JP7453803B2 - Image forming device and developer supply container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material, and more particularly, to a technique for replenishing developer to the image forming apparatus.

Generally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image by transferring a toner image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum to a transfer material serving as a transfer medium. Known developer replenishment methods include, for example, a process cartridge method and a toner replenishment method. The process cartridge method is a method in which a photosensitive drum and a developer container are integrated into a process cartridge, and when the developer runs out, the process cartridge is replaced with a new one.

On the other hand, the toner replenishment method is a method in which when the toner runs out, new toner is replenished into the developer container. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a toner replenishment type one-component developing device has been proposed in which a toner supply box capable of replenishing toner is connected to a toner conveyance path through which toner is conveyed (see Patent Document 1). The toner stored in the toner supply box is transported to a toner transport path by a transport screw.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-30084

In recent years, users have been demanding that image forming apparatuses be used in various ways, such as the above-mentioned process cartridge method and toner replenishment method.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide one form of an image forming apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image carrier carrying an electrostatic latent image, a developer container, and a developer contained in the developer container. a developer carrier for developing the electrostatic latent image into a developer image; a mounting portion for mounting a replenishment container containing the developer; and detecting the amount of developer contained in the developer container. and a detection means for outputting remaining amount information according to the detected amount of developer, and a message related to the replenishment displayed on a display unit during replenishment of the developer to the developer container using the replenishment container. and control means for performing control to cause the replenishment to occur, and when the replenishment is instructed and the remaining amount information indicating the first remaining amount is output by the detection means, the control means controls the replenishment. During this period, when a first time has elapsed since the start of the replenishment, a first control is performed to display a predetermined message on the display section , and when the replenishment is instructed, the detection means detects the first remaining amount. If the remaining amount information indicating a second remaining amount that is larger than the remaining amount is output, during the replenishment, if a second time period that is longer than the first time elapses after starting the replenishment, the display section The present invention is characterized in that a second control is performed to display the predetermined message .

According to the present invention, one form of an image forming apparatus can be provided.

1A is a sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus. (a) is a sectional view showing the image forming apparatus, and (b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the top cover opened. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus with the process cartridge removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus in a state where the opening/closing member is opened. (a) is a perspective view showing the developer container and the toner pack, and (b) is a front view showing the developer container and the toner pack. (a) is a 6A-6A sectional view in FIG. 5(b), and (b) is a 6B-6B sectional view in FIG. 5(b). FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner pack. (a) is a front view showing a toner pack, (b) is a front view showing a first modification of the toner pack, and (c) is a front view showing a second modification of the toner pack. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing first and second remaining toner amount sensors. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing first and second remaining toner amount sensors. (a) is a sectional view showing the developer container with a small amount of toner remaining, and (b) is a sectional view showing the developer container with a large amount of toner remaining. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of an image forming apparatus. 5 is a flowchart showing toner low notification processing. 5 is a flowchart showing replenishment guidance processing. Flowchart showing replenishment guidance processing 5 is a flowchart showing replenishment guidance processing. 5 is a flowchart showing replenishment guidance processing. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a message provided on a toner pack. The figure which shows the example of a message displayed on a display part. The figure which shows the state where the guidance display is displayed in the upper layer of a menu. (a) is a perspective view showing the remaining amount display LED when the remaining toner amount is Low level, (b) is a perspective view showing the remaining amount display LED when the remaining toner amount is Mid level, (c) is a perspective view showing the remaining amount display LED when the remaining toner amount is Mid level. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an LED for displaying the remaining amount of toner when the remaining amount of toner is at the Full level. Flowchart of motor control sequence. Flowchart of motor control sequence. Flowchart of motor control sequence. (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the toner pack is installed in the supply port, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which toner has begun to leak from the toner pack, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which toner has begun to leak from the toner pack. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state in which the container is replenished. (a) is a graph showing the relationship between the volume of the developer container and the remaining toner level, (b) is a graph showing the remaining amount of toner when toner is replenished from a small-capacity toner pack, and (c) is a graph showing the toner remaining amount when toner is replenished from a small-capacity toner pack. A graph showing the amount of toner remaining when toner is replenished from the toner pack. (a) is a perspective view showing a first modification of the image forming apparatus, (b) is a perspective view showing a second modification of the image forming apparatus, and (c) is a perspective view showing a third modification of the image forming apparatus. . FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement relationship between a mounting sensor and a process cartridge. 5 is a flowchart showing replenishment guidance processing. FIGS. 3A and 3B are a cross-sectional view (a) and a perspective view (b) of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. FIGS. 3A and 3B are a cross-sectional view (a) and a perspective view (b) of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams (a, b) for explaining toner replenishment using a toner pack according to a fifth embodiment; FIGS. FIGS. 8A and 8B are a perspective view and a bottom view of a toner pack according to a fifth embodiment. FIGS. A perspective view (a), a top view (b), and an enlarged view (c) of a supply container mounting part according to a fifth embodiment. FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams (a, b, c) for explaining the operation of the supply container mounting section according to the fifth embodiment. FIGS. Figures (a, b) showing the position of a locking member according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a toner pack according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a locking member pressing mechanism according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of an image forming apparatus. 12 is a flowchart showing replenishment guidance processing according to the fifth embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a message displayed on a display part. 12 is a flowchart showing replenishment guidance processing according to the sixth embodiment.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer that forms an image on a recording material based on image information input from an external device. Recording materials include various sheet materials made of different materials, such as paper such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic films such as sheets for overhead projectors, sheets of special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth.

[overall structure]
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a printer body 100 as a device body, and an operation unit 300 attached to the exterior surface of the printer body 100. The printer main body 100 includes an image forming section 10 that forms a toner image on a recording material, a feeding section 60 that feeds the recording material to the image forming section 10, and a toner image formed by the image forming section 10 on the recording material. It has a fixing section 70 for fixing, and a pair of discharge rollers 80.

The image forming section 10 includes a scanner unit 11, an electrophotographic process cartridge 20, and a transfer roller 12 that transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum 21 of the process cartridge 20 onto a recording material. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the process cartridge 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21, a charging roller 22 disposed around the photosensitive drum 21, and a developing device including a pre-exposure device 23 and a developing roller 31. It has 30.

The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrical photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 21 of this embodiment has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively chargeable organic photoreceptor on a drum-shaped base made of aluminum. Further, the photosensitive drum 21 as an image carrier is rotationally driven by a motor in a predetermined direction (clockwise in the figure) at a predetermined process speed.

The charging roller 22 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 with a predetermined pressing force to form a charging portion. Further, by applying a desired charging voltage from a charging high-voltage power source, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 is negatively charged by the charging roller 22. The pre-exposure device 23 eliminates the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 before entering the charging section in order to cause stable discharge in the charging section.

The scanner unit 11 serving as an exposure means illuminates the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by using a polygon mirror to irradiate the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device or an image reading device (not shown). scan and expose. Through this exposure, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 according to the image information. Note that the scanner unit 11 is not limited to a laser scanner device, and for example, an LED exposure device having an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21 may be adopted.

The developing device 30 includes a developing roller 31 as a developer carrier that carries developer, a developing container 32 serving as a frame of the developing device 30, and a supply roller 33 capable of supplying the developer to the developing roller 31. We are prepared. The developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are rotatably supported by the developing container 32. Further, the developing roller 31 is arranged at the opening of the developing container 32 so as to face the photosensitive drum 21 . The supply roller 33 is rotatably in contact with the developing roller 31 , and the toner contained in the developing container 32 as a developer is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33 . Note that the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required if the configuration is such that the developing roller 31 can be sufficiently supplied with toner.

The developing device 30 of this embodiment uses a contact developing method as a developing method. That is, the toner layer supported on the developing roller 31 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 in a developing section (developing area) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other. A developing voltage is applied to the developing roller 31 by a developing high voltage power source. Under the development voltage, the toner carried on the development roller 31 is transferred from the development roller 31 to the drum surface according to the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, so that the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image (developer image). be done. Note that this embodiment employs a reversal development method. That is, after being charged in the charging process, toner adheres to the surface area of the photosensitive drum 21 whose charge amount has been attenuated by being exposed to light in the exposure process, thereby forming a toner image.

Further, in this embodiment, a toner having a particle size of 6 μm and a normal charging polarity of negative polarity is used. As an example, the toner of this embodiment employs a polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method. Further, the toner of this embodiment is a so-called non-magnetic one-component developer that does not contain a magnetic component and is supported on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular force or electrostatic force (mirror force). However, a one-component developer containing a magnetic component may also be used. In addition to toner particles, the one-component developer may contain additives (for example, wax and fine silica particles) for adjusting the fluidity and charging performance of the toner. Furthermore, a two-component developer composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may be used as the developer. When using a magnetic developer, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet disposed inside, for example, is used as the developer carrier.

A stirring member 34 is provided inside the developer container 32 . The stirring member 34 is driven by the motor M1 (see FIG. 12) and rotates, thereby stirring the toner in the developer container 32 and feeding the toner toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. Further, the stirring member 34 has a role of circulating the toner that is not used for development and is stripped off from the developing roller 31 within the developing container, thereby making the toner in the developing container uniform. Note that the stirring member 34 is not limited to a rotating form. For example, a swinging stirring member may be used.

Furthermore, a developing blade 35 that regulates the amount of toner carried on the developing roller 31 is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 where the developing roller 31 is disposed. As the developing roller 31 rotates, the toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through a portion facing the developing blade 35, thereby being uniformly made into a thin layer, and is also charged to a negative polarity by frictional charging. .

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the feeding section 60 includes a front door 61 that is supported by the printer main body 100 so as to be openable and closable, a tray section 62, a middle plate 63, a tray spring 64, and a pickup. It has a roller 65. The tray section 62 constitutes the bottom surface of the recording material storage space that appears when the front door 61 is opened, and the middle plate 63 is supported by the tray section 62 so as to be movable up and down. The tray spring 64 urges the middle plate 63 upward, and presses the recording material P loaded on the middle plate 63 against the pickup roller 65. The front door 61 closes the recording material storage space when it is closed to the printer body 100, and supports the recording material P together with the tray section 62 and the middle plate 63 when it is opened to the printer body 100. do.

The fixing unit 70 is of a heat fixing type that fixes an image by heating and melting the toner on the recording material. The fixing unit 70 includes a fixing film 71, a fixing heater such as a ceramic heater that heats the fixing film 71, a thermistor that measures the temperature of the fixing heater, and a pressure roller 72 that presses against the fixing film 71.

Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained. When an image forming command is input to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming unit 10 forms the image based on image information input from an external computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1 or an image reading device (not shown). The process is started. The scanner unit 11 irradiates a laser beam toward the photosensitive drum 21 based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 is charged in advance by the charging roller 22, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 by being irradiated with laser light. Thereafter, this electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.

In parallel with the above-described image forming process, the pickup roller 65 of the feeding section 60 sends out the recording material P supported by the front door 61, the tray section 62, and the middle plate 63. The recording material P is fed to the registration roller pair 15 by the pickup roller 65, and the skew is corrected by hitting the nip of the registration roller pair 15. The registration roller pair 15 is driven in accordance with the toner image transfer timing, and conveys the recording material P toward the transfer nip formed by the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.

A transfer voltage is applied from a transfer high-voltage power supply to the transfer roller 12 serving as a transfer unit, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the recording material P conveyed by the registration roller pair 15. The recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing section 70, and the toner image is heated and pressurized when passing through the nip between the fixing film 71 and the pressure roller 72 of the fixing section 70. . As a result, the toner particles are melted and then fixed, thereby fixing the toner image on the recording material P. The recording material P that has passed through the fixing section 70 is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the machine) by a pair of discharge rollers 80 as a discharge means, and then to a discharge tray 81 as a stacking section formed at the top of the printer main body 100. will be loaded on.

The ejection tray 81 is inclined upward toward the downstream in the ejection direction of the recording material, and the recording material ejected to the ejection tray 81 slides down the ejection tray 81 so that its rear end is aligned with the regulating surface 84. Ru.

As shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 3, a first opening 101 that opens upward is formed at the top of the printer main body 100, and the first opening 101 is covered with a top cover 82. There is. The top cover 82, which serves as a loading tray, is supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the printer main body 100 around a pivot shaft 82c extending in the left-right direction, and has a discharge tray 81, which serves as a loading surface, formed on its upper surface. The top cover 82 is opened from the front side to the back side. Note that the top cover 82 may be configured to be held in an open state and a closed state by a holding mechanism such as a hinge mechanism.

For example, if the recording material is jammed due to a paper jam or the like in the conveyance path CP through which the recording material is fed by the pickup roller 65, the user opens the top cover 82. Then, the user accesses the process cartridge 20 through the first opening 101 exposed by opening the top cover 82, and pulls out the process cartridge 20 along the cartridge guide 102. The cartridge guide 102 slides and guides the protrusion 21a (see FIG. 5A) provided at the end of the photosensitive drum 21 of the process cartridge 20 in the axial direction.

Then, by pulling out the process cartridge 20 to the outside from the first opening 101, a space is created in the transport path CP in which the user can put his/her hand into it. The user can dispose of the jammed recording material by inserting his/her hand into the printer main body 100 through the first opening 101 and accessing the jammed recording material in the conveyance path CP.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1(b) and 4, an openable/closed member 83 is provided on the top cover 82 so as to be openable/closeable. A second opening 82a is formed in the discharge tray 81 of the top cover 82 as an opening opening upward. The opening/closing member 83 has a closed position that covers the replenishment port 32a so that the toner pack 40 as a toner storage container cannot be attached to the developer container 32, and an open position that exposes the replenishment port 32a so that the toner pack 40 can be attached to the developer container 32. It is configured to be movable between positions. The opening/closing member 83 functions as a part of the discharge tray 81 in the closed position. The opening/closing member 83 and the second opening 82a are formed on the left side of the discharge tray 81. Further, the opening/closing member 83 is supported by the top cover 82 so as to be openable/closable about a rotation shaft 83a extending in the front-rear direction, and can be opened to the left by hooking a finger from a groove 82b provided in the top cover 82. . The opening/closing member 83 is formed into a substantially L-shape along the shape of the top cover 82.

