JPH1184850A - Image forming device, process cartridge and developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform a user of the use state of a process cartridge and to easily infer the life of the process cartridge by making the quantity of toner in the process cartridge sequentially detectable, with a simple constitution. SOLUTION: One end of a toner feeding member 10b is connected to a stirring shaft 13 with a torsion coil spring and a slit plate 16 is fixed on the other end. A photosensor 17 is provided in such a state that it strides over the outer peripheral part of the slit plate 16. The toner feeding member 10b is rocked with respect to the stirring shaft 13, in accordance with a change in load resistance by toner, when coming into/out of the toner T are attained. Then, the change in the rotational speed of the toner feeding member 10b caused by its rocking is detected by the slit 16 and the photosensor 17, to sequentially detect the quantity of the toner in the toner container 12.

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 printer or a copying machine, for forming an image using a developer (hereinafter referred to as "toner"). The present invention relates to a process cartridge and a developing device of the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine selectively forms a latent image by selectively exposing an image carrier, which is uniformly charged by a charger, to a developing device. The latent image is visualized with toner, and the image formed by the toner is transferred to a recording medium to record an image.

[0003] In such an apparatus, maintenance of each component is performed by a specialized service person, which may be inconvenient for the user.

Therefore, the image carrier, the charger, the developing device, the cleaning means, and the like are integrated into a cartridge to form a cartridge, and the user loads the cartridge into the apparatus main body, thereby replenishing the toner and extending the life. An image bearing member that allows for replacement of components and facilitates maintenance has been put to practical use.

In such a process cartridge, it is necessary to replace the cartridge with a new cartridge when the toner in the toner container incorporated in advance is used up. However, a detection means for detecting when the toner in the toner container is running low is provided. Is common.

[0006]

However, in the structure of the above-mentioned detecting means, it is only possible to detect that the amount of toner is small immediately before the toner is used up, and it is possible to detect how much toner remains in the toner container. I couldn't do that.

In such a case, if the remaining amount of toner in the process cartridge can be sequentially detected, it is possible to know the use state of the cartridge and the life of the cartridge. There was no.

The above description also applies to a developing device provided with a similar toner remaining amount detecting means.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to sequentially detect the amount of toner in a process cartridge or a developing device with a simple structure, to inform a user of the use state of the process cartridge or the developing device, An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge, a developing device, and an image forming device that can easily estimate the life of the device.

[0010]

The above object is achieved by an image forming apparatus, a process cartridge and a developing device according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention provides a developer container that stores a developer, a developing unit that visualizes a latent image formed on an image carrier using the developer, and a developing unit that is stored in the developer container. A driving force transmitting unit for transmitting a driving force for rotating the developer conveying member, wherein the developer conveying member includes a developer conveying member for conveying or stirring the developer. Detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the developer, the developer conveying member swings according to a change in the load resistance by the developer when entering the stored developer and when exiting the stored developer, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the amount of developer in the developer container is sequentially detected by detecting a change in rotation speed caused by the swing by the detection unit.

It is preferable that a process cartridge having the developer conveying member is detachable, and a member for transmitting rotation of the developer conveying member to the detecting means is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body and containing a developer, and a method for visualizing a latent image formed on an image carrier using the developer. A driving force for rotating the developer conveying member is transmitted in a process cartridge having a developing unit for performing the operation and a developer conveying member for conveying or stirring the developer housed in the developer container. And a detecting means for detecting a rotation speed of the developer conveying member, wherein the developer conveying member is provided with a developer when entering the stored developer and when exiting the stored developer. Swinging in response to a change in the load resistance caused by the change, and detecting the change in the rotational speed caused by the swinging by the detecting means, thereby sequentially detecting the amount of developer in the developer container. Professional Scan cartridge is provided.

It is preferable that a contact for transmitting an output signal from the detecting means to the apparatus main body is provided. It is preferable to have a storage member for storing a detection history of the remaining amount of the developer stored in the developer container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a process cartridge is detachable, a developer container for storing a developer, and a latent image formed on an image carrier using the developer is visualized. Transmitting a driving force for rotating the developer conveying member in an image forming apparatus having a developing unit for performing the operation and a developer conveying member for conveying or stirring the developer housed in the developer container. And a detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the developer conveying member, a first part of the detecting means is provided in the apparatus main body, and a second part of the detecting means is provided. In the process cartridge, and the developer conveying member swings when the load resistance due to the developer changes when entering the stored developer and when exiting from the stored developer, and is generated by the swing. Changes in rotation speed The developer image forming apparatus characterized by sequentially detecting the developer amount in the container is provided by detecting by said detecting means.

