Powder amount detection device, developing apparatus, processing cassette and image forming device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a powder amount detecting device for detecting powder amount, as well as a developing device provided with the powder amount detecting device, a processing card box and an image forming device. The powder amount detecting device comprises a powder stirring device arranged inside a powder vessel, a driving force transmitting component which transmits driving force to a stirring component for driving the stirring component, a first detecting device which detects the movement of the driving force transmitting component, a second detecting device which detects the movement of the stirring component in the powder stirring device, and a judging device which judges the powder amount inside the powder vessel according to the information gained from the movement detection of the driving force transmitting component by the first detecting device and the information gained from the movement detection of the stirring component by the second detecting device.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a powder amount detection device for detecting the powder amount in a powder storage container, a developing device provided with the powder amount detection device, a process cartridge and an image forming device. The powder amount detection device is, for example, a developer amount detection device for detecting a residual amount of developer in a developer storage container, and the image forming apparatus is, for example, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Background technique [0002] As well known, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses include, for example, printers, copiers, facsimile apparatuses, and the like. A latent image is formed on an image carrier by a laser beam or the like, and the latent image is developed with a developer by a developing device to form a developer image on the image carrier. Next, this developer image is transferred onto a recording medium by a transfer device, ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0010] However, in the device of Patent Document 1, in order to detect the current value of the drive motor that drives the stirring device, a current detection controller is required, the device is complicated, the number of parts increases, and the power required for detection increases.

[0011] In the device of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to provide a torque detector for measuring the rotational torque of the driving device, output the detection signal from the torque detector to the arithmetic circuit, and then compare the pre-stored torque measurement value and the remaining amount of developer. Similar to the above-mentioned patent document 1, the device is complicated and the number of parts increases, resulting in an increase in power consumption for detection.

[0012] In the device of Patent Document 3, only the developer detection electrode is provided inside the developer container. Therefore, it cannot be determined whether the electrode is not energized due to a failure of the stirring device itself, or whether the electrode is not energized due to the amount of developer present.

Even though there is actually no developer, it is judged that there is developer, and the lack of reliability as a developer amount detection device makes it difficult for users to use it with peace of mind.

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