JPH11149212A - Electrophotography image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a superior electrophotography image formation device having shorter bottle empty detection time than a conventional electrophotography image formation device and capable of preventing the occurrence of image deterioration. SOLUTION: A first developer detection means 7A disposed at the replenishment opening side inner wall 2b upper portion of the storage device 2 detects that a developer stored in a storage device 2 is less than a predetermined amount. A second developer detection means 7B disposed at the predetermined position of the lower portion of an inner wall 2c opposite to the replenishment opening side inner wall 2b detects that the developer is less than an image formable amount while at the time of developer replenishment, it detects that the replenishing developer is uniform in a lengthwise direction. A control means allows developer replenishing operation to a bottle 1 in response to a detection signal from the first developer detection means 7A, while even if the detection signal is stopped, the developer replenishing operation is continued until a detection signal detecting that the developer is uniform in the lengthwise direction output is from the second developer detection means 7B.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a developer for storing a fine powdery developer used for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier. It relates to one provided with a storage device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus has a photoreceptor as an image carrier, forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor, and develops the electrostatic latent image with a developing device. A visible image is formed by applying an agent. By the way, the developing device has a developing container for accommodating the developer, but the developer in the developing container is sequentially consumed with the image formation, so that it is necessary to supply the developer appropriately.

Therefore, in a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for example, a detachable developer replenishing container (hereinafter, referred to as a bottle) is provided in a main body, and the developer is supplied from the bottle to the developing container. When the bottle is empty, the user replaces the bottle.

In such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, when the developer is supplied to the developing container after exchanging the bottle, for example, the developing device provided in the bottle 1 as shown in FIGS. The developer in the bottle 1 is discharged from a replenishing port 1a to a developer storage device (hereinafter referred to as a storage device) 2 by rotating the developer discharge screw 4 by a driving force from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. ing. The refill port 1a is provided with a shutter 1b for opening and closing the refill port 1a. When the bottle 1 is set in the main body, the shutter 1b moves in a direction to open the refill port 1a. .

Here, the storage device 2 is for replenishing the developer into the developing container 102a of the developing device 102. The developer discharged from the replenishing port 1a is supplied to the storage device 2 after the replenishment. Leveling means 5 provided in the storage device 2
Thus, the toner is uniformly leveled in the longitudinal direction, and then supplied by the shutter roller 8 into the developing container 102a via the supply port 2a.

The developing container 102a has a third
The third detecting means 102c, which is the developer detecting means, is provided so that the presence or absence of the developer in the developing container can be detected by the third detecting means 102c. Note that a piezo sensor is generally used as the detecting means. The principle is performed by detecting a difference (change in vibration) when the developer is present on the sensor surface of the piezo sensor and when it is not present.

In the storage device 2, there are provided first detecting means 7a as first developer detecting means and second detecting means 7b as second developer detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of developer. ing.

Next, a replenishment operation during a normal copy operation will be described.

[0009] When the developer in the developing container 102a is reduced by copying, and the developer in the developing container 102a runs out, the third detecting means 102c detects this and detects that there is no developer. A signal (hereinafter, referred to as a third detection signal) is output. Then, in response to the third detection signal, the shutter roller 8 in the storage device 2 rotates, and the developer is supplied to the developing container 102a. When the developer is supplied in this manner, the third detecting means 102c stops outputting the third detection signal, and accordingly, the shutter roller 8 stops.

On the other hand, when the developer is replenished into the developing container in this manner, the amount of the developer in the storage device decreases, and when the developer becomes lower than the position of the first detection means 7a disposed in the upper portion of the storage device 2, The first detection unit 7a outputs a detection signal indicating that there is no developer (hereinafter, referred to as a first detection signal). Then, in response to the first detection signal, the developer discharging screw 4 in the bottle 1 rotates to supply the developer to the storage device 2. When the developer is supplied in this manner, the first detecting means 7a stops outputting the first detection signal, and accordingly, the developer discharging screw 4 stops.