[0015] It is preferable to have a means for positioning the sensor and the encoder plate. It is preferable that the process cartridge has a storage member that stores a detection history of the remaining amount of the developer stored in the developer container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer container for storing a developer used in an image forming apparatus, and a developing means for visualizing a latent image formed on an image carrier using the developer. And a developer transporting member for transporting or stirring the developer contained in the developer container, a drive for transmitting a driving force for rotating the developer transporting member. Force transmitting means, and detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the developer transport member, wherein the developer transport member has a load resistance caused by the developer when entering the stored developer and when exiting the stored developer. The developing device swings in accordance with the change, and detects the change in the rotation speed caused by the swing by the detecting means, thereby sequentially detecting the amount of the developer in the developer container. Provided.

In the above invention, it is preferable to detect a point in time when the developer conveying member enters the stored developer and a point in time when the developer transport member leaves the stored developer. It is preferable to detect a time interval from a point in time when the developer enters the storage developer to a point in time when the developer exits the storage developer. It is preferable to detect a time interval from a point in time when the developer leaves the storage developer to a point in time when the developer enters the storage developer. It is preferable that the developer conveying member is connected to the driving force transmitting means via an elastic member, and swings by the elastic force of the elastic member.
The elastic member is preferably a torsion coil spring, a tension spring, a compression spring, or a torsion bar.
It is preferable that the elastic member is provided in a developer accommodating portion in the developer container. It is preferable that the developer conveying member swings with respect to the driving force transmitting unit. Preferably, the detecting means has an encoder plate and a sensor.
It is preferable that a process cartridge having the developer conveying member is detachable, and a member for transmitting rotation of the developer conveying member to the detection unit is provided.

[0018]

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 A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

{Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge} As shown in FIG. 1, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) A of this embodiment has an optical system 1
Irradiates the drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (image carrier) 7 with information light based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 7, and develops the latent image with toner by developing means 7 To form a toner image.

Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 is moved from the paper feed cassette 3a to the pickup roller 3b.
And a transfer roller as a transfer unit which separates the toner image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor 7 by transferring the toner image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor 7 while separating the sheet one by one by a pressing member 3c which is in pressure contact with the toner. The recording medium 2 is transferred onto the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the recording medium 4, and the recording medium 2 is transported to the fixing unit 5 by the transport belt 3f.

The fixing means 5 includes a driving roller 5a, a fixing rotator 5d including a heater 5b, and a cylindrical sheet rotatably supported by a support 5c. The fixing rotator 5d applies heat and heat to the recording medium 2 passing therethrough. Pressure is applied to fix the transferred toner image.

Then, the recording medium 2 is discharged to a discharge roller pair 3
g, 3h, and is configured to be discharged to the discharge unit 6 through the reverse transfer path.

The image forming apparatus A can also be manually fed by a manual tray 3i and a roller 3j.

The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning means for cleaning toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the like There is.

In the process cartridge B of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a photosensitive drum 7, which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer, is rotated in the direction shown by an arrow, and a voltage is applied to a charging roller 8 as charging means. The surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly charged by applying the light, and a light image from the optical system 1 is exposed to the charged photosensitive drum 7 through the opening 9 to form a latent image. The latent image is developed by the developing means 10.

The developing means 10 sends out the toner (developer) in a toner container 10a which is a developer container by a rotatable toner feed member 10b which is a developer conveying member, and is a developing member having a fixed magnet 10c built therein. A certain developing roller 10d
Is rotated, and a toner layer provided with a triboelectric charge by the developing blade 10e is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10d, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the latent image to form a toner image. To make it visible.

After applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image to the recording medium 2,
The cleaning blade 11a scrapes off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7, and
The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning means 11 which is scooped by b and collected in the waste toner storage section 11c.