The second opening 82a of the discharge tray 81 is open to expose the toner replenishment port 32a formed in the upper part of the developer container 32, and when the opening/closing member 83 is opened, the user can open the top cover. The supply port 32a can be accessed without opening 82. Note that in this embodiment, while the developing device 30 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the user can remove the toner pack 40 filled with toner for replenishment (see FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b)). A method (direct replenishment method) in which toner is supplied from the toner to the developing device 30 is adopted. Therefore, when the remaining amount of toner in the process cartridge 20 becomes low, there is no need to take out the process cartridge 20 from the printer main body 100 and replace it with a new process cartridge, so usability can be improved. Furthermore, toner can be replenished into the developer container 32 at a lower cost than replacing the entire process cartridge 20. Note that the direct replenishment method does not require replacing various rollers, gears, etc. compared to replacing only the developing device 30 of the process cartridge 20, so costs can be reduced. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner pack 40 constitute an image forming system.

[Collection of transfer residual toner]
This embodiment employs a cleaner-less configuration in which transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 without being transferred to the recording material P is collected in the developing device 30 and reused. Transfer residual toner is removed in the following steps. The residual toner after transfer includes positively charged toner and negatively charged toner that does not have sufficient charge. The pre-exposure device 23 neutralizes the charge on the photosensitive drum 21 after the transfer, and the charging roller 22 causes a uniform discharge, so that the residual toner remaining after the transfer is charged to negative polarity again. The transfer residual toner that has been negatively charged again in the charging section reaches the developing section as the photosensitive drum 21 rotates. The surface area of the photosensitive drum 21 that has passed through the charging section is exposed to light by the scanner unit 11 and an electrostatic latent image is written thereon, with the residual toner still attached to the surface.

Here, the behavior of the transfer residual toner that has reached the developing section will be explained separately for the exposed section and the non-exposed section of the photosensitive drum 21. Transfer residual toner adhering to the non-exposed area of the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the developing roller 31 due to the potential difference between the potential of the non-exposed area of the photosensitive drum 21 (dark area potential) and the developing voltage in the developing section, and is transferred to the developing roller 31 in the developing container 32. will be collected. This is because, assuming that the normal charging polarity of the toner is negative, the developing voltage applied to the developing roller 31 is positive relative to the potential of the non-exposed area. Note that the toner collected in the developer container 32 is agitated and dispersed with the toner in the developer container by the stirring member 34, and is carried on the developer roller 31 to be used again in the development process.

On the other hand, the transfer residual toner adhering to the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 21 remains on the drum surface without being transferred from the photosensitive drum 21 to the developing roller 31 in the developing section. This is because, assuming that the normal charging polarity of the toner is negative, the developing voltage applied to the developing roller 31 is a potential that is more negative than the potential of the exposed area (bright area potential). . The transfer residual toner remaining on the drum surface is carried by the photosensitive drum 21 together with other toner transferred from the developing roller 31 to the exposure section, moves to the transfer section, and is transferred onto the recording material S at the transfer section.

In this way, the present embodiment has a cleanerless configuration in which the transfer residual toner is collected in the developing device 30 and reused. However, the transfer residual toner is collected using a conventionally known cleaning blade that contacts the photosensitive drum 21. It is also possible to have a configuration in which In that case, the transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning blade is collected in a collection container installed separately from the developing device 30. However, the cleaner-less configuration eliminates the need for installation space for a collection container for collecting residual toner, etc., making it possible to further downsize the image forming apparatus 1, and making it possible to reuse residual toner. This also makes it possible to reduce printing costs.

[Configuration of developer container and toner pack]
Next, the configurations of the developer container 32 and the toner pack 40 will be explained. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the developer container 32 and the toner pack 40, and FIG. 5B is a front view of the developer container 32 and the toner pack 40. FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A in FIG. 5(b), and FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6B-6B in FIG. 5(b).

As shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 6(b), the developing container 32 has a transport chamber 36 that accommodates the stirring member 34. It extends over the entire length of the container 32 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction). Further, the transport chamber 36 rotatably supports the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 and accommodates the developer to be carried by the developing roller 31. The developer container 32 also includes a first protrusion 37 that protrudes upward from one longitudinal end of the transport chamber 36 and communicates with the transport chamber 36, and a first protrusion 37 that extends upward from the other longitudinal end of the transport chamber 36. It has a second protruding part 38 that protrudes from. That is, the first protrusion 37 is provided at one end of the developer container 32 in the direction of the rotational axis of the developing roller 31, and extends toward the discharge tray 81 from the center of the developer container 32 in the cross direction intersecting the rotational axis. It stands out. The second protrusion 38 is provided at the other end of the developer container 32 in the rotational axis direction of the developer roller 31 and protrudes toward the discharge tray 81 in the cross direction from the center of the developer container 32 . In this embodiment, the first protrusion 37 is formed on the left side of the developer container 32, and the second protrusion 38 is formed on the right side of the developer container 32. A mounting portion 57 to which the toner pack 40 can be mounted is provided at the upper end (tip portion) of the first protrusion 37 . A replenishment port 32a is formed for the purpose of refilling. The toner pack 40 can be attached to the attachment part 57 in a state where it is exposed to the outside of the apparatus.

The first protrusion 37 and the second protrusion 38 extend obliquely from the transfer chamber 36 toward the front of the apparatus and upward. That is, the first protrusion 37 and the second protrusion 38 protrude downstream and upward in the discharge direction of the discharge roller pair 80. Therefore, the replenishment port 32a formed in the first protrusion 37 is disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the work of replenishing the developer container 32 with toner can be easily performed.

The upper part of the first protruding part 37 and the upper part of the second protruding part 38 are connected by a handle part 39 as a connecting part. A gap is provided between the handle portion 39 and the transfer chamber 36 through which the laser L (see FIG. 1(a)) emitted from the scanner unit 11 (see FIG. 1(a)) toward the photosensitive drum 21 can pass. A laser passing space SP is formed.

The handle part 39 has a knob part 39a that can be gripped by the user's fingers, and the knob part 39a is formed to protrude upward from the top surface of the handle part 39. The first protrusion 37 has a hollow interior, and a replenishment port 32a is formed on the upper surface. The supply port 32a is configured to be connectable to the toner pack 40.

By providing the first protrusion 37 with the replenishment port 32a formed at the tip on one side in the longitudinal direction of the developer container 32, a laser passing space SP is secured through which the laser L emitted from the scanner unit 11 can pass. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can be downsized. Further, since the second protrusion 38 is provided on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the developer container 32 and the handle 39 is formed to connect the first protrusion 37 and the second protrusion 38, the process cartridge 20 can be removed from the printer main body 100. Usability when taking out can be improved. Note that the second protrusion 38 may be formed in a hollow shape like the first protrusion 37, or may be solid.

The toner pack (replenishment container) 40 is configured to be detachable from the mounting portion 57 of the first protrusion 37 . The toner pack 40 also includes a main body, a shutter member 41 that is provided in the opening and can be opened and closed, and a connecting portion that is connected to the mounting portion 57 of the image forming apparatus. The connecting portion has a plurality of (three in this embodiment) protrusions 42 formed corresponding to a plurality of (three in this embodiment) grooves 32b formed in the mounting portion 57 of the image forming apparatus. have. When replenishing the developer container 32 with toner, the user connects the toner pack 40 to the mounting section 57 by aligning the protrusion 42 of the toner pack 40 to pass through the groove 32b of the mounting section 57. In this state, the shutter member 41 is in a closed state. In the closed state, toner is prevented from moving to the developer container 32. Then, when the main body of the toner pack 40 is rotated 180 degrees, the protrusion (not shown) of the shutter member 41 abuts against the abutting part (not shown) of the mounting part 57, so that the main body of the toner pack 40 touches the shutter member 41. Rotate relative to. This rotation brings the shutter member 41 into an open state, that is, the shutter member 41 no longer blocks the discharge port of the toner pack 40, and the toner pack 40 and the developer container 32 communicate with each other via the discharge port. As a result, the toner contained in the toner pack 40 leaks from the toner pack 40, and the leaked toner enters the hollow first protrusion 37 via the replenishment port 32a. Note that the shutter member 41 may be provided on the supply port 32a side.

The first protrusion 37 has a slope 37a at a position facing the opening of the supply port 32a, and the slope 37a slopes downward toward the transfer chamber 36. Therefore, the toner replenished from the replenishment port 32a is guided to the transport chamber 36 by the slope 37a. Further, the stirring member 34 has a stirring shaft 34a extending in the longitudinal direction, and a blade portion 34b extending radially outward from the stirring shaft 34a.

Toner replenished from the replenishment port 32 a disposed upstream of the stirring member 34 in the conveying direction is fed toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 as the stirring member 34 rotates. The transport direction of the stirring member 34 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developer container 32. The supply port 32a and the first protrusion 37 are arranged at one end of the developer container 32 in the longitudinal direction, but by repeating the rotation of the stirring member 34, the toner is spread over the entire length of the developer container 32. In the present embodiment, the stirring member 34 is composed of a stirring shaft 34a and a blade portion 34b, but in order to spread the toner over the entire length of the developer container 32, a spiral-shaped stirring shaft is used. may also be used.

In the present embodiment, the toner pack 40 is formed of an easily deformable plastic bag as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8(a), but the toner pack 40 is not limited thereto. For example, the toner pack may be composed of a substantially conical bottle container 40B as shown in FIG. 8(b), or may be composed of a paper container 40C as shown in FIG. 8(c). . In any case, the toner pack may be of any material and shape. In addition, as for the method of discharging toner from the toner pack, it is preferable for the user to squeeze the toner with his or her fingers in the case of the toner pack 40 or the paper container 40C, or by the user tapping the container in the case of the bottle container 40B. It is preferable to cause the leakage to occur while vibrating. Furthermore, a discharge mechanism may be provided within the bottle container 40B in order to discharge the toner from the bottle container 40B. Furthermore, the ejection mechanism may be configured to engage with the printer main body 100 and receive driving force from the printer main body 100. The body of the toner pack 40 that accommodates the toner may be made of, for example, polyethylene resin. Further, the wall thickness of the body can be 2.0 mm or less. Preferably, the wall thickness of the body is 1.5 to 1.0 mm, making it easier for users to understand, and more preferably 1.0 to 0.05 mm.

Further, the shutter member 41 may be omitted in any of the toner packs, and a sliding shutter member may be used instead of the rotary shutter member 41. Further, the shutter member 41 may be configured to be destroyed by attaching the toner pack to the supply port 32a or rotating the toner pack in the attached state, or may have a removable lid structure such as a seal. .

[How to detect remaining amount of toner]
Next, a method for detecting the amount of toner remaining in the developer container 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. The developing device 30 of this embodiment is provided with a first remaining toner amount sensor 51 and a second remaining toner amount sensor 52 that detect a state according to the amount of remaining toner in the developing container 32.

The first remaining toner amount sensor 51 has a light emitting section 51a and a light receiving section 51b, and the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 has a light emitting section 52a and a light receiving section 52b. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the remaining toner amount sensors 51 and 52. In the following description, the circuit configuration of the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 will be explained, and the description of the circuit configuration of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 will be omitted.

In FIG. 10, an LED is used for the light emitting section 51a, and a phototransistor that is turned on by light from the LED is used for the light receiving section 51b, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp may be applied to the light emitting section 51a, and a photodiode or an avalanche photodiode may be applied to the light receiving section 51b. Note that a switch (not shown) is provided between the light emitting section 51a and the power supply voltage Vcc, and by turning on the switch, a voltage from the power supply voltage Vcc is applied to the light emitting section 51a, and the light emitting section 51a is turned on. Becomes conductive. On the other hand, a switch (not shown) is also provided between the light receiving section 51b and the power supply voltage Vcc, and when the switch is turned on, the light receiving section 51b is brought into a conductive state by a current corresponding to the detected amount of light.

A power supply voltage Vcc and a current limiting resistor R1 are connected to the light emitting section 51a, and the light emitting section 51a emits light with a current determined by the current limiting resistor R1. The light emitted from the light emitting section 51a passes through an optical path Q1 as shown in FIG. 9, and is received by the light receiving section 51b. A power supply voltage Vcc is connected to the collector terminal of the light receiving section 51b, and a detection resistor R2 is connected to the emitter terminal. The light receiving section 51b, which is a phototransistor, receives the light emitted from the light emitting section 51a, and outputs a signal (current) according to the amount of the received light. This signal is converted into a voltage V1 by the detection resistor R2, and is input to the A/D conversion section 95 of the control section 90 (see FIG. 12). The light receiving section 52b of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 receives the light emitted from the light emitting section 52a and passes through the optical path Q2, and outputs a voltage V2 according to the amount of the received light. It is input to the converter 95.

The control unit 90 (CPU 91) determines whether the light receiving units 51b and 52b have received light from the light emitting units 51a and 51b based on the input voltage level. The control unit 90 (CPU 91) performs development based on the length of time that the light receiving units 51b and 52b detect each light and the intensity of the received light when the toner in the developer container 32 is stirred by the stirring member 34 for a certain period of time. The amount of toner in the container 32 is calculated. That is, the nonvolatile memory 93 stores in advance a table that can output the remaining amount of toner from the light reception time and light intensity when the toner is transported by the stirring member 34, and the control unit 90 Predict/calculate the remaining amount of toner based on the input to and the table.

More specifically, the optical path Q1 of the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 is set to intersect the rotation locus T of the stirring member 34. The time during which the optical path Q1 is blocked by the toner splashed up by the stirring member 34 when the stirring member 34 rotates once, that is, the time during which the light receiving section 51b does not detect light from the light emitting section 51a, depends on the remaining amount of toner. and change. Furthermore, the intensity of light received by the light receiving section 51b also changes depending on the amount of remaining toner.

That is, when there is a large amount of toner remaining, the optical path Q1 is likely to be blocked by the toner, so the time period during which the light receiving section 51b receives light is shortened, and the intensity of the light received by the light receiving section 51b is reduced. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of toner is low, the time during which the light receiving section 51b receives light increases, and the intensity of the light received by the light receiving section 51b increases. Therefore, the control unit 90 can determine whether the remaining amount of toner is at the Low level or the Mid level, as described later, based on the light receiving time and the light receiving intensity of the light receiving unit 51b. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the amount of toner in the transport chamber 36 of the developer container 32 is small, it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is at a low level. In the above description, the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 is arranged so as not to intersect with the rotation locus T of the stirring member 34; however, like the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 described above, the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 They may be arranged so as to intersect the trajectory T.

Further, the optical path Q2 of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 is set above the rotational trajectory T of the stirring member 34 so as not to intersect with the rotational trajectory T. The light receiving section 52b of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 does not detect the light from the light emitting section 52a when the optical path Q2 is blocked by toner, and does not detect the light from the light emitting section 52a when the optical path Q2 is not blocked by toner. Detect light. Therefore, regardless of the rotational operation of the stirring member 34, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the remaining amount of toner is at the Full level, as will be described later, based on whether or not the light receiving unit 52b receives light. For example, as shown in FIG. 11B, when there is a large amount of toner in the transport chamber 36 of the developer container 32, the light to the light receiving section 52b is blocked by the toner, so if the remaining amount of toner is at the Full level, be judged. In the above description, the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 is arranged so as not to intersect with the rotation locus T of the stirring member 34; however, like the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 described above, the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 It may be set to intersect with the trajectory T. Then, remaining toner amount information indicating the remaining amount of toner predicted/calculated by the control section 90 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 93 by the control section 90 .

