JPH07325473A - Residual toner detecting device and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a residual toner detecting device capable of precisely detecting a little residual toner housed in a toner container and attaining a desired residual toner detection. CONSTITUTION:The residual toner detecting device is provided with the toner container housing toner, an agitator used as a toner stirring means stirring the toner and a toner moving means moving a part of the toner housed in the toner container to the outside of it, a residual toner detecting sensor 5 outputting a signal in accordance with the amount of the toner in the toner container, an output maximum value detecting means 21 detecting the minimum value of the output signal of the residual toner detecting sensor 5, an output minimum value detecting means 22 detecting the minimum value of the output signal of the sensor 5 and a comparing means 24 outputting the signal in accordance with the differential signal between the output maximum and minimum value detecting means 21 and 22.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer used in electrophotographic technology, and more particularly to a toner remaining amount detecting apparatus attached to the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers that use toner for development are usually provided with a developing device for storing toner, and this developing device is provided with a toner sensor. It was

A conventional toner remaining amount detecting device will be described below with reference to FIG. In FIG. 22, 101 is a toner that is attached to paper or the like to form characters, patterns, or the like. 102
Is a developing device for storing and holding the toner 101, and is a housing having a hollow inside, a part of which is open, and a toner separating portion 103 is formed at this portion.
One end of the developing device 102 is located at the center of the developing device 102, and the other end of the developing device 104 rotates along the inner wall of the developing device 102. The toner 101 stored in the developing device 102 is repeatedly moved and stirred inside the developing device 102. It is a department. This stirring unit 104
Supplies the toner 101 stored in the developing device 102 to the photosensitive drum 106 described later through the toner separating portion 103 provided in the developing device 102. That is, in order to supplement the toner 101 consumed by the repeated printing, the toner is supplied from the developing device 102 to the photosensitive drum 106. The stirring unit 104 is made of plastic or the like.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a toner sensor for detecting the amount of the toner 101 contained in the developing device 102, which is provided below the developing device 102. Reference numeral 106 denotes a photosensitive drum that rotates at an arbitrary speed and adheres a part of the toner 101 supplied from the developing device 102 to the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum to form a predetermined image. The layers are applied.

The stirring section 104 and the photosensitive drum 106
Rotate in the directions of the arrows in FIG. 22, respectively.

Next, the operation of the toner sensor used in the above-described image forming apparatus will be described.

The toner sensor 105 is an element that generates a voltage corresponding to the amount of toner. Here, the stirring unit 104 in the developing unit 102 is rotating along the inner wall of the developing unit 102, and the output signal of the toner sensor 105 indicates the movement of the toner and the toner when the stirring unit 104 is rotating at a constant speed. Due to the balance of the reaction speed of the sensor 105, the output signal of the toner sensor is a voltage signal that oscillates in a regular waveform according to the rotation cycle of the agitator 104 (see FIG. 26).
The average value of the oscillating voltage signal decreases corresponding to the remaining amount of toner.

Therefore, the toner sensor 105 outputs the average value of the oscillating voltage signal, compares the average value of the voltage signal with the reference value, and when the average value is less than that, the toner 1
It is detected that 01 is less than the set remaining amount, and in response to this, the user is notified of the toner replenishment time or the time of replacement with a new toner container.

Further, in the case of the apparatus having the means for agitating the toner as described above, the average value of the output signal of the toner sensor 105 and the reference value are compared with each other to compare the toner to the specified residual amount. In some cases, it has been detected (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-177381).

[0010]

However, the toner remaining amount detecting device as described above is generally accompanied by temperature characteristics, aging and the like in many cases. Further, particularly in a cartridge type image forming apparatus, the relative position between the toner sensor 105 and the developing device 102 forming a part of the cartridge, that is, the distance between the two, greatly varies each time the cartridge is replaced, and the output signal of the toner sensor 105 greatly varies. Changes to. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately detect the small amount of toner remaining.

Such a problem is important in the recent toner amount detecting device which is required to detect the remaining amount of toner with high accuracy as the volume of the developing device 102 becomes smaller for downsizing of the image forming apparatus. Has become one of the problems.

Further, the developing device 102 and the photosensitive drum 106.
In an image forming apparatus that uses a series of image forming apparatuses as a cartridge, the user replaces the cartridge in response to a warning that the toner remaining amount detecting device has a small amount of toner. This cartridge is an expensive one in which the photosensitive drum 106 and the like are integrally formed, and it is necessary to accurately detect a small amount of toner, reduce waste as much as possible, and reduce maintenance costs.

In the present invention, the toner remaining amount detecting device is a developing device 1.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner remaining amount detecting device capable of accurately detecting a small amount of toner contained in 02.

[0014]

In order to solve the above problems, a toner remaining amount detecting apparatus of the present invention comprises a toner container for storing toner, a toner moving means for repeatedly moving the toner in the toner container, and Toner remaining amount detecting means for changing the amplitude of the output signal by changing the movement mode of the toner in the toner container, and output maximum value detecting for detecting the maximum value of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting means Means, an output minimum value detecting means for detecting the minimum value of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting means, and a signal corresponding to a difference signal between the output maximum value detecting means and the output minimum value detecting means. It is configured to include a comparison means.

[0015]

As described above, since the output fluctuation range of the toner remaining amount detecting means is used as the signal for detecting the toner amount, it is stable without being affected by temperature characteristics, aging, sensor mounting variation, and the like. An output signal can be obtained, and the remaining toner amount can be detected accurately.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the toner remaining amount detecting device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus provided with a toner remaining amount detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a toner that is attached to paper or the like to form characters, patterns, or the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a toner container for storing and holding the toner 1, which is a substantially cylindrical casing having a hollow inside, and a part of which is opened to form a communication port 3. A toner moving unit 4 has one end located at the center of the toner container 2 and the other end rotating along the inner wall of the toner container 2 to repeatedly move the toner 1 stored in the toner container 2 inside the toner container 2. It is a barrel agitator. The agitator 4 supplies the toner 1 stored in the toner container 2 to a developing unit 5 described later through a communication port 3 provided in the toner container 2. That is, in order to supplement the toner 1 consumed by the repeated printing, the toner is supplied from the toner container 2 to the developing unit 7. To be deceiving, the toner in the toner container 1 is consumed. In this embodiment, the agitator 4 also has the function of a toner stirring section and is made of an elastic plastic film.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a toner remaining amount detecting sensor for detecting the amount of the toner 1 contained in the toner container 2, which is provided below the toner container 2. Reference numeral 6 denotes a photosensitive drum that rotates at an arbitrary speed and adheres a part of the toner 1 supplied to the developing unit 5 to the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum to form a predetermined image. The layers are constructed to be applied. A collection roller 7 collects the unnecessary toner 1 on the photoconductor drum 6.

