JPH09190068A - Image forming device, process cartridge, and developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To completely use a photoreceptive drum until the end of its life and to realize wasteless developer-replenishment near the end of the life of the photoreceptive drum. SOLUTION: The device is provided with a photoreceptor life detection means 15 which detects the life of the photoreceptive drum 1 and a developer quantitative detection means which detects a quantity of developer remaining in a developer container 2a, and a replenishment container 3 which stores developer whose quantity varies can be attached to the developer container 2a. When the developer T in the developer container 2a is used up near the end of the life of the photoreceptive drum 1, a replenishment container 3 storing developer whose quantity matches the life of a photoreceptive drum 1 is newly attached to replenish developer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be attached and detached.

Here, as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, L
ED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), electrophotographic facsimile machines, and electrophotographic word processors.

Further, as the process cartridge, is the charging means, the developing means or the cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus? Alternatively, at least one of the charging means, the developing means, and the cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge so as to be attachable to and detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, or at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a unit that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus by integrally forming a cartridge with the body.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used as an image forming apparatus. A process cartridge system detachable from the main body is employed. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a service person, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system
Widely used in image forming apparatuses.

The process cartridge described above is configured to be able to supply the developer to the developing device and to have a life detecting means for the electrophotographic photosensitive member so that the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be used up to the end of its useful life and then replaced. There is one. Further, as described in JP-A-4-51259, the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is compared with the amount of the replenished developer at the time of replenishing the developer, and if the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is shorter, electrophotography is performed there. There is a type in which the process cartridge is replaced when the life of the photoconductor is judged.

[0006]

The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned prior art.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge, a developing device, and a process cartridge which can use up the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the end of its useful life and realize a developer replenishment without waste near the useful life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus including a process cartridge or a developing device.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the process cartridge or the developing device, which realizes the suppression of the total number of replenishment until the electrophotographic photoreceptor is used up. Is to provide.

[0009]

The above object can be achieved by a process cartridge according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus equipped with this process cartridge. In summary, the present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process means that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developer accommodating portion that accommodates a developer, and a process cartridge that is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body. The photosensitive member life detecting unit for detecting the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developer amount detecting unit for detecting the developer amount in the developer accommodating portion are provided, and different developer amounts are provided in the developer accommodating portion. The process cartridge is characterized in that a developer replenishing container accommodating therein can be mounted.

It is preferable that the image forming apparatus main body has a means for processing signals from the photoreceptor life detecting means and the developer amount detecting means. It is preferable that the image forming apparatus main body has means for recognizing the internal volume of the developer supply container mounted in the process cartridge. It is preferable that the developer supply container to be mounted is limited according to the life of the electrophotographic photoreceptor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is removable and which forms an image on a recording medium, (a) the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are acted. Process means, a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, a photoreceptor life detecting means for detecting a life of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a developer amount detecting means for detecting a developer amount in the developer accommodating portion. And have,
Mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to which a developer replenishing container accommodating a different amount of developer in the developer accommodating portion can be mounted in the apparatus main body; and (b) a conveying means for conveying the recording medium. An image forming apparatus having:

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device having a developer accommodating portion, the developing device being detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein a developer replenishing container is attached to perform development. In a developing device that receives replenishment of a developer, a developer amount detecting means for detecting a developer amount in the developer containing portion is provided, and a developer replenishing container containing different developer amounts is attached to the developer containing portion. A developing device is provided in which the main body of the image forming apparatus has a photoreceptor life detecting unit for detecting the life of the electrophotographic photoreceptor.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus, a process cartridge and a developing device according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 First, with reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge constructed according to the present invention can be mounted will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus outputs a laser exposure 11 modulated according to an image signal from a laser exposure generator 21 including a laser and a polygon mirror correction system lens. Then, the laser exposure 11 is reflected by the folding mirror 22 and is applied to the photosensitive drum 1 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 1 is preliminarily uniformly charged by a charging roller 7 which is a charging unit while being rotated in a direction of an arrow A by a driving unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface thereof in response to irradiation of laser exposure. An image is formed.