Thereafter, the replenishment operation described above is repeated, and when the developer in the bottle 1 runs out, the first detecting means 7
"a" outputs the first detection signal, and the developer is not replenished even if the developer discharge screw 4 rotates with the rotation of the first detection signal, and the first detection means 7a continues to output the first detection signal. When the first detection signal is continuously output for a predetermined period of time, a message indicating that the bottle has been replaced is displayed to prompt the user to replace the bottle.

[0012] However, even if the indication of bottle replacement is displayed in this manner, the copying operation can be performed without bottle replacement because the developer in the upper portion of the storage device is actually gone. After this, a copying operation is further performed, and when the amount of the developer in the storage device decreases, the second detection means 7b disposed at the lower part of the storage device 2 eventually detects this, and the developer runs out. Detection signal (hereinafter, referred to as
(Referred to as a second detection signal). Then, if the copy operation is continued after the second detection means 7b outputs the second detection signal as described above, image deterioration occurs. Therefore, when the second detection signal is output, the copy operation stops.

As described above, in the conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus, even after the display of bottle replacement is issued, after the first detection means 7a outputs the first detection signal, the second detection means 7b outputs the first detection signal. Copying is possible until the second detection signal is output. Thereby, even if the bottle exchange is displayed during the copy operation, the bottle exchange can be performed without stopping the copy operation.

By the way, as described above, the first detecting means 7
It is determined that the bottle 1 has been emptied when the first detection signal from a has continued for a predetermined period of time. after outputting, the developer has set the time to stop the output of the first detecting signal is replenished as basic time t _1.

Here, the basic time t ₁ will be described in detail.

When the first detecting means 7a outputs the first detection signal during the continuous copying, the developer is discharged by the shutter roller 8 in the storage device during the continuous copying. Is supplied with the developer. In this case, since the replenishment amount of the developer from the bottle 1 is larger than the discharge amount of the shutter roller 8, the development amount in the storage device is increased by the difference between the amounts.

Therefore, if there is developer in the bottle 1 even during continuous copying, the first detection means 7a stops outputting the first detection signal. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, after the first detection means 7a at this time outputs the first detection signal,
Time to stop the detection signal output is the basic time t _1.

The bottle empty detection time is set in the basic time t ₁ in consideration of the variation in the dimensions of the configuration and the variation due to environmental conditions and the like. For example, the setting of the bottle empty detection time means that continuous copying is performed during that time,
It is assumed that the developer is continuously supplied from the storage device 2 to the developing device 102. Also, during continuous copying, it is assumed that the image should be in the black mode, which should be the time when the developer consumption is maximum. Note that such a consumption condition is set for each model, and is not limited to this condition. However, in this conventional example, the condition considered to be the most severe is assumed.

By the way, if the bottle empty detection time becomes longer, the amount of copy that can be taken after the bottle replacement display is issued becomes smaller. The possible amount can be increased.

[0020]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an excellent electrophotographic image forming apparatus which has a shorter bottle empty detection time than conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses and can prevent the occurrence of image deterioration. With the goal.

[0021]

According to the present invention, there is provided a developer carrying member provided so as to face an image carrying member carrying an electrostatic latent image, and a developer carried on the developer carrying member. An electronic device having a developer container to house the developer container and a developer storage device for storing a developer to be supplied to the developer container, and a detachable developer supply container for replenishing the developer to the developer storage device. In the photographic image forming apparatus, a replenishing port provided at one longitudinal end of the developer storage device to receive the developer from the developer replenishment container, and a predetermined amount of the developer stored in the developer storage device. First developer detecting means disposed on the upper portion of the replenishing port side inner wall in the developer storage device so as to detect that: While detecting that At the time of replenishment of the developer, a second portion disposed at a predetermined position on a lower portion of the inner wall facing the inner wall on the side of the replenishing port so as to detect that the developer replenished from the replenishing port is uniform in the longitudinal direction. While the developer replenishing container is caused to perform a developer replenishing operation in response to a detection signal from the developer detecting unit and the first developer detecting unit, even when the detection signal output is stopped, the second Control means for controlling the developer replenishing container so as to continue the developer replenishing operation until a detection signal is output from the developer detecting means for detecting that the developer is uniform in the longitudinal direction; It is characterized by having.