Note that the method for detecting/estimating the remaining amount of toner is not limited to the method of detecting the remaining amount of toner explained in FIG. 9, and various well-known methods for detecting/estimating the remaining amount of toner can be employed. . For example, two or more metal plates or conductive resin sheets extending in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller are placed on the inner wall of the developer container 32, which is a frame, and the capacitance between the two metal plates or conductive resin sheets is measured. However, the remaining amount of toner may be detected/estimated. Alternatively, a load cell is provided to support the developing device 30 from below, and the CPU 51 calculates the remaining amount of toner by subtracting the weight of the developing device 30 when the toner is empty from the weight measured by the load cell. You can do it like this. Alternatively, the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 may be omitted, and the control unit 90 (CPU 91) may calculate the remaining amount of toner from the detection result of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 and the laser light emission status. .

[Control system of image forming apparatus]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a control system of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The control unit 90 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 91 as a calculation device, a RAM 92 used as a work area for the CPU 91, and a nonvolatile memory 93 that stores various programs. Further, the control section 90 includes an I/O interface 94 as an input/output port connected to external equipment, and an A/D conversion section 95 that converts an analog signal into a digital signal.

A first remaining toner amount sensor 51 and a second remaining toner amount sensor 52 are connected to the input side of the control section 90, and remaining amount information is read by the control section 90 as appropriate.

Further, the control unit 90 is connected to an operation unit 300, an image forming unit 10, a remaining amount display LED 400, a replenishment start button 500, a replenishment start button LED 501, and a replenishment port LED 600. The operation unit 300 includes a display unit 301 that can display various setting screens, physical keys, and the like. The display section 301 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel.

The remaining amount display LED 400 functions as a notification section that displays information regarding the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32. The replenishment start button 500 (see FIGS. 1(b) and 2(b)) is pressed when the user replenishes toner into the developer container 32 after attaching the toner pack 40 to the replenishing port 32a. be. The replenishment start button LED 501 (see FIGS. 1(b) and 2(b)) is for informing the user of the position of the replenishment start button 500. The supply port LED 600 (see FIGS. 1(b) and 2(b)) is for notifying the user of the position of the opening/closing member 83, that is, for notifying the user of the position of the mounting portion 57. The image forming section 10 includes a motor M1 as a drive source that drives the photosensitive drum 21, the developing roller 31, the supply roller 33, the stirring member 34, and the like. Note that the photosensitive drum 21, the developing roller 31, the supply roller 33, and the stirring member 34 may be configured to be driven by separate motors.

Next, the sleep mode of this embodiment will be explained in detail. In this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus is not operated for a predetermined elapsed time, the image forming apparatus shifts to sleep mode. Note that the preset elapsed time for transitioning to sleep mode can be changed as appropriate, and the elapsed time can also be set from the host computer or the operation unit 300. Furthermore, the sleep mode can be entered from the host computer via the I/O interface 94 instead of after a predetermined elapsed time. Shaded functional blocks in FIG. 12 indicate functional blocks to which power supply is stopped during the sleep mode, or to which power is supplied but whose operation is stopped.

Next, the process of returning from sleep mode will be explained. When the image forming apparatus is in sleep mode, an interrupt request is generated to the CPU 91 whose operation is stopped. This interrupt request is generated by either the return signal from the operation unit 300 or the return signal from the replenishment start button 500 shown in FIG. This interrupt signal is input to the CPU 91 via the I/O interface 94.

When an interrupt request based on an interrupt signal is generated, the CPU 91 starts an oscillation operation. After the oscillation operation of the CPU 91 becomes stable, the interrupt factor is checked via the I/O interface 94. Note that in this embodiment, the operation of the CPU 91 is stopped in the sleep mode. However, instead of stopping the operation of the CPU 91, the operating frequency of the CPU 91 may be lowered.

As shown in FIGS. 1(b) and 21, the remaining amount display LED 400 is provided on the right side of the front surface of the printer main body 100, that is, on the opposite side from the operation unit 300 located on the left side. Information regarding the amount of toner remaining in the developer container 32 is displayed. In this embodiment, the remaining power display LED 400 is a panel member consisting of a plurality of scales (three in this embodiment) arranged vertically in parallel, and each scale corresponds to the Low level, Mid level, and Full level. It corresponds to

That is, as shown in FIG. 21(a), when only the lower scale is lit, the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32 indicates a Low level. As shown in FIG. 21(b), when the lower and center scales are lit and the upper scale is off, the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32 indicates the Mid level. As shown in FIG. 21(c), when all three scales are lit, the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32 indicates the Full level. Note that instead of the remaining amount displaying LED 400, a liquid crystal panel or the like may be used to notify the remaining amount of toner. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the notification means is used to indicate the remaining amount of toner, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the display in FIG. 21(a) may be changed to indicate that toner replenishment is required, the display in FIG. 21(b) may be changed to indicate that toner replenishment is not required, and the display in FIG. 21(c) may be changed to indicate that toner replenishment is required. It may also be used as a display to show that the process has been sufficiently performed.

In addition, as for how to display the remaining amount display LED 400, the Mid level is displayed as one toner pack 40 is refilled and one more toner pack 40 can be refilled, and the Full level is displayed as the toner pack 40. It may be written that two bottles of toner are refilled and no more toner in the toner pack 40 can be refilled.

[Toner replenishment process]
Next, a toner replenishment process for replenishing the developer container 32 with the toner in the toner pack 40 will be described. First, processing related to notification to the user when toner replenishment is required will be described using FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 90 determines whether the remaining amount of toner is at a low level based on the detection result of the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 (S101). If the remaining amount of toner is at a low level (S101; Yes), the control unit 90 displays a message urging the user to replenish toner on the display unit 301 (S102). FIG. 19(a) shows a display example of the message.

Next, the control unit 90 causes the display unit 301 to display a button 1 (replenishment start button) guidance display at a higher level in the menu than usual (S103). An example of the display is shown in FIG. Note that normal corresponds to the case where the remaining amount of toner at a low level is not detected, and normally, a similar guidance screen is displayed at a lower level than when the remaining amount of toner at a low level is detected. Note that the change to the display message of the lower hierarchy is performed by the user's operation on the button 302 shown in FIG. Furthermore, as the upper menu hierarchy, the highest hierarchy is most suitable. Further, the control unit 90 blinks the replenishment start button LED 501, the LED of button 1 (replenishment start button) on the operation unit 300, and the replenishment port LED 600 (S104). After that, the control unit 90 executes the replenishment guidance process shown in FIG. 14. The processing in FIG. 14 will be described below.

First, the control unit 90 determines whether there is an instruction to replenish toner (S111). The replenishment instruction corresponds to when button 1 on the operation unit 300 is pressed or when the replenishment start button 500 is pressed. Note that the replenishment process may be started using only button 1 on the operation unit 300 without providing the replenishment start button 500. In this case, there is no need to provide the supply start button LED 501. Conversely, a configuration may be adopted in which the replenishment process is started only with the replenishment start button 500.

If there is no replenishment instruction (S111; No), the control unit 90 determines whether sleep mode transition conditions are satisfied (S112). If the sleep mode transition condition is not satisfied (S112; No), the control unit 90 determines whether there is a replenishment instruction (returns to S111). If the sleep mode transition condition is satisfied (S112; Yes), the control unit 90 transitions to sleep mode (S113). After transitioning to the sleep mode, the control unit 90 determines whether a signal for a return operation has been input (S114). Here, the return operation is, for example, when button 1 (replenishment start button) on the operation unit 300 is pressed. When a signal for a return operation is input, the control unit 90 returns from the sleep mode (S115), and then determines whether there is a replenishment instruction (returns to S111).

On the other hand, if there is a replenishment instruction by pressing button 1 or replenishment start button 500 of the operation unit 300 (S111; Yes), the control unit 90 activates the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 after starting the motor M1. The remaining amount of toner is detected by the second remaining toner amount sensor 52, and then the motor M1 is stopped (S116). The process of S116 may be omitted, and in that case, the control unit 90 refers to the latest toner remaining amount information stored in the nonvolatile memory 93. The control unit 90 discriminates the detected toner remaining amount information into three levels: Low, Mid, and Full (S117).

If the toner remaining amount information is Mid (S117; Mid), the control unit 90 executes a "replenishment guide process for remaining amount Mid" process, which will be described later (S300). When the remaining amount information is Full (S117; Full), the control unit 90 executes a process of "replenishment guidance processing for remaining amount Full" (S400), which will be described later. When the remaining amount information is Low (S117; Low), the control unit 90 executes a "replenishment guidance process for remaining amount Low" process to be described later (S200).

[Replenishment guidance processing for remaining amount Low]
Next, guidance display control regarding toner replenishment when the remaining amount is low, shown in FIG. 15, will be described. First, the control unit 90 starts the timer Ta (S201). Next, the control unit 90 causes the display unit 301 to display a message prompting the user to perform an action to promote the movement of the toner to the developer container 32 (S202). An example of the message is shown in FIG. 19(b). After that, the control unit 90 executes a motor control sequence 1, which will be described later, in parallel with the process shown in FIG. 15, which will be described below (S221). First, the description of the process in FIG. 15 will be continued. The control unit 90 determines whether the remaining amount has changed to the Mid level based on the detection result of the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 (S203). That is, when the shutter member 41 is opened by the user normally attaching the toner pack 40 to the mounting portion 57 and rotating it 180 degrees, the toner contained in the toner pack 40 falls downward due to its own weight, and the remaining amount reaches the Mid level. increases to

When the remaining amount changes to the Mid level (S203; Yes), the control unit 90 updates the display form of the remaining amount display LED 400 to Mid, and displays the message shown in FIG. 19(c) as the replenishment progress status on the display unit 301. is displayed (S204). The message shown in FIG. 19(c) is a message notifying that replenishment is being performed normally (successfully).

On the other hand, if the remaining amount does not change from the Low level to the Mid level (S203; No), the control unit 90 determines whether the timer Ta has become larger than the threshold value t0 (S205). The threshold t0 is a value set in advance, and as explained in FIG. 24 below, it is set as a time sufficient for the remaining amount of toner to change from Low level to Mid level, so a relatively short time is set. ing.

When the timer Ta is larger than the threshold value t0 (S205; Yes), the control unit 90 displays the message shown in FIG. 19(f) as a replenishment completion confirmation message on the display unit 301 (S210). The replenishment end confirmation message is a message for prompting the user to input whether or not to end the replenishment process. Note that if the control unit 90 determines Yes in S205, the control unit 90 displays a message on the display unit 301 for a predetermined period of time, such as the one shown in FIG. The process may proceed to step S210.

On the other hand, if the timer Ta does not exceed the threshold t0 (S205; No), the control unit 90 again determines whether the remaining amount has changed to the Mid level based on the detection result of the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 ( S203).

After S204, the control unit 90 determines whether the remaining toner amount has reached the Full level based on the detection result of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 (S206). When the remaining amount changes to the Full level (S206; Yes), the control unit 90 updates the display of the remaining amount display LED 400 to Full, and displays the message shown in FIG. 19(d) as a replenishment completion message on the display unit 301. Display (S207). The replenishment completion message is a message for notifying that the remaining amount has reached Full, that is, replenishment has been completed. After that, the control unit 90 starts the timer Tb and determines whether the timer Tb is larger than the threshold value t2 (S209). The threshold value t2 is a value set in advance, and is set to a sufficient time from when the remaining amount of toner changes to the Full level until the toner pack 40 becomes empty. When the timer Tb is larger than the threshold value t2, the control unit 90 displays the message shown in FIG. 19(e) as a removal reminder message on the display unit 301 (S212). The removal reminder message is a message that urges the user to remove the Nurpack 40 attached to the attachment portion 57. Then, the control unit 90 lights up the supply port LED 600 for a predetermined period of time (S214).

On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner has not changed to the Full level (S206; No), the control unit 90 determines whether the timer Ta has exceeded the threshold value t1 (S208). The threshold value t1 is set to a time longer than the time required to replenish the entire amount of toner (developer amount) contained in the toner pack 40. Further, when the user attaches the toner pack 40 containing only a small amount of toner than usual to the attachment section 57, the control section 90 may determine No in S206. If the timer Ta does not exceed the threshold t1 (S208; No), the control unit 90 determines again whether the remaining amount has changed to the Full level based on the detection result of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 (S206) ). On the other hand, if the timer Ta exceeds the threshold value t1 (S208; Yes), the control unit 90 displays the message shown in FIG. 19(f) as a replenishment end confirmation message on the display unit 301 (S210).

When the control unit 90 displays the message shown in FIG. 19(f), the control unit 90 determines whether the user has inputted button 1, that is, end, or button 2, that is, inputted continuation of the replenishment process in response to the message ( S211). When the user presses button 1 and the signal is input (S211; Yes), the control unit 90 displays the message shown in FIG. 19(e) as a removal reminder message on the display unit 301 (S212). Note that if there is no button operation by the user for a predetermined period of time, the control unit 90 may determine Yes in S211. Then, in order to remind the user to remove the toner pack 40, the replenishment port LED 600 is turned on for a predetermined period of time (S214).

On the other hand, if the user presses button 2 and the signal is input (S211; No), the control unit 90 displays the message shown in FIG. 19(g) on the display unit 301 as a confirmation message for reinstalling the toner pack 40. Display (S213). The reinstallation confirmation message is a message that prompts the user to confirm that the toner pack 40 is installed in the installation section 57. Thereafter, the process returns to S116 in FIG. 14 to perform the toner replenishment process again.

[Replenishment guidance processing for remaining amount Mid]
Next, the guidance control for toner replenishment when the remaining amount is Mid, shown in FIG. 16, will be described. First, the control unit 90 starts the timer Ta (S301), and displays the message shown in FIG. 19(b) similarly to S202 (S302). The control unit 90 then executes motor control sequence 2, which will be described later (S351). Further, in parallel with this motor control sequence 2, the control unit 90 executes the processing described below. First, the control unit 90 determines whether the amount of toner has changed to the Full level based on the detection result of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 (S303).