On the other hand, the developing device 2 regulates the developing container 2a, which is a developer containing portion for containing a one-component high-resistance developer, the rotatable developing roller 4, and the developer layer thickness on the developing roller 4. A developing blade 6 and a developing bias power source 13
A potential difference is generated between the developing roller 4 and the electrostatic latent image by the bias supplied from the developing roller 4 to the developing roller 4, and the developer is transferred from the developing roller 4 onto the electrostatic latent image and visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, the recording material 12 which is a recording medium contained in the cassette 23 is supplied by the paper feed roller 24 in synchronization with the formation of the latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. The recording material 12 is conveyed to the roller-shaped transfer means 10 via the conveying means 25 in synchronization with the tip of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1, and the transfer means 10 forms the toner image on the recording material 12.
Transcribed above. The recording material 12 to which the toner image is transferred is
The toner image is conveyed to the fixing device 26, where the toner image is fixed to be a permanent image. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by the cleaning member 8 and stored in the cleaning container 9. In addition, the process cartridge 1
In the present embodiment, mounting means 50 for detachably mounting 00 are provided at two positions.

The process cartridge 100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a photosensitive drum 1, a charging roller 7, a developing device 2,
Also, the cleaning device 9 is integrated into a unit. The photosensitive drum 1 and the like are the process cartridge 10
The process cartridge 100 is mounted in a predetermined portion (mounting means 50) in the main body of the image forming apparatus in a predetermined manner, and is also removed from the main body of the apparatus. It is made possible.

The developing device 2 is provided with a developing blade 6 for controlling the toner layer thickness on the developing roller 6 and a developer remaining amount detecting means 5 for detecting the residual amount of the toner T in the developing container 2a. .

Further, in the process cartridge 100 (hereinafter, referred to as a cartridge), when the toner T stored in the developing container 2a is consumed, the toner T is replenished by the developer replenishing container 3 and is also exposed. When the drum 1 reaches the end of its life, the cartridge 100
It is itself replaced by the user.

The developer in the developer container 2a of the cartridge is gradually consumed each time an image is formed, and the developer residual amount detecting means 5 allows the developer remaining in the developer container 2a to be stored before the coating state of the developer on the developing roller 4 is disturbed. It is notified that the amount of the developer is small and requests the developer replenishing container (hereinafter referred to as the replenishing container) 3 to be attached to replenish the developer.

When replenishing the developer, after removing the replenishment container originally attached to the process cartridge, a new replenishment container is attached at the same place, and a new replenishment container is provided except for a developer seal (not shown). Container to developer container 2
Supply the developer into a.

In the present embodiment, the developer remaining amount detecting means 5
Uses an antenna system. This is to measure the current flowing into the antenna 5 of the AC component of the developing bias applied to the developing roller 4, and the capacitance between the developing roller 4 and the antenna 5 changes depending on the amount of the developer. We are using.

Further, the current flowing through the developer remaining amount detecting means 5 is measured, and it is judged whether or not the measured value is the amount of the developer decreased.
When the amount of the developer is small, the signal processing means 16 performs all of the display instruction on the display unit 18 of the image forming apparatus main body and the communication to the host apparatus 19 such as a computer connected to the image forming apparatus.

By the way, in the photosensitive drum 1, it is unavoidable that the photosensitive layer on the surface is worn by the contact and friction with the cleaning means 8 and the charging means 7. When the photosensitive layer is worn, an image defect occurs because the photosensitive layer is not charged to a predetermined potential in the charging process by the charging unit 7. Therefore, in order to detect the life of the photosensitive drum, a photoreceptor life detecting unit 15 is provided. There are various types of this life detecting means, but in this embodiment,
Life is detected by the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum.

This is to judge that the photosensitive drum has reached the end of its life at a predetermined number of revolutions, and to store the number of revolutions of the photosensitive drum,
Determining whether or not the measured value has reached the end of life, displaying instructions on the display section of the image forming apparatus main body regarding the usage status of the photosensitive drum and the number of images formed until the end of the life, or the image forming apparatus is connected Host device 19 such as a computer
The signal processing means 16 performs all communication to and from.

The life of the photosensitive drum 1 requires replacement of the cartridge 100. Therefore, when the life of the photosensitive drum 1 is reached, it is not suddenly notified, but the life is about to expire, or the life of the photosensitive drum 1 is changed at any time. By notifying the usage amount up to that time, the user is given time to prepare the replacement cartridge in advance.

In the image forming apparatus and the cartridge of this embodiment, the remaining life of the photosensitive drum is set to be notified at least when the signal for prompting the replenishment of the developer is issued by the operation of the remaining developer amount detecting means 5. The user prepares several kinds of replenishment containers 3A, 3B, and 3C having an internal capacity so that the developer can be replenished with the optimum amount of developer based on the information.