Further, according to the present invention, the control means includes the first control means.
In the case where the detection signal from the developer detecting means is output even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the exchange request display signal for the developer replenishment container is output, and the developer is output from the second developer detecting means. The image forming operation is permitted until a signal indicating that the value has become equal to or less than the image formable amount is output.

Further, in the present invention, the developer storage device includes a leveling means for making the developer uniform in the longitudinal direction, and the control means stops the leveling means for a predetermined time after the replenishment of the developer. It is characterized by operating.

Further, according to the present invention, the control means includes information from a control system for replenishing the developer container with the developer from the developer storage device, and information from the developer replenishment container to the developer storage device from the developer replenishment container. And the time for outputting the exchange request display signal is set based on the set predetermined time.

According to the present invention, the information from the control system for replenishing the developer from the developer storage device to the developer container is an output from a third developer detecting means provided in the developer container. It is characterized by the following.

According to the present invention, the information from the control system for replenishing the storage device with the developer replenishing container is an output from a first developer detecting means in the storage device. Things.

Further, according to the present invention, the developer storage device includes a replenishing means for replenishing the developing container with a fixed amount of developer at a predetermined time, and replenishes the developing container with the developer from the developer storing device. The information from the control system is obtained based on the operation time of the replenishing means.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the control means changes the setting of the predetermined time and the time for outputting the exchange request display signal at regular intervals.

Further, as in the present invention, a replenishing port is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer storage device so as to receive the developer from the developer replenishing container. The first developer detecting means is provided, and the first
The developer detecting means detects that the amount of the developer stored in the developer storage device becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Further, the second developer detecting means disposed at a predetermined position below the inner wall facing the inner wall on the side of the replenishing port detects that the amount of the developer stored in the developer storage device has become less than the image forming amount. On the other hand, when the developer is replenished, it is detected that the developer replenished from the replenishing port is uniform in the longitudinal direction. Further, the control means causes the developer replenishing container to perform the developer replenishing operation in response to the detection signal from the first developer detecting means, and the second developer detecting means even when the detection signal output is stopped. The developer replenishing container is controlled so that the developer replenishing operation is continued until a detection signal that detects that the developer is uniform in the longitudinal direction is output.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the structure of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus main body). is there. The apparatus main body 100 has a photoreceptor 101 as an image bearing member.
After forming an electrostatic latent image thereon by a charger (not shown), an exposure device (not shown), and the like, the developing device 10
2, a developer is adhered to form a visible image.

Then, the visible image is supplied to the sheet cassette 10
3, the paper feed roller 105, the transport roller 106,
The transfer material S supplied to the photoconductor 101 via 107 or the like
Is transferred by the transfer device 109. Thereafter, the transfer material S is conveyed to the fixing device 111 by conveying means provided near the heat exhaust fan 113, and
Heat and pressure are applied at 11.

As a result, the visible image is fixed on the transfer material S to become a permanent image, and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus together with the transfer material S, thereby completing the image formation. In the figure,
Reference numeral 102b denotes a developing sleeve arranged in the developing device 102 so that the developer adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 101.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 is a view showing a cross section in the longitudinal direction of the bottle 1, the storage device 2, and the developing device 102. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 7A denotes first detection means, and 7B denotes second detection means. Here, the first detecting means 7A is provided above the inner wall on the replenishing port side (hereinafter referred to as the replenishing port side inner wall) 2b, and the second detecting means 7B is used for uniformly supplying the developer to the developing device 102 in the longitudinal direction. As described above, at a position where it can be detected that the developer is evenly leveled in the storage device, in the present embodiment, a lower portion of an inner wall (hereinafter referred to as an opposed inner wall) 2c opposed to the replenishing opening side inner wall 2b. They are arranged at predetermined positions.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show a conventional storage device. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the first detecting means 7a is located above the replenishing port side inner wall 2b, and the second detecting means is shown in FIG. In some cases, the means 7b is arranged below the means 7b. In such a conventional storage device 2, the developer T
Are supplied from the bottle 1 through the replenishing port 1a, and are conveyed from the replenishing port side to the opposite inner wall side sequentially from the replenishing port side while being leveled uniformly in the longitudinal direction by the leveling means 5 as described above.