{Construction of Toner Amount} Next, the toner container 1
A detection configuration for detecting the toner amount within 0a will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the toner container portion 12, one end of a toner feeding member 10b is swingably connected to one end of a stirring shaft 13, and a stirring shaft 13 extending from the toner container portion 12 to the outside. A gear train 15 connected to a drive source (not shown) is fixed to the other end of the gear train. Then, the driving force from the driving source is transmitted from the gear train 15 to the toner feeding member 10b via the stirring shaft 13, and is driven to rotate.

An encoder plate, that is, a slit plate 16 is fixed to the other end of the toner feeding member 10b extending from the toner container portion 12 to the outside. Further, as a detecting means comprising a light emitting portion 17a and a light receiving portion 17b. Photo sensor 1
7 is provided so as to straddle the outer peripheral portion of the slit plate 16.

In FIG. 4, a notch portion 13a having a substantially fan-shaped cross section is provided at the end of the stirring shaft 13 on the side of the toner feeding member 10b, and a longitudinal direction of the toner feeding member 10b formed in an L shape is provided. The tip of the portion is fitted into a hole 13c formed in a main portion of the sector wall surface 13b of the notch 13a. Further, a torsion coil spring 14 as an elastic member is wound around a longitudinal portion of the L-shaped portion of the toner feed member 10b, and one end 14a of the torsion coil spring 14 abuts one wall surface 13d of the notch 13a, The other end 14b is fixed to the radial portion of the L-shaped portion of the toner feeding member 10b, and is in contact with the other side of the notch 13a on the wall surface 13e.

In such a configuration, the toner feeding member 10b is urged in the rotation direction a of the stirring shaft 13 by the torsion coil spring 14, and the one wall surface 13d of the notch 13a causes the torsion coil spring 14 to rotate. The rotation by the urging is restricted, and the rotation of the torsion coil spring 14 in the opposite direction to the urging direction is restricted by the other wall surface 13e.

In short, by making the notch 13a function as a stopper for the toner feeding member 10b as described above, the toner feeding member is determined in accordance with the presence or absence of the toner resistance within the range formed by both the wall surfaces 13d and 13e of the notch 13. 10
B can be swung with respect to the stirring shaft 13.

Further, the aforementioned torsion spring 14 is provided on the toner side of the bearing portion of the stirring shaft 13 of the toner container portion 12.

In such a configuration, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, the driving force from the driving source is transmitted from the gear train 15 through the bearing portion of the agitating shaft 13 of the toner container portion 12 to the torsion as an elastic member. The power is transmitted to the coil spring 14. Therefore, the torsion coil spring 14 is affected by sliding of the bearing.

If a torsion coil spring 14 is provided between the gear train 15 and the above-mentioned bearing portion as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 6, the torsion coil spring 14 expands and contracts due to the sliding of the bearing portion. As a result, the swing of the toner feeding member 10b due to the resistance of the toner is affected.

As shown in FIG. 7, the slit plate 16 fixed to the other end of the toner feeding member 10b has a plurality of rectangular slits 16a arranged at equal intervals on the circumference thereof. . Then, as described above, the photo sensor 17 is disposed at a position corresponding to the slit 16a.

Here, the output of the photosensor 17 having the above configuration will be described.

The photo sensor 17 outputs HIGH or LOW when there is nothing to block the light passing through the gap between the light emitting part 17a and the light receiving part 17b, and outputs LOW or HIGH when there is something to block the light. I do.

When the photo sensor 17 is arranged as described above, a pulse wave is output according to the rotation of the slit plate 16 and the toner feeding member 10b.

Next, the movement of the toner feeding member 10b and the output pulse wave will be described with reference to FIGS. However, FIG. 8 schematically shows the configuration of the stirring shaft 13, and the stirring shaft 13 rotates clockwise in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 8A, outside the toner T, the toner feed member 10b is urged by the torsion coil spring 14 because there is no toner resistance.
To be restricted by the wall 13e on the rotation direction side of the notch of
Rotating at the same speed (substantially constant speed) as the stirring shaft 13, FIG.
A pulse wave having a substantially equal interval and width as shown in FIG.