When the remaining amount changes to the Full level (S303; Yes), the control unit 90 updates the display of the remaining amount display LED 400 to Full, and displays the message shown in FIG. 19(d) as a replenishment completion message on the display unit 301. Display (S304). After that, the control unit 90 starts the timer Tb and determines whether the timer Tb exceeds the threshold value t3 (S308). The threshold value t3 is a preset value, and is set as a sufficient time from when the remaining amount of toner changes to the Full level until the toner pack 40 becomes empty. When the timer Tb is larger than the threshold value t3, the control unit 90 displays the message shown in FIG. 19(e) as a removal reminder message on the display unit 301 (S309). After that, the control unit 90 lights up the supply port LED 600 for a predetermined period of time (S311).

Here, the threshold value t3 is set to a longer time than the threshold value t2. This is because in the process of FIG. 16, the amount of toner remaining in the developer container 32 when the toner pack 40 is attached is at the Mid level, so when the remaining amount becomes Full, the amount of toner remaining in the toner pack 40 is This is because the amount is greater than the amount of toner remaining in the toner pack 40 when the remaining amount becomes full in the process of FIG. By setting the threshold value t3 to a longer time than the threshold value t2, it is possible to flexibly respond to such a situation.

On the other hand, if the remaining amount has not changed to the Full level (S303; No), the control unit 90 determines whether the timer Ta exceeds the threshold value t4 (S305). The threshold value t4 is a value set in advance, and sets the time required to change from the Mid level to the Full level. Therefore, the threshold value t4 is set to a value shorter than the threshold value t1. This makes it possible to output an appropriate message without making the user wait unnecessarily. Similarly to S205, if the control unit 90 determines Yes in step S305, the control unit 90 displays a message prompting the user to attach the toner supply container on the display unit 301 for a predetermined period of time, and then performs the process. The process may proceed to step S210.

If the timer Ta is not greater than the threshold value t4 (S305; No), the control unit 90 performs the determination in S303 again. If the timer Ta is greater than the threshold t4 (S305; Yes), the control unit 90 executes the same processes as S210 to S214 in FIG. 15 in S306, S307, and S309 to S311.

[Replenishment guidance processing for remaining amount Full]
Next, toner replenishment guide display control when the remaining amount of toner is Full will be described, as shown in FIG. 17. First, the control unit 90 starts the timer Ta (S401). Next, the control unit 90 displays a message shown in FIG. 19(b) similarly to S202 (S402).

Then, the control unit 90 executes motor control sequence 3 (S451). Further, in parallel with this motor control sequence 3, the control unit 90 determines whether the timer Ta is larger than the threshold value t5 (S403). The threshold value t5 is a preset value, and is set based on the capacity of the process cartridge 20. The concept of setting the threshold value t5 will be described later. If the timer Ta is greater than the threshold t5 (S405; Yes), the control unit 90 executes the same processes as S212 and S214 in the flowchart of FIG. 15 in S404 and S405.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17, when a replenishment instruction is confirmed, appropriate guidance control is performed according to the remaining amount of toner at that time, so usability regarding toner replenishment can be improved. .

More specifically, when the Low level is detected in step S117, it should be changed to the MID level immediately, but since it is detected that this is not the case, the user can be notified of the replenishment operation deficiency at an early stage. Further, in step S204, the user can be informed of detailed toner replenishment progress status.

On the other hand, if the Mid level is detected in S117, the message display timing is changed from that in FIG. 15 in step S306 of FIG. 16, so that the user can be informed of the replenishment operation deficiency at an appropriate timing.

[Motor control sequence 1]
Details of motor control sequence 1 in S221 of FIG. 15 will be described using FIG. 22A. In motor control sequence 1, the control unit 90 first starts the motor M1 that rotates the stirring member 34 (S252).

The control unit 90 determines whether the timer Ta is larger than the threshold value t1 (S253). The threshold value t1 is as explained in the flowchart above. If the timer Ta is greater than the threshold t1 (S253; Yes), the control unit 90 stops the motor M1 (S257) and ends the process. On the other hand, if the timer Ta is not greater than the threshold t1 (S253; No), the control unit 90 determines whether the remaining amount of toner has changed to the Full level based on the detection result of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52. (S254). If the remaining amount has not changed to the Full level (S254; No), the control unit 90 executes S253 again. On the other hand, when the remaining amount changes to the Full level (S254; Yes), the control unit 90 starts the timer Tb (S255) and determines whether the timer Tb is larger than the threshold value t2 (first remaining stirring time). (S256). If the timer Tb is greater than the threshold t2 (S256: Yes), the control unit 90 stops the motor M1 (S257) and ends the process.

To summarize, in motor control sequence 1, the control unit 90 starts the motor M1 and drives the stirring member 34. Note that if the remaining amount does not reach Full, the stirring member 34 is driven for a time corresponding to the threshold value t1. On the other hand, when the remaining amount becomes Full, the stirring member 34 is driven until the time corresponding to the threshold value t2 elapses from when the remaining amount becomes Full.

[Motor control sequence 2]
The details of motor control sequence 2 in S351 in FIG. 16 will be explained using FIG. 22B. The difference from motor control sequence 1 is that the threshold values used in S353 and S356 are different. The threshold value t3 (second remaining stirring time) is longer than the threshold value t2 (first remaining stirring time). Further, the threshold value t6 is longer than the threshold value t1. Since the total toner capacity after replenishment is larger than in the case of FIG. 22A, the threshold value t6 is set longer than the threshold value t1. However, if the stirring function of the stirring member 34 is sufficient, the threshold value in S353 may be made the same as the threshold value t1. In FIG. 16, if the remaining amount does not reach Full even after the threshold value t4 has elapsed, a replenishment end confirmation message is displayed in S306, and the user is prompted to input whether or not to end the replenishment process. In the sequence of FIG. 22B as well, if the remaining amount does not reach Full even after the threshold value t4 has elapsed, the motor M1 may be stopped in S357.

[Motor control sequence 3]
Motor control sequence 3 in S451 of FIG. 17 will be explained using FIG. 22C. The control unit 90 first starts the motor M1 that rotates the stirring member 34 (S452). The control unit 90 waits until the timer Ta becomes larger than the threshold value t5 (S453). The threshold value t5 is as explained in the flowchart above. When the timer Ta becomes larger than the threshold value t5 (S454; Yes), the control unit 90 stops the motor M1 (S454) and ends the process. To summarize, in motor control sequence 3, control unit 90 starts motor M1 and drives stirring member 34 for a time corresponding to threshold value t5.

[Status of toner stirring]
In the above-described toner replenishment process, when the toner falls from the toner pack 40 into the developer container 32 as shown in FIG. 23(a), the toner enters the transport chamber 36 through the first protrusion 37. Since the replenishment port 32a and the first protrusion 37 are arranged at one end of the developer container 32 in the longitudinal direction, toner is supplied to the transport chamber 36 all at once toward the one end. In other words, the toner is supplied unevenly inside the developer container 32.

Here, consider a case where the stirring member 34 is not rotating when toner is supplied to the transport chamber 36. When toner is dropped from the toner pack 40 into the developer container 32, if the stirring member 34 is not rotated in the transport chamber 36 that accommodates the toner, it will take time for the dropped toner to spread over the entire length of the photosensitive drum 21. It takes. If this time becomes longer, it will take time for the user performing toner replenishment work to confirm that toner has been replenished into the transport chamber 36, which will reduce usability.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the stirring member 34 is driven from the start of toner replenishment in the toner replenishment process. Note that the driving time is as explained using FIGS. 22A to 22C. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 23(b) and 23(c), the toner supplied from the toner pack 40 to one end of the developer container 32 is moved by the stirring member 34 over the entire length of the transport chamber 36 of the developer container 32 in the longitudinal direction. It will be leveled early. Therefore, the time it takes for the user to confirm that toner replenishment has been performed can be shortened, and usability can be improved. Further, since the toner contained in the developer container 32 is leveled, the accuracy in detecting remaining toner amount information by the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 and the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 can be improved.

The cross-sectional views in FIGS. 23(a) to 23(c) show the 16A-16A cross section in FIG. 6. 23A and 23B, it is shown that the light emitting section 52a is arranged at the right end of the photosensitive drum 21 in the longitudinal direction. It is assumed that the light receiving section 51b, the light emitting section 52a, and the light receiving section 52b are also arranged at the same/substantially the same longitudinal position of the photosensitive drum 21. Due to restrictions on sensor placement within the device body, the sensor placement may be as shown in FIGS. 23(a) and 23(b). Even in such a case, the above-mentioned usability can be improved by rotating the stirring member 34 during toner replenishment.

[About threshold t0, threshold t1, t4 and t5]
As described above, the threshold value t0 is intended to provide a warning when the remaining amount of toner does not go from the Low level to the Mid level. Further, the threshold value t4 is assumed to be a warning when the remaining amount of toner does not change from the Mid level to the Full level. Further, the threshold value t1 is set to a time longer than the time required to replenish the entire amount of toner (developer amount) contained in the toner pack 40. Note that the threshold value t1 also corresponds to the drive time of the stirring member 34 when the remaining amount does not reach Full, as explained in FIGS. 22A and 22B.

As explained in FIG. 24(a), when the remaining amount of toner is between X [g] and Y [g], the remaining amount of toner is displayed at the Mid level. However, since toner replenishment can be performed at any timing desired by the user, if toner replenishment is performed when the remaining toner amount is less than Y(g) and near Y(g), the toner remaining amount immediately changes from the Mid level to the Full level. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner is more than X [g] and toner replenishment is started from around X [g], it takes longer time to change from the Mid level to the Full level than the former. The above is the reason why t4 is set longer than t0. The threshold value t1 is set to a value larger than the threshold value t4 because it is longer than the time required to replenish the entire amount of toner (developer amount) contained in the toner pack 40.

Next, the concept of setting the threshold value t5 will be explained. The threshold value t5 is used when the remaining amount of toner is Full in S117 of FIG. 14, and the toner replenishment process is performed for a time corresponding to the threshold value t5, as described with reference to FIG. 22C. For example, if the free capacity of the developer container 32 is small when detecting the remaining amount Full, the threshold value t5 is set small to prevent toner from overflowing from the developer container 32. On the other hand, if the free capacity of the developer container 32 is large when detecting the remaining amount Full, the threshold value t5 is set large in order to suppress unevenness of toner in the developer container 32. In this way, the threshold value t5 is set based on the free capacity of the developer container 32 when detecting the remaining amount Full.

[Relationship between the amount of toner filled in the toner pack 40 and the volume of the developer container 32]
Next, the relationship between the amount of toner filled in the toner pack 40 and the volume of the developer container 32 will be explained. The developer container 32 can accommodate Z[g] of toner, as shown in FIG. 24(a). In addition, in FIGS. 24(a) to 24(c), the values are expressed in terms of grams (g), but they may be converted into units indicating volume such as milliliters (ml).

When the amount of toner contained in the developer container 32 is between 0 [g] and less than X [g], the display for displaying the remaining amount is The LED 400 displays a low level display. X [g] corresponds to the second amount, and toner amounts from 0 [g] to less than X [g] correspond to toner amounts less than the second amount.

When the amount of toner contained in the developer container 32 is less than X [g] to Y [g], the display for displaying the remaining amount is The LED 400 displays the Mid level. Y[g] corresponds to the first amount, and toner amounts less than X[g] to Y[g] correspond to toner amounts less than the first amount.

When the amount of toner contained in the developer container 32 is Y [g] or more, the remaining amount display LED 400 is set to the Full level based on the detection results of the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 and the second remaining toner amount sensor 52. will be displayed. The amount of toner equal to or greater than Y [g] corresponds to the amount of toner equal to or greater than the first amount.

FIG. 24B is a graph showing the amount of toner when the developer container 32 is replenished with toner using the toner pack 40 filled with A [g] of toner. FIG. 24C is a graph showing the amount of toner when the developer container 32 is replenished with toner using the toner pack 40 filled with B[g] (>A) toner. The product lineup of toner pack 40 includes either a small-capacity toner pack filled with A [g] of toner, or a large-capacity toner pack filled with B [g] of toner. But that's fine. Furthermore, the product lineup of toner packs 40 is not limited to two types, but three or more types may be prepared.

In this embodiment, the amount of toner (A, B) filled in the toner pack 40 as a supply container satisfies the following equations (1) and (2).
Y≦A<Z-Y...(1)
Y≦B<Z-Y...(2)

As shown in FIG. 24(b), when the toner remaining in the developer container 32 is R [g] between 0 [g] and X [g], the toner pack 40 develops the toner by A [g]. When the container 32 is replenished, the developer container 32 will contain (R+A) [g] of toner. According to the above equation (1), since Y<(R+A), the remaining amount display LED 400 after toner replenishment displays the full level. That is, Y [g], which is the threshold value of the Full level, is smaller than the supply amount A [g] supplied from the toner pack 40 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 24(c), when the amount of toner remaining in the developer container 32 is R [g], when the toner pack 40 replenishes the developer container 32 with B [g] of toner, the amount of toner remaining in the developer container 32 is (R+B)[g] of toner will be accommodated. According to the above equation (2), Y<(R+B), so the remaining amount display LED 400 after toner replenishment displays the full level.

In this way, the capacity of the developer container 32 is such that by replenishing toner when the remaining amount displaying LED 400 is displaying the Mid level or Low level, the remaining amount displaying LED 400 always reaches the Full level. Set. Note that the volume of the developer container 32 does not necessarily have to be set so that the full level is reached by one toner pack 40; for example, the capacity can be set to the full level by replenishing a plurality of toner packs 40 containing a small amount of toner. You may do so.

Further, from the above equations (1) and (2), the volume of the developer container 32 is determined by the total amount of toner filled in the toner pack 40 when the remaining amount display LED 400 indicates the Mid level or Low level. is set so that it can be moved to the developer container 32. That is, the maximum amount of developer that can be stored in the developer container 32 is determined by the amount of developer that can be stored in the toner pack 40 (A [g] or B [g]), which is the boundary between the Full level and the Mid level. ]) is greater than the sum of the values. In other words, the amount of toner filled in the toner pack 40 is the maximum amount of toner that can be stored in the developer container 32 (Z[g]) and the remaining amount of toner at the boundary between the Mid level and the Full level (Y[g]). g]) is less than the difference between.

This prevents the developer container 32 from becoming full of toner while replenishing the developer container 32 with toner using the toner pack 40, and it is possible to reduce leakage of toner from the replenishment port 32a during toner replenishment. .