However, when the first detecting means 7a is arranged on the replenishing port side inner wall 2b, the first detecting means 7a
Outputs a first detection signal, and when replenishment of the developer is started in response to this signal output, the first detection means 7a can detect the developer T even when the developer T is not uniform in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. Is detected, replenishment ends. Then, the developer T is supplied to the developing device 10 while the longitudinal direction is not uniform.
If the toner is replenished to 2, the image may deteriorate.

Therefore, conventionally, FIG. 4 and FIG.
As shown in the figure, the first and second detecting means 7 are provided on the opposed inner wall 2c.
a and 7b are arranged so that the replenishment can be completed in a state where the replenished developer T becomes uniform in the longitudinal direction.

On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a view showing the state of the developer in the storage device according to the present embodiment. Here, the first detecting means 7a shown in FIG. 6 and the first detecting means 7a shown in FIG.
When the timing of the first detection signal output is compared with the timing of the first detection signal, the timing of the detection output is different even when the developer is the same.

That is, even when the amount of the developer is the same, the first detection means 7a shown in FIG. 4 outputs the first detection signal, and
As a result, the developer discharge screw 4 rotates, and the bottle 1
Is supplied with the developer. Further, the leveling means 5 rotates until the first detection means 7a stops outputting signals, whereby the developer T is conveyed to the opposed inner wall side as shown in FIG. The basic time t ₁ during that time is as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the developer is in the state shown in FIG. 4, the first detection means 7a shown in FIG. 6 has already stopped outputting the first detection signal and is in a state where it is not supplied. As a result, the basic time in the present invention, t ₁ 'becomes as shown in FIG. 9, as compared with conventional basic time t _1, shortened by t _a time.

Here, the two first detecting means 7
The timing of the output of the detection signal is different because the developer T
Is due to the difference in the distance reaching the first detection means 7a. That is, the reason why the timing of stopping the output of the detection signal of the first detecting means 7a in FIG.
There is because a position distant from the replenishing port 1a, the timing of the thus detected signal output stop is slow, the basic time t ₁ is elongated, is prolonged bottle empty detection time accordingly.

Therefore, in order to shorten the bottle empty detection time, it is better to dispose it near the refill port as shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the first detecting means 7A is disposed above the inner wall on the refill port side of the storage device 2.

The first detecting means 7 is located at such a position.
By arranging A, the time for detecting an increase in the developer T is shortened, and the time required for one replenishment is shortened.
If you think that the refill time of one bottle is the same,
This means that the developer is replenished little by little with one replenishment. In this way, by replenishing the developer little by little with one replenishment, bottle empty detection for judging that the developer in the bottle 1 has run out is performed. Time can be reduced. This effect does not change even when the shutter roller is operating or stopped.

In this embodiment, even after the first detection means 7A stops outputting the first detection signal, the control device described later rotates the leveling means 5 for a predetermined time. Thereby, the first detecting means 7 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
When the developer A is disposed and the developer T is not uniform in the longitudinal direction, as described above, even if the first detecting means 7A detects the developer T and the replenishment is completed, the second detecting means 7B keeps the second detecting means 7B. When the output of the detection signal is stopped, the developer into the developing device is uniformly supplied in the longitudinal direction.

On the other hand, when the leveling means 5 does not immediately stop the rotation even when the first detecting means 7A stops the output, the state of the developer in the storage device is the same as in the conventional example shown in FIG. Becomes Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the second detecting means 7B is positioned at a position where it can detect that the developer is evenly distributed in the storage device. It is arranged at a predetermined position below 2c.