The agitator 4, the photosensitive drum 6,
Each of the collection rollers 7 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

Next, a process of actually printing on paper or the like by the image forming apparatus using the toner remaining amount detecting device of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a printing process) will be described below.

The photosensitive drum 6 has its cylindrical side surface charged with negative charges by the charger 11, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 6 by the exposure unit 12. That is, in the case of a printer, the exposure unit 12 is composed of a semiconductor laser or a light emitting diode in which light flickers in accordance with character data. It is configured to supply to 6. The negative charges on the photoconductor drum 6 disappear only in the portion irradiated with light by the exposure unit 12. As a result, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 6.

When the photosensitive drum 6 on which the latent image is formed rotates and reaches the developing section 10, it comes into contact with the toner 1 supplied to the developing section 10, and the toner 1 adheres thinly to the entire surface of the photosensitive drum 6. .

When the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 passes in front of the collecting roller 7, only the toner 1 corresponding to the latent image remains on the photosensitive drum 6 and the other toner 1 is removed from the photosensitive drum 6. It The toner 1 collected by the collecting roller 7 is scraped off by the scraper 13 and used again for development.

The toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper 15 by the transfer charger 14 provided in the printer body. That is, the transfer charger 14 is applied with a positive electric field, and the toner 1 attached to the photosensitive drum 6 due to the negative charge is attracted to the positive electric field and transferred and attached to the transfer paper 15.

The transfer paper 15 is then heated, the toner 1 is melted and fixed to the transfer paper 15, and characters, images and the like are formed.

The toner 1 remaining on the photosensitive drum 6 during the transfer onto the transfer paper 15 is cleaned by the cleaning blade 1.
The toner 1 removed by 6 is sent to a waste toner container (not shown).

The printing process of one cycle is completed by the above steps. Next, the operation of the remaining toner amount detecting device used in the image forming apparatus will be described.

The toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is an element for generating a voltage corresponding to the amount of toner.

Here, the agitator 4 in the toner container 2
Is rotating along the inner wall of the toner container 2 as shown in FIGS. 15A to 15D, and the amount of the toner 1 in the vicinity of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is determined by the agitator 4 of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5. It becomes almost maximum before passing the upper part, and becomes almost minimum after the agitator 4 has passed the upper part of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5. When such a change is detected by the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner amount vibrates over the entire toner amount, and when the toner amount falls below a certain amount, a voltage signal in which the average value of the vibration voltage signal decreases is obtained. To be

Next, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 is an output maximum value detecting means for detecting the maximum value of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5, and 22 is the minimum value of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5. It is a minimum output value detecting means for detecting. Reference numeral 23 denotes an output fluctuation width detecting means for detecting a difference between the output signal of the maximum output value detecting means 21 and the output signal of the minimum output value detecting means 22 (hereinafter, abbreviated as “output fluctuation width”).
Reference numeral 4 is a comparing means for comparing the output signal of the output fluctuation range detecting means 23 with a reference value, and outputting the signal when the output signal of the output fluctuation range detecting means 23 is equal to or larger than the reference value. Here, the reference value supplied to the comparison means 24 is supplied by, for example, a reference voltage. Reference numeral 25 is a warning means for calling the user's attention by the output signal of the comparison means 24. In the present embodiment, the warning means 25 is composed of an LED.
The ED emits light to warn the user that the amount of toner in the toner container 2 of the image forming apparatus (hereinafter, abbreviated as the remaining amount of toner) is low.

The comparison means 24 outputs the signal when the output signal of the output fluctuation range detection means 23 becomes less than the reference value, and the warning means 25 operates while the comparison means 24 does not output the signal. The configuration may be such that the user is warned.

The operation of the toner remaining amount detecting apparatus described above will be described below. When the printing process is continuously performed in the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, the remaining toner amount gradually decreases. The change in the remaining toner amount is detected by the remaining toner amount detecting sensor 5 provided at the bottom of the toner container 2.
And the remaining toner amount detection sensor 5
The relationship between the output voltage and the output voltage is as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, the vertical axis represents the output voltage of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5, and the horizontal axis represents the toner remaining amount. The curve shown by the ripple-shaped solid line in FIG.
Of the output voltage of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 is indicated by the dotted line.

The period of the ripple-shaped output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 corresponds to the rotation period of the agitator 4 as described above, and before the agitator 4 passes above the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5. The maximum value is shown, and the minimum value is shown when the agitator 4 passes over the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5.

Here, when the toner remaining amount is sufficient, the voltage of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is high and the output fluctuation range is small.

That is, when a certain amount of toner 1 or more remains in the toner container 2 (see FIG. 4A), even if the toner 1 around the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 is moved by the agitator 4, Since the toner 1 is immediately replenished from the surroundings, the fluctuation of the toner remaining amount around the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 is small. Therefore, the voltage of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 is high and the output fluctuation width is small.

Next, when the toner remaining amount becomes less than a certain amount, the voltage of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 starts to decrease, and at the same time, the output fluctuation range increases.

That is, when the toner remaining amount decreases and becomes less than a certain amount (see FIG. 4B), the toner 1 around the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is moved by the agitator 4, and after a while. Therefore, due to the fluidity of the toner 1, the toner 1 returns to the vicinity of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5. Therefore, the voltage of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 continuously decreases, and the output fluctuation range increases.

Further, when the toner remaining amount decreases, the voltage of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 continues to decrease, and the output fluctuation range shows a maximum value at a certain toner remaining amount.
It decreases after that.

That is, when the toner remaining amount is almost exhausted (see FIG. 4 (c)), the agitator 6 causes almost no toner 1 to move on the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5, so that the voltage of the output signal and the output signal The fluctuation range becomes smaller.

In view of the above, considering that the agitator 4 as the toner moving means has both the function of collecting the toner around the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 and the function of removing the toner around the toner remaining amount detecting sensor. It can be understood.