When the toner feeding member 10b enters the toner T, that is, enters the toner T, as shown in FIG. 8B, the torsion coil spring 14 contracts due to the toner resistance in the arrow direction, and the rotation speed of the toner feeding member 10b decreases. The pulse wave is momentarily delayed from the stirring shaft 13, and a pulse wave having a wide pulse interval and pulse width is output for a moment as shown in FIG. 9B.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8C, the toner feed member 10b is regulated by the wall surface 13d opposite to the above-mentioned wall surface 3e of the notch of the stirring shaft 13, so that it rotates at the same speed as the stirring shaft 13. Then, pulse waves having substantially equal intervals and equal widths as shown in FIG. 9A are output.

When the toner feeding member 10b comes out of the toner T, that is, withdraws, as shown in FIG. 8D, the torsion coil spring 14 is extended and the rotation speed of the toner feeding member 10b is agitated because the toner resistance disappears. The pulse wave is momentarily faster than the axis 13, and a pulse wave with a narrow pulse interval and pulse width is output for a moment as shown in FIG. 9C.

The pulse wave output from the photosensor 17 repeats the cycles shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C as the stirring shaft 13 rotates.

Here, the stirring torque when the remaining amount of toner is decreasing and the output pulse wave at that time are shown in FIGS.
Is shown in the graph.

FIG. 10 shows that the remaining amount of toner is the largest, and FIG.
The toner remaining amount decreases in the order of FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. To each output pulse wave, a toner feeding member 1
When 0b enters and exits the toner, a wide portion and a narrow portion of the pulse width appear.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing the relationship between the time t between two points at which the interval between the pulse waves changes and the remaining amount of toner. As is apparent from FIG. 5, the time t between the two points decreases substantially proportionally as the remaining amount of toner decreases.

The output pulse wave of the photo sensor 17 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the output pulse wave is transmitted to the apparatus main body through the contact 18 disposed outside the toner container section 12 and the LO of the output pulse wave is transmitted.
The time of W or HIGH is monitored to detect a point where the pulse interval and the pulse width become wide (FIG. 9 (B)) to a point where the pulse width becomes narrow (FIG. 9 (C)). By measuring t, the remaining amount of toner can be sequentially detected.

Further, as described above, the toner feeding member 10b
Since the remaining amount of toner is detected by measuring the time t between two points where the toner enters the toner and the point where the toner exits, there is some influence when the remaining amount of toner is as shown in FIG. Further, even if the toner surface is inclined, the above-mentioned time t hardly changes, so that the toner remaining amount detection is hardly affected by the toner.

In this configuration, since the remaining amount of toner is detected by utilizing the change in the resistance of the toner applied to the toner feeding member 10b, the toner feeding member 10b has a large surface area of the stirring portion in order to increase the received toner resistance. In addition, a lighter member is preferable to suppress the influence of the weight of the toner feeding member 10b by its own weight.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the amount of toner in the toner container can be sequentially detected with a simple configuration.

Embodiment 2 In the above-described first embodiment, the slit plate has a shape in which rectangular slits 16a are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, circular slits 16b may be provided at equal intervals on the circumference of the slit plate 16, and as shown in FIG.
6c may be formed on the outer peripheral portion of the slit plate 16 in a gear shape.

Embodiment 3 In the above-described first or second embodiment, an example in which a slit plate and a photosensor are used has been described. However, a magnetic material is attached to the slit position of the above-mentioned slit plate, and the photosensor is used instead of the photosensor. A change in the rotation speed may be detected by a magnetic sensor.

Embodiment 4 In the above-described first embodiment, an example using a transmission type photosensor has been described, but a reflection type photosensor may be used.

Embodiment 5 In the above-described first embodiment, an example was shown in which a torsion coil spring was used to bias the toner feed member 10b. However, the above-mentioned first embodiment was made using a compression spring, a tension spring, and a torsion bar. It may be biased in the direction indicated by the embodiment.

Embodiment 6 In the above-described first embodiment, the slit plate 16 and the photo sensor 1
In the example shown in FIG. 20, the detection means using the sensor 7 is provided in the process cartridge. However, as shown in FIG. 20, the detection means 16 and 17 are provided in the apparatus main body to rotate the toner feeding member 10b in the process cartridge. The configuration may be such that the signal is transmitted to the detection means of the apparatus main body by the transmission member 19. In this case, the cost of the process cartridge itself can be reduced as compared with the configuration of the first embodiment.