A control device 40, which is a control means shown in FIG. 7, is provided at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body 100. The control device 40 includes first, second and third detection means 7A and 7B. , 102c from the first, second and third detection signals. The controller 40 controls the driving of the developer discharge screw 4 and the shutter roller 8 to supply the developer as described above according to the first, second, and third detection signals. I have to.

Here, in this embodiment, the control device 40 drives the developer discharging screw 4 based on the first detection signal of the first detecting means 7A to supply the developing device 2 with the developer. Even if the output of the detection signal of the first detection means 7A is stopped, replenishment is continued while the second detection means 7B outputs the second detection signal. Thereby, even if the first detecting means 7A is arranged at the position shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to prevent the replenishment from being terminated when the developer T is not uniform in the longitudinal direction.

Since the position of the second detecting means 7B varies depending on the shape of the container, the rotation speed of the leveling means 5, etc., it is necessary to examine each case in this case.

As described above, the second detecting means 7B is disposed at a predetermined position below the opposed inner wall 2c of the storage device 2 to detect that the developer is evenly leveled in the storage device. It is possible to prevent the replenishment from being terminated when the developer T is not uniform in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, the developer T can be supplied to the developing device 102 in a uniform state in the longitudinal direction, and the occurrence of image deterioration can be prevented.

The first detecting means 7A is connected to the replenishing port side inner wall 2
By arranging it at the top of b, the bottle empty detection time can be shortened. By shortening the bottle empty detection time in this way, the copyable amount after the bottle replacement display can be increased, and the serviceability can be improved.

Next, a description will be given of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which shortens the bottle empty detection time based on the supply amount of the shutter roller.

Conventionally, the bottle empty detection time is determined on the assumption that continuous solid black copying is performed as described above, but this is when the supply amount of the shutter roller 8 is the maximum. Actually, copying is not always performed under the above conditions, but only the strictest conditions are set.

Therefore, in this embodiment, since the shutter roller 8 can replenish a fixed amount of the developer per unit time with a constant rotation, the operation time is measured and the actual replenishment per one time is measured. I try to find the amount. Note that the replenishment amount is a discharge amount from the storage device 2, and is a decrease amount of the developer in the storage device 2. Then, a basic time is obtained based on the actual supply amount and the supply amount from the bottle 1, and the bottle empty detection time is set from the basic time.

Next, the replenishing operation of the developer according to the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case where continuous copying is performed with a 6% original which is commonly used.

When the amount of the developer in the developing device decreases, the shutter roller 8 in the storage device rotates to replenish the developer, but the replenishment reduces the amount of the developer in the storage device. Output the first detection signal. Thereby, the developer discharge screw 4 in the bottle operates to supply the developer to the storage device 2.

Here, the control device 50 provided at a predetermined position of the device main body 100 and shown in FIG.
Starts operating the first timer 51 from the time when the first detection signal is output, and measures the operating time of the shutter roller 8. At the same time, the second timer 52 is operated to measure the time during which the developer discharging screw 4 in the bottle is operating.

Then, the shutter roller 8 is moved at regular intervals.
Is compared with the replenishment amount obtained from the bottle 1 obtained from the replenishment amount per unit time of the developer discharge screw 4 and the measurement time by the second timer 52, and the amount of developer in the storage device 2 is compared. Find the increase. Further, a basic time is obtained from the increase amount thus obtained, and a bottle empty detection time is set based on the basic time.

Here, the shutter roller 8 is used during continuous copying.
Does not continue to operate, and as described above, the control device 50 rotates the shutter roller 8 based on the third detection signal from the third detection means 102c of the developing device to supply the developer. Further, the shutter roller 8 is stopped by the stop of the output of the detection signal of the first detection unit 102c, and this cycle is repeated.