Therefore, when the output signal of the output fluctuation range detecting means 23 of the toner remaining amount detecting device becomes equal to or more than the reference value, the comparing means 24 outputs a signal, and the user is warned in response to this signal. By performing the above, it is possible to notify the user that the toner remaining amount of the image forming apparatus has become equal to or less than a certain amount.

Further, since the communication port 3 is provided above the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5, the toner 1 scraped off by the agitator 4 returns to the upper portion of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor again due to gravity, so that the toner remaining amount is A wide output fluctuation range of the detection sensor 5 is obtained, and the detection accuracy of the remaining toner amount is improved. This effect is remarkable in the toner remaining amount detecting device having only the toner moving means.

(Comparative Example 1) Next, one embodiment (hereinafter, abbreviated as (Embodiment 1)) of the above-described toner remaining amount detecting device of the present invention and a conventional toner remaining amount detecting device (hereinafter referred to as (conventional) Example)
Abbreviated. ) And the temperature characteristics will be compared and described.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the remaining toner amount and the output fluctuation range of the remaining toner amount detection sensor 5 when the ambient temperature is changed to 0 ° C., 25 ° C. and 50 ° C. in (Example 1). It is a figure (Hereinafter, the curve shown in FIG.
The value at which the output fluctuation width of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 is maximum in this characteristic curve is referred to as "maximum value".

FIGS. 6 to 8 show the relationship between the output signal of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 and the toner remaining amount when the ambient temperature is changed to 0 ° C., 25 ° C. and 50 ° C. in the (conventional example). FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the minimum value of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 (hereinafter abbreviated as “output minimum value”) and the toner remaining amount, and FIG. 7 shows the output of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5. FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the maximum value of the signal (hereinafter, abbreviated as “maximum output value”) and the remaining amount of toner.
Average value of the output signal of (hereinafter, abbreviated as "output average value")
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between the toner amount and the remaining amount of toner.

According to the experiment conducted by the inventor, in the (conventional example), the voltage of the output signal changes about 0 ° C. and 50 ° C. around the room temperature of 25 ° C. for the same toner remaining amount. Toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 at ambient temperature 25 ° C
If the ambient temperature is 0 ° C with respect to the output signal of, the output signal is -15% for all the output minimum value, output maximum value and output average
When the ambient temperature is 50 ° C. with respect to the output signal with an ambient temperature of 25 ° C., the output signal changes about + 15% to + 35% with respect to the minimum output value, the maximum output value, and the average output value. Results were obtained.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the variation of the output fluctuation range of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 with respect to the temperature variation is extremely small, and the ambient temperature is 0 ° C. with respect to the output variation range of the ambient temperature 25 ° C. In this case, the output change width changed by about -2 to -6%, and when the output change width at the ambient temperature of 25 ° C was 50 ° C, the output change width changed only by about +2 to + 6%.

Therefore, in comparison with (conventional example) (Example 1)
It has been confirmed that there is little dependence on the ambient temperature of the toner remaining amount detection sensor, and according to the present invention, the influence of the temperature characteristic of the sensor can be almost ignored.

The change in the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor due to the ambient temperature is mainly due to the temperature characteristic of the sensor used.

(Comparative Example 2) Next, regarding (Example 1) and (Conventional Example), the distance between the toner container 2 and the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 (hereinafter, abbreviated as "detection distance d") and the toner remaining amount. The relationship with the output signal of the quantity detection sensor 5 will be described in comparison using (Table 1).

FIG. 9 shows the toner container 2 and the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5. In the figure, reference numeral 17 is a toner remaining amount detecting portion provided in the toner container 2 and provided with a toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5. In addition, the toner remaining amount detection unit 1
The thickness of 7 is 0.6 mm, and the detection distance d = 0.6 mm
The toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is the toner remaining amount detecting unit 17
It means that it is in close contact with.

[0053]

[Table 1]

According to the experiment by the inventor, in the (conventional example),
As shown in (Table 1), when the detection distance changes from d = 0.6 mm to d = 1.0 mm, the output signal voltage of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 is about 30%.
Fell. Further, the detection distance is from d = 0.6 mm to d =
When it changed to 1.4 mm, the voltage of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 decreased by about 50%.

On the other hand, in the toner remaining amount detecting device of the first embodiment, the detection distance is from d = 0.6 mm to d = 1.0.
Even when changed to mm, the voltage of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 did not change. Detection distance is d = 0.6mm
From d = 1.4 mm, the voltage of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 dropped by about 22%.

Therefore, in comparison with (conventional example) (Example 1)
Is less dependent on the mounting position of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor with respect to the toner remaining amount detecting unit, and according to the present invention, it can be confirmed that the influence of the mounting position of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 on the toner remaining amount detecting unit can be almost ignored. It was

As a result, since the mounting position of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 has almost no influence on the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5, it becomes practical to provide the toner remaining amount detecting sensor outside the toner container 2. Further, the toner remaining amount detecting device main body can be repeatedly used regardless of replacement of the toner container 2, which is very economical.

In the experiment of (Comparative Example 2), the detection distance d was changed by sandwiching a spacer having a known thickness on the surface of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 with reference to the close contact state to detect the toner remaining amount. It was performed by detecting the output signal of the sensor 5.

(Comparative Example 3) Next, the range of the remaining toner amount that can be detected in (Example 1) and (Conventional Example) will be compared and described.

[0060]

[Table 2]

Table 2 shows the relationship between the minimum output value of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 of (Conventional example) and the toner remaining amount in the left column, and the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 of (Example 1) The relationship between the output fluctuation range and the remaining toner amount is described in the right column.

In the (conventional example), the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 can accurately detect the toner remaining amount when the output signal voltage thereof is in the range of 1.0V to 1.4V. In this comparative example, by setting the reference voltage in the range of 1.0 V to 1.4 V, the detection amount of the remaining toner amount can be set in the range of the remaining toner amount of 20 to 26 g.

Further, in the first embodiment, there are two types of remaining toner amount corresponding to any one output signal voltage of the remaining toner amount detection sensor 5 as shown in the characteristic curve of FIG. Since the waveform has a chevron shape, two toner remaining amounts (hereinafter, the maximum value of the output fluctuation range of the toner remaining amount detection sensor is supported for the output fluctuation range of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 other than the maximum value). The remaining amount of toner to be used is called the "pole toner remaining amount", and the toner remaining amount that is heavier than the pole toner remaining amount out of the toner remaining amount corresponding to the reference voltage that can be set by the user is the "maximum toner remaining amount". The toner remaining amount which is lighter than the toner remaining amount is referred to as “minimum toner remaining amount”).