In the present embodiment, the life of the photosensitive drum 1 is set to 30,000 sheets of image formation, and the amount of replenishing developer is set to 500 sheets, 1,000 sheets, and 3,000 sheets as shown in FIGS. Three types of replenishment containers having different sizes according to the agent volume were prepared. The main body of the image forming apparatus can be mounted in either the largest supply container or the smallest supply container.

For example, if the developer replenishment is requested at the time when the cartridge has been used for 29,000 sheets, if the developer is replenished in the replenishing container 3B for 1,000 sheets, the developer is also replenished when the life of the photosensitive drum is reached. Since almost no toner remains, the developer is not wasted when the cartridge is replaced.

Further, when the developer replenishment is required at the time of using 25,000 sheets, the developer may be replenished in the replenishing container 3C for 3,000 sheets. Then, perhaps before the end of the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, a signal for supplying the developer again will be emitted. At that time, the replenishing container containing the optimum amount of the developer may be selected in consideration of the remaining life of the photosensitive drum at that time. Of course, even though the replenishment container 3B for 1,000 sheets is called, the number of 1,000 sheets is only a guide, and since an image having a high image ratio is output, only 400 sheets may be output. At that time, the developer replenishment signal is again issued, and at that time, the replenishment container 3 for 500 sheets is used.
A may be used.

The present embodiment is unique in that the size of the supply container differs depending on the capacity. As a result, the user can determine the internal volume of the developer supply container at a glance, and the risk of mistakenly mounting a supply container with a large internal volume is reduced.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 7 shows a developing device in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device 2A of the present embodiment includes a developer carrying member 4 such as a developing sleeve, and a developer containing a toner T for supplying the developer (toner) to the developer carrying member. The developing means having the accommodating portion 2a is integrally made into a cartridge by the frame bodies 70 and 80 made of plastic. That is, the developing device 2A of the present embodiment can be considered as an integrated cartridge obtained by removing the photosensitive drum from the process cartridge described in the first embodiment. Therefore,
The configurations and operations of the developer accommodating portion and the developer replenishing container are the same as those in the first embodiment, and those having the same configurations and operations are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is incorporated.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the process cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the supply containers 3D, 3E, and 3F have a constant container body size regardless of their contents, and instead, an identification member 20D for identifying the contents. , 20E, 20F are respectively attached to the replenishment containers 3D to 3F, and the identification member recognizes which capacity of the replenishment container has been used in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

The replenishing containers 3D to 3F store the amounts of developer of 500, 1,000 and 3,000, respectively, and the sizes of the container bodies are the same. However, the identification members 20D to 20F are provided at different positions on the longitudinal side wall portions of the container main body so that the internal contents can be identified only from the outside. FIG. 8 shows a cartridge 100 in which a supply container 3D containing an amount of developer of 500 sheets is mounted. FIG. 12 shows the cartridge 3D mounted on the main body 200 of the image forming apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 12, the cartridge 100
Recognition members 24D, 24E, and 24F are provided at positions corresponding to the identification members 20D to 20F attached to the supply containers 3D to 3F when the device is mounted on the apparatus main body 200, respectively. The recognition members 24D-F are supported by spring members 23D-F that bias them outward, and also the spring members 23D-F.
The recognition switches 22D, E, and F are provided below the center of F, respectively.
Is installed. Further, the recognition switches 22D to 22F are electrically connected to the signal processing means 16.

In the above-described structure, when the replenishing container 3D containing, for example, 500 sheets of developer as shown in FIG.
The identification member 20D of D presses the recognition member 24D against the biasing force of the spring member 23D, contacts the recognition switch 22D, and the signal is transmitted to the signal processing unit 16. At this time,
The other recognition switches 22E and 22F are in the OFF state.

In this way, the apparatus main body 200 can know the internal volume of the replenishing container mounted depending on whether the recognition switch 22 is pressed (ON) or not (OFF).

Further, in this embodiment, the signal processing means 16 is also provided with storage and calculation capabilities. First, the capacity of the replenishing container attached to the apparatus main body 200 is stored, and then the replenishing container is replaced at the time of the first ON after the operation of the developer remaining amount detecting means 5 and the next ON. Assuming that this is the case, the internal volume of this replenishing container is stored and added to the volume of the replenishing container before the replacement to obtain the total replenishing amount of the developer up to that time. At that time, since the usage amount of the photosensitive drum can be known by checking the life of the photosensitive drum, the average developer usage amount per image can be calculated by dividing the total developer supply amount by the usage amount of the photosensitive drum. .