As described above, in this embodiment, when the replenishment is instructed, the control unit 90 changes the display control of messages related to replenishment performed during replenishment. Specifically, the control unit 90 executes the first display control when starting replenishment with the remaining amount Low, and executes the second display control when starting replenishing with the remaining amount Mid. Thereby, a message can be displayed to the user according to the remaining amount at the time of starting replenishment. For example, in the first display control, when the remaining amount reaches Mid, a message shown in FIG. 19(c) is displayed to the user. This allows the user to recognize that replenishment is proceeding smoothly.

Furthermore, in the first display control and the second display control, when the first predetermined period elapses without the remaining amount reaching Full, the control unit 90 displays the message shown in FIG. 19(f) to the user, The user is prompted to input whether or not to end replenishment. Here, the control unit 90 makes the first predetermined period different between the first display control and the second display control. Specifically, in the first display control, the first predetermined period is a period corresponding to the threshold value t1, and in the second display control, the first predetermined period is a period corresponding to the threshold value t4. Further, as described above, if the remaining amount does not reach Full in the first display control and the second display control, the control unit 90 drives the stirring member 34 for a second predetermined period. In the first display control, the second predetermined period is a period corresponding to the threshold value t1. Further, in the second display control, the second predetermined period is a period corresponding to the threshold value t6, which is longer than the threshold value t1. That is, in the case of the second display control, the control unit 90 makes the driving time of the stirring member 34 longer than in the case of the first display control, thereby making the distribution of toner in the developer container 32 more uniform. This increases the accuracy of detecting the remaining amount.

In addition, in the first display control and the second display control, when the third predetermined period elapses after the remaining amount reaches Full, the control unit 90 displays the message shown in FIG. 19(e) to the user. , prompts the user to remove the toner pack 40. Here, the control unit 90 makes the third predetermined period different between the first display control and the second display control. Specifically, in the first display control, the third predetermined period is a period corresponding to the threshold value t2, and in the second display control, the third predetermined period is a period corresponding to the threshold value t3. Note that, as described above, the threshold value t3 is longer than the threshold value t2. Thereby, replenishment is performed according to the amount of toner in the toner pack 40 when the remaining amount is Full.

Further, in this embodiment, a second opening 82a is formed in the discharge tray 81 of the top cover 82, and an opening/closing member 83 is further provided on the top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable. The opening/closing member 83 covers the second opening 82a in a closed state, and exposes the supply port 32a of the developer container 32 in an open state. Therefore, the user can access the supply port 32a simply by opening the opening/closing member 83.

This embodiment adopts a method (direct replenishment method) in which toner is directly supplied to the developer container 32 by the toner pack 40 from the replenishment port 32a. There is no need to take it out. Further, since the replenishment port 32a of the developer container 32 is formed on the upper surface of the first protrusion 37 that protrudes upward from one end in the longitudinal direction of the transport chamber 36, it is disposed close to the second opening 82a. ing. Therefore, the user can easily replenish toner into the developer container 32 through the replenishment port 32a. Further, when replenishing the developer container 32 with toner, parts such as the developer roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are not replaced, so costs can be reduced.

Furthermore, since the laser passage space SP is formed so as to be surrounded by the first protrusion 37, the second protrusion 38, the handle part 39, and the transfer chamber 36, the developer container 32 and the scanner unit 11 can be disposed close to each other. This allows the image forming apparatus 1 to be downsized.

Furthermore, when the toner pack 40 is attached to the replenishment port 32a and toner replenishment work is performed, the stirring member 34 is driven, so even if the replenishment port 32a is located at one end of the developer container 32 in the longitudinal direction. , the packing phenomenon can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce image defects and improve the accuracy of detecting toner remaining amount information.

Further, the maximum amount of developer that can be stored in the developer container 32 is determined by the amount of developer that can be stored in the toner pack 40 (A [g] or B [g]), which is the boundary between the Full level and the Mid level. ]) is set to be larger than the sum of the values. Therefore, the developer container 32 does not become full of toner while replenishing the developer container 32 with toner using the toner pack 40, and leakage of toner from the replenishment port 32a during toner replenishment can be reduced. . By configuring the image forming apparatus 1 in this manner, it is possible to provide a form of image forming apparatus that satisfies the needs of the user.

Further, when the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32 reaches a low level, a replenishment notification may be displayed on the display unit 301 to prompt toner replenishment. Furthermore, when the toner runs out, a replenishment notification may be displayed on the display unit 301 to prompt toner replenishment.

Further, although the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32 is notified to the user by the remaining amount display LED 400, it does not need to be composed of three scales as in this embodiment. For example, the remaining amount display LED 400 may include one, two, or four or more scales. Further, the remaining amount of toner may be continuously displayed using a percentage display or a gauge display. Further, the user may be notified of the remaining amount of toner by voice using a speaker.

<First modification example>
FIG. 25(a) shows a first modification of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 25(a), in the image forming apparatus 1B, the developer container replenishment port 132a is arranged on the right side of the apparatus, and the opening/closing member 83B is also arranged on the right side of the apparatus. The opening/closing member 83B exposes the replenishment port 132a in an open state and covers the replenishment port 132a in a closed state. By arranging the replenishment port 132a on the right side of the device in this way, the replenishment port 132a is close to the remaining amount display LED 400. Therefore, when replenishing the developer container with toner using the toner pack 40, the remaining amount display LED 400 can be easily checked.

<Second modification example>
Further, the present invention is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 25(a), but may be applied to an image forming apparatus 1C configured to open the opening/closing member 83C toward the front, as shown in FIG. 25(b). .

<Third modification example>
Further, as shown in FIG. 25(c), the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus 1D configured to open an opening/closing member 83D to the rear side.

<Second embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the replenishment guidance process in the case where the mounting sensor 53 is not provided has been described. The case where the attached sensor 53 is provided will be explained below using FIGS. 26 to 28.

FIG. 26 shows a control block diagram in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, differences from FIG. 12 will be explained, and detailed explanations of common parts will be omitted. In the control block diagram of FIG. 26, a mounting sensor 53 and an opening/closing sensor 54 are added to the control block diagram of FIG. 12, and these are connected to the input side of the control section 90. The attachment sensor 53 detects that the toner pack 40 is attached to the supply port 32a of the developer container 32. For example, when the toner pack 40 is attached to the attachment part 57, the attachment sensor 53 is provided on a surface facing the bottom of the toner pack 40, and is pressed against the bottom of the toner pack 40, thereby causing electricity to be generated. change the electrical conduction state. Furthermore, the opening/closing sensor 54 detects whether the opening/closing member 83 is opened with respect to the top cover 82 . The opening/closing sensor 54 is composed of, for example, a pressure-sensitive switch or a magnetic sensor. When the mounting sensor 53 and the opening/closing sensor 54 detect a predetermined operation, an interrupt request is generated to the CPU 91 whose operation is stopped while the image forming apparatus is in the sleep mode.

FIG. 27 shows the arrangement relationship between the mounting sensor 53 and the process cartridge 20. FIG. 27 shows a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge. The process cartridge has a mounted sensor wire bundle space 2702. When the mounting sensor 53 is pressed by the bottom of the toner pack 40 and its electrical continuity changes, a signal is output to the control unit 90 via the mounting sensor bundle. The attached sensor bundle wire is connected from the attached sensor 53 to the control unit 90 through the attached sensor bundle wire space 2702. The mounted sensor bundle space 2702 is surrounded so as not to come into contact with toner.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the replenishment guidance process of this embodiment. In the following, only the differences from FIG. 14 will be explained, and the explanation of the common parts will be omitted. When there is a replenishment instruction (S111: Yes), the control unit 90 determines whether or not the toner pack 40 is attached based on the output signal of the attachment sensor 53 (S2801). If it is determined that the toner container is not installed (S2801: No), the control unit 90 causes the display unit 301 to display a message indicating that the toner container is not installed (S2802). An example of the message is shown in FIG. 19(h). On the other hand, if it is determined that the toner pack 40 is attached (S2801: Yes), the same process as in FIG. 14 is executed.

In this manner, by determining the detection signal of the mounting sensor 53 by the control unit 90, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation where an attempt is made to replenish the toner with the toner pack 40 not installed and the toner replenishment is not performed at all. This can be prevented and operability can be improved.

<Third embodiment>
Next, a toner pack 40, which is a developer replenishment container according to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. 18. 18(b) shows a state in which the first area of the main body of the toner pack 40 is on the front side of the figure, and FIG. 18(c) shows a state in which the first area of the main body of the toner pack 40 is different from the first area. A state in which the second area is on the near side of the figure is shown. As shown in FIGS. 18(c) and 18(b), different messages regarding replenishment are provided in the first area and the second area. Note that the message is not limited to text, but also includes pictures and photographic images. Further, the message indicates an operation method for toner replenishment by the user. Further, FIG. 18(a) shows a state in which the toner pack 40 shown in FIGS. 18(b) and 18(c) is attached to the image forming apparatus.

Here, as described using FIG. 5, the toner pack 40 is regulated by the protrusion 42 provided at the connecting portion so that the orientation of the first region when attached to the attachment portion 57 is oriented in a predetermined direction. be done. In other words, the protrusion 42 is a direction regulating member that regulates the direction in which the toner pack 40 is attached. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the first region faces toward the front door 61 when attached to the attachment portion 57 . Hereinafter, the direction of the first region when the toner pack 40 is mounted on the mounting section 57 will be referred to as the first direction. Note that the first direction is a relative direction of the image forming apparatus with respect to a predetermined reference direction. For example, if the reference direction is the right direction in FIG. 1A (the direction from the back of the image forming apparatus to the front door 61), the first direction is 0 degrees with respect to the reference direction.

Further, as described using FIG. 5, after the toner pack 40 is mounted on the mounting portion 57, the shutter member 41 is brought into the open state by rotating the main body of the toner pack 40 by a predetermined amount of rotation in a predetermined rotation direction. As a result, toner is supplied to the developer container 32. In this embodiment, the predetermined amount of rotation is 180 degrees. However, the predetermined amount of rotation is not limited to 180 degrees. In this embodiment, when the supply container is attached, the first region is in the first direction, and the main body is rotated by a predetermined amount (rotation angle) in a predetermined rotation direction in order to open the shutter member 41. When the second area is rotated by 1, the second area assumes the first orientation. In other words, it will be in front of the user. In this way, the positional relationship between the first region and the second region depends on the amount and direction of rotation of the main body for changing the shutter member from the open state to the closed state.

A message indicating the first orientation is provided in the first area. As explained above, a message is not limited to text, but also includes pictures and photographic images. Further, the message indicates an operation method for toner replenishment by the user. In FIG. 18(b), this message corresponds to message number 1. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user performs the work while standing on the side of the front door 61, and the "front" in the message number 1 means the front of the user, that is, the first area is on the side of the front door 61. It means facing in the direction of.

Further, as shown in FIG. 18(b), a message regarding the direction and amount of rotation of the main body for changing the shutter member 41 from the closed state to the open state is provided in the first area. In FIG. 18(b), this message corresponds to message number 2.

Further, the second area is provided with a message regarding a user operation that promotes the movement of developer from the main body to the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 18(c), this message corresponds to message number 3. The message numbered 3 prompts the user to massage the main body.

Further, the second area is provided with a message regarding the direction and amount of rotation of the main body to return the direction of the first area to the first direction after the replenishment is completed, thereby closing the shutter member 41. It will be done. In FIG. 18(c), this message corresponds to message number 4.

Furthermore, a message prompting the user to remove the toner pack 40 after the toner pack 40 has been replenished is provided in the first area. In FIG. 18(b), this message corresponds to message number 5. The message numbered 5 indicates a continuation of the replenishment operation method indicated by the message displayed in the second area. That is, the first area can be further divided into a first area A and a first area B, and a message numbered 5 is displayed in the first area B.

Note that the numbers given to the messages in FIGS. 18(b) and 18(c) correspond to the order of user operations regarding replenishment.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user faces the front door 61 and attaches the toner pack 40. Therefore, when worn, the first area is in front of the user, and when the shutter member 41 is rotated to open, the second area is in front of the user. Therefore, for the user, a message regarding the next user action is displayed in an easy-to-see form in front of the user, and the user can easily perform the user action regarding replenishment.

<Fourth embodiment>
In the first to third embodiments, various messages are displayed on the display unit 301. Further, it has been explained that the remaining amount display LED 400, the replenishment start button LED 501, and the replenishment port LED 600 provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 are turned on. However, the display provided to the user is not limited to these. For example, the CPU 91 may transmit various message displays and LED displays shown in FIGS. 13, 15, 16, 17, and 28 as display information to an external device via the I/O interface 94. It's okay. The external device that has received the display information can display a display similar to that described above on the external device or on a display unit connected to the external device.

As the external device, a computer, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, etc. are assumed. Further, the display information may take various forms as long as it is information that allows the software on the external device to display various messages and still images or moving images showing each LED display. Furthermore, the I/O interface 94 may perform wireless communication or wired communication. The output of display information to the outside via this I/O interface 94 corresponds to control for displaying a message regarding replenishment on the display unit.

<Fifth embodiment>
[Image forming device]
FIG. 29(a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment. Hereinafter, differences from the configuration of FIG. 1 will be mainly explained, and detailed explanations of common members will be omitted.

(overall structure)
As shown in FIGS. 29(a) and 29(b), the image forming apparatus 1 includes a reading device 200 that is supported by the printer body 100 so as to be openable and closable. Furthermore, since the configuration of the process cartridge 20 of this embodiment is different from that of the previously described embodiment, it will be described in detail later. Note that the other configurations are the same as those described above, so detailed descriptions will be omitted. (Openable/closeable part of image forming device)

As shown in FIG. 30(b), a first opening 101 that opens upward is provided at the top of the printer main body 100. The first opening 101 is covered by the top cover 82 during use, and by opening the top cover 82 upward, the process cartridge 20 is exposed (FIG. 30(b)). The top cover 82 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the printer main body 100 around a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction, and has a discharge tray 81 provided on its upper surface. The top cover 82 is opened from the front side toward the back side when the reading device 200 is opened with respect to the printer main body 100. Note that the reading device 200 and the top cover 82 may be configured to be held in an open state and a closed state by a holding mechanism such as a hinge mechanism.