Embodiment 7 In the above-described first embodiment, the slit plate 16 and the photo sensor 1
Although an example is shown in which both process cartridges 7 are provided in the process cartridge, a configuration in which a photosensor 17 is provided in the apparatus main body and a slit plate 16 is provided in the process cartridge as shown in FIG. The photosensor 17 and the slit plate 16 are positioned at appropriate positions by a positioning mechanism (not shown).

Embodiment 8 As shown in FIG.
A method is also conceivable in which a storage member 50 such as an AM is provided, and the detection history of the remaining amount of toner is stored in the above-described storage unit as information unique to the process cartridge.

Embodiment 9 In order to detect the toner amount more accurately, as shown in FIG. 22, the seal portion 21 between the toner feeding member 10b and the agitating shaft 13 and the toner container 12 is slid. It is preferable to use an oil seal having a small torque and little fluctuation, for example, an oil seal 22 which is a sealing member as shown in FIGS.

Embodiment 10 In the first embodiment described above, the toner feeding member 10b is
As shown in FIG. 25, the rod-like shape is shown. However, as shown in FIG. 25, a plate-like member 23 such as mylar may be attached to the toner feeding member 10b. In this case, since the toner resistance received by the toner feeding member 10b can be increased as compared with the configuration of the above-described first embodiment, the toner remaining amount can be easily detected and the accuracy can be improved.

Embodiment 11 Next, the flow of the detecting operation from the detection of the remaining amount of toner by the toner remaining amount detecting means described above to the display of the remaining amount of toner will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 28.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 26, the remaining toner detecting mechanism includes a remaining toner detecting means 100 provided in the process cartridge B, a remaining toner detecting circuit 200 provided in the apparatus main assembly A, And display means 3
00.

The pulse wave output from the toner remaining amount detecting means 100 is inputted to the toner remaining amount detecting circuit 200, and the time t between two points at which the interval between the pulse waves changes is calculated, and the value of t is compared. To determine the remaining amount of toner,
The user is notified by display means 300 such as the apparatus main body or a personal computer screen.

In the flowchart of FIG. 27, when a portion where the interval between the output pulse waves from the process cartridge B is wide is detected (step 1), the measurement of the time t is started (step 2), and the pulse having a narrow width is detected. Time t is measured (step 4) until a wave is detected (step 3).

Next, it is checked whether or not t is greater than a prescribed value a (step 5). If YES, 100% of the remaining toner (toner Full) is displayed (step 6), and the process returns to the beginning. In the case of NO, it is checked whether it is larger than the specified value b (step 7), and in the case of YES, 80% of the remaining toner is displayed (step 8). If NO, the process proceeds to the next step.

Then, the same steps as steps 9 to 13 are repeated, and the remaining toner 20% (toner near end)
Is displayed (step 14), and finally the toner 0
% (Toner end) is displayed (step 15).

As a display method, as shown in FIG.
When the remaining amount of toner detected and displayed on the meter is reduced in a stepwise manner, the scale is also reduced and the remaining amount of toner can be visually recognized.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the remaining amount is divided into five parts. However, when the number of divisions is increased or decreased, the specified value in the flowchart of FIG. 27 is also increased or decreased, and the specified value is compared with t. Also increase or decrease.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A driving force transmitting unit configured to transmit a driving force for rotating the developer conveying member; and a detecting unit configured to detect a rotation speed of the developer conveying member. Swings in response to a change in the load resistance of the developer when the developer enters and exits from the stored developer, and a change in the rotation speed caused by the swing is detected by the detection means. Can be sequentially detected, so that the user can successively know the use state of the process cartridge or the developing device, and can easily estimate the life of the process cartridge or the developing device. Further, since the developer conveying member in the developer container also serves as a developer remaining amount detecting mechanism, the developer can be realized at low cost, and the developer container can be downsized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

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

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a toner amount detection configuration according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a connection portion between a developer conveying member and a stirring shaft in the toner amount detection configuration of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a torsion coil spring according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a case in which a torsion coil spring is interposed between a gear train and a bearing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a slit plate in the toner amount detection configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the movement of the stirring rod of the first embodiment continuously in (a) to (d).