Although the minimum output value is used for the output signal voltage of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 (conventional example), even if the maximum output value or the average output value is used, the respective temperature characteristics are similar. It goes without saying that similar results can be obtained from this.

According to the experiments by the inventor, the detection error in the range of the output signal voltage 1.0V to 1.4V of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 described above, that is, in the range of the toner remaining amount of 20g to 26g is shown in Table 2. ), It was about ± 2 g to ± 3 g.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the error of the output signal voltage of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is 0.2 V to 0.8 V as shown in (Table 2), and the toner remaining amount is detected with almost no error. can do. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, by changing the reference voltage, 8g to 18g, 2
The remaining toner amount can be accurately detected within the range of 2 g to 44 g.

Corresponding to this, the warning means 25 can warn the user that the remaining amount is below a predetermined level.

As described above, (Example 1) has a feature that the error is small and the detection range can be widened as compared with (Conventional example).

In the present embodiment, either non-magnetic toner or magnetic toner may be used as the toner, and the remaining toner amount detection sensor 5 is an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor (differential transformer, Hall element, It goes without saying that a magnetic resistance element or the like), a piezoelectric sensor or the like may be used.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 10 shows the same as in Embodiment 1 except that the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is a differential transformer 26 and the toner 2 is a magnetic toner (hereinafter, referred to as a magnetic toner).
(Example 2)).

With the above-described structure, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the differential transformer 26 as the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 can be provided outside the toner container 2. As a result, the remaining toner amount detection sensor 5 can detect the remaining amount of toner even if it is not in contact with the toner 1, and thus the toner remaining amount detection device is excellent in that the detection distance is large and the detection distance dependency is small. You can

In the second embodiment, since the differential transformer 26 is used to detect the change in the magnetic permeability of the magnetic toner, the toner 1 is limited to the magnetic toner.

The magnetic toner used in this embodiment is
It contains a magnetic powder of about 40% by weight of ferrite. The more magnetic components in the toner, the more the differential transformer 26
However, in practice, if the output voltage of the differential transformer is about 1 V, the remaining amount of toner can be detected. The magnetic toner containing the magnetic powder of (see the figure showing the relationship with) is practically applicable to this toner remaining amount detecting device.

Normally, the thickness of the toner container 2 in the toner remaining amount detecting portion 17 is 0.2 mm to 1.
In most cases, it is about 0 mm, and since the sensitivity of the differential transformer 26 is saturated where the amount of magnetic powder is large as shown in FIG. 11, the amount of magnetic powder should be 20% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less. desirable.

Although the differential transformer 26 is used as the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 in the second embodiment, a magnetic detection coil, a Hall element, a magnetic resistance element or the like may be used.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 12 shows a toner remaining amount detecting device which is another embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment 3") and has the same configuration as that of (embodiment 1). Are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 28 denotes a print number detecting means for detecting the number of sheets printed by the image forming apparatus while the output signal of the comparing means 24 is being output.

The operation of the above-described toner remaining amount detecting device will be described below. For the sake of simplicity, the reference value set in the comparison means 24 in the third embodiment is 0.
The configuration will be described in which the voltage is set to 35 V and a signal is output to the warning unit 25 when the output fluctuation width of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 becomes 0.35 V or more.

First, the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 2 is 30
When it reaches about g, the output fluctuation range of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 becomes 0.35 V or more (see (Table 2)). At this time, the remaining toner amount detecting device of the third embodiment issues a warning and at the same time, the printed sheet number detecting means 28 detects the number of printed sheets of the image forming apparatus. Despite the warning
When the printing process is continued as it is, the printed sheet number detecting means 28 outputs a signal when it detects that the image forming apparatus has printed a fixed number of sheets. In response to this output signal, processing such as stopping the image forming apparatus main body is performed.

It is desirable that the image forming apparatus sets the number of printed sheets to about 300 when the printed sheet number detecting means 28 outputs a signal. Considering that the amount of toner used per sheet is 70 mg, the number of sheets that can be printed before the output fluctuation width voltage of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 exceeds 0.35 V until the toner runs out, It is about 30,000 / 70 = 428 sheets. This number varies depending on the characters and patterns printed on the paper, and it is about 30 minutes between the warning of the remaining toner amount detecting device and the absence of the warning in normal operation.
It is empirically obtained by the inventor's experiment that the printing of 0 to 500 sheets is possible, and the minimum number is about 300 sheets.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 13 is a toner remaining amount detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "Embodiment 4").
The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 29 is a counting means for counting the time during which the output signal of the comparing means 24 is being output during image formation and outputting the signal when the count value exceeds a certain value.

The operation of the toner remaining amount detecting device as described above will be described below. For simplification, similarly to (Example 3), the reference value set in the comparison unit 24 in Example 4 is 0.35V, and the output fluctuation range of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 is 0.35V. A configuration will be described in which a signal is output to the warning means 25 when the above is reached.

When the toner remaining amount reaches about 30 g, the output fluctuation width voltage of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is 0.35V.
As described above (see (Table 2)), the remaining toner amount detecting device issues a warning. At the same time, the counting means 29 starts counting time. Even if the warning is issued, the printing process is continued as it is, and when the output signal from the comparison means 24 is input to the counting means 29 for a certain period,
The counting means 29 outputs a signal and performs processing such as stopping the main body in response to the output signal.

The above-described (third embodiment) and (fourth embodiment)
According to the above, the warning is continuously generated while the remaining toner amount is 30 to 12 g, but when the remaining toner amount is 12 g or less, the fluctuation range of the output signal of the remaining toner amount detection sensor 5 is 0.35 again.
It becomes V or less. At this time, it is possible to prevent a problem that the remaining toner amount detecting device or the image forming apparatus using the same does not give a warning.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 14 shows a toner remaining amount detecting device (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment 5") which is another embodiment of the present invention and has the same configuration as that of (embodiment 1). Are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 30 is a second comparing means for comparing the output signal of the output minimum value detecting means 22 with a second reference value and outputting a signal when the output signal is less than or equal to the second reference value. .