For example, if the recording material is jammed in the conveyance path CP through which the recording material is fed by the pickup roller 65, the user opens the top cover 82 together with the reading device 200. Then, the user accesses the process cartridge 20 through the first opening 101 exposed by opening the top cover 82, and pulls out the process cartridge 20 along the cartridge guide 102.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 30(a), an opening/closing member 83 is provided on the top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable. An upwardly opening opening 82a is provided on the upper surface of the top cover 82 where the discharge tray 81 is provided, and when the opening/closing member 83 is closed, the opening 82a is covered. The opening/closing member 83 and the opening 82a are provided on the right side of the top cover 82. The opening/closing member 83 is supported by the top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable about a rotation shaft 83a extending in the front-rear direction, and can be opened to the right by hooking a finger from a groove 82b provided in the top cover 82. It will be done. The opening/closing member 83 is formed into a substantially L-shape along the shape of the top cover 82. Note that the opening/closing member 83 is not limited to the opening/closing mechanism described above. For example, the opening can be opened by placing it on the top cover 82 so as to cover the supply container mounting part 701 and slidingly rotating on the upper surface of the top cover 82 about a rotation axis perpendicular to the top cover 82. 82a may be configured to open and close. Here, sliding on the upper surface of the top cover 82 means that movement of the opening/closing member 83 in the rotation axis direction is restricted.

The opening 82a opens so that a toner replenishment container mounting portion 701 provided at the top of the process cartridge 20 is exposed. By opening the opening/closing member 83, the user can access the supply container mounting section 701 (see FIG. 33) without opening the top cover 82. A user can replenish toner into the process cartridge 20 by attaching the toner pack 40 to the replenishment container mounting portion 701.

Note that, hereinafter, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction (direction of gravity) in the image forming apparatus 1 will be defined with reference to the state in which the operation unit 300 is faced from the front. The positional relationship of the process cartridge 20 and other members that can be attached to and removed from the printer body 100 will be explained based on the state in which they are attached to the printer body 100. Further, the “longitudinal direction” of the process cartridge 20 refers to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 21.

(Process cartridge configuration)
Next, the configuration of the process cartridge 20 will be explained. FIG. 31(a) is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 20 at the center in the longitudinal direction. Further, FIG. 31(b) is a side cross-section of the supply container mounting portion 701 of the process cartridge 20. As shown in FIG. FIG. 31(c) is a sectional view taken along line 6C-6C in FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b). As shown in FIG. 31, the process cartridge 20 includes a toner receiving unit 801, a developing unit 802, and a cleaning unit 803. The toner receiving unit 801, the cleaning unit 803, and the developing unit 802 are arranged in this order from the top to the bottom in the direction of gravity. Each unit will be explained in turn below.

The toner receiving unit 801 is arranged above the process cartridge 20. Inside the toner receiving unit 801, a toner accommodating section 8011 composed of a frame body for accommodating toner is provided, and a replenishment container mounting section 701 coupled to the toner pack 40 is provided at the longitudinal end. Note that the frame that constitutes the toner storage portion 8011 may be formed of one member or may be formed by combining a plurality of members. The replenishment container mounting portion 701 has a replenishment port 8012 that receives toner discharged from the toner pack 40 . The detailed configuration of the supply container mounting section 701 and the mounting of the toner pack 40 on the supply container mounting section 701 will be described later.

Further, inside the toner receiving unit 801, a first conveying member 8013, a second conveying member 8014, and a third conveying member 8015 are provided. The first conveyance member 8013 transports the toner that has fallen onto the end of the toner storage section 8011 in the longitudinal direction through the replenishment port 8012 in the direction of arrow H (FIG. 31(c)) toward the center of the toner storage section 8011. transport. The second conveying member 8014 carries the toner conveyed by the first conveying member 8013 in the direction of arrow J (FIG. 31(c)) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, to the upper side of the developing unit 802, that is, to the discharge port 8016. transport. The third conveying member 8015 receives the toner from the second conveying member 8014 mainly at the center in the longitudinal direction, and conveys the toner to one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction (in the direction of arrow K and the direction of arrow K').

When the toner from the toner pack 40 serving as a replenishment container flows into the toner receiving unit 801, air also flows at the same time. The toner receiving unit 801 includes an air filter (not shown) for allowing air to flow in the direction of arrow H during toner replenishment so that the toner is easily replenished. This air filter prevents toner from being ejected from the replenishment port 8012 due to an increase in the internal pressure of the toner receiving unit 801 during toner replenishment and a portion of the air flowing in the opposite direction to the direction of arrow H.

Discharge ports 8016 (FIG. 31(b)) for discharging toner from the toner storage section 8011 to the developer container 32 of the development unit 802 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner receiving unit 801. Third The toner that has reached the discharge port 8016 by the conveyance member 8015 falls into the developer container 32 due to gravity. Note that a conveyance member may be further provided in the middle of the path of the discharge port 8016 to maintain the movement of the toner due to gravity.

The developing unit 802 located at the lower part of the process cartridge 20 has an opening 8021 for receiving the toner discharged from the discharge port 8016 (FIG. 31(b)). A sealing member (not shown) is provided between the discharge port 8016 and the opening 8021, and the gap between the discharge port 8016 and the opening 8021 is sealed to prevent toner from leaking out.

The toner that has fallen into the toner receiving unit 801 from the toner pack 40 through the replenishment port 8012 is transported inside the toner receiving unit 801 by a first transporting member 8013, a second transporting member 8014, and a third transporting member 8015. Then, the toner is transferred from the toner receiving unit 801 to the developing unit 802 via the discharge port 8016 and the opening 8021 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. In this way, toner is supplied to the cartridge through the replenishment port 8012 located at the end of the process cartridge 20 in the longitudinal direction and located horizontally away from the developer container 32 when viewed from the longitudinal direction. It is transported inside and reaches the developer container 32.

In this manner, the toner storage portion 8011 of the toner receiving unit 801 and the developer container 32 of the development unit 802 communicate with each other, thereby forming a storage container that forms a space for storing toner in the process cartridge 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, a replenishment port 8012 for replenishing toner from the outside is provided as a part of the housing container of the process cartridge 20. However, a replenishment port directly connected to the replenishment container may be provided in the printer main body, and the process cartridge may receive toner through the replenishment port. In this case, the portion of the process cartridge 20 excluding the replenishment port becomes removable from the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG.

The toner supplied to the developing unit 802 through the opening 8021 is accommodated in the transport chamber 36 formed inside the developing container 32 constituted by the frame of the developing unit 802 (see FIG. 31(a)). , (b)). Note that the frame that constitutes the developer container 32 may be constructed of one member, or may be constructed by combining a plurality of members. Here, a stirring member 34 is provided in the transfer chamber 36. The stirring member 34 has a shaft member 34a provided near the center of rotation of the stirring member 34, and a blade portion 34b extending in the radial direction from the shaft member 34a. In the cross section, the toner within the rotation locus of the tip of the blade portion 34b is pushed and moved in accordance with the movement of the blade portion 34b. The toner supplied through the opening 8021 is conveyed toward the developing roller 31 , the supply roller 33 , and the developing blade 35 while being stirred by the stirring member 34 .

The cleaning unit 803 includes a waste toner chamber 8033 including a fourth conveying member 8031, a fifth conveying member 8032, and a frame (FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b)). Note that the frame that constitutes the waste toner chamber 8033 may be composed of one member or may be composed of a combination of a plurality of members. The waste toner chamber 8033 is a space that accommodates collected materials such as transfer residual toner collected from the photosensitive drum 21 by the cleaning blade 24 (so-called waste toner), and is independent of the internal space of the toner receiving unit 801 and the developing unit 802. are doing. The waste toner collected by the cleaning blade 24 is transported in the direction of arrow M by the fourth transport member 8031 and the fifth transport member 8032, and is gradually accumulated from the back part 8033a of the waste toner chamber toward the front.

(Toner pack composition)
The configuration of the toner pack 40 in the fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 32(a) is a perspective view showing the toner pack 40 with the shutter member 41 in a closed state, and FIG. 32(b) is a bottom view thereof. FIG. 33(a) is a perspective view of the shutter member 41 in an open state, and FIG. 33(b) is a top view thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the toner pack 40, which is an example of a supply container, includes a bag member 43 filled with toner, a resin discharge part 42 attached to the bag member 43, and a discharge part 42 made of resin. A shutter member 41 that can open and close the opening is provided. Further, a memory unit 45 as a storage means for storing information about the toner pack 40 is attached to the discharge section 42 . The memory unit 45 has a plurality of metal plates (metal terminals) exposed outside the toner pack 40 as a contact portion 45a that contacts a contact portion 70133 (see FIG. 34) of a supply container mounting portion 701 (described later). . Further, as the material for the bag member 43, PP resin (polypropylene), PET resin (polyethylene terephthalate resin), cardboard, paper, etc. can be adopted. Further, the thickness can be 0.01 mm to 1.2 mm. In addition, from the viewpoint of ease of unraveling the bag by the user and durability, a range of 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm is more preferable.

As shown in FIG. 32(b), FIG. 33(b), and FIG. 36, the shutter member 41 has the shape of a partially cut out disc that can rotate relative to the ejection part 42. The side surface forming the thickness of the shutter member 41 at the cutout portion functions as the engagement surface 41s. On the other hand, the discharge section 42 also has a cutout shape. The discharge portion 42 has an engagement surface 42s parallel to the engagement surface 41s in the cutout portion. The discharge port 42a is provided at a position approximately 180 degrees apart from the engagement surface 42s in the circumferential direction of the discharge port 42a. Note that the details of the engagement surface 41s and the engagement surface 42s are shown in FIG. 36.

As shown in FIGS. 32(b) and 36, when the notches of the shutter member 41 and the discharge section 42 are aligned when viewed from the top or bottom surface, the discharge port 42a is covered by the shutter member 41 ( closed state). As shown in FIG. 34(b), when the shutter member 41 rotates 180 degrees with respect to the discharge part 42, the discharge port 42a is exposed through the cutout part of the shutter member 41, and the internal space of the bag member 43 is opened. It communicates with the external space of the toner pack 40. As shown in FIG. 36, the shutter member 41 preferably has a structure in which a sealing layer 41b made of an elastic material such as sponge is bonded to a rigid main body 41a. In this case, in the closed state, the seal layer 41b comes into close contact with the seal layer 42c that covers the peripheral edge of the discharge port 42a, thereby preventing toner leakage. Although the sealing layer 42c is shown in FIG. 36, this sealing layer 42c is also made of an elastic material such as sponge, like the sealing layer 41b.

As will be described later, when replenishing toner from the toner pack 40 to the image forming apparatus 1, the discharge section 42 is aligned to a predetermined position, and the toner pack 40 is inserted and coupled to the replenishment container mounting section 701. Then, by rotating the discharge section 42 by 180 degrees, the discharge section 42 rotates relative to the shutter member 41, the discharge port 42a opens, and the toner in the bag member 43 flows down to the toner receiving unit 801 according to gravity. It has become. At this time, the shutter member does not move relative to the supply container mounting section 701.

Note that although the rotary shutter member 41 is illustrated here, the shutter member may be omitted, or a sliding shutter member may be used instead of the rotary shutter member 41. Further, the shutter member 41 may be configured to be destroyed by rotating the toner pack while the toner pack 40 is attached to the supply port 8012, or may have a removable lid structure such as a seal. .

Further, it is preferable to attach a protective cap to the discharge portion 42 of an unused toner pack 40 to prevent toner from leaking out during transportation. For example, the protective cap is configured to engage with the notch portions of the shutter member 41 and the ejection portion 42 when attached to the ejection portion 42, and to restrict relative rotation between the shutter member 41 and the ejection portion 42. By removing the protective cap, the user can attach the toner pack 40 to the supply container attachment section 701.

(Configuration of supply container mounting part)
The shutter opening/closing mechanism of the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving unit 801, and the locking mechanism of the shutter member 41 will be described. FIG. 33(a) is a perspective view of the supply container mounting portion 701, and FIG. 33(b) is a top view thereof. The supply container mounting section 701 has a supply port 8012, a supply port shutter 7013, a locking member 7014, and a rotation detection section 7015.

The replenishment port 8012 is an opening that communicates with the toner storage portion 8011 (see FIG. 31) of the toner receiving unit 801, and is fixed to the frame 8010 of the toner receiving unit 801. The replenishment port shutter 7013 includes a lid portion 70131 that covers the replenishment port 8012, a cylindrical portion 70132 that receives the discharge portion 42 of the toner pack 40, and a contact portion 45a of the memory unit 45 of the toner pack 40 (see FIG. 33(b)). and a contact portion 70133 connected to the contact portion 70133. In the figure, a portion of the cylindrical portion 70132 that covers the contact portion 70133 is shown as a cylindrical portion 70132a. The supply port shutter 7013 is a member in which the lid portion 70131, the cylindrical portion 70132, and the contact portion 70133 are integrated, and is rotatably attached to the frame 8010 of the toner receiving unit 801. Each conductor exposed in the contact portion 70133 controls the image forming apparatus 1 mounted on the printer body 100 via the wiring provided in the process cartridge 20 and the contact between the process cartridge 20 and the printer body 100. electrically connected to the

The rotation detection unit 7015 as a rotation detection sensor is a mechanism that detects rotation of the replenishment port shutter 7013. The rotation detection section 7015 of this embodiment is composed of two electrically conductive leaf springs 70151 and 70152. The leaf spring 70152 is biased clockwise, and when pressed by the protrusion 70135a provided on the outer periphery of the replenishment port shutter 7013, the leaf spring 70152 comes into contact with the other leaf spring 70151 at the tip 701521. That is, the rotation detection unit 7015 is an electric circuit configured to switch between a conductive state and a disconnected state according to the rotation angle (rotational position) of the replenishment port shutter 7013. As will be described later, the control unit 90 (FIG. 38) of the image forming apparatus controls the replenishment of the toner pack 40 discharge port 42a and the replenishment container mounting portion 701 based on whether the rotation detection portion 7015 is electrically connected or disconnected. It is recognized whether or not the mouth 8012 is in communication. In other words, the control unit 90 can determine that the user's operation to replenish the toner pack 40 has been performed normally up to at least the communication between the discharge port 42a and the replenishment port 8012.

As shown in FIGS. 33(a) to 34(c), a plurality of protrusions 70135a and 70135b are provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 70132 of the replenishment port shutter 7013. Further, the frame body 8010 has a shutter support part 7011, and the shutter support part 7011 rotatably supports the cylindrical part 70132 of the replenishment port shutter 7013. The cylindrical portion 7011a of the shutter support portion 7011 is also provided with a plurality of protrusions 70125a and 70125b. The plurality of protrusions 70125a and 70125b are located lower in the gravity direction than the protrusion 70135a (right side in FIG. 34(a)). The protrusion 70125b allows passage of the protrusion 70135a (right side in FIG. 34(a)) by rotation. On the other hand, the protruding part 70135a (left side in FIG. 34(a)) is at the same height as the protruding part 70135a (right side in FIG. 34(a)) and extends downward to a height that overlaps with the protruding parts 70125a and 70125b. There is. Therefore, the protrusion 70125b comes into contact with the protrusion 70135a (left side in FIG. 34(a)) depending on the rotation angle (rotational position) of the replenishment port shutter 7013, and the rotation of the protrusion 70135a (left side in FIG. 34(a)) Regulate movement.