FIG. 9 is a waveform chart showing three types of outputs (A), (B), and (C) of the detection unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a first explanatory diagram illustrating an output of a detection unit and a stirring torque according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a second explanatory diagram illustrating the output and the stirring torque of the detection unit according to the first example.

FIG. 12 is a third explanatory diagram illustrating the output and the stirring torque of the detection unit according to the first example.

FIG. 13 is a fourth explanatory diagram illustrating the output and the stirring torque of the detection unit according to the first example.

FIG. 14 is a fifth explanatory diagram illustrating the output and the stirring torque of the detection unit according to the first example.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing the relationship between the time between two points where the pulse interval changes and the remaining amount of toner according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a toner surface and time according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram related to FIG. 16 and illustrating a case where the toner surface is inclined.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a slit plate according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing another example of the slit plate according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a toner amount detection configuration according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a toner amount detection configuration according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a seal portion of a toner container according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a front view showing an oil seal mounted on the seal portion of FIG. 22;

24 is a longitudinal sectional view of the oil seal of FIG.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a mylar according to a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a toner remaining amount detection mechanism according to an eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a flow from detection of the remaining amount of toner to display of the remaining amount of toner.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the remaining toner amount display (a) remaining toner amount Full
FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams in a case where the remaining toner amount is 80%.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 7 photoconductor drum (image carrier) 10 developing means 10b toner feeding member (developer conveying member) 12 toner container part (developer container) 13 stirring shaft 14 torsion coil spring (elastic member) 16 slit plate (detection means) 17 Photosensor (detection means) 18 Contact point 22 Oil ring (sealing member) 23 Mylar (plate member) 50 RAM (memory member) B Process cartridge

Claims (42)