Numeral 31 is an arithmetic means for outputting a signal when either the comparing means 24 or the second comparing means 30 is outputting a signal.

With such a configuration, the output fluctuation range is compared with the reference value, the output minimum value is compared with the second reference value, and the output fluctuation range is larger than the reference value or the output minimum value is the second value.
The toner remaining amount detection device outputs a signal when the value is smaller than the reference value.

The operation of the toner remaining amount detecting device as described above will be described below. Note that, for simplification (Example 5), the description will be made assuming that the reference value is 0.35V and the second reference value is 1.0V.

When the toner remaining amount becomes 30 g or less, the output fluctuation width voltage of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is 0.35 V.
As described above (see (Table 2)), the comparison means 24 outputs a signal, the arithmetic means 31 outputs a signal by this signal, and the warning means 25 generates a warning. After that, the image forming apparatus is continuously used, and when the toner remaining amount becomes about 20 g or less, the minimum output voltage of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 is 1.
Since it becomes 0 V or less (see (Table 2)), the second comparing means 3
0 outputs a signal. Further, when the image forming apparatus is continuously used and the remaining toner amount is about 12 g or less, no signal is output from the comparison unit 24 to the calculation unit 31, but a signal is output from the second comparison unit 30. Is output, the warning means 25 can continuously generate a warning.

According to this (Example 5), the toner container 2
It is possible to prevent the warning means 25 from not issuing a warning when the remaining toner amount becomes 12 g (minimum toner remaining amount) or less.

Further, the warning unit 25 first issues a warning is determined by the output fluctuation range of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5, and is not determined by the minimum output value, the maximum output value, or the average output value. There is no concern that the overall accuracy of the device will decrease.

In (Fifth Embodiment), the second reference value may be set so as to reliably operate when the remaining toner amount is between 12 g and 30 g. Specifically, it can be determined by the following method.

5 and 6, the lower limit value of the minimum output value of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 corresponding to the toner remaining amount (30 g in the fifth embodiment) for which the warning is first issued by the warning means 25 is used. (Corresponding to the value of 0 ° C.) and the output fluctuation range are obtained. This takes into account temperature changes. In the fifth embodiment, the case where the temperature is 0 ° C. corresponds, the minimum output value of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 is 1.6 V, and the output fluctuation range is 0.3.
It becomes 5V.

Next, the minimum toner remaining amount for the output fluctuation width of 0.35 V of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is obtained. At this time, the maximum value of the remaining amount of toner is calculated within a predetermined temperature range in consideration of the temperature change. In (Fifth Embodiment), the case where the temperature is 0 ° C. corresponds, and the value is 12 g of the remaining toner.

Next, the minimum output value of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 corresponding to the toner remaining amount of 12 g is obtained. Also in this case, similarly, the upper limit of the minimum output value of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 is obtained within the predetermined temperature range in consideration of the temperature change. In (Example 5), the case where the temperature is 50 ° C. corresponds to
The voltage value is 0.75V.

By such a method, the allowable range of the second reference value is 0.75 to 1.6V. By setting the second reference value within this range, the remaining toner amount is 12 g
It can be operated between 30g.

In the fifth embodiment, the second comparing means outputs the signal by comparing the second reference value with the output signal of the output minimum value detecting means. However, the second comparing value is compared with the second reference value. The target to be processed may be a predetermined value of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5, for example, the output signal of the output maximum value detecting means, or a new average value detecting means is provided for comparison with this output signal. But it's okay.

However, as shown in (Table 3), the output minimum value of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 changes when the ambient temperature changes at any toner remaining amount because the minimum output value is the smallest (see In Example 5), the output signal of the output minimum value detecting means is compared with the second reference value.

If there are fluctuation factors other than temperature, it is necessary to consider them separately.

[0102]

[Table 3]

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 15 shows a toner remaining amount detecting device (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment 6") which is another embodiment of the present invention and has the same configuration as that of (embodiment 1). Are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 15, reference numeral 34 is second comparing means for comparing the output signal of the output minimum value detecting means 22 with the second reference value and outputting a signal when the output signal is less than or equal to the second reference value. Further, the comparison means 32 compares the output fluctuation width with a reference value and outputs a signal when the output fluctuation width is equal to or less than the reference value.

Numeral 35 is an arithmetic means for outputting a signal when both the comparing means 33 and the second comparing means 34 are outputting a signal.

With such a configuration, the output variation width is compared with the reference value, the output minimum value is compared with the second reference value, the output variation width is smaller than the reference value, and the output minimum value is the second reference value. The toner remaining amount detection device outputs a signal when the value is smaller than the value.

The operation of the toner remaining amount detecting device as described above will be described below. Note that, for simplification (Example 6), the description will be made assuming that the reference value is 0.35V and the second reference value is 1.0V.

When the toner remaining amount becomes 30 g or less, the output fluctuation width voltage of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is 0.35 V.
As described above (see (Table 2)), the comparison means 33 stops the output of signals. After that, the image forming apparatus is continuously used, and when the toner remaining amount becomes about 20 g or less, the minimum output voltage of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 becomes 1.0 V or less (see (Table 2)). Therefore, the second comparison means 34 outputs a signal. However, since the comparison means 33 does not output a signal, the calculation means 35 does not output a signal. Further, when the image forming apparatus is continuously used and the remaining toner amount is about 12 g or less, the comparison unit 33 outputs a signal and the second comparison unit 34 also outputs a signal. The means 35 outputs a signal and the warning means 25 issues a warning at this point.

According to this (Embodiment 6), the toner container 2
The warning means 25 can only issue a warning when the remaining amount of toner in the unit is 12 g (minimum remaining amount of toner) or less, and a toner remaining amount detecting device that reacts to an extremely small amount of toner remaining is configured. You can

Further, the warning means 25 first issues a warning is determined by the output fluctuation range of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5, and is not determined by the minimum output value, the maximum output value, or the average output value. Therefore, the remaining toner amount is detected. There is no concern that the overall accuracy of the device will decrease.

As in the case of the fifth embodiment, the second reference value may be set so that it reliably operates when the remaining toner amount in the toner container 2 is 12 to 30 g.