Similarly, in the storage device, the first detecting means 7A
Outputs the first detection signal, the control device 50 operates the developer discharge screw 4 in the bottle based on the first detection signal to supply the storage device 2 with the developer. And the first
Replenishment stops when the detection means 7a stops outputting the detection signal.

In the meantime, the shutter roller 8 supplies the developing device as described above. That is, the control system in which the shutter roller 8 operates by the first detecting means 102c and the control system in which the developer discharging screw of the bottle operates by the first detecting means 7a are independent. Thus, the two control systems are linked by measuring the operation time of the shutter roller 8 and detecting the replenishment amount, whereby the bottle empty detection time can be updated to the latest state.

In the present embodiment, the bottle empty detection time is changed to the latest state after a lapse of a predetermined time, whereby the latest and shortest bottle empty detection time is always set for each fixed time. be able to.

FIG. 10 shows the replenishment amount T _H (increase amount) to the storage device 2 when the developer is sufficient in the bottle.
FIG. Note that, in the figure, information from a control system in which the shutter roller 8 operates, that is,
Toner calculated amount from the (decrease amount from the storage device) is shown as T _51. Also shows information from the control system for operation of the developer discharging screw 4, i.e. toner calculated amount from the timer 52 (amount of supply to the storage device) and T _52.

[0063] Here, if a sufficient developer in bottle, the increase T _H in a unit time determined by the decrease T ₅₁ since (at this time supply amount T ₅₂ is a fixed amount), in the unit time can be from the increase amount T _H predict in advance the time to stop the operation time of the developer discharge screw 4 t _52, that is, the first detection signal.

Therefore, if a correlation table between the increase amount _TH and the stop time is prepared, the judgment can be made more quickly. To give a specific example, at the calculated increase amount T _HA , if there is sufficient developer in the bottle, the developer discharge screw 4 should stop at t _52A as shown in FIG. if,
If the developer discharge screw 4 does not stop (the first detection signal does not stop), it means that the amount of the developer in the bottle is low. Actually, in consideration of variations in the environment and the like, the time t _HA when the bottle with the increased amount T _HA is determined to be empty is set to be slightly longer than t _52A .

When the developer runs out of the bottle, the time during which the developer discharging screw 4 is rotating becomes longer, and the time t
_{If HA} ′ exceeds the empty detection time t _HA , it is determined that the bottle is empty.

When the first detecting means 7A stops outputting the detection signal within the bottle empty detection time, the bottle empty detection time is reset. If the first detecting means 7A does not stop outputting the detection signal even after the bottle empty detection time has elapsed, the control device 50 outputs a bottle replacement request display signal to the display unit 53 such as a panel.

The present embodiment is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the bottle empty detection time at the time of resetting is determined by the first detection means 7 when the shutter roller 8 is stopped.
The time from when the first detection signal of A is output to when the output of the first detection signal is stopped may be set as the time. Further, the setting is not particularly required until the bottle empty detection time obtained at the beginning after a certain time is determined.

Further, the actual supply amount is determined by the shutter roller 8.
May be obtained by counting the number of rotations.

Next, a description will be given of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention in which the amount of decrease in the developer from the storage device is determined by the third detecting means.

In this embodiment, the operation time of the shutter roller 8 and the time from when the third detecting means 102c in the developing device outputs the third detection signal of the developer to when the third detection signal is stopped is stopped. Because it ’s almost the same as time,
After the first detection means 7A outputs the first detection signal, the third
By measuring the time from when the detection means 102c outputs the third detection signal to when the detection signal output is stopped,
The developer amount to be reduced is determined.

After obtaining the reduced developer amount, the bottle empty detection time is always minimized in the same manner as in the second embodiment.

Although the first to third embodiments have been described above, the effects of the present invention do not change even if they are selected and combined. Further, the case where two developer detecting units are arranged in the storage device has been described, but the number of the developer detecting units is not limited to this.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is detected that the amount of the developer stored in the developer storage device becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount in the upper portion of the inner wall on the replenishing port side in the developer storage device. By arranging the developer detecting means, the time for detecting the empty bottle can be reduced. As a result, the amount that can be copied after the empty bottle is detected can be increased, and the serviceability can be improved.