[Claims] 1. A developer container for storing a developer, a developing unit for visualizing a latent image formed on an image carrier using the developer, and a developer stored in the developer container. An image forming apparatus having a developer transport member for transporting or agitating the toner, a driving force transmitting unit for transmitting a driving force for rotating the developer transport member, and a rotation speed of the developer transport member. The developer conveying member swings in response to a change in the load resistance caused by the developer when entering the stored developer and when exiting from the stored developer. An image forming apparatus for sequentially detecting the amount of developer in the developer container by detecting a change in rotation speed caused by the detection by the detection unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a time point at which the developer transport member enters the stored developer and a time point at which the developer transport member exits the stored developer are detected. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a time interval from a point in time when the developer enters the storage developer to a point in time when the developer leaves the storage developer is detected. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a time interval from a point when the developer leaves the stored developer to a point when the developer enters the stored developer is detected. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer conveying member is connected to the driving force transmitting means via an elastic member, and swings by an elastic force of the elastic member. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the elastic member is a torsion coil spring, a tension spring, a compression spring, or a torsion bar. 7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said elastic member is provided in a developer accommodating portion in said developer container. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developer conveying member swings with respect to said driving force transmitting means. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means has an encoder plate and a sensor. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a member to which a process cartridge having the developer conveying member is detachable, and which transmits rotation of the developer conveying member to the detecting means. The image forming apparatus according to the item. 11. A developer container detachable from the image forming apparatus main body and containing a developer, a developing means for visualizing a latent image formed on an image carrier using the developer, and the developer A process cartridge having a developer transport member for transporting or agitating the developer stored in the container, a driving force transmitting unit for transmitting a driving force for rotating the developer transport member, Detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the developer transport member, wherein the developer transport member changes load resistance due to the developer when entering the stored developer and when exiting the stored developer. Rocks accordingly
A process cartridge wherein the amount of developer in the developer container is sequentially detected by detecting a change in rotation speed caused by the swing by the detecting means. 12. The process cartridge according to claim 11, wherein a time point at which the developer conveying member enters the stored developer and a time point at which the developer transport member exits the stored developer are detected. 13. The process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein a time interval from a point in time when the developer enters the storage developer to a point in time when the developer exits the storage developer is detected. 14. The process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein a time interval from a point when the developer leaves the stored developer to a point when the developer enters the stored developer is detected. 15. The process cartridge according to claim 11, wherein said developer conveying member is connected to said driving force transmitting means via an elastic member, and swings by an elastic force of said elastic member. 16. The resilient member includes a torsion coil spring,
The process cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the process cartridge is a tension spring, a compression spring, or a torsion bar. 17. The process cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the elastic member is provided in a developer accommodating portion in the developer container. 18. The process cartridge according to claim 11, wherein said developer conveying member swings with respect to said driving force transmitting means. 19. The process cartridge according to claim 11, wherein said detecting means has an encoder plate and a sensor. 20. The process cartridge according to claim 11, further comprising a contact for transmitting an output signal from said detection means to an apparatus main body. 21. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a storage member for storing a detection history of a remaining amount of the developer stored in the developer container. Process cartridge. 22. A developer container in which a process cartridge is detachable, in which a developer is stored, a developing means for visualizing a latent image formed on an image carrier using the developer, and the developer In an image forming apparatus having a developer conveying member for conveying or stirring the developer stored in the container, a driving force transmitting unit for transmitting a driving force for rotating the developer conveying member; Detecting means for detecting a rotation speed of the developer conveying member,
Is provided in the apparatus main body, the second part of the detection means is provided in the process cartridge, and the developer transport member is loaded by the developer when entering the stored developer and when exiting the stored developer. Image forming means for oscillating in response to a change in resistance, and sequentially detecting the amount of developer in the developer container by detecting a change in rotation speed caused by the oscillating by the detecting means; apparatus. 23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a point in time at which the developer transport member enters the stored developer and a point in time when the developer transport member leaves the stored developer are detected. 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 23, wherein a time interval from a point in time when the developer enters the storage developer to a point in time when the developer leaves the storage developer is detected. 25. The image forming apparatus according to claim 23, wherein a time interval from a point in time when the developer leaves the stored developer to a point in time when the developer enters the stored developer is detected. 26. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the developer conveying member is connected to the driving force transmitting means via an elastic member, and swings by an elastic force of the elastic member. 27. The elastic member includes a torsion coil spring,
27. The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the image forming apparatus is a tension spring, a compression spring, or a torsion bar. 28. An image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said elastic member is provided in a developer accommodating portion in said developer container. 29. An image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said developer conveying member swings with respect to said driving force transmitting means. 30. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a first part of said detecting means is a sensor and a second partial encoder plate of said detecting means. 31. The image forming apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising positioning means for positioning said sensor and said encoder plate. 32. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the process cartridge has a storage member for storing a detection history of a remaining amount of the developer stored in the developer container.
32. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 2 to 31. 33. A developer container for accommodating a developer used in an image forming apparatus, a developing means for visualizing a latent image formed on an image carrier using the developer, and A developing device having a developer conveying member for conveying or stirring the stored developer; a driving force transmitting unit for transmitting a driving force for rotating the developer conveying member; and the developer Detecting means for detecting a rotation speed of the conveying member, wherein the developer conveying member swings according to a change in load resistance due to the developer when entering the stored developer and when exiting from the stored development. A developing device for sequentially detecting an amount of the developer in the developer container by detecting a change in a rotation speed caused by the swing by the detecting means. 34. The developing device according to claim 33, wherein a point in time at which the developer transport member enters the stored developer and a point in time when the developer transport member leaves the stored developer are detected. 35. The developing device according to claim 34, wherein a time interval from a point in time when the developer enters the storage developer to a point in time when the developer leaves the storage developer is detected. 36. The developing device according to claim 34, wherein a time interval from a point when the developer leaves the stored developer to a point when the developer enters the stored developer is detected. 37. The developing device according to claim 33, wherein said developer conveying member is connected to said driving force transmitting means via an elastic member, and swings by an elastic force of said elastic member. 38. The elastic member includes a torsion coil spring,
38. The developing device according to claim 37, wherein the developing device is a tension spring, a compression spring, or a torsion bar. 39. The developing device according to claim 37, wherein the elastic member is provided in a developer accommodating portion in the developer container. 40. The developing device according to claim 33, wherein said developer conveying member swings with respect to said driving force transmitting means. 41. The developing device according to claim 33, wherein said detecting means has an encoder plate and a sensor. 42. The developing device according to claim 33, further comprising a contact for transmitting an output signal from said detecting means to an apparatus main body.