In addition, as shown in FIGS.
Even if any one of the number-of-printed-sheets detecting means 23, the counting means 24, and the gate means 25 is inserted between 5 and the calculating means 35, it becomes easy to detect the remaining toner amount close to the maximum value as described above. Also, it becomes easy to detect when the remaining amount of toner is extremely small.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 16 shows a toner remaining amount detecting device (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment 7") which is another embodiment of the present invention and has the same configuration as that of (embodiment 1). Are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 16, reference numeral 32 is a gate means for outputting a signal corresponding to the first output signal of the comparing means 24. Once the output of the signal is started, the output signal from the comparing means 24 is stopped. However, the signal is continuously output. Specifically, it is composed of a bistable multivibrator, a thyristor, a flip-flop circuit, and the like.

The operation of the toner remaining amount detecting device as described above will be described below. In addition, for simplification (Example 7), the reference value will be described as 0.35V.

When the remaining toner amount is 30 g or less, the output fluctuation width voltage of the remaining toner amount detection sensor 5 is 0.35 V.
As described above (see (Table 2)), the comparison means 24 outputs a signal, the gate means 32 outputs a signal to the warning means 25 in response to this signal, and the warning means 25 gives a warning. After that, the image forming apparatus is continuously used, and the remaining toner amount is about 1
When the weight is 2 g or less, the comparison means 24 is operated by the gate means 34.
However, since the gate means 32 continues to output the signal to the warning means 25, the warning means 25 can continuously warn.

According to this (Embodiment 7), the toner container 2
It is possible to prevent the warning means 25 from not issuing a warning when the remaining toner amount becomes 12 g (minimum toner remaining amount) or less.

In the normal gate means 32, the output signal of the comparison means 24 is equal to or more than the n degree reference value (n
Is a natural number) and continues to output a signal. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection due to the deviation of the toner and the unstable output of the toner remaining amount detecting means when the apparatus is left for a long time, and the reliability against noise is improved.

(Embodiment 8) FIG. 17 shows a toner remaining amount detecting device (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment 8") which is another embodiment of the present invention and has the same configuration as that of (embodiment 1). Are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 17, reference numeral 33 is a comparing means for outputting a period signal in which the difference signal between the output output maximum value detecting means 21 and the output output minimum value detecting means 22 is below the first reference value, and 34 is the output minimum. It is a second comparing means for outputting a signal when the output signal of the value detecting means 22 is less than or equal to the second reference value. Reference numeral 35 is a computing means for outputting a signal when both the comparing means 33 and the second comparing means are outputting a signal.
The second reference value is set between the maximum toner remaining amount and the minimum toner remaining amount.

The operation of the toner remaining amount detecting device as described above will be described below. In addition, for simplification (Embodiment 8), the description will be made assuming that the reference value is 0.35V and the second reference value is 1.0V.

When the toner remaining amount becomes 30 g or less, the output fluctuation width voltage of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is 0.35V.
As described above (see (Table 2)), the comparison means 24 does not output a signal. After that, the image forming apparatus is continuously used, and when the remaining amount of toner becomes about 22 g or less, the second comparing unit 34 outputs a signal to the calculating unit 35, but the comparing unit 34 outputs a signal. No signal is output because it is not. After that, when the remaining amount of toner becomes about 12 g or less, the comparison unit 33 outputs a signal to the calculation unit 35. At this time, the calculation means outputs the signal for the first time, and the warning means 25 can give a warning.

According to this (Embodiment 8), the toner container 2
The warning means 25 can give a warning only when the remaining toner amount in the inside becomes 12 g (minimum toner remaining amount) or less, and the extremely small amount of toner remaining amount can be accurately detected.

The warning means 25 first issues a warning according to the output fluctuation range of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 and not the output minimum value, the output maximum value or the output average value. There is no concern that the overall accuracy of the device will decrease.

Furthermore, the warning means 25 first issues a warning is determined by the output fluctuation range of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5, and is not determined by the minimum output value, the maximum output value, or the average output value. There is no concern that the overall accuracy of the device will decrease.

(Embodiment 9) FIG. 18 shows a toner remaining amount detecting apparatus (hereinafter referred to as (Embodiment 9)) which is another embodiment of the present invention, and has the same configuration as that of (Embodiment 1). Are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIGS. 18 and 19, reference numeral 51 denotes a toner stirring section for stirring the toner 1 in the toner container 2, which is rotationally driven by a driving device which rotationally drives the agitator 4. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the toner stirring unit 51 is provided at a position of 90 ° around the rotation center axis of the driving device.

According to the toner remaining amount detecting apparatus as described above, in Example 1, the toner in the toner container 2 could not be sufficiently stirred because the toner 1 was stirred only by the agitator 4, but the toner was not able to be stirred. By providing the stirring section 51, the toner 1 in the toner container 2 can be made more uniform.

As a result, the output of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 becomes stable in a short time. In particular, the toner 1 is agitated only by the agitator 4 when the toner is biased in the toner container 2 such as when the cartridge ridge is transported vertically, when the cartridge is left for a long time such as when the cartridge is left at high temperature and high humidity. The output of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 5 stabilizes faster than the above.

In the ninth embodiment, the toner stirring section 51 is used.
Is made of metal, and the time when the toner agitating section 51 passes over the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 can be detected, and the output signal of an arbitrary period among the output signals of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is sampled with reference to this. can do.

(Embodiment 10) FIG. 20 shows a toner remaining amount detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as (Embodiment 10).
The same configurations as those in (Embodiment 1) and (Embodiment 9) are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 20, another toner container 2a is provided below the toner container 2. A communication port 52 is provided between the toner container 2 and the toner container 2a so that the toner in the toner container 2a is agitated by the agitator 4.
a and the toner agitating section 51a to move the toner to the toner container 2. The toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is provided in the toner container 2 (the last-stage toner container).

The output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting device having the two toner containers as described above will be described in comparison with the output signal of only one toner remaining amount detecting device.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the relationship between the remaining toner amount and the output signal of the output fluctuation width detecting means of the remaining toner amount detecting device. According to an experiment conducted by the inventor, it was found that the output signal of the output fluctuation range detecting means becomes stable when the number of toner containers is increased.

This is because the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 2 becomes stable because there is a gap between the toner container 2 and the toner container 2a.

(Embodiment 11) The toner remaining amount detecting device of the present invention has been described above, but in this toner remaining amount detecting device, setting of the reference value is one of the most important matters in the constitution of the device.

As a reference value that is easy to measure, it is desirable that the variation range of the output fluctuation of the remaining toner amount detection sensor 5 is large. However, when the reference value is set to a value close to the maximum value in the characteristic curve, the change in the output fluctuation range becomes small, and the detection accuracy deteriorates. Also, if the reference value is set to a value that is too small, the change in the output fluctuation range becomes small and the detection accuracy decreases.

If the reference value is set to be larger than the maximum value, the toner remaining amount will not be detected.

The reference value is set to a value close to the maximum value,
When the toner remaining amount is detected by two reference values such as the output fluctuation range and the output minimum value, the allowable range of the second reference value becomes narrower. Since the minimum output value or the like is used, the detection error is larger than that when the output fluctuation range is used.

According to the experiments by the inventor, in the case of the toner remaining amount detecting device used in the present invention, the reference value is 0.1 to 0.8V.
Although it was possible to detect the remaining amount of toner in a range of about a certain range, in consideration of sensitivity and stability, the preferable setting range of the reference value is
It was in the range of 0.25V to 0.5V.

Although the output minimum value is used as the second reference value in the above embodiment, the output maximum value, the output average value, or the output of any other prescribed condition can be selected. However, in (Example 1), the minimum output value was the most stable, so this was used.

It is a problem related to the structure of the toner container 2 to decide whether to select the minimum output value or the maximum output value.

(Embodiment 12) In each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the predetermined period is set to one rotation period of the agitator 4 or more, and the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the output during this period is defined as the output fluctuation range.

This predetermined period is another appropriate period during which the output from the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 is stably changed by the agitator 4 (toner supplying means) (for example, before and after the agitator passes over the toner remaining amount detecting sensor). Of the specified period).

Further, by sampling only a predetermined period of one cycle of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 which vibrates, noise and noise detected by the toner remaining amount detecting sensor 5 can be removed.

Incidentally, a process for eliminating an abnormal value in the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting sensor which is the toner remaining amount detecting means (for example, the same treatment as the solid surface roughness characteristic is performed,
Maximum height (Rmax), ten-point average roughness (Rz), center line average roughness (Ra), etc.
By expressing the fluctuation range),
The reliability can be increased.

Further, by optimizing the toner moving ability of the toner container and the toner moving means, the toner remaining amount in the range where the fluctuation of the toner remaining amount around the toner remaining amount detecting means becomes large is several tens to several hundreds. The number of copies can be made equivalent to.

Specifically, the installation location of the toner remaining amount detection sensor, the shape of the inner wall of the toner container, the rotational speed / length / thickness of the agitator blade, the fluidity of the toner, and the like are optimized.

Further, by constructing the toner supplying means (agitator) so that it also functions as the toner moving means, it is possible to provide a simple and economical apparatus.

Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments such as the toner remaining amount detecting means, the toner moving means, the constitution and the arrangement of the apparatus.

[0151]

As described above, according to the toner remaining amount detecting apparatus of the present invention, the following unique effects can be obtained. (1) It is less likely to be affected by the temperature characteristics of the toner remaining amount detecting means.

Therefore, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of toner with high accuracy. (2) The remaining toner amount inside the toner container can be detected in a wide range.

That is, by changing the toner remaining amount detection voltage (reference value) of the comparison means 24, it is possible to change the toner remaining amount detection range in a wide range. (3) It is stable against output shift of the detection sensor due to aging of the detection sensor. (4) There is little variation in the detection of the remaining toner amount due to the change in the mounting position of the remaining toner amount detecting means.

That is, as shown in (Table 2), the toner remaining amount detecting device of the present invention detects the toner remaining amount by the variation of the mounting position of the toner remaining amount detecting means as compared with the conventional toner remaining amount detecting device. There is little variation in the output signal of the device.

In a cartridge type image forming apparatus in which a toner storing section and a developing section are handled as one body, which has been widely used in recent years for the purpose of facilitating maintenance, this effect is advantageous in that expensive toner residue is left in order to improve economy. It is desirable to provide the amount detecting means outside the toner container.

By using the present invention, the variation range of the toner remaining amount detecting means when the toner container is replaced is ± 0.
By configuring the distance to be within 2 mm, the fluctuation of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting device can be ignored (see Table 1).

In this case, it is desirable to use an element utilizing magnetic characteristics for the toner remaining amount detecting means and use a magnetic toner containing magnetic powder for the toner.

Further, the toner remaining amount detecting apparatus described above can be used for an image forming apparatus, and further, an electronic apparatus having a function of printing such an image forming apparatus on a paper surface such as a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile. It can also be used for.

As described above, various fluctuation factors of the detection sensor can be canceled, the remaining toner amount can be accurately detected, and the desired remaining toner amount can be set over a wide range by changing the reference value. Is.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a process process cartridge used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a toner remaining amount detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between a remaining toner amount and an output signal voltage of a remaining toner amount detecting means in the remaining toner amount detecting device.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view of the toner remaining amount detecting device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a temperature characteristic of an output signal of a toner remaining amount detecting means in the toner remaining amount detecting device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a temperature characteristic of an output signal of a toner remaining amount detecting means in a conventional toner remaining amount detecting device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a temperature characteristic of an output signal of a toner remaining amount detecting means in a conventional toner remaining amount detecting device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a temperature characteristic of an output signal of a toner remaining amount detecting means in a conventional toner remaining amount detecting device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the toner remaining amount detecting means and the toner container in the toner remaining amount detecting device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the toner remaining amount detecting means and the magnetic content of the toner when a differential transformer is used as the toner remaining amount detecting means in the same toner remaining amount detecting device.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram of the toner remaining amount detection device.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a toner remaining amount detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a toner remaining amount detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a remaining toner amount detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a remaining toner amount detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a remaining toner amount detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a usage state of a process process cartridge used in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a process process cartridge used in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a toner stirring unit provided in a process process cartridge used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a process process cartridge including a plurality of toner containers used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the relationship between the output fluctuation range and the remaining toner amount when the number of toner containers is one and the number of toner containers is two in the toner remaining amount detecting device of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram of a toner remaining amount detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of a toner remaining amount detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of a toner remaining amount detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of a conventional toner remaining amount detecting device.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the relationship between the remaining toner amount and the output signal voltage of the remaining toner amount detecting means in the same remaining toner amount detecting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 toner 2 toner container 4 agitator (toner moving means) 5 toner remaining amount detection sensor 6 photoconductor drum 7 recovery roller 21 output maximum value detection means 22 output minimum value detection means 23 output fluctuation width detection means 24 comparison means 25 warning means 26 Differential transformer 27 Comparison means 28 Printed sheet number detection means 29 Counting means