Furthermore, before the replenishment port shutter 7013 rotates in the R1 direction, the protrusion 70125a contacts the protrusion 70135a (left side) to restrict rotational movement of the protrusion 70135a in the R2 direction. Further, the protruding portion 70135a (right side in FIG. 34(a)) comes into contact with the locking member 7014, and restricts rotational movement of the locking member 7014 in the R1 direction. On the other hand, after the replenishment port shutter 7013 rotates in the R1 direction, the protrusion 70135b contacts the locking member 7014 that has been moved to the lock position, and restricts the rotational movement of the locking member 7014 in the R2 direction. Furthermore, the protrusion 70135a (on the right side in FIG. 34(a)) comes into contact with the protrusion 70125b, and restricts further rotational movement of the protrusion 70135a in the R1 direction. It is assumed that the rotation direction of the supply port shutter 7013 is the R1 direction when the toner pack 40 is attached, and the R2 direction when the toner pack 40 is removed.

The lock member 7014 is a member that restricts rotation of the replenishment port shutter 7013. FIG. 35(a) shows a state in which the locking member 7014 is in the locked position, and FIG. 35(b) shows a state in which the locking member 7014 is in the unlocked position. The locking member 7014 can be shifted between a locking position (restricted position) and an unlocking position (permissive position) by moving up and down. As shown in FIGS. 34(b) and 35(a), when the lock member 7014 contacts the protrusion 70135a of the replenishment port shutter 7013 in the locked position, rotation of the replenishment port shutter 7013 is restricted. When the locking member 7014 moves to the unlocked position as shown in FIG. 35(b), the locking member 7014 retreats from the locus of movement of the protrusion 70135a when the replenishment port shutter 7013 rotates, and the replenishment port shutter 7013 Rotation is allowed.

(Press mechanism for lock member)
FIG. 37 shows a pushing mechanism 6000 that moves the locking member 7014 between a locked position and an unlocked position. The pressing mechanism 6000 includes a motor 601, an input gear 602, a cam gear 603, and a reciprocating pin 604. Input gear 602 is a screw gear attached to the output shaft of motor 601. The cam gear 603 includes a gear portion 6032 made of a helical gear that meshes with the input gear 602, and a cam portion 6031 for reciprocating the advancing/retracting pin 604.

The reciprocating pin 604 is supported by a holding member so as to be capable of linear movement in the direction of gravity and the opposite direction (vertical direction). When the motor 601 rotates, the cam gear 603 rotates via the input gear 602, and the advancing/retracting pin 604 moves up and down as it is pressed by the cam part 6031, and the locking member 7014 also moves between the locked position and the unlocked position. Move up and down between positions. FIG. 37 shows the locked state.

Although the drive transmission configuration in the pressing mechanism 6000 of this embodiment is a combination of a helical gear and a screw gear, the configuration is not limited to this as long as the configuration can convert the rotation of the motor into linear motion. For example, a bevel gear may be used, or the input gear 602 may be eliminated and the cam gear 603 may be directly driven by the motor 601. Furthermore, instead of the motor 601, an actuator that outputs linear motion, such as a solenoid, may be used as a driving source.

Further, each member constituting the pressing mechanism 6000 shown in FIG. It is supported so that it can be moved back and forth. On the other hand, the rotation shaft 7014a of the locking member 7014 is held by a holding portion provided on the frame 8010 of the toner receiving unit 801 so as to be rotatable and slidable in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the process cartridge 20 is replaced, the locking member 7014 is also replaced at the same time, and the pressing mechanism 6000 remains in the printer body. The rotation shaft 7014a and the advancing/retracting pin 604 are made of separate members. When the locking member 7014 is in the unlocked position, the advancing/retracting pin 604 is separated from the locking member, and the process cartridge 20 is removed from the main body while leaving the advancing/retracting pin 604 in the main body. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and it is also possible, for example, to support the rotation shaft 7014a of the locking member 7014 on the printer main body.

(Flow of replenishment operation using toner pack)
Based on the configurations of the toner pack 40, the supply container mounting section 701, and the pressing mechanism 6000 described above, a series of operations when the toner pack 40 is mounted on the supply container mounting section 701 and removed after toner is replenished will be described. . 34(a) is a top view of the supply container mounting portion 701 with the supply port 8012 in the closed state, and FIG. 34(b) is a top view of the supply container mounting portion 701 with the supply port 8012 in the open state. be. FIG. 34(c) is a perspective view of the replenishment container mounting portion 701 with the replenishment port 8012 in an open state.

As shown in FIG. 34(a), the replenishment port shutter 7013 in the closed state is fixed so as not to rotate relative to the replenishment port 8012 by abutting the locking member 7014 in the lock position with the protruding portion 70135a in the rotational direction. has been done. At this time, the lid portion 70131 of the replenishment port shutter 7013 completely closes the replenishment port 8012. Furthermore, the leaf springs 70151 and 70152 of the rotation detection section 7015 are separated, and the rotation detection section 7015 is in a disconnected state.

When inserting the toner pack 40 into the replenishment container mounting portion 701, the user inserts the discharge portion 42 of the toner pack 40 and the notch portion (FIG. 36) of the shutter member 41 into the replenishment port 8012 and the lid portion 70131 of the replenishment port shutter 7013. Align and insert. Then, the engagement surface 42s of the discharge part 42 engages with the engagement surface 7013s (see FIG. 33) which is the side surface of the lid part 70131, and the engagement surface 41s of the shutter member 41 is provided on the outer periphery of the replenishment port 8012. 933). At this time, the discharge part 42 engaged with the lid part 70131 of the replenishment port shutter 7013 cannot rotate until the replenishment port shutter 7013 is later unlocked by the locking member 7014. It can be rotated together with 7013. On the other hand, the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 is in a non-rotatable state by engaging with the replenishment port 8012 fixed to the frame 8010 of the toner receiving unit 801. In addition, as another engagement structure between the lid part 70131 and the ejection part 42, a convex part is provided that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the lid part 70131, and the lower surface 42b of the ejection part 42 (see FIG. 36) is engaged with this protrusion. A recess may also be provided.

Further, when the toner pack 40 is inserted, the contact portion 45a (FIG. 32) of the memory unit 45 comes into contact with the contact portion 70133 of the supply container mounting portion 701, and the information recorded in the memory unit 45 is transferred to the control portion 90 of the image forming apparatus. read by. Information (a new flag) indicating whether or not the toner pack 40 contains toner (whether or not it is a used toner pack) is recorded in the memory unit 45. When the control unit 90 reads the new flag and determines that the currently installed toner pack 40 contains toner (is unused), it controls the pressing mechanism 6000 to push up the locking member 7014. As a result, the locking member 7014 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position (FIG. 35(b)).

When the locking member 7014 is moved to the unlocked position, the locking member 7014 is separated from the protrusion 70135a of the replenishing port shutter 7013, so that the refilling port shutter 7013 moves in the R1 direction in FIGS. 34(a) and 34(b). It becomes rotatable (FIG. 35(b)). On the other hand, since the protrusion 70125a provided on the frame 8010 of the toner receiving unit 801 interferes with the protrusion 70135a (FIG. 34(a)), rotation of the replenishment port shutter 7013 in the R2 direction is restricted. . That is, in FIG. 34(a), 70125a and 70125b are located lower than 70135a and 70135b in the gravity direction so that 70135a and 70135b can move and pass in the rotational direction.

When the user grips the toner pack 40 and rotates the discharge section 42 or the bag member 43 in the vicinity thereof by 180 degrees in the R1 direction, the state shown in FIGS. 34(b) and 34(c) is obtained. When the replenishment port shutter 7013 rotates 180 degrees together with the discharge portion 42 of the toner pack 40, the lid portion 70131 moves from the position covering the replenishment port 8012, and the replenishment port 8012 is exposed. The lid part 70131 has its side surface pushed by the engagement surface 42s, which is a part of the rotating discharge part 42, and rotates together with the engagement surface 42s. Furthermore, by rotating the discharge section 42 by 180 degrees while the shutter member 41 is fixed, the discharge port 42a of the toner pack 40 is exposed (FIG. 32(b)) and faces the replenishment port 8012. As a result, the internal space of the toner pack 40 and the internal space of the toner receiving unit 801 communicate with each other via the discharge port 42a and the replenishment port 8012, and the toner filled in the bag member 43 flows down into the toner storage portion 8011. do.

As described above, the toner that has fallen into the toner storage section 8011 is transported inside the toner receiving unit 801 and reaches the developer container 32, where it becomes usable for the development process. Note that even before the newly replenished toner reaches the developer container 32, as long as the amount of toner necessary to maintain image quality remains in the developer container 32, the developer unit 802 continues the development process. It may be an executable configuration. That is, regardless of whether or not the image forming operation is being executed in the image forming unit 10 (FIG. 1(a)), it is possible to replenish toner from a replenishment container located outside the image forming apparatus to the developer container. good.

Further, the protrusion 70125b is arranged so as to come into contact with the protrusion 70135a of the replenishment port shutter when the replenishment port shutter 7013 rotates 180 degrees in the R1 direction from the state shown in FIG. ), (c)). That is, like 70125a, protrusion 70125b is also located lower than 70135a and 70135b in the direction of gravity. Thereby, the supply port shutter 7013 is restricted from rotating in the R1 direction by more than 180 degrees. At the same time, the protrusion 70135a of the replenishment port shutter 7013 presses the leaf spring 70152 of the rotation detection part 7015, bringing its tip 701521 into contact with the leaf spring 70151. When the rotation detection section 7015 becomes conductive, the control section 90 recognizes that the supply port shutter 7013 is in the open state, operates the pressing mechanism 6000, and moves the locking member 7014 to the locking position again. Then, the locking member 7014 engages with the protrusion 70135b of the replenishment port shutter 7013 to restrict rotation in the R2 direction, thereby preventing the replenishment port shutter 7013 and the toner pack 40 from rotating in any direction.

Furthermore, in the state shown in FIGS. 34(b) and 34(c) in which the discharge section 42 of the toner pack 40 and the replenishment port shutter 7013 are rotated 180 degrees, the upper part of the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 is connected to the lid of the replenishment port shutter 7013. The positional relationship is covered by 70131. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to lift the toner pack 40 upward from the supply container mounting portion 701, the shutter member 41 interferes with the lid portion 70131, and the movement of the toner pack 40 is restricted. Therefore, the toner pack 40 is prevented from falling off from the supply container mounting section 701 unless the user performs the operation for removing the toner pack 40 according to a predetermined procedure described below.

After the toner has started to be discharged from the toner pack 40, when the conditions for determining the completion of toner discharge are satisfied, the control unit 90 operates the pressing mechanism 6000 to move the locking member 7014 to the unlocked position. In this embodiment, completion of toner discharge is determined based on the elapsed time from the time when the rotation detection unit 7015 becomes conductive.

After the locking member 7014 moves to the unlocked position, the user can remove the toner pack 40 by performing the reverse procedure of attaching the toner pack 40. That is, the user grasps the discharge section 42 of the toner pack 40 or the bag member 43 in the vicinity thereof, and rotates the bag member 43 by 180 degrees in the R2 direction, which is opposite to the direction at the time of attachment. Then, the replenishment port shutter 7013 rotates 180 degrees together with the discharge portion 42, and the replenishment port 8012 is covered by the lid portion 70131 of the replenishment port shutter 7013 as shown in FIG. 34(a). Further, the protrusion 70135a (left side in FIG. 34(a)) of the replenishment port shutter 7013 comes into contact with the protrusion 70125a, thereby restricting the replenishment port shutter 7013 from rotating beyond 180 degrees in the R2 direction. .

When the discharge section 42 of the toner pack 40 is rotated 180 degrees in the R2 direction, the position of the notch of the discharge section 42 and the position of the notch of the shutter member 41 are aligned (FIG. 36). Therefore, even if the toner pack 40 moves upward, the shutter member 41 will not interfere with the lid part 70131 of the replenishment port shutter 7013, and the user can grasp and lift the toner pack 40 and move it to the replenishment container mounting part 701. It can be removed from.

Note that in the process of the replenishment port shutter 7013 rotating 180 degrees in the R2 direction, the protruding portion 70135a separates from the leaf spring 70152, and the rotation detecting portion 7015 returns to the disconnected state. Then, the control section 90 recognizes that the supply port shutter 7013 is in the closed state, and operates the pressing mechanism 6000 to move the locking member 7014 to the locking position. As a result, the replenishment container mounting section 701 returns to the initial state before performing the toner replenishment operation. For example, the control unit 90 may determine that a predetermined condition for moving the locking member 7014 to the unlocked state is satisfied when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the rotation detection unit 7015 became conductive. Note that the trigger for moving the locking member 7014 to the locking position is, for example, by pulling out the toner pack 40 from the replenishment container mounting portion 701, and moving the contact portion 70133 (see FIG. 33(b)) and the contact portion 45a (see FIG. 32(a) )) may have been lost.

In this embodiment, the discharge port 42a of the toner pack 40 and the replenishment port 8012 communicate with each other by rotating 180 degrees. , the rotation angle required for communication can be changed.

[Control system of image forming apparatus]
FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing the control system of the image forming apparatus 1, and is a modification of FIG. 12. Description of similar configurations will be omitted.

A T memory 57, which is a nonvolatile memory mounted on the toner container, and a P memory 58, which is a nonvolatile memory mounted on the process cartridge 20, are connected to the control unit 90. The T memory 57 is mounted on the aforementioned toner pack 40 and includes the memory unit 45. Furthermore, the rotation lock mechanism 59 and the image forming section 10 are connected to the control section 90 . The rotation lock mechanism 59 refers to the lock mechanism described in FIGS. 33 to 37.

The attachment sensor 531 allows the control unit 90 to detect that the toner pack 40 is attached to the replenishment container attachment portion 701 (therefore, the replenishment port 8012). For example, the contact portion 45a (FIG. 32) of the memory unit 45 contacts the contact portion 70133 of the supply container mounting portion 701, and the control portion 90 and the memory unit 45 communicate with each other. Thereby, the control unit 90 can detect attachment of the toner pack 40.

