
FIG. 4 is an output diagram of a magnetic permeability sensor according to the presence or absence of a detector.
FIG. 5 is a relationship diagram between a magnetic permeability sensor output and time according to the presence or absence of waste toner.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation state of a detector in another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a detection body.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another detector.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another detection body.
FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaner unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional waste toner collecting device.
FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of conventional waste toner detection means.
FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view in a detection operation state in the waste toner detection unit.
FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of another conventional waste toner detection means.
FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of still another conventional waste toner detection means.
[Explanation of symbols]
1-Waste toner collecting unit 2-Agitating shaft 3-Detectors 3a, 13a-Horizontal sides 3b of detectors, 13b-Vertical sides of detector 4-Drive means (drive piece)
5- Magnetoelectric conversion element (permeability sensor)
10-thin magnetic part 30-detector body

Claims (7)

A stirring shaft that rotates within the waste toner collecting section; a detector that is rotatably supported by the stirring shaft; and a drive unit that pushes the detector to the top dead center around the stirring shaft in response to the rotation of the stirring shaft. In the waste toner collecting device for detecting the waste toner state from the behavior of the detection body,
A magnetoelectric conversion element is disposed at a position close to the rotation trajectory of the detection body outside the waste toner collecting portion on the downstream side in the displacement direction of the detection body from the top dead center, and the top dead center is based on the output signal of the magnetoelectric conversion element. A waste toner collecting apparatus , comprising: a detecting unit configured to detect a staying time of the detection body at a position facing the magnetic permeability sensor after passing through the point position as a behavior of the detection body . The waste toner collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetoelectric conversion element is a magnetic permeability sensor disposed downstream of the top dead center position in the detection body displacement direction. 3. The waste toner collecting device according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic permeability sensor is disposed at a plurality of locations along the displacement direction downstream of the top dead center position in the direction of displacement of the detection body. . The drive means is formed of a drive piece that is integrally provided on the stirring shaft and extends toward the upstream side in the displacement direction of the detection body, while the detection body is formed of a frame. The waste toner recovery device described in 1. The detector comprises a U-shaped frame body having a horizontal side along the stirring shaft and a pair of vertical sides supported by the stirring shaft at both ends of the horizontal side, and only the horizontal side is 2. The waste toner collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waste toner collecting apparatus is made of a magnetic material. The detection body is composed of a U-shaped frame body having a horizontal side portion along the stirring shaft and a pair of vertical side portions supported by the stirring shaft at both ends of the horizontal side portion, and the frame body is non-magnetic. The waste toner collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waste toner collecting apparatus is made of a material, and a thin magnetic part is provided on the horizontal side part. 2. The waste toner collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection body has a leveling function for uniformly dispersing the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner container.

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