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A toner container for accommodating toner, a toner moving means for repeatedly moving the toner in the toner container, and a moving mode of the toner in the toner container according to the remaining amount of toner in the toner container. Toner remaining amount detecting means for changing the amplitude of the output signal by changing it, output maximum value detecting means for detecting the maximum value of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting means, and the toner remaining amount detecting means Residual toner amount detection means for detecting the minimum value of the output signal of No. 1, and comparison means for outputting a signal corresponding to the difference signal between the output maximum value detection means and the output minimum value detection means Detection device. 2. A toner container for storing toner, a toner moving means for repeatedly moving the toner in the toner container, a toner stirring unit for stirring the toner inside the toner container, and a toner remaining amount in the toner container. In accordance with the change of the movement mode of the toner in the toner container, the residual toner amount detecting means in which the amplitude of the output signal changes, and the maximum value of the output signal of the residual toner amount detecting means are detected. Output maximum value detecting means, output minimum value detecting means for detecting the minimum value of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting means,
A toner remaining amount detecting device comprising: a comparing unit that outputs a signal corresponding to a difference signal between the output maximum value detecting unit and the output minimum value detecting unit. 3. The toner residual amount detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the toner moving unit also serves as the toner stirring unit. 4. A plurality of toner containers are subordinately connected via a communication port, and a toner moving means in the toner container sequentially moves the toner in a fixed direction to an adjacent toner container, and at the same time, in the toner container of the last stage. The toner remaining amount detecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the remaining toner amount is detected by a remaining toner amount detecting means. 5. The maximum output value detecting means detects the maximum value of the output signal of the remaining toner amount detecting means in a designated predetermined period, and the minimum output value detecting means designates the maximum value of the output signal of the remaining toner amount detecting means. The remaining toner amount detecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the minimum amount of the predetermined period is detected. 6. The comparison means according to claim 1, further comprising a comparison means for outputting a period signal in which a difference signal between the output maximum value detection means and the output minimum value detection means is equal to or more than a first reference value. Remaining toner amount detection device. 7. The toner remaining amount detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the toner remaining amount detecting means is provided outside the toner container. 8. The toner remaining amount detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the toner is a magnetic toner. 9. The toner remaining amount detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the toner is a magnetic toner containing 10% by weight or more of magnetic powder. 10. The toner remaining amount detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the toner is a magnetic toner containing 30% by weight to 50% by weight of magnetic powder. 11. The toner remaining amount detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the toner remaining amount detecting means is constituted by an element utilizing magnetic characteristics. 12. The number of printed sheets of the connected image forming apparatus is counted in response to the output signal of the comparison means, and a signal is output when the counted number of printed sheets exceeds a predetermined number. The remaining toner amount detecting device according to claim 11. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the time for printing on the printing material is counted in response to the output signal of the comparing means, and the signal is output when the counted time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.
A remaining toner amount detecting device according to any one of claims 12 to 13. 14. When the comparison means outputs a signal,
Alternatively, the structure is provided with an arithmetic unit that outputs a signal when the output value of the toner remaining amount detecting unit under a predetermined condition is less than or equal to the second reference value. Toner remaining amount detection device. 15. A comparison unit for outputting a period signal in which a difference signal between the maximum output value detection unit and the minimum output value detection unit is equal to or less than a first reference value, and an output value under a predetermined condition of the remaining toner amount detection unit. And a second comparison means for outputting a signal when is less than or equal to a second reference value, and outputs the signal when both the comparison means and the second comparison means output the signal. ~ The remaining toner amount detecting device according to any one of claims 4 or 6 to 11. 16. The toner remaining amount detecting device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the second reference value is set between the maximum toner remaining amount and the minimum toner remaining amount. 17. The toner remaining amount detecting device according to claim 14, wherein an output value under a predetermined condition is set as an output minimum value of an output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting means. 18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising gate means for continuously outputting a signal after the output signal of the comparing means becomes equal to or greater than the n-degree reference value (n is a natural number). Toner remaining amount detection device. 19. A toner remaining amount detecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, and warning means for giving a predetermined warning in response to an output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting device. Image forming apparatus. 20. The toner remaining amount detecting device according to claim 1, a photoconductor drum that forms an image for printing on a paper surface, and a developing device that supplies toner to the photoconductor drum. And an image forming apparatus configured to supply toner to a developing unit by a toner moving unit of the toner remaining amount detecting device. 21. The toner container of the toner remaining amount detecting device and the developing part are connected via a communication port so that the toner moves from the toner container of the toner remaining amount detecting device to the developing part. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the image forming apparatus is arranged above the toner remaining amount detecting means of the toner remaining amount detecting device. 22. A toner container for storing toner, a toner moving means for repeatedly moving the toner in the toner container, and a moving mode of the toner in the toner container according to a remaining amount of toner in the toner container. The amount of toner remaining in the toner container according to the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the output signal of the toner remaining amount detecting means. Toner remaining amount detection method for detecting. 23. A toner container for storing the toner, a toner moving means for repeatedly moving the toner in the toner container, and a moving mode of the toner in the toner container according to a remaining amount of toner in the toner container. A residual toner amount detecting means for changing the amplitude of the output signal thereof, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the output signal of the residual toner amount detecting means and the output of the residual toner amount detecting means. A toner remaining amount detecting method for detecting the amount of toner stored in a toner container based on the value of a signal. 24. The number of printed sheets of the connected image forming apparatus is counted in response to the output signal of the arithmetic means, and a signal is output when the counted number of printed sheets exceeds a predetermined number. The remaining toner amount detecting device according to claim 16. 25. The time for printing on a printing material is counted in response to the output signal of the arithmetic means, and a signal is output when the counted time is a predetermined time or more.
The remaining toner amount detecting device according to any one of claims 4 to 16. 26. The method according to claim 14, further comprising gate means for continuously outputting a signal after the output signal of the arithmetic means becomes equal to or greater than the n degree reference value (n is a natural number). Toner remaining amount detection device.