The replenishing container for 1,000 sheets may be used up to 500 sheets like the user A, or may be kept as 2,000 sheets like the user B. Therefore, in this embodiment, the life information of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is output when the developer replenishment signal is issued, and the optimum developer replenishment capacity can be indicated from the average developer usage amount.

For example, 30,000 sheets are photosensitive drums having a life of 2
If there is a demand for replenishment of developer with 8,000 sheets, there are two more photosensitive drums.
Since the image forming apparatus of the user A needs 1,000 sheets, the developer for 4,000 sheets is required, but since the supply container is limited to 3,000 sheets, the supply container for 3,000 sheets is used for supply. Instruct. Further, in the case of the image forming apparatus of the user B, it is instructed to replenish with the replenishing container for 1,000 sheets.

A characteristic feature of this embodiment is that the optimum developer replenishing capacity can be indicated according to the usage situation. or,
Since the supply container is the same size regardless of the volume, it is sufficient to combine the supply container and the identification member one by one, and it is not necessary to make the developer supply container of different volume, so the cost is minimal. There are advantages.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 13 to 15.

In this embodiment, when the developer is replenished when the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is approaching, an excessive amount of developer cannot be replenished. For example, when it is determined by the system as in the second embodiment that the developer amount for 1,000 sheets is excessively supplied, the signal processing unit issues a mounting inhibition signal, and the supply container is for 500 sheets and for 1000 sheets. It is controlled so that it can be installed for 3,000 sheets but not for 3,000 sheets.

That is, a replenishing container mounting preventing member is provided in the developing device, and this blocking member is projected to the mounting portion of the replenishing container by a mounting preventing signal so as to interfere with the replenishing container identifying member. Prevent the supply container from being installed.
At this time, the identification member of the supply container for 500 sheets or the supply container for 1000 sheets does not interfere with the protruding blocking member, so that it can be attached to the developing device 2.

13 to 15 show the cartridge 1 of FIG.
00 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 200,
Replenishing container 3 of cartridge developing device 2 and identification member 20
The relationship between the united part of No. 2 and the apparatus main body 200 is seen in the direction of arrow X.

In FIG. 13, the apparatus main body 200 is provided with a solenoid 29 electrically connected to the signal processing means 16, and a pressing portion 29a is attached to the tip thereof.

On the other hand, in the developing device 2 of the cartridge 100, a container mounting preventing member (hereinafter abbreviated as a preventing member) 26.
And a container mounting prevention support member (hereinafter abbreviated as support member) 2
7 are provided. The blocking member 26 is a spring member 28,
31 and an engaging member 32 inserted between the spring members 28 and 31, and attached to the developing device 2.
It is urged by 8 and 31 so as to project outward, that is, to the supply container mounting side.

The supporting member 27 is supported by the developing device 2 via a spring member 30 and is urged toward the main assembly 200 by the spring member 30. Furthermore, the support member 27 includes
A locking portion 27a that engages with the engaging member 32 is provided.

In the configuration as described above, the apparatus main body 20
When the signal processing means 16 of 0 issues a mounting inhibition signal of the 3,000 sheet supply container, the solenoid 29 as the support releasing member is actuated, and the pressing portion 29a resists the biasing force of the spring member 30. Press 27. In addition, the solenoid 2
After this, 9 retreats immediately and returns to the original state shown in FIG.

By pressing the support member 27, the engagement member 32 and the locking portion 27a of the support member 27 are released from the engagement state which is the normal state shown in FIG.
As a result, the blocking member 26 tries to project from the upper surface of the developing device 2. However, when the mounted replenishment container 3 is of the same type as the replenishment container whose mounting is to be prohibited, as shown in FIG. 14, the blocking member 26 abuts the identification member 20 and therefore cannot protrude.

After that, when the attached replenishing container 3 is removed from the developing container 2a, the blocking member 26 projects from the upper surface of the developing device 2 as shown in FIG. 15, but this time the supporting member does not retract. It is supported by a locking portion 27 a of 27.

When the mounting prevention signal is issued by such a mechanism, the new supply container cannot be mounted.
When the mounted replenishing container 3 is different from the replenishing container to be prohibited, the blocking member 26 projects from the upper surface of the developing device 2 before replacing the replenishing container. Then, the supply container to be newly installed is subject to restrictions.

In this embodiment, in this way, it is possible to prevent the excessive developer amount from being replenished in this embodiment. To prevent developer replenishment, all replenishment containers may not be attached when the photosensitive drum reaches the end of its life.

As a characteristic feature of this embodiment, once the support member is pushed, the blocking member has a mechanism such that it cannot return to the original non-protruding state, and as shown in FIG. The process cartridge is provided in a recessed position so that the process cartridge cannot be accidentally pushed when the user holds it.

The mechanism for preventing the replenishment of the excessive developer amount is not limited to the structure of this embodiment.

Further, it is needless to say that the third and fourth embodiments can be applied to the developing device of the second embodiment, and the description thereof is based on the third and fourth embodiments.

[0060]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a process in which the developer replenishment with little waste near the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is realized, the economic efficiency is improved and the resource is saved. It is possible to obtain a cartridge, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge or the developing device.

Further, a process cartridge and a developing device which realizes the suppression of the total number of replenishment until the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is used up and the operability of the user is improved, and an image provided with the process cartridge or the developing device. A forming device can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus in which the present invention is embodied.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a process cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the process cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a 500-sheet developer supply container according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a 1,000-sheet developer supply container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a developer supply container for 3,000 sheets in Example 1. FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a developing device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a process cartridge according to second and third embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a 500-sheet developer supply container mounted in the process cartridge of Example 3;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a 1,000-sheet developer supply container mounted in a process cartridge according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a developer supply container for 3,000 sheets mounted in the process cartridge of Example 3;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a characteristic part of the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a characteristic part of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a solenoid operation of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the blocking member of FIG. 13 is operating.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photoreceptor) 2, 2A Developing device 2a Development container (developer container) 3 Supply container (developer supply container) 3A, 3D Replenishment container for 500 sheets (developer supply container) 3B, 3E thousand Replenishing container for sheet (developer replenishing container) 3C, 3F 3 Replenishing container for sheet (developer replenishing container) 4 Developing roller (developer carrier) 5 Residual developer remaining amount detecting means 7 Charging roller (charging means) 8 Cleaning Means 9 Cleaning container 15 Photoconductor life detecting means 16 Signal processing means 25 Conveying means 50 Mounting means 100 Process cartridge 200 Image forming apparatus main body

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuyuki Ishii Canon Inc. 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, wherein an electrophotographic photosensitive member, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It has a photoreceptor life detecting means for detecting the life of the body, and a developer amount detecting means for detecting the developer amount in the developer containing portion, and stores different developer amounts in the developer containing portion. A process cartridge which can be fitted with a developer supply container. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus main body has means for processing signals from the photoconductor life detecting means and the developer amount detecting means. 3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus main body has means for recognizing an inner volume of a developer supply container mounted in the process cartridge. 4. The process cartridge according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the developer supply container to be mounted is limited depending on the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 5. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is possible. 6. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as a main body of an image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the process cartridge is removable. 7. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 8. An image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium,
(A) an electrophotographic photoreceptor, process means acting on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer,
A developer life detecting means for detecting a life of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a developer amount detecting means for detecting a developer amount in the developer accommodating portion, and different developer amounts in the developer accommodating portion. Mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to which a developer replenishing container for accommodating the recording medium can be mounted, and (b) a conveying means for conveying the recording medium,
An image forming apparatus comprising: 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for processing signals from the photoreceptor life detecting means and the developer amount detecting means. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for recognizing the internal volume of the developer supply container mounted on the process cartridge. 11. Depending on the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the developer supply container mounted on the process cartridge is limited. 12. The process cartridge comprises a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member which are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, which is possible. 13. The process cartridge, wherein at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit and a cleaning unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as a main body of an image forming apparatus. The device is detachable from the device.
1. An image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 11. 14. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. 15. A developing device which has a developing means having a developer accommodating portion and is detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device is equipped with a developer replenishing container to receive replenishment of the developer. A developer replenishing container having a developer amount detecting means for detecting the developer amount in the developer accommodating portion and accommodating different developer amounts can be mounted in the developer accommodating portion. A developing device having a photoconductor life detection unit for detecting the life of the photoconductor. 16. The developing device according to claim 15, wherein the image forming apparatus has a means for processing signals from the photoreceptor life detecting means and the developer amount detecting means. 17. The developing device according to claim 15, wherein the image forming apparatus has a means for recognizing an inner volume of a developer supply container mounted in the developer containing portion. 18. Depending on the life of the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
18. The developing device according to claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the developer supply container to be mounted is limited.