Further, a developer detecting means for detecting that the replenished developer is uniform in the longitudinal direction is provided at a predetermined position on a lower portion of the inner wall facing the inner wall on the replenishing port side. By continuing the developer replenishment operation until the detection signal is output from the means, uniformity of the developer in the longitudinal direction can be ensured. Thereby, the developer can be supplied to the developing device in a uniform state in the longitudinal direction,
Image degradation can be prevented from occurring.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a structure of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a bottle, a storage device, and a developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a storage device of a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of a storage device of a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of a developer in another example of the storage device of the conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of a developer in a storage device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of a control device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of a control device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a difference between a basic time according to the present invention and a conventional basic time.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a replenishment amount T _H (increase amount) to the storage device when the developer is sufficiently present in the bottle.

FIG. 11 is a table showing a correlation between the increase amount _TH and the stop time.

FIG. 12 shows a bottle of the conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of the storage device and the developing device in a lateral direction.

FIG. 13 shows a bottle of the conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a cross section in a longitudinal direction of a storage device and a developing device.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a conventional basic time.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bottle 1a Replenishing port 2 Storage device 4 Developer discharging screw 5 Equalizing means 7a, 7A First detecting means 7b, 7B Second detecting means 8 Shutter roller 40, 50 Control device 51 First timer 100 Device main body 101 Photoconductor 102 Developing device 102a Developing container 102c Third detecting means T developer

Claims (8)

[Claims] A developer container provided to face an image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image; a developer container for containing a developer carried on the developer carrier; An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: a developer storage device for storing a developer to be supplied to a developer container; and a detachable developer replenishing container for replenishing the developer to the developer storage device. A replenishing port provided at one longitudinal end of the developer storage device so as to receive the developer from the developer replenishing container; and detecting that the amount of the developer stored in the developer storage device is less than a predetermined amount. A first developer detecting means disposed above the replenishing port side inner wall in the developer storage device, and detecting that the amount of the developer stored in the developer storage device has become equal to or less than an image forming amount. On the other hand, when the developer is replenished, A second developer detecting unit disposed at a predetermined position below an inner wall opposed to the inner wall on the side of the replenishing port so as to detect that the developer replenished from the refill is uniform in the longitudinal direction; The developer replenishing container is caused to perform a developer replenishing operation in response to a detection signal from the first developer detecting unit. Control means for controlling the developer replenishing container so as to continue the developer replenishing operation until a detection signal that detects that the developer is uniform in the longitudinal direction is output, and Electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 2. The control unit outputs a developer replenishment container replacement request display signal when the detection signal from the first developer detection unit is output even after a predetermined time has elapsed. The image forming operation is permitted until a signal indicating that the amount of the developer has become equal to or less than the image forming amount is output from the second developer detecting unit. 2. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to 1. 3. The developer storage device includes a leveling unit for making the developer uniform in a longitudinal direction, and the control unit operates the leveling unit for a predetermined time after the replenishment of the developer. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The control means includes information from a control system for replenishing developer from the developer storage device to the developer container, and replenishing developer from the developer replenishment container to the developer storage device. 2. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is set based on information from a control system, and a time for outputting the exchange request display signal is set based on the set predetermined time. . 5. The information from a control system for replenishing developer from the developer storage device to the developer container is an output from a third developer detecting unit provided in the developer container. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein 6. The information from a control system for replenishing the developer from the developer replenishing container into the storage device is stored in the first storage device in the storage device.
5. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said output is an output from said developer detecting means. 7. The developer storage device further comprises a replenishing means for replenishing the developer container with a fixed amount of developer at a fixed time, and a control system for replenishing the developer container with developer from the developer storage device. 5. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said information is obtained based on an operation time of said replenishing means. 8. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control means changes the setting of the predetermined time and the time for outputting the exchange request display signal at regular intervals.