The rotation detection sensor 55 includes the aforementioned rotation detection section 7015 of the toner pack 40 (see, for example, FIG. 33). More specifically, when the leaf spring 70152 is pressed by the protrusion 70135a provided on the outer periphery of the replenishment port shutter 7013, the tip 701521 comes into contact with the other leaf spring 70151. As a result, the leaf spring 70152 and the leaf spring 70151 are electrically connected, and rotation detection is performed by the control unit 90. A first remaining toner amount sensor 51, a second remaining toner amount sensor 52, a mounting sensor 531, an open/close sensor 54, and a rotation detection sensor 55 are connected to the input side of the control unit 90, and the control unit 90 detects the remaining toner amount as appropriate. Quantity information is loaded.

Similar to FIG. 12, the shaded functional blocks indicate functional blocks to which power supply is stopped during sleep mode, or to which power is supplied but whose operation is stopped. .

(Remaining amount sensor activation timing)
In order to prevent toner from overflowing from the replenishment port 8012 during toner replenishment, it is important to accurately determine the timing to stop toner replenishment. In order to accurately determine the timing to stop toner replenishment, it is necessary to determine whether the remaining amount of toner is at the full level during toner replenishment. In other words, it is necessary to operate the second remaining toner amount sensor 52. On the other hand, since the remaining amount of toner cannot change to the FULL level except when toner is being replenished, the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 only needs to operate when toner is being replenished. In other words, there is no need to energize the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 at this time. FIG. 39 is a flowchart regarding operations during toner replenishment.

First, when the toner pack 40 is attached to the supply container attachment section 701, the control section 90 detects that the toner pack 40 is attached to the supply container attachment section 701 (therefore, the replenishment port 8012) based on a signal from the attachment sensor 53 ( S501). When the toner pack is connected to the replenishment port 8012, the user can replenish the developer container 32 with toner by squeezing the toner pack 40 with his or her fingers. The control unit 90 starts operating the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 at the same time as detecting the connection of the toner pack 40 (S502). As a result, when the amount of toner remaining in the developer container 32 increases as a result of the user replenishing the developer container 32 with toner, the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 always operates. The first remaining toner amount sensor 51 maintains a non-energized state (sleep state). When the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 starts operating, the light emitted from the light emitting section 51a passes through the optical path Q1 shown in FIG. 9 and is received by the light receiving section 51b. By monitoring the voltage V2 corresponding to the amount of light received by the light receiving section 51b, it is possible to determine whether the toner is at the FULL level.

When the control unit 90 starts the operation of the second remaining toner amount sensor, it starts the timer Tc (S503), and determines whether the timer Tc is smaller than the threshold value t7 (S504). The threshold value t7 is a value set in advance, and is set to a time sufficient for the time from the start of toner replenishment until the remaining amount reaches the FULL level. If the timer Tc is smaller than the threshold t7, the control unit 90 determines whether the remaining amount of toner is at the FULL level (S505).

When the control unit 90 detects the FULL level of the remaining toner amount due to an increase in the remaining amount of toner due to the user's replenishment of toner to the developer container 32, the display unit 301 displays that the toner is at the FULL level (S506). For example, the user is prompted to remove the toner pack 40 by displaying a display requesting removal of the toner pack 40 as shown in FIG. 40(a). By notifying the user, the user can accurately determine whether or not toner replenishment should be stopped. As a result, it is possible to prevent toner leakage caused by oversupplying toner to the toner replenishing port 8012.

Next, the control unit 90 starts the timer Td and determines whether the timer Td is smaller than the threshold value t8 (S507). The threshold value t8 is set to be a sufficient time from when the user recognizes that the toner is at the FULL level until when the user removes the toner pack 40 from the supply port 8012.

If the timer Td is smaller than the threshold t8, the control unit 90 determines whether the toner pack 40 has been removed from the toner supply port 8012 (S508). This determination is made by the control unit 90 detecting a signal from the mounting sensor 531. When the control unit 90 determines that the toner pack 40 has been removed, it stops operating the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 (S509).

On the other hand, if the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 does not change to the FULL level within the predetermined time t7 (S504, S505), the control unit 90 displays on the display unit 301 a message prompting the removal of the toner pack 40 (S510). ).

Further, if the attachment state is still indicated by the attachment sensor 531 even after the predetermined time t8 has elapsed, the control unit 90 displays on the display unit 301 a prompt to remove the toner pack 40 (S510). For example, the user is prompted to remove the toner pack 40 by displaying a message requesting removal of the supply pack as shown in FIGS. 40(b) and 40(c). After displaying a prompt to remove the toner pack 40 on the display unit 301, the control unit 90 determines whether the toner pack 40 has been removed (S511). When the toner pack 40 is removed and the mounting state is no longer detected by the mounting sensor 531, the control unit 90 determines that the toner pack 40 has been removed and stops the operation of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 (S509). . As a result, the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 becomes de-energized. If the control unit 90 cannot detect that the toner pack 40 has been removed through the attachment sensor 531, it continues to display a message prompting the removal of the toner pack 40 (510).

As described above, the control unit 90 detects user operations related to replenishment of developer. In this embodiment, the user operation related to developer replenishment is a user operation to connect the toner pack 40 to the replenishment port 8012. Then, when the control unit 90 detects a user operation related to developer replenishment, it starts energizing the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 and operates the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 . By operating the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 only when the toner pack 40 is connected to the supply port 8012, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption.

In particular, since the optical path Q2 of the remaining toner amount sensor 52 in the present configuration is long, it cannot be detected unless the light from the light emitting section 51a is strong. Therefore, the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 consumes a large amount of power, and when it is used in sleep mode, it has a large effect on energy saving. Therefore, operating the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 only during replenishment greatly contributes to reducing the impact on energy saving. Furthermore, since the light emitted from the light emitting section 51a is set to be strong, the service life tends to be shortened. Therefore, by configuring it so that it does not operate in standby mode or during printing as in this embodiment, it is also possible to extend the life of the second remaining amount detection sensor 52. Further, during replenishment, the first remaining amount detection sensor 51 may also be energized to operate the first remaining amount detection sensor 51. In this case, for example, control can be performed as described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. On the other hand, during replenishment, it is also possible to stop energizing the first remaining amount detection sensor 51 and operate only the second remaining amount detection sensor 52.

<Sixth embodiment>
This embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that the mounting sensor 531 of the fifth embodiment is not provided, and instead, the opening/closing sensor 54 of the supply port is used. The opening/closing sensor 54 is as described in FIG. 26.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart regarding the operation during toner replenishment in this embodiment. First, the control unit 90 detects that the opening/closing member 83 is opened based on the signal output from the opening/closing sensor 54 (S601). The difference from FIG. 39 in the subsequent processing is that step S510 in FIG. 39 is replaced with step S610, and steps S508 and S511 in FIG. 30 are replaced with steps S608 and S611. In step S610, a message urging the user to close the opening/closing member 83 is displayed. Furthermore, in steps S608 and S611, the control unit 90 determines whether the opening/closing member 83 is closed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the user operation related to developer replenishment is the user operation to open the opening/closing member 83. That is, in this embodiment, the operation of moving the member covering the replenishment port 8012 to expose the replenishment port 8012 is a user operation related to developer replenishment. Therefore, with a simpler configuration than the fifth embodiment, it is possible to operate the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 only when replenishing toner from the toner pack 40. Note that the user operation related to replenishing the developer is not limited to the contents in the fifth embodiment (installing the toner pack 40) and the sixth embodiment (opening the opening/closing member).

21: Photosensitive drum, 31: Developing roller, 32: Developing container, 32a: Supply port, 51: First toner remaining amount sensor, 52: Second toner remaining amount sensor, 90: Control unit

Claims (22)

an image carrier carrying an electrostatic latent image;
a developing container;
a developer carrier that carries the developer contained in the developer container and develops the electrostatic latent image carried by the image carrier into a developer image;
a mounting portion for mounting a supply container containing the developer;
a detection unit that detects the amount of developer contained in the developer container and outputs remaining amount information according to the detected amount of developer;
A control unit that performs control to display a message related to the replenishment on a display unit while replenishing the developer to the developer container using the replenishment container;
has
If the remaining amount information indicating the first remaining amount is outputted by the detecting means when the replenishment is instructed, the control means is configured to control the amount of information indicating the first remaining amount after starting the replenishment during the replenishment. When the time elapses, a first control is performed to display a predetermined message on the display section , and when the replenishment is instructed, the detection means detects the remaining amount indicating a second remaining amount that is larger than the first remaining amount. If the quantity information is output, during the replenishment, when a second time period longer than the first time period has elapsed since the start of the replenishment, a second control is executed to display the predetermined message on the display section. An image forming apparatus characterized by: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined message is a message for prompting a user to input whether or not to end the replenishment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined message is a message prompting a user to confirm that the supply container is attached to the attachment section . In the first control, the control means causes the display unit to display a first message when the detection means outputs the remaining amount information indicating the second remaining amount during the replenishment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . further comprising a light emitting means indicating the mounting part,
When the user inputs the end of the replenishment as a response to the predetermined message, the control means displays a third message prompting the user to remove the replenishment container attached to the attachment part on the display unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to cause the light emitting means to emit light. When the user inputs an instruction to continue the replenishment in response to the predetermined message, the control means prompts the user to confirm on the display unit that the replenishment container is attached to the attachment unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 5, wherein a fourth message is displayed. The control means, when the user inputs to continue the replenishment in response to the predetermined message, if the detection means outputs the remaining amount information indicating the first remaining amount; , when the first control is performed during the replenishment after the user inputs that the replenishment should be continued, and the remaining amount information indicating the second remaining amount is output by the detection means, During the replenishment after the user inputs that the replenishment should be continued, the second control is performed, and the remaining amount information indicating a third remaining amount that is greater than the second remaining amount is output by the detection means. If so, a third control different from the first control and the second control is performed during the replenishment after the user inputs an input to continue the replenishment. or 6. The image forming apparatus according to 6 . further comprising a stirring member that transports the developer contained in the developer container,
8. The control means operates the stirring member when the replenishment is started, and stops the operation of the stirring member when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the replenishment . The image forming apparatus according to item 1. In the first control, the control means displays the information on the display unit when a third time has elapsed after the detection means outputs the remaining amount information indicating a third remaining amount that is larger than the second remaining amount . Displaying a third message prompting the user to remove the supply container attached to the attachment part ,
In the second control, the control means displays the third remaining amount on the display unit when a fourth time period, which is longer than the third time period, has elapsed since the detection means outputs the remaining amount information indicating the third remaining amount. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus displays three messages. In the first control and the second control, the control means causes the display unit to display a fifth message when the detection means outputs the remaining amount information indicating the third remaining amount. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the 5 message is a message for notifying that the replenishment is completed. comprising a stirring member that transports the developer contained in the developer container,
The control means operates the stirring member when the replenishment is started, and stops the operation of the stirring member when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the replenishment. Image forming device. comprising a stirring member that transports the developer contained in the developer container,
The control means operates the stirring member when the replenishment is started, and when the replenishment is instructed, the remaining amount information is outputted by the detection means indicating a third remaining amount that is larger than the second remaining amount. If a fifth time has elapsed since the start of the replenishment, the operation of the stirring member is stopped;
The image according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the fifth time is determined based on the free capacity of the developer container when the remaining amount information becomes the third remaining amount. Forming device. further comprising a detection means for detecting whether the supply container is attached to the attachment part,
12. The control means causes the display unit to display a sixth message if the detection means does not detect attachment of the replenishment container when the replenishment is instructed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the sixth message is a message indicating that the supply container is not attached to the attachment section. an image carrier carrying an electrostatic latent image;
a developing container;
a developer carrier that carries the developer contained in the developer container and develops the electrostatic latent image carried by the image carrier into a developer image;
a stirring member that transports the developer contained in the developer container;
a mounting part for mounting a supply container containing the developer;
a detection unit that detects the amount of developer contained in the developer container and outputs remaining amount information according to the detected amount of developer;
a control unit that operates the stirring member when an instruction is given to replenish the developer to the developer container using the replenishment container;
has
If the remaining amount information indicating the first remaining amount is outputted by the detecting means when the replenishment is instructed, the control means causes the detecting means to detect the first remaining amount after starting the replenishing. When the first remaining stirring time elapses after the output of the remaining amount information indicating a third remaining amount that is larger than the remaining amount, the operation of the stirring member is stopped, and when the replenishment is instructed, the detection means detects If the remaining amount information indicating a second remaining amount that is larger than the first remaining amount and smaller than the third remaining amount is output, after starting the replenishment, the detection means detects the second remaining amount. 3. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the operation of the stirring member is stopped when a second remaining stirring time that is longer than the first remaining stirring time elapses after the remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount is output. The control means may be arranged such that when the detection means outputs the remaining amount information indicating the first remaining amount when the replenishment is instructed, the detecting means outputs the remaining amount information indicating the third remaining amount. If a first time period elapses without outputting amount information, the operation of the stirring member is stopped, and when the replenishment is instructed, the remaining amount information indicating the second remaining amount is outputted by the detection means. In the case where the detection means stops the operation of the stirring member when a second time period longer than the first time period elapses without outputting the remaining amount information indicating the third remaining amount. 16. The image forming apparatus according to item 15 . When the remaining amount information indicating the third remaining amount is outputted by the detecting means when the replenishment is instructed, the control means is configured to control the control means, when a third time period has elapsed since the start of the replenishment, if the remaining amount information indicating the third remaining amount is output by the detection means when the replenishment is instructed. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the stirring member stops operating. The detection means includes:
a first detection means for detecting whether the amount of developer contained in the developer container is greater than the first remaining amount;
a second detection means for detecting whether the amount of developer contained in the developer container is greater than the second remaining amount;
Equipped with
18. The control means operates the second detection means when detecting a user operation regarding replenishment of the developer to the developer container using the replenishment container. The image forming apparatus described in . an image carrier carrying an electrostatic latent image;
a developing container;
a developer carrier that carries the developer contained in the developer container and develops the electrostatic latent image carried by the image carrier into a developer image;
a mounting portion for mounting a supply container containing the developer;
a first detection means for detecting whether the amount of developer contained in the developer container is greater than a first level;
a second detection means for detecting whether the amount of developer contained in the developer container is greater than a second level, the second level being greater than the first level;
a control unit that operates the second detection unit when a user operation related to replenishing the developer to the developer container using the replenishment container is detected;
has
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the control means stops the operation of the first detection means during replenishment of the developer to the developer container using the replenishment container . Image formation according to claim 19 , wherein the user operation is an operation of mounting the supply container on the mounting section, or an operation of moving a member that covers the mounting section to expose the mounting section. Device. The device may further include a sensor that detects that the supply container is attached to the attachment portion, or a sensor that detects that a member that covers the attachment portion is moved so that the attachment portion is exposed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20 . 22. The control means stops the operation of the second detection means while the developer is not being replenished to the developer container using the replenishment container . The image forming apparatus according to item